An extended survey of the genetic polymorphism at the human coagulation factor XIII: a subunit structural locus.

The distribution of the three previously reported alleles, with normal products at the factor XIII A subunit structural locus, FXIIIA*1, FXIIIA*2 and FXIIIA*4 has been studied in populations from the region extending from the Indonesian archipelago through Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand to the Pacific Islands of Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. In addition a population from the Caspian Littoral of Iran and a population of South American Indians were studied. The FXIIIA*1 and FXIIIA*2 alleles were polymorphic in all populations studied. The distribution of the FXIIIA*4 allele suggests that it may be a Melanesian marker.