QUANTITATIVE VARIATION OF 6-PHOSPHOGLUCONATE DEHYDROGENASE IN AN AFRICAN POPULATION

IN a previous report we described the relatively high frequency of the electrophoretic phenotype 6-PGD AB of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44; 6-PGD) in the local African population1. Our further experience confirms this: 6-PGD AB has been found in 115 of 500 Africans (23.0 per cent) compared with 23 of 300 Whites (7.6 per cent). The very rare phenotype 6-PGD B has been found in 12 of 500 Africans (2.4 per cent), but has not yet been found in the local White population. © 1969 Nature Publishing Group.