Variation of 15 autosomal microsatellite DNA loci in the Russian population

The allele frequencies of 15 autosomal STR loci (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, D2S1338, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, and D19S433) used in forensic medicine were determined for the Russian population of European Russia (N = 176). The power of discrimination (PD) and power of exclusion (PE) of the system of the 15 STR loci were 0.999 999 999 999 999 986 and 0.999 999 331 310 171 000, respectively. The allele and genotype frequency distributions in the Russian population corresponded to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The D2S1338, D18S51, D21S11, and FGA loci were identified as the most informative markers for the Russian population and proposed as a reference for forensic studies in the Russian Federation.     

The variation of 15 autosomal microsatellite DNA loci in five indigenous populations of South Siberia

The allele frequencies of 15 autosomal STR loci (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, D2S1338, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, and D19S433) included into the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus and AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus kits (Applied Biosystems, United States) were determined for five indigenous populations of South Siberia: Buryats, Altaians, Tofalars, Sojots, and Khakassians (N = 261). No significant differences in allele frequencies were found between the populations. The combined power of discrimination of the STR loci was determined for every population.     

Genetic variation at twentythree microsatellite loci in sixteen human populations

We have analysed genetic variation at 23 microsatellite loci in a global sample of 16 ethnically and geographically diverse human populations. On the basis of their ancestral heritage and geographic locations, the studied populations can be divided into five major groups, viz. African, Caucasian, Asian Mongoloid, American Indian and Pacific Islander. With respect to the distribution of alleles at the 23 loci, large variability exists among the examined populations. However, with the exception of the American Indians and the Pacific Islanders, populations within a continental group show a greater degree of similarity. Phylogenetic analyses based on allele frequencies at the examined loci show that the first split of the present-day human populations had occurred between the Africans and all of the non-African populations, lending support to an African origin of modern human populations. Gene diversity analyses show that the coefficient of gene diversity estimated from the 23 loci is, in general, larger for populations that have remained isolated and probably of smaller effective sizes, such as the American Indians and the Pacific Islanders. These analyses also demonstrate that the component of total gene diversity, which is attributed to variation between groups of populations, is significantly larger than that among populations within each group. The empirical data presented in this work and their analyses reaffirm that evolutionary histories and the extent of genetic variation among human populations can be studied using microsatellite loci.     

Molecular Analysis Using Mitochondrial DNA and Microsatellites to Infer the Formation Process of Japanese Native Horse Populations

To assess the genetic diversity of Japanese native horse populations, we examined seven such populations using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite analyses. Four reference populations of Mongolian horses and European breeds were employed as other equids. In the mtDNA analysis, the control region (D-loop) of 411 bp was sequenced, and 12 haplotypes with 33 variable sites were identified in the Japanese native horses. The phylogenetic tree constructed by haplogrouping and using worldwide geographic references indicated that the haplotypes of the Japanese native horses were derived from six equid clusters. Compared with the foreign populations, the Japanese native populations showed lower within-population diversity and higher between-population differentiation. Microsatellite analysis, using 27 markers, found an average number of alleles per locus of 9.6 in 318 native and foreign horses. In most native populations, the within-population diversity was lower than that observed in foreign populations. The genetic distance matrix based on allelic frequency indicated that several native populations had notably high between-population differentiation. The molecular coancestry-based genetic distance matrix revealed that the European populations were differentiated from the Japanese and Mongolian populations, and no clear groups could be identified among the Japanese native horse populations. The genetic distance matrices had few correlations with the geographic distribution of the Japanese native populations. Based on the results of both mtDNA and microsatellite analyses, it could be speculated that each native population was formed by the founder populations derived from Mongolian horses. The genetic construction of each population appears to have been derived from independent breeding in each local area since the time of population fission, and this was accompanied by drastic genetic drift in recent times. This information will help to elucidate the ancestry of Japanese native horses. An erratum to this article can be found at     

