Plasma protein and red cell enzyme groups among the Nepalese

Nepalese blood samples were tested for two plasma proteins and seven red cell enzyme systems. Polymorphic variation was present for the haptoglobin protein system and for the acid phosphatase, phosphoglucomutase locus 1, adenylate kinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase loci controlling red cell enzyme systems. Gene frequencies are compared between the eastern and western Nepalese tribes, and with the distribution pattern known in other South and South-East Asian population groups. The possible interpretations of these observations are discussed.