Mitochondrial diversity of Opsariichthys bidens (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) in three Chinese drainages

We describe the phylogeographic structure of 28 Chinese populations of the cyprinid Opsariichthys bidens across three main Chinese river drainages. Our study is based on the phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140 bp). We combined this analysis with population processes inferred from nested clade analysis (NCA) and mismatch distributions. Both analyses showed that Chinese O. bidens consists of five mtDNA lineages (Opsariichthys 1-5) with high genetic divergence among them. Molecular divergences (TrN+G) higher than 20% among the Opsariichthys 1-5 mtDNA lineages suggest a taxonomic underestimation at the species level. About 92% of the genetic variance among samples was explained by differences among Opsariichthys mtDNA lineages. Drainage-restricted haplotypes with high frequencies and moderate nucleotide diversity show that Opsariichthys populations have evolved independently. NCA results were congruent with the phylogeny, and unimodal mismatch distributions with negative Tajima's D values suggest population expansions in some Opsariichthys lineages. The phylogeographic structure of the Opsariichthys 1-5 mtDNA lineages appears to be related to their long-term interruption of gene flow (theta(ST)>0.97). Our results suggested that fragmentation of ancestral ranges might have caused Opsariichthys diversification in Chinese waters. However, current distribution of common haplotypes across the Yangtze and Pearl drainages suggests a recent river connection that could have favoured gene flow across drainages. Overall, the results indicated that the richness of current Asian widespread species might have been underestimated, and that the cyprinid populations of O. bidens in the Yangtze, Pearl and Hai He drainages may correspond to five species.     

Use of autosomal loci for clustering individuals and populations of East Asian origin

We studied the genetic relationships among East Asian populations based on allele frequency differences to clarify the relative similarities of East Asian populations with a specific focus on the relationships among the Koreans, the Japanese, and the Chinese populations known to be genetically similar. The goal is to find markers appropriate for differentiating among the specific populations. In this study, no prior data existed for Koreans and the markers were selected to differentiate Chinese and Japanese. We typed, using AB TaqMan assays, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 43 highly selected mostly independent diallelic sites, on 386 individuals from eight East Asian populations (Han Chinese from San Francisco, Han Chinese from Taiwan, Hakka, Koreans, Japanese, Ami, Atayal, and Cambodians) and one Siberian population (Yakut). We inferred group membership of individuals using a model-based clustering method implemented by the STRUCTURE program and population clustering by using computer programs DISTANCE, NEIGHBOR, LSSEARCH, and DRAWTREE, respectively, calculating genetic distances among populations, calculating neighbor-joining and least-squares trees, and drawing the calculated trees. On average 52% of individuals in the three Chinese groups were assigned into one cluster, and, respectively, 78 and 69% of Koreans and Japanese into a different cluster. Koreans differentiated from the Chinese groups and clustered with the Japanese in the principal component analysis (PCA) and in the best least-squares tree. The majority of Koreans were difficult to distinguish from the Japanese. This study shows that a relatively few highly selected markers can, within limits, differentiate between closely related populations.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Comparative study of the linkage disequilibrium of an ENCODE region, chromosome 7p15, in Korean, Japanese, and Han Chinese samples

The extent and pattern of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the human genome provide important information for disease gene mapping. Previous studies have shown that LDs vary depending on chromosomal regions and populations. As the Asian samples of the International HapMap Project consisted of Japanese and Chinese populations, it was of interest whether we could use the HapMap data as a reference to carry out association studies of common complex diseases in a closely related population, such as Koreans. We have compared the LD and recombination patterns defined by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ENCODE region ENm010, chromosome 7p15.2, in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese samples and further tested the robustness of tagSNPs among the Asian samples. We genotyped 792 SNPs in 500 kb (chromosome 7: 26699793-27199792, NCBI build 34) from 90 unrelated Koreans by fluorescence polarization detection and compared the data with Asian data from the HapMap project. Despite some differences in the position of high LD region boundaries, the overall patterns of LD were remarkably similar across the three samples, reflecting strong genetic affinities among them. Furthermore, the haplotype tag SNP transferability across the three samples was greater than 90%. Our results support the initial suggestion that the populations genotyped in the HapMap project might serve as reference populations for the selection of tagSNPs in association studies.     