扬子鳄饲养种群线粒体DNA控制区的序列多态性

扬子鳄(Alligator sinensis)是中国特有的珍稀爬行动物,至2000年,野生扬子鳄的个体数已不足150条,作为保护这一物种的措施之一,先后于80年代初建起了2个养殖场,现人工繁殖的扬子鳄总数已达9000余条。为揭示扬子鳄种群遗传多样性,从两个饲养种群中采集了42个个体的样品,其中宣州样品33个(xZSP),长兴样品9个(CxSP),用PCR方法扩增mtDNA控制区,扩增产物纯化后直接用ABI310全自动遗传分析仪荧光标记测序,得到其中39个个体的血DNA控制区5’端462bP的序列。经比对发现,39个个体间的5’端mtDNA控制区没有任何变异位点,共享一种单元型,提示扬子鳄饲养种群的遗传多样性非常贫乏,造成这一结果的主要原因是近50年来,扬子鳄种群衰退和数量迅速减少导致的遗传多样性丢失,其次是人工繁殖的群体同时受到始创者数量较少产生的瓶颈效应影响。针对扬子鳄遗传多样性的现状,作者最后就这一濒危动物遗传多样性的保护对策提出3点建议。     

Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses reveal population differentiation in Brazilian Creole sheep

Using ND5 sequences from mtDNA and 10 nuclear markers, we investigated the genetic differentiation of two South American Creole sheep phenotypes that historically have been bred in different biomes in southern Brazil. In total, 18 unique mtDNA haplotypes were detected, none of which was shared between the two phenotypes. Bayesian analysis also indicated two different groups (k = 2). Thus, these varieties are supported as being genotypically distinct. This situation could have resulted either from geographical isolation, associated with differences in the cultural habits of sheep farmers and in the way that flocks were managed, or more likely, from the introduction of different stocks four centuries ago.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in the Viking age population of Norway

The medieval Norsemen or Vikings had an important biological and cultural impact on many parts of Europe through raids, colonization and trade, from about AD 793 to 1066. To help understand the genetic affinities of the ancient Norsemen, and their genetic contribution to the gene pool of other Europeans, we analysed DNA markers in Late Iron Age skeletal remains from Norway. DNA was extracted from 80 individuals, and mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms were detected by next-generation sequencing. The sequences of 45 ancient Norwegians were verified as genuine through the identification of damage patterns characteristic of ancient DNA. The ancient Norwegians were genetically similar to previously analysed ancient Icelanders, and to present-day Shetland and Orkney Islanders, Norwegians, Swedes, Scots, English, German and French. The Viking Age population had higher frequencies of K*, U*, V* and I* haplogroups than their modern counterparts, but a lower proportion of T* and H* haplogroups. Three individuals carried haplotypes that are rare in Norway today (U5b1b1, Hg A* and an uncommon variant of H*). Our combined analyses indicate that Norse women were important agents in the overseas expansion and settlement of the Vikings, and that women from the Orkneys and Western Isles contributed to the colonization of Iceland.     

西南地区家猪和野猪mtDNA遗传多样性研究

本实验用ＡｐａＩ、ＡｖａＩ、ＢａｍＨＩ、ＢｃｌＩ、ＢｇｌＩＩ、ＢｇｌＩＩ、ＣｌａＩ、ＥｃｏＲＩ、ＥｃｏＲＶ、ＨｉｎｄＩＩＩ、Ｈｐａｌ、ＫｐｎＩ、ＰｓｔＩ、ＰｖｕＩＩ、ＳａｃＩ、ＳａｌＩ、ＳｃａＩ、ＳｍａＩ、ＸｂａＩ和ＸｈｏＩ等２０种限制性内切酶分析来自中国西南地区的家猪和野猪的ｍｔＤＮＡ群体遗传多样性。结果表明：在全部２８只个体中,共检出２６种限制性态型（ｍｏｒｐｈ）,归结为６种不同的限制性类型,限制性类型的差异主要来源于少数几个限制性位点的偶然突变。利用现代分子群体遗传学方法,对这些猪的遗传多样性进行评估,结果表明中国西南地区猪的ｍｔＤＮＡ变异度很低,遗传多样性贫乏,提示西南地区的猪起源于一个共同的祖先,在品种形成的早期可能受到创立者效应的制约。     

Mitochondrial DNA as a genetic marker for brown trout, Salmo trutta L., populations

Mitochondrial DNA was examined in natural and hatchery-reared stocks of brown trout, using different methods of restriction analysis. The methods included the development of a brown trout mt DNA hybridization probe through cloning part of the brown trout mitochondrial genome. In addition, fragments were analysed by ethidium bromide staining and end-labelling. The relative merits of each of these methods in assessing levels of genetic relatedness between the natural and hatchery-reared brown trout stocks were evaluated. In addition, the study revealed a diagnostic mtDNA restriction pattern which could be used as a genetic marker for the discrimination of these two groups of brown trout.     

