Distribution of alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) phenotypes in Cabo Verde (west Africa): description of a new allele, AHSG*32.

The genetic polymorphism of alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) was studied in the population of Cabo Verde (West Africa), using isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels followed by immunofixation-silver stain. AHSG frequencies are reported for the first time in a subsaharan African population. In addition to the common variants, AHSG 1 and AHSG 2, five AHSG variants were observed, including a new variant, tentatively designated AHSG 32. The allele frequencies were, AHSG*1: 0.7289, AHSG*2: 0.2111, AHSG*10: 0.0276, AHSG*3: 0.0162, AHSG*11: 0.0081, AHSG*22: 0.0065, AHSG*32:0.0016.