Alpha-1-antitrypsin variation in Southern Africa

Eleven Southern African populations were shown to be polymorphic at the alpha 1-antitrypsin locus. A 'new' electrophoretically detectable alpha 1-antitrypsin variant (PiWsan) which has a lower isoelectric point than does PiM, was found in the Bantu-speaking Negro and San populations. PiWsan appears to be functionally normal as judged by quantitative and qualitative studies.