Genetic variation in the haemoglobin of the Atlantic cod(Gadus morhua) in trans-Atlantic populations

Abstract

It can be concluded that Val55-Ala62 haplotype predominated in the Greenland, Canadian, Iceland, and Lofoten NEA, Østersjøen Inner while Met55-Lys62 was mainly found in Østersjøen outer and Skagerrak/Kattegat. The Canadian populations showed higher frequency of the Met residue at position 122, while the Leu122 allele was almost fixed in East-Atlantic populations. The 3D modelled structure of the cod haemoglobin showed that the replacement of Leu with Met brings about a slight increase in interface contacts that might cause less oxygen affinity.