Genetic variation of human sex hormone-binding globulin: evidence for a worldwide bi-allelic gene.

Genetic variation of human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) has been investigated on 1690 unrelated neuraminidase-treated serum samples using isoelectric focusing followed by transfer to nitrocellulose membranes and immunostaining. Three clearly distinct isoelectric focusing patterns, consistent with the expression of an autosomal genetic system, were identified. Using allele frequencies, calculated on the basis of a bi-allelic gene, an excellent agreement between observed and expected phenotype numbers was obtained in every examined population sample. Family data along with the observed distribution of the three SHBG phenotypes among racially different groups and sexes indicate that SHBG is worldwide encoded by two autosomal codominant alleles. Compared with healthy Belgian blood donors no statistically significant differences were noted for the allele frequencies among 399 patients and 70 hirsute women of Belgian origin. Evidence is also presented that the subunit produced by the variant allele (SHBG2) has a higher molecular mass than the one produced by the regular allele (SHBG1) and that the three SHBG genotypes have identical binding characteristics for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone.