Homozygous Hb J Tongariki: Evidence for Only One Alpha Chain Structural Locus in Melanesians

Abstract

A high frequency of Hb J Tongariki (alpha 115 Ala --> Asp) was found in a Kilenge village in New Britain. Heterozygotes had 45 to 50 percent of the Hb J component (determined by cellulose acetate electrophoresis). Two homozygotes for Hb J had no Hb A, suggesting that in this family only one Hbalpha structural locus is present.