The MN blood
group system is under the control of an autosomal locus
found on chromosome 4, with two alleles designated
LM and LN. The
blood-type is due to a glycoprotein present on the
surface of red blood cells, which behaves as a native antigen.
Phenotypic expression at this locus is co-dominant
because an individual may exhibit either one or both antigenic
substances. Frequencies of the two alleles vary widely among
human populations: note variation in the data above by continent
of origin. Note also that although Australian Koori differ
markedly from Arctic Inuit, the latter are similar to
southwestern Diné (Navajo).
Carr
(2021) describes additional MN data from
various populations in the Philippine Islands, based on the
original presentation by Arcellana et al. (2011).
NB: Human population genetic
data were formerly collected with less appreciation for ethnic
identities and differentiation than is standard nowadays. Blood
group frequency data are often taken from hospital records,
which may or may not include place or group of origin. For
example, in the table above, the "Nigerian" data might come from
any of the three major ethnic groups (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba) or a
combination of these and others. "Chinese" likely means the
predominant Han ethnicity, but may not. "Anglo-American" in the
original source was labelled "White", and is likely a
highly admixed combination of European origin. As data for a
mathematical exercise, the numbers are useful. For inferences
about human evolution and diversity, a more nuanced approach is
necessary.