Esterase D polymorphism in several population groups in Israel

The genetic polymorphism of red blood cells esterase D (EsD) has been investigated in 9 population groups in Israel: Ashkenazi Jews, non-Ashkenazi Jews from North Africa, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Balkan, Iraq, Yemen as well as Arabs living in Israel. The distribution of EsD1 and EsD2 genes among the 9 communities was not homogenous chi2 = 42.3; d.f. = 8; p less than 0.0005). The Ashkenazi and North African Jews had significantly lower frequencies of EsD2 (0.100 and 0.102 respectively) than did Yemenite Jews and Arabs (0.212 and 0.206 respectively). The other communities investigated showed intermediate values. A Jewish family from Greece carrying the rare allele EsD2 has been detected.