微卫星DNA在分子遗传标记研究中的应用

随着种群遗传学的发展 ,分子遗传标记特别是微卫星标记已经成为研究种群遗传的有力工具。本文就微卫星遗传标记的研究背景、技术应用以及优势与不足等方面进行了综述。     

Phylogeographic Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA in the Nogays: A Strong Mixture of Maternal Lineages from Eastern and Western Eurasia

Analysis of mtDNA markers in a population of the Nogays (n = 206), the people inhabiting the North Caucasus and speaking a Turkic language of the Altaic linguistic family, has revealed a high level of genetic diversity (H = 0.99). The identified haplotypes include all major West Eurasian haplogroups, with the prevalence of H and U clusters (22 and 21%, respectively), but the percentage of lineages specific for East Eurasian populations is the highest (40%). Some other mtDNA variants in the Nogay population belong to the M1 haplogroups typical of northeastern Africa and U2 characteristic of Indian populations. Thus, components of different origin have contributed to the gene pool of Nogays. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in North American Oedipodinae

Restriction fragment analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was used to examine genetic variation and population structure in 13 species of banded-winged grasshoppers (subfamily Oedipodinae). Total DNA of 246 individuals was digested with 11 restriction enzymes and probed with three clonedEcoRI fragments representing the entire mitochondrial genome ofMelanoplus sanguinipes. On average, members of this subfamily were five times more variable than those in another subfamily, Melanoplinae, previously examined. This would appear to lend support to Vickery's claim that the time of origin of Nearctic oedipodines is more ancient than that of melanoplines. With respect to population structure, a few different patterns were exhibited. Species such asCamnula pellucida had populations containing a mixture of haplotypes, some widespread and some geographically restricted. In contrast,Chortophaga viridifasciata populations were characterized by unique assemblages of diverse haplotypes. Phylogeographic hypotheses are advanced to account for these observations.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in River Usk brown trout, Salmo trutta

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism in the essentially non-anadromous River Usk brown trout Salmo trutta population was investigated by restriction analysis. Following mtDNA extraction and purification on caesium chloride density gradients, monomorphic restriction profiles were obtained with Hae III , Hind III , Sau 3AI and Xbal . However, the restriction endonucleases Ava II and HinfIl proved informative. The distribution of four composite genotypes found within the Usk system was heterogeneous, and a fifth genotype appeared exclusively in an outgroup sample from the adjacent River Wye drainage. The source of the observed genetic variation is discussed in relation to estimated divergence times for Usk mtDNA genotypes and the stocking history of the catchment.     

Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity in three ethnic populations from the South-west Iran: a preliminary study

To investigate the genetic structure of human populations in the South-west region of Iran, mitochondrial first hypervariable DNA sequences were obtained from 50 individuals representing three different ethnic groups from Khuzestan Province. Studied groups were Shushtari Persians and Chahar Lang Bakhtiyaries from Indo-European-speaking populations and Bani Torof Arabs from Semitic-speaking linguistic families. Genetic analysis of mtDNA data showed high similarity of Chahar Lang Bakhtiyaries with other Iranian Indo-European-speaking populations while Shushtaries and Bani Torofs had a closer affinity with Semitic-speaking groups rather than to other Iranian populations. The relationship of Chahar Lang Bakhtiyaries and Bani Torof Arabs with their neighbor populations can be explained by linguistic and geographic proximity. Whereas, the greater similarity of Shushtari Persians with West Asian Arabs is probably according to high gene flow between them. This article represents a preliminary study of three major ethnic groups of South-west Iran which investigates the potential genetic substructure of the region.     