Human-Mediated Admixture and Selection Shape the Diversity on the Modern Swine (Sus scrofa) Y Chromosomes

Throughout its distribution across Eurasia, domestic pig (Sus scrofa) populations have acquired differences through natural and artificial selection, and have often interbred. We resequenced 80 Eurasian pigs from nine different Asian and European breeds; we identify 42,288 reliable SNPs on the Y chromosome in a panel of 103 males, among which 96.1% are newly detected. Based on these new data, we elucidate the evolutionary history of pigs through the lens of the Y chromosome. We identify two highly divergent haplogroups: one present only in Asia and one fixed in Europe but present in some Asian populations. Analyzing the European haplotypes present in Asian populations, we find evidence of three independent waves of introgression from Europe to Asia in last 200 years, agreeing well with the literature and historical records. The diverse European lineages were brought in China by humans and left significant imprints not only on the autosomes but also on the Y chromosome of geographically and genetically distinct Chinese pig breeds. We also find a general excess of European ancestry on Y chromosomes relative to autosomes in Chinese pigs, an observation that cannot be explained solely by sex-biased migration and genetic drift. The European Y haplotype is associated with leaner meat production, and we hypothesize that the European Y chromosome increased in frequency in Chinese populations due to artificial selection. We find evidence of Y chromosomal gene flow between Sumatran wild boar and Chinese pigs. Our results demonstrate how human-mediated admixture and selection shaped the distribution of modern swine Y chromosomes.     

Genetic structure of a 2,500-year-old human population in China and its spatiotemporal changes

To examine temporal changes in population genetic structure, we compared the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of three populations that lived in the same location, Linzi, China, in different periods: 2,500 years ago (the Spring-Autumn era), 2,000 years ago (the Han era), and the present day. Two indices were used to compare the genetic differences: the frequency distributions of the radiating haplotype groups and the genetic distances among the populations. The results indicate that the genetic backgrounds of the three populations are distinct from each other. Inconsistent with the geographical distribution, the 2,500-year-old Linzi population showed greater genetic similarity to present-day European populations than to present-day east Asian populations. The 2, 000-year-old Linzi population had features that were intermediate between the present-day European/2,500-year-old Linzi populations and the present-day east Asian populations. These relationships suggest the occurrence of drastic spatiotemporal changes in the genetic structure of Chinese people during the past 2,500 years.     

利用HPA-1～3,5和15系统多态性估算中外不同人群遗传距离

依据血小板同种抗原5个系统的遗传多态性, 采用聚合酶链反应序列特异性引物技术, 对1 000名中国汉族无关献血者HPA-1~3, 5和15系统进行基因分型, 计算基因频率。使用DISPAN软件及PHYLIP软件计算不同群体间遗传距离并绘制系统树。系统树显示, 亚洲人群先与欧洲人群相聚, 之后再与非洲人群相聚, 非洲人群位于系统发生树的最顶部; 印度人群处于亚洲人群与欧洲人群之间; 南美洲巴西白人与欧洲人群聚在一起; 大洋洲的波利尼西亚人与亚洲人群聚在一起。此研究从一个侧面证明了人类“非洲起源说”, 印证亚洲人群由南亚向东南亚再向东亚迁徙的路线, 并推断出欧洲人群由南欧向北欧、西欧迁徙的线路。HPA能有效估算不同人群间遗传距离, 分析人类迁徙过程, HPA可作为遗传标记应用于人类进化的研究。     

Genetic studies of human diversity in East Asia

East Asia is one of the most important regions for studying evolution and genetic diversity of human populations. Recognizing the relevance of characterizing the genetic diversity and structure of East Asian populations for understanding their genetic history and designing and interpreting genetic studies of human diseases, in recent years researchers in China have made substantial efforts to collect samples and generate data especially for markers on Y chromosomes and mtDNA. The hallmark of these efforts is the discovery and confirmation of consistent distinction between northern and southern East Asian populations at genetic markers across the genome. With the confirmation of an African origin for East Asian populations and the observation of a dominating impact of the gene flow entering East Asia from the south in early human settlement, interpretation of the north-south division in this context poses the challenge to the field. Other areas of interest that have been studied include the gene flow between East Asia and its neighbouring regions (i.e. Central Asia, the Sub-continent, America and the Pacific Islands), the origin of Sino-Tibetan populations and expansion of the Chinese.     

An analytical enrichment-based review of structural genetic studies on keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive bilateral corneal protrusion that leads to irregular astigmatism and impairment of vision. Keratoconus is an etiologically heterogeneous corneal dystrophy and both environmental and genetic factors play a role in its etiopathogenesis. In this analytical review, we have studied all the genes that are structurally associated with keratoconus and have tried to explain the function of each gene and its association with other eye disorders in a concise way. In addition, using gene set enrichment analysis, it was attempted to find the most important impaired metabolic pathways in keratoconus. Several genetic studies have been carried out on keratoconus and several genes have been identified as risk factors involved in the etiology of the disease. In the current study, 16 studies, including nine association studies, five genome-wide association studies, one linkage study, and one meta-analysis, were reviewed and based on the 19 genes found, enrichment was performed and the most important metabolic pathways involved in the disease were identified. The enrichment results indicated that the two pathways, interleukin 1 processing and assembly of collagen fibrils, are significantly associated with the disease. Obviously, the results of this study, in addition to providing information about the genes involved in the disease, can provide an integrated insight into the gene-based etiology of keratoconus and therapeutic opportunities thereof.     

Genetic Structure and Differentiation of Three Chinese Indigenous Cattle Populations

Levels of genetic differentiation, gene flow, and genetic structure of three indigenous cattle populations (Luxi, Bohai, and Minnan) and two reference cattle populations (Chinese Holstein and Qinhai yak) in China were estimated using the information from 12 microsatellites, and 141 microsatellite alleles were identified. The mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 2.9005 in yak to 4.9722 in Holstein. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.5325 (yak) to 0.7719 (Holstein); 29 private alleles were detected. The global heterozygote deficit across all populations amounted to 58.5% (p < 0.001). The overall significant (p < 0.001) deficit of heterozygotes because of inbreeding within breeds amounted to 43.2%. The five cattle populations were highly differentiated (F _st = 26.9%, p < 0.001) at all loci. The heterozygote deficit within the population was highest in Luxi cattle and lowest in yak. The average number of effective migrants exchanged per generation was highest (1.149) between Luxi and Holstein, and lowest (0.509) between Luxi and yak. With the application of prior population information, cluster analysis achieved posterior probabilities from 91% to 98% of correctly assigning individuals to populations. Combining the information of cluster analysis, gene flow, and Structure analysis, the five cattle populations belong to three genetic clusters, a taurine (Luxi and Chinese Holstein), a zebu (Bohai and Minnan), and a yak cluster. This indicates that Bohai black is closer to Bos indicus than Luxi cattle. The evolution and development of three indigenous cattle populations are discussed.     

Challenging views on the peopling history of East Asia: the story according to HLA markers

The peopling of East Asia by the first modern humans is strongly debated from a genetic point of view. A north-south genetic differentiation observed in this geographic area suggests different hypotheses on the origin of Northern East Asian (NEA) and Southern East Asian (SEA) populations. In this study, the highly polymorphic HLA markers were used to investigate East Asian genetic diversity. Our database covers a total of about 127,000 individuals belonging to 84 distinct Asian populations tested for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DPB1, and/or -DRB1 alleles. Many Chinese populations are represented, which have been sampled in the last 30 years but rarely taken into account in international research due to their data published in Chinese. By using different statistical methods, we found a significant correlation between genetics and geography and relevant genetic clines in East Asia. Additionally, HLA alleles appear to be unevenly distributed: some alleles observed in NEA populations are widespread at the global level, while some alleles observed in SEA populations are virtually unique in Asia. The HLA genetic variation in East Asia is also characterized by a decrease of diversity from north to south, although a reverse pattern appears when one only focuses on alleles restricted to Asia. These results reflect a more complex migration history than that illustrated by the "southern-origin" hypothesis, as genetic contribution of ancient human migrations through a northern route has probably been quite substantial. We thus suggest a new overlapping model where northward and southward opposite migrations occurring at different periods overlapped.     

EvoSNP-DB: A database of genetic diversity in East Asian populations

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become popular as an approach for the identification of large numbers of phenotype-associated variants. However, differences in genetic architecture and environmental factors mean that the effect of variants can vary across populations. Understanding population genetic diversity is valuable for the investigation of possible population specific and independent effects of variants. EvoSNP-DB aims to provide information regarding genetic diversity among East Asian populations, including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Non-redundant SNPs (1.6 million) were genotyped in 54 Korean trios (162 samples) and were compared with 4 million SNPs from HapMap phase II populations. EvoSNP-DB provides two user interfaces for data query and visualization, and integrates scores of genetic diversity (Fst and VarLD) at the level of SNPs, genes, and chromosome regions. EvoSNP-DB is a web-based application that allows users to navigate and visualize measurements of population genetic differences in an interactive manner, and is available online at [http://biomi.cdc.go.kr/EvoSNP/]. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(8): 416-421]     

Molecular genetic analysis of remains from Lamadong cemetery, Liaoning, China

The Xianbei existed as a remarkable nomadic tribe in northeastern China for three dynasties: the Han, Jin, and Northern-Southern dynasties (206 BC to 581 AD) in Chinese history. A very important subtribe of the Xianbei is the Murong Xianbei. To investigate the genetic structure of the Murong Xianbei population and to address its genetic relationships with other nomadic tribes at a molecular level, we analyzed the control region sequences and coding-region single nucleotide polymorphism markers of mtDNA from the remains of the Lamadong cemetery of the Three-Yan Culture of the Murong Xianbei population, which is dated to 1,600-1,700 years ago. By combining polymorphisms of the control region with those from the code region, we assigned 17 individuals to haplogroups B, C, D, F, G2a, Z, M, and J1b1. The frequencies of these haplogroups were compared with those of Asian populations and a multidimensional scaling graph was constructed to investigate relationships with other Asian populations. The results indicate that the genetic structure of the Lamadong population is very intricate; it has haplogroups prevalent in both the Eastern Asian and the Siberian populations, showing more affinity with the Eastern Asian populations. The present study also shows that the ancient nomadic tribes of Huns, Tuoba Xianbei, and Murong Xianbei have different maternal genetic structures and that there could have been some genetic exchange among them.     

Genetic analysis of twelve X-chromosomal STRs in Japanese and Chinese populations

We investigated the genetic markers of twelve X-STR loci in 670 healthy, unrelated Japanese (438 men and 232 women) from Tokyo and 488 Chinese (263 men and 225 women) from Shenyang, using the Investigator Argus X-12 kit. Allele and haplotype analyses of twelve X-STRs clustered into four linkage groups indicated that they are highly informative for forensic applications in Japanese and Chinese populations. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium tests demonstrated no significant deviations in the two populations. Among the four closely linked X-STR trios, some haplotype unique to Japanese or Chinese population were detected. Haplotype diversity for each linkage group ranged from 0.9861 to 0.9968, showing high values in each of the study populations. The genetic distances between populations based on the 12 X-STR loci and the phylogenetic tree revealed long genetic distances between Asian and Caucasian populations and between Asian and African population (Moroccan). These results suggest that the twelve X-STR loci will contribute to forensic casework in Japanese and Chinese populations.     

GM haplotype diversity of 82 populations over the world suggests a centrifugal model of human migrations

This study investigates the GM genetic relationships of 82 human populations, among which 10 represent original data, within and among the main broad geographic areas of the world. Different approaches are used: multidimensional scaling analysis and test for isolation by distance, to assess the correlation between genetic variation and spatial distributions; analysis of variance, to investigate the genetic structure at different hierarchical levels of population subdivision; genetic similarity map (geographic map distorted by available genetic information), to identify regions of high and low genetic variation; and minimal spanning network, to point out possible migration routes across continental areas. The results show that the GM polymorphism is characterized by one of the highest amounts of genetic variation observed so far among populations of different continents (Fct=0.3915, P < 0.0001). GM diversity can be explained by a model of isolation by distance (IBD) at most continental levels, with a particularly significant fit to IBD for the Middle East and Europe. Five peripheral regions of the world (Europe, west and south sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and America) exhibit a low level of genetic diversity both within and among populations. By contrast, East and North African, Southwest Asian, and Northeast Asian populations are highly diverse and interconnected genetically by large genetic distances. Therefore, the observed GM variation can be explained by a "centrifugal model" of modern humans peopling history, involving ancient dispersals across a large intercontinental area spanning from East Africa to Northeast Asia, followed by recent migrations in peripheral geographic regions.     

Microsatellite profiles reveal an unexpected genetic relationship between Asian populations

Allelic frequencies for up to five short tandem repeat systems (HumTH01, HumVWA, HumF13B, HumCD4, HumD21S11) were analyzed in seven population samples from Asia using the polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed. Two new alleles of the CD4 and TH01 loci were detected, and sequenced and their molecular structure is presented. A phylogenetic tree based on Thai, Han Chinese (from the northeast of China), Japanese, German and Ovambo allelic frequencies was constructed and demonstrates the close relationship of the Asian populations. Additionally, allelic frequency data for the VWA and TH01 systems were determined for the south Chinese minorities Bai, Dai and Qiang and for Koreans and compared with the above data. The Bai and Dai populations were clear outliers of the cluster of all other Asians, indicating an unexpected pattern of genetic heterogeneity of the Chinese nation. Two clusters of Asian populations could be established: the Koreans and Japanese together with the Han and Qiang Chinese, and, forming a separate cluster, the Bai and Dai populations. Received: 10 June 1997 / Accepted: 15 March 1998     

Effect of captivity on genetic variance for five traits in the large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus)

Understanding the changes in genetic variance which may occur as populations move from nature into captivity has been considered important when populations in captivity are used as models of wild ones. However, the inherent significance of these changes has not previously been appreciated in a conservation context: are the methods aimed at founding captive populations with gene diversity representative of natural populations likely also to capture representative quantitative genetic variation? Here, I investigate changes in heritability and a less traditional measure, evolvability, between nature and captivity for the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, to address this question. Founders were collected from a 100-km transect across the north-eastern US, and five traits (wing colour, pronotum colour, wing length, early fecundity and later fecundity) were recorded for founders and for their offspring during two generations in captivity. Analyses reveal significant heritable variation for some life history and morphological traits in both environments, with comparable absolute levels of evolvability across all traits (0-30%). Randomization tests show that while changes in heritability and total phenotypic variance were highly variable, additive genetic variance and evolvability remained stable across the environmental transition in the three morphological traits (changing 1-2% or less), while they declined significantly in the two life-history traits (5-8%). Although it is unclear whether the declines were due to selection or gene-by-environment interactions (or both), such declines do not appear inevitable: captive populations with small numbers of founders may contain substantial amounts of the evolvability found in nature, at least for some traits.     

Pleistocene climate changes shaped the divergence and demography of Asian populations of the great tit Parus major: evidence from phylogeographic analysis and ecological niche models

Different scales and frequencies of glaciations developed in Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene. Because species’ responses to climate change are influenced by interactive factors including ecology and local topography, the pattern and tempo of species diversification may vary significantly across regions. The great tit Parus major is a widespread Eurasian passerine with a range that encircles the central Asian desert and high‐altitude areas of the Tibetan Plateau. A number of genetic studies have assessed the effect of paleo‐climate changes on the distribution of the European population. However, none have comprehensively addressed how paleo‐climate change affected the distribution of the great tit in China, an apparent hotspot of P. major subspecific diversity. Here, we describe likely paleo‐climatic effects on P. major populations in China based on a combination of phylogeography and ecological niche models (ENMs). We sequenced three mitochondrial DNA markers from 28 populations (213 individuals), and downloaded 112 sequences from outside its Chinese range. As the first step in clarifying the intra‐specific relationships among haplotypes, we attempted to clarify the divergence and demography of populations in China. Phylogeographic analysis revealed that P. major is comprised of five highly divergent clades with geographic breaks corresponding to steep mountains and dry deserts. A previously undescribed monophyletic clade with high genetic diversity, stable niches and a long and independent evolutionary history was detected in the mountainous areas of southwest China. The estimated times at which these clades diverged was traced back to the Early‐Middle Pleistocene (2.19–0.61 mya). Contrary to the post‐LGM (the Last Glacial Maximum) expansion of European populations, demographic history indicates that Asian populations expanded before the LGM after which they remained relatively stable or grew slowly through the LGM. ENMs support this conclusion and predict a similar distribution in the present and the LGM. Our genetic and ecological results demonstrate that Pleistocene climate changes shaped the divergence and demography of P. major in China.     

Identification of a Functional Genetic Variant at 16q12.1 for Breast Cancer Risk: Results from the Asia Breast Cancer Consortium

Genetic factors play an important role in the etiology of breast cancer. We carried out a multi-stage genome-wide association (GWA) study in over 28,000 cases and controls recruited from 12 studies conducted in Asian and European American women to identify genetic susceptibility loci for breast cancer. After analyzing 684,457 SNPs in 2,073 cases and 2,084 controls in Chinese women, we evaluated 53 SNPs for fast-track replication in an independent set of 4,425 cases and 1,915 controls of Chinese origin. Four replicated SNPs were further investigated in an independent set of 6,173 cases and 6,340 controls from seven other studies conducted in Asian women. SNP rs4784227 was consistently associated with breast cancer risk across all studies with adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.25 (1.20−1.31) per allele (P = 3.2×10⁻²⁵) in the pooled analysis of samples from all Asian samples. This SNP was also associated with breast cancer risk among European Americans (per allele OR  = 1.19, 95% CI  = 1.09−1.31, P = 1.3×10⁻⁴, 2,797 cases and 2,662 controls). SNP rs4784227 is located at 16q12.1, a region identified previously for breast cancer risk among Europeans. The association of this SNP with breast cancer risk remained highly statistically significant in Asians after adjusting for previously-reported SNPs in this region. In vitro experiments using both luciferase reporter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated functional significance of this SNP. These results provide strong evidence implicating rs4784227 as a functional causal variant for breast cancer in the locus 16q12.1 and demonstrate the utility of conducting genetic association studies in populations with different genetic architectures.     

Fine-scale map of encyclopedia of DNA elements regions in the Korean population

The International HapMap Project aims to generate detailed human genome variation maps by densely genotyping single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CEPH, Chinese, Japanese, and Yoruba samples. This will undoubtedly become an important facility for genetic studies of diseases and complex traits in the four populations. To address how the genetic information contained in such variation maps is transferable to other populations, the Korean government, industries, and academics have launched the Korean HapMap project to genotype high-density Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) regions in 90 Korean individuals. Here we show that the LD pattern, block structure, haplotype diversity, and recombination rate are highly concordant between Korean and the two HapMap Asian samples, particularly Japanese. The availability of information from both Chinese and Japanese samples helps to predict more accurately the possible performance of HapMap markers in Korean disease-gene studies. Tagging SNPs selected from the two HapMap Asian maps, especially the Japanese map, were shown to be very effective for Korean samples. These results demonstrate that the HapMap variation maps are robust in related populations and will serve as an important resource for the studies of the Korean population in particular.     

Genetic structure analyses and ancestral information inference of Chinese Kyrgyz group via a panel of 39 AIM-DIPs

Ancestry informative markers have extensive uses and advantages in inferring ancestral origins and estimating ancestral genetic information components of admixed populations. With the characteristics of highly cultural exchange and the admixed genetic structure of the Kyrgyz group, it is essential to enrich the genetic data of the Kyrgyz group. In this study, we used a self-developed ancestry informative marker-deletion/insertion polymorphic (AIM-DIP) panel to explore ancestral components of Chinese Kyrgyz group and population genetic relationships between the Kyrgyz group and reference populations. Results showed that all AIM-DIP loci were conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There were 36 AIM-DIP loci that contributed significantly to genetic information inference. Multiple statistical analyses revealed that Chinese Kyrgyz group had a closer genetic relationship with Chinese Uyghur group. The ancestral components of the Kyrgyz group, being mostly composed of genetic components of European and East Asian populations, were more similar to the ancestral components of Chinese Uyghur group.