Group-specific component (Gc) subtypes in Gambian and Transkeian populations: a description of a new variant

A total of 270 serum specimens from Keneba and Manduar villages of The Gambia and 126 from Bantu of Transkei were examined for the group-specific component (Gc) phenotypes by isoelectric focusing. Only one individual showed phenotype 2-2 in the Bantu population, and the sub-allele frequencies showed a distribution very characteristic of African populations. A new rare mutation, Gc1C34, was found in heterozygous combination with Gc2 allele. The synthesis of the existing Gc sub-type data was examined for its anthropological implications.