椭圆食粉螨线粒体DNA CO Ⅰ基因片段序列分析

采用苯酚-氯仿-异戊醇抽提法提取了采自江西南昌和广州潮州2个地理种群的椭圆食粉螨Aleuro-glyphus ovatus Troupeau,1878基因组DNA。以相应引物对椭圆食粉螨线粒体DNA细胞色素氧化酶I亚基基因(mtDNA COI)进行PCR扩增,直接测序,得到379bp的碱基片断(国际基因库索引号EF527825),其碱基序列A、C、G、T含量分别为71bp(18.73%)、53bp(13.98%)、89bp(23.48%)、166bp(43.80%);江西南昌和广州潮州2个地理种群间的椭圆食粉螨mtDNACOI基因片段完全一致,未发现地理差异。     

用mtDNA D-环序列探讨蒙古和中国绵羊的起源及遗传多样性

为了在分子水平上探讨绵羊的起源,对中国和蒙古共20个绵羊群体、314只绵羊mtDNA D-环的部分序列进行了测定,结果表明：中国绵羊和蒙古绵羊mtDNA D-环区的部分序列中A、T、G、C含量没有明显的差别;蒙古绵羊的多态位点数（28．85％）略高于中国绵羊（24．22％）;中国绵羊群体的单倍型多样度在青海藏羊、甘肃藏羊、甘肃高山细毛羊、青海细：色羊、甘南藏羊、小尾寒羊和滩羊群体中较高,但在湖羊和岷县黑裘皮羊中较低;蒙古绵羊的单倍型多样度在Bayad和Baidrag群体中最高,但在Gobi—Altai群体中最低。从总体上看,蒙古绵羊的遗传多样性要略高于中国绵羊,例如单倍犁比例的平均值为86．06％（142／185）：78．83％（108／137）,单倍型多样度（Hd）的甲均值为0．976：0．936,核苷酸多样度（Pi（π））的平均值为0．036：0．034,平均核苷酸差异数（k）的平均值为23．50：22．48～217个中国和蒙古绵羊的单倍型序列的系统发生分析表明,中国和蒙古绵羊均有3个母系起源,被定义为A、B和C3类主要的单倍型。其中A类单倍型在所有中国绵羊群体及绝大多数蒙古绵羊群体（9／11）中占优势,平均比例为58．73％;B类单倍型居中,为24．88％;C类单倍型最少,仅为16．59％。进一步从GenBank获得的91个绵羊D-环区的序列与中国和蒙古绵羊D-环区的单倍型的进行网络关系分析,发现欧洲摩弗仑羊（European mouflon,O．musimon）与中国和蒙古绵羊具有较近的亲缘关系,但没有发现塬羊（Argali．O．ammon）、盘羊（0．rignei bochariensis）和东方盘羊（0．ammon nigrimontana）对中国和蒙古绵羊起源有贡献的证据。     

Development of Mitochondrial Gene Replacement Therapy

Many "classic" mitochondrial diseases have been described that arise from single homoplasmic mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). These diseases typically affect nonmitotic tissues (brain, retina, muscle), present with variable phenotypes, can appear sporadically, and are untreatable. Evolving evidence implicates mtDNA abnormalities in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and type II diabetes, but specific causal mutations for these conditions remain to be defined. Understanding the mtDNA genotype-phenotype relationships and developing specific treatment for mtDNA-based diseases is hampered by inability to manipulate the mitochondrial genome. We present a novel protein transduction technology ("protofection") that allows insertion and expression of the human mitochondrial genome into mitochondria of living cells. With protofection, the mitochondrial genotype can be altered, or exogenous genes can be introduced to be expressed and either retained in mitochondria or be directed to other organelles. Protofection also delivers mtDNA in vivo, opening the way to rational development of mitochondrial gene replacement therapy of mtDNA-based diseases.     

Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity and origin of Chinese domestic yak

In order to clarify the origin and genetic diversity of yak in China, we analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (approximately 891 bp) in 52 individuals from four domestic yak (Poephagus grunniens) breeds, as well as from a hybrid between yak and cattle (Pianniu). Twenty-five samples were further selected for partial (420 bp) cytochrome b sequencing based on control region sequence information. Two yak samples shared sequences with Chinese cattle (Bos taurus); the remaining yak mtDNAs converged into two major clades in the phylogenetic analysis. Genetic diversity varied substantially among the breeds, with the hybrid Pianniu yak demonstrating the highest diversity. Our results suggest that the Chinese yak was domesticated from two distinct matrilineal sources or from a heterogeneous pool containing both divergent lineages, with occasional gene introgression from cattle.