Several polymorphisms in the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) gene have been reported in the last years. The most common IRS1 variant, a Gly --> Arg substitution at codon 972 (Arg972 IRS1), is more prevalent among subjects who have features of insulin resistance syndrome associated, or not, with type 2 diabetes in European populations. To determine whether the absence of IRS1 polymorphism is a more general characteristic of Paleo-Indian-derived populations, we examined the Arg972 IRS1 polymorphism in Parakanã Indians and found a lack of this polymorphism in the Parakanã population.