Red cell glyoxalase I polymorphism in Italians. Report of a variant phenotype.

The glyoxalase I polymorphism was studied in 1,490 unrelated subjects from three different areas of Italy (Milan, Rome and Naples). The following frequencies of GLO2 allele were observed: Milan 0.57, Rome 0.59, Naples 0.61, and a significant difference between Milan and Naples was found (p less than 0.02). An anomalous phenotype is also described which permits us to postulate a new allele producing an isozyme with low activity and electrophoretically slower than those corresponding to GLO1 and GLO2 alleles.