[Distribution of C subtypes and other Tf variants in populations of the USSR]

Serum samples from seventeen Caucasoids and Mongoloid populations of the USSR were tested for transferrin (Tf) subtypes. According to Tf patterns, the Caucasoids groups had high TfC1 frequency, whereas Mongoloids are characterized by increased frequency of TfC2 suballele. The following gene frequencies were observed: TfC1 - 0.8515, TfC2 - 0.1166, TfC3 - 0.0129, TfD - 0.0129, TfB - 0.0065 for Russians of Yegoryevsk town; TfC1 - 0.8663, TfC2 - 0.0930, TfC3 - 0.0233 for West-Pamirian populations of Khuf, those being for Pastkhuf 0.8476, 0.1159 and 0.0244, respectively. Mongoloid populations demonstrate following frequencies of five genes described (in the order shown above): 0.7870, 0.1620, 0.0232, 0.0139 for Kirghizes of East Pamir; 0.7963, 0.1805, 0.0050, 0.0182 for Buriats of Suduntui; 0.7647, 0.1985, 0.0074, 0.0221, 0.0037 and 0.0037 (gene TfDX) for Buriats of Sakhiurta, the frequencies of these genes being 0.7647, 0.1985, 0.0074, 0.021, 0.0037 and 0.0037 for Aginsky national district, Chita Region. The total sample of Buriats of Gakhan cluster (Ust-Ordyn national district) and Olkhon island of Irkutsk Region demonstrates following frequencies of genes (in the same order): 0.7876, 0.1962, 0.0012, 0.0057, 0.0082 and 0.7679 and 0.2321, respectively. In addition, a rare anodal variant designated tentatively TfC12Like was found among Pamir populations. The results obtained are compared with those reported for world populations.