Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Methods to Increase the Sensitivity of High Resolution Melting Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in Malaria
Published on: November 10, 2015
Selective pressure has not acted against hypercoagulability alleles in high-altitude Amerindians
J L Rupert1, M V Monsalve, K K Kidd
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. rupert@zoology.ubc.ca
Abstract:
Elevated hematocrit increases blood oxygen carrying capacity in high-altitude populations, but blood viscosity and coaguability may increase concomitantly. Alleles of the beta-fibrinogen gene (FGB) associated with lower fibrinogen levels are more common in highland Amerindians (Quechua) than lowland Amerindians (Na-Dene). Although genetic drift could account for this, selection may have acted against transmission of hypercoagulability alleles at high altitude. To test this hypothesis, we compared allele frequencies between Quechua and more closely related lowlanders (Maya) at loci in the genes encoding beta-fibrinogen (FGB), factors V (F5), VII (F7) and XIII (F13), alpha2-integrin (ITGA2) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1; SERPINE1). No significant differences in allele frequencies were found except 485arg in the gene encoding factor V, which was more common in the Quechua. These data do not support the hypothesis that selection has acted to eliminate alleles associated with hypercoagulability in Andean highlanders.
More Related Videos
09:37A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
Published on: July 14, 2016
07:26High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment
Published on: July 18, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Frequency-dependent Selection
Limits to Natural Selection
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters