Genetic polymorphism analysis among nine endogamous population groups of Maharashtra,India

The present paper reports results of analysis of 14 genetic marker systems-ABO, MN, Rh, Hp, Tf, Cp, Alb, AcPH, PGM, LDH, MDH, Est-D, Hb and G-6-PD studied on a number of subjects of 9 endogamous groups of Maharashtra: Bhils, Katkaris and Pawaras, (all tribal groups); Deshastha Rigvedi and Chitpavan (two Brahmin groups); Nava Budhas (a scheduled caste); Chandrasenya Kayastha Prabhu and Marathas (two middle caste groups); and Parsis a migrant group from west Asia. Analysis of heterogeneity of gene frequencies reveal considerable heterogeneity for most of the loci among these groups.     

Genetic variation at minisatellite loci D1S7, D4S139, D5S110 and D17S79 among three population groups of eastern India

Genetic variation at four minisatellite loci D1S7, D4S139, D5S110 and D17S79 in three predominant population groups of eastern India, namely Brahmin, Kayastha and Garo, are reported in this study. The Brahmin and Kayastha are of Indo-Caucasoid origin while the Garo community represents the Indo-Mongoloid ethnic group. The methodology employed comprised generation of HaeIII-restricted fragments of isolated DNA, Southern blotting, and hybridization using chemiluminescent probes MS1, pH30, LH1 and V1 for the four loci. All four loci were highly polymorphic in the population groups. Heterozygosity values for the four loci ranged between 0.68 and 0.95. Neither departure from Hardy-Weinberg expectations nor evidence of any association across alleles among the selected loci was observed. The gene differentiation value among the loci is moderate (G_ST = 0.027). A neighbour-joining tree constructed on the basis of the generated data shows very low genetic distance between the Brahmin and Kayastha communities in relation to the Garo. Our results based on genetic distance analysis are consistent with results of earlier studies based on serological markers and linguistic as well as morphological affiliations of these populations and their Indo-Caucasoid and Indo-Mongoloid origin. The minisatellite loci studied here were found to be not only useful in showing significant genetic variation between the populations but also to be suitable for human identity testing among eastern Indian populations.     

Defective colour vision and taste sensitivity to PTC in the Maharashtrian population

Three caste groups of the Maharashtrian population, namely Brahmin (N=58), Maratha (N=989) and Scheduled caste (N=1073), were studied for defective colour vision and for the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). Comparisons of defective colour vision and PTC taste sensitivity were made with other Maharashtrian populations studied previously by various authors. The incidence of defective colour vision is lowest among the Brahmins (3.44%) and highest in the Scheduled caste people (4.28%). Taste sensitivity to PTC is highest among the Brahmins (72.5%) with a value which is close to the Vednagar Brahmins (73.3%) who show the highest frequency of the ‘T’ gene recorded so far in Maharashtra.     

Gene differentiation among the Dhangar caste-cluster of Maharashtra, India

Genetic differentiation among the 22 Dhangar castes of Maharashtra, India, is studied using data on several polymorphic serological and biochemical loci employing Nei's distance measures. The intercaste genetic distances and the coefficient of gene diversity among these caste groups are found to be rather small. The relationship between gene identity and geographic distance is also studied empirically from the gene frequency data. All these analyses indicate that genetic differentiation among the Dhangar castes is at its very early stage only. It is also suggested that these caste groups probably originated from a common stock and are in the process of differentiation by fission with very little intercaste migration in the recent past.     

Population genetics of glyoxalase I (GLO) polymorphism in India

Phenotype and gene frequency data are presented on the glyoxalase I (GLO) polymorphism in seven endogamous caste groups: Jat Sikh, Ramdasia Sikh, Ramgarhia Sikh, Khatri, Brahmin and Bania of Patiala district, and Jat Sikh of Faridkot district of Punjab, North-West India. Apparently, there is considerable heterogeneity in the frequency distribution of the GLO1 gene that varies from 0.168 in Bania to 0.287 in Brahmin. However, these differences are not statistically significant, and the overall GLO1 frequency in Punjab is well within the North Indian range.     

Gene diversity for haptoglobin and transferrin classical markers among Hindu and Muslim populations of Aligarh city,India

The present paper reports the distribution of serum protein markers viz. haptoglobin and transferrin in two major groups of Aligarh city of North India. In present study we have undertaken a survey of 538 individuals belonging to eight different populations, four from the Hindu community i.e. Brahmin, Bania, Rajput and Jatav, and the rest four among the Muslim community i.e. Syed, Sheikh, Pathan and Ansari. The heterozygosity ranged from 0.2939 (Ansari) to 0.4873 (Brahmin) for haptoglobin and from 0.000 (Rajput) to 0.1498 (Pathan) for transferrin. The values of D _ST are 0.4122 and 0.4406, and that of G _ST are 0.5059 and 0.9726 for haptoglobin and transferrin markers respectively. Through F _ST test, it has been concluded that there is a high genetic differentiation of populations within Hindu and Muslim groups, though there is absence of any significant differences between these groups.     

Physical variation in three Assamese castes

The paper deals with variation with regard to certain physical traits like AB0 blood groups, cerumen type, cross section of head hair, finger patterns and anthropometric characters in three Assamese caste populations, namely Brahmin, Kalita and Kaibarta representing three strata of the Assamese caste society. The study reveals that in respect of AB0 blood groups, cerumen type and finger patterns the Kaibartas stand apart from the Brahmin and Kalita, who are similar to one another. With regard to the other traits a different picture is observed. When the castes are arranged in hierarcheal order, the hair becomes coarser from the Brahmin to the Kaibarta through the Kalita. The metric values also can be arranged in a similar manner when certain values show a decrease from the lower to higher caste and others increase. While dealing with the nature of variation an attempt has also been made to look for the possible reasons. It appears that a host of factors like ethnic migration, inflow of genes, isolation are involved to cause variation.     

Genetic markers among Meiteis and Brahmins of Manipur, India

Genetic polymorphism of 16 red-cell antigens, enzymes, serum proteins and Hb variants was investigated in 214 male and female individuals belonging to the Meiteis and a Brahmin caste group living in Imphal (Manipur, Northeast India). Ethnohistorical records suggest that the Meiteis are of Mongoloid origin, while the original Brahmin settlers represent the easternmost part of the so-called Caucasoids. The markers studied are: A1A2BO, MNSs, Rh-system, Duffy, Diego; Gm, Km, Gc, Hp, Tf, Cp; Hb; aP, AK, EsD and LDH. The comparison between the two groups on the basis of the markers studied showed that the Meiteis and Brahmins are very close to each other with respect to most of the loci except Gm, EsD and Hb, where significant statistical differences were found.     

Patterns of genetic diversity at the nine forensically approved STR loci in the Indian populations

Genetic diversity at the nine short tandem repeat (STR) loci, which are universally approved and widely used for forensic investigations, has been studied among nine Indian populations with diverse ethnic, linguistic, and geographic backgrounds. The nine STR loci were profiled on 902 individuals using fluorescent detection methods on an ABI377 System, with the aid of an Amp-F1 Profiler Plus Kit. The studied populations include two upper castes, Brahmin and Kayastha; a tribe, Garo, from West Bengal; a Hindu caste, Meitei, with historical links to Bengal Brahmins; a migrant group of Muslims; three tribal groups, Naga, Kuki and Hmar, from Manipur in northeast India; and a middle-ranking caste, Golla, who are seminomadic herders from Andhra Pradesh. Gene diversity analysis suggests that the average heterozygosity is uniformly high (>0.8) in the studied populations, with the coefficient of gene differentiation at 0.050 +/- 0.0054. Both neighbor-joining (NJ) and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) trees based on DA distances bring out distinct clusters that are consistent with ethnic, linguistic, and/or geographic backgrounds of the populations. The fit of the Harpending and Ward model of regression of average heterozygosity on the gene frequency centroid is found to be good, and the observed outliers are consistent with the population structure and history of the studied populations. Our study suggests that the nine STR loci, used so far mostly for forensic investigations, can be used fruitfully for microevolutionary studies as well, and for reconstructing the phylogenetic history of human populations, at least at the local level.     

The occurrence of DChi and new D and B transferrin variants among caste groups of Andhra Pradesh (S. India)

Summary Serum samples from a total of 862 unrelated individuals belonging to seven Hindu endogamous caste groups residing in Hyderabad and Warangal cities of Andhra Pradesh were examined for electrophoretic variation of transferrin (Tf). In four caste groups, namely, Brahmin, Vysya, Padmashali, and Kapu, the Mongoloid genetic marker D_Chi was found, with polymorphic frequencies in Brahmin and Vysya groups. The two new D variants found in individuals of Madiga and Mudiraj castes were designated as D_Madiga and D_Mudiraj. Similarly, two new B variants found in individuals of Goldsmith and Madiga castes were designated as B_Goldsmith and B_Madiga, respectively. These findings suggest a widespread transferrin variation in caste groups of Andhra Pradesh and in the tribal populations of this region.     

Use of DNA Markers in Prediction of Hybrid Performance and Heterosis for a Three-Line Hybrid System in Rice

Two Cytoplasmic Male Sterile lines were crossed with fourteen restorer lines of rice widely grown in the western regions of Maharashtra, India, to produce 28 F₁ hybrids which were evaluated for eight agronomically important traits, contributing to yield potential, in replicated field trials. The hybrid performance was recorded along with heterosis and heterobeltiosis. All the rice lines under investigation were subjected to marker-based variability analysis. An attempt was made to correlate genetic distance based on specific markers for each trait individually, as well as average genetic distance based on all specific markers, with hybrid performance and heterosis, by regression analysis. Specific markers could cluster the parental lines in different groups and showed significant correlation with hybrid performance. The data also supports the proposition that epistasis is the basis of heterosis. The analysis, however, revealed a lack of significant predictive values for field application.     

Anthropometric and genetic distance between Gonds of Central India

A morphological and genetic study was undertaken on five Gondi-speaking populations of Central India (Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra States). There has been no systematic biological study on this large Dravidian-speaking tribal group, 4 million in number, amounting to 13% of the total tribal population of India. Data was collected on 16 anthropometric measurements and seven genetic markers (blood groups, hemoglobin, G6PD and plasma protein polymorphisms) on the Raj Gonds, Kolams, Manne, Koyas and Plains Maria Gonds. Various genetic distance measures such as Mahalanobis's D2 and Nei's and Sanghvi's measures and cluster analysis techniques were used to determine the relationship between these groups based on anthropometrics and genetic variables. The statistical analysis revealed the Gonds to be a heterogenous group in both morphology and genetic characteristics. The morphological and genetic distances between these five groups when projected graphically revealed that the spatial distribution of these Gonds generally corresponds to their present geographical distribution. However, the actual relationships among each of the Gond populations show differences when based on these two biological variables, the possible reasons for this being discussed in the paper. The emphasis of this study is on the importance of geographical proximity in producing morphological and genetic similarity between populations, brought about by a short distance as well as similar geographical factors (such as soil, terrain, flora, etc.) drawing these populations together under a common ecocultural umbrella.     

Analysis of the enzyme polymorphism in a plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., population from the north-west coast of Brittany, France

A study of enzyme polymorphism by electrophoretical techniques permitted the genetic structure and the homogeneity degree of the plaice population present in the Abers Wrac'h and Benoit along the north-west coast of Brittany to be determined. Thirteen enzymic systems encoded by 21 loci were analysed and nine of these loci were polymorphic at the 5% level. The comparison of allelic frequencies and of observed heterozygosity h _obs did not show significant differences between these two individual groups. Nei's genetic identity ( I = 0.998) and distance ( D = 0.002) as estimated from allelic frequencies showed that the plaice of the two estuaries are very similar.
Thus, the plaice of A. Wrac'h and of A. Benoit belong to the same population in which the average level of polymorphism per locus P is 47% and the observed average heterozygosity per individual H _obs is 0.163 ± 0.094.     

Variations on dermal ridges in nine population groups of maharashtra,india. III. Asymmetry and interdigital diversity

Variations in asymmetry and interdigital diversity for the three finger-dermatoglyphic traits, total finger ridge count (TRC), absolute total finger ridge count (ARC), and finger pattern intensity index (PII) have been studied here from a sample of 646 males belonging to nine population groups from Maharashtra, India. It is seen that at such local level of population differentiation the ridge count measures TRC and ARC discriminate the population better as compared to PII. A considerable amount of variations also exist in their asymmetries and interdigital diversities and these suggest the possibility of their genetic controls. Such genetic controls might mediate both asymmetry and interdigital diversity jointly, as there seems to be positive correlation between these measures with respect to all the three finger-dermatoglyphic traits.     

Genetic distances in respect of AB0 blood groups among four castes of Assam,India

Summary An attempt has been made to measure the genetic distances in respect of AB0 blood group genes among four castes, namely, Brahmin, Kalita, Baisya and Kaibarta, in Assam, India. The results reveal that the Kaibarta are distinct from the other three castes, who show no significant differences.

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Zusammenfassung Die genetischen Abst?nde bezüglich der AB0-Blutgruppen wurden zwischen vier Kasten (Brahmin; Kalita; Baisya; Kaibarta) in Assam, Indien, berechnet. Die Kaibarta weichen von den üblichen Kasten signifikant ab; diese zeigen ?hnlichkeiten miteinander.

     

PGM1 subtype polymorphism in 14 endogamous Dravidian-speaking populations of South India

Red cell hemolysates from 1,004 persons belonging to 14 population groups drawn from four South Indian states, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, were tested for PGM1 subtypes. The groups are characterized by a high frequency of phenotype 1+1+ (range 36.98-71.64%) and the allele 1+ (range 60-79%). The groups exhibit marked heterogeneity for PGM1 locus. The results show a clear demarcation between tribes and Brahmin groups.     

Anthropological studies in Assam, India. 3. Observations on three Brahmin groups

Three Brahmin groups from Lower, Middle and Upper Assam (Kamrup, Darrang, Sibsagar) have been investigated for the distribution of anthropometric and dermatoglyphic traits as well as for that of ABO blood groups and PTC taste sensitivity. The intergroup variability is discussed.     

Analysis of molecular genetic diversity in a representative collection of foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] from different agro-ecological regions of India

Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.], an important crop of East Asia is known for its drought tolerance and was once an indispensible crop of vast rainfed areas in semi-arid regions in India. In India it is cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and north eastern states. The grain finds use in several local recipes such as roti (bread), jaula, singal, sirol. Foxtail millet grain contains 12.3 % protein, 4.7 % fat, 60.6 % carbohydrates, and 3.2 % ash. The present study was conducted to analyse the genetic diversity among foxtail accessions from different states of India and a few exotic accessions using RAPD and ISSR techniques and identify diverse accessions for use in variety improvement programmes. A set of 125 foxtail millet accessions selected from 11 different agro-ecological regions of India were analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker techniques. A total of 146 (115 RAPD and 31 ISSR) scoreable markers were generated with 16 RAPD and four ISSR primers. The dendrogram generated using Nei’s genetic distances and principal component analyses revealed presence of two clusters and two subclusters in group I. The accessions from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand were more diverse since they were distributed in both the clusters. There was no clear geographical differentiation observable. The bootstrap support for the major groups identified was strong (above 80 %) indicating good statistical support. The average value of Nei and Li’s genetic distance was lowest (0.081) for accessions from West Bengal while the collections from Karnataka showed highest dissimilarity (average genetic distance = 0.239). The average genetic distance for all 125 accessions together was 0.177 indicating presence of only moderate genetic diversity in the collections. The analysis of molecular variance indicated that only 2.76 % variation was explained by variations among the groups and 11.55 % among populations within groups. However the percentage of variation observed within populations was high (85.68). The value of Fst was observed to be very low (0.028) indicating low differentiation of the accessions analysed. The population genetic analysis carried out indicates that highest number of alleles per locus (1.745 ± 0.438) was observed for Andhra Pradesh with 35 accessions. When four eco-geographic regions were considered, the southern region comprising AP, Karnataka and TN showed the highest number of alleles per locus (1.787 ± 0.411). The value of Gst was lowest for south (0.123) and highest for central west (0.455). This indicated that all the landraces from south share common alleles. The gene flow between the accessions from different regions was also observed to be high with the highest migration (3.557) recorded for south.     

Age, gender and caste variations in scalp hair micro-morphological variables among Brahmins and Banias of Punjab, India

A cross-sectional sample of 3136 scalp hair drawn from 392 individuals aged 10 to 60 years and belonging to the Bania (n = 201) and Brahmin (n = 191) caste groups of Punjab State of India were examined for diameters of hair shaft and medulla, scale count, medulla type, hair index, medullary index and scale-count index, employing standard procedures. The mean hair shaft diameter, medullary diameter, incidence of medullation and scale-count index was higher in males, while the mean scale count was higher in females. However, with a few exceptions, the gender differences were not statistically significant (p < 0.05). The Brahmins showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean values of hair shaft diameter and scale count than the Banias. The mean scale-count index was higher among the Banias. The fragmentary medulla was the most common medullary type among the Banias, while the continuous medulla was the most frequent type of medulla among the Brahmins. The frequency of medullation was significantly more among the Banias. On the average, the hair shaft diameter and diameter of medulla increased up to 30 years. Some age variations in medullation were noticed in both the caste groups. No clear age trend was noticeable in the scale count. By and large, the mean hair shaft diameter of the Banias was less than that of other populations. The mean hair shaft diameter of the Brahmin males was greater than that of the Banias, the Onges, and the Bengalees. The Brahmin females showed greater mean hair shaft diameter than that of the Banias, the Australian Aborigines, the Juangs and the Onges. Human scalp hair shows some age, gender and population variations in micro-morphological variables which have the potential of being useful for anthropological and forensic investigations.     

The distribution of AB0 and LH blood groups in some north Indian populations

The distribution of AB0 and LH blood groups among five Punjabi populations from North India (Jat Sikh, Bania, Brahmin, Sikh Khatri and Hindu Khatri) is reported. Significant differences have been found in many cases regarding the distribution of AB0 and LH systems, especially between Sikh Khatris and Hindu Khatris, who are usually pooled for population genetic studies.