Prediction of the retention in reversed-phase liquid chromatography using solute-mobile phase-stationary phase polarity parameters

A previously reported algorithm, based on the equation: log k = (log k)o + p(PN(m) - PN(s)), that relates the retention in reversed-phase liquid chromatography with solute (p), mobile phase (PN(m)) and stationary phase (PN(s)) relative polarity parameters, is improved. The retention data reported by several authors for different sets of compounds, eluted with acetonitrile-water and methanol-water mixtures, are used to test the algorithm and elaborate a database of p values. The methodology is successfully applied to predict the retention using PN(m), values calculated as PN(m) = 1.00 - (2.13phi)/(1+1.4phi) for acetonitrile-water and PN(m) = 1.00 - (1.33phi)/(l1 + 0.47phi) for methanol-water, phi being the organic solvent volumetric fraction. The polarity parameters are demonstrated to be useful to transfer retention data between solvent systems and between columns. Accordingly, the retention in a solvent system is predicted by characterising the working column with a small training set of compounds having diverse polarities, and using the p values known for another solvent system or column. The p polarity parameter is found to be a good descriptor of the retention, allowing the prediction of the expected elution order and peak overlaps.

Unique selectivity of perfluorinated stationary phases with 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol as organic mobile phase modifier

The selectivity of Luna C18 Xterra C18 and Fluophase (perfluorinated C6) stationary phases has been investigated with aqueous acetonitrile, methanol and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol mobile phases using linear solvation equations. The gradient retention times of a set of 60 compounds with known molecular descriptors have been determined. Linear solvation equations have been set up to describe the relationship between the gradient retention times and the molecular properties. The selectivity of the stationary phase/mobile phase systems was characterised by the regression coefficients of the molecular descriptors. The perfluorinated stationary phase showed very different selectivity using 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) as co-solvent. Compounds with H-bond donor functionality were retained much less than in the other investigated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems. This unique selectivity can be explained by the stronger adsorption of trifluoroethanol on the perfluorinated stationary phase surface, than on the hydrocarbon surface. It suggests the importance of the adsorbed organic modifiers in the separation mechanism during reversed-phase HPLC.

Retention of ionizable compounds on HPLC. 8. Influence of mobile-phase pH change on the chromatographic retention of acids and bases during gradient elution

The relationships between retention and mobile-phase pH in gradient elution are studied for acids and bases. The apparent pH shift caused by the increasing amount of acetonitrile and methanol has been determined starting from a wide range of pH values. It is shown that good relationships between the retention of ionizable compounds and the pH of the aqueous buffer can be established if the same type of buffer (ammonium acetate in this work) is used for all pH points. Equations are proposed to fit the gradient retention data to the pH of the aqueous buffer. The proposed equation gives an account of the relative variation of the pKa of the compound in the reference to the variation of the pH of the buffer as both parameters change during gradient elution.

Endometrial quality in infertile women with endometriosis

Several analyses in our infertility (IVF) and oocyte donation programs were carried out to gain clinical knowledge of the factors involved in the etiology of endometriosis-associated infertility. We first compared the IVF outcomes in women with tubal infertility and endometriosis. The results indicated that patients with endometriosis had a poorer IVF outcome in terms of reduced pregnancy rate per cycle, per transfer, and reduced implantation rate per embryo replaced. We then evaluated embryo development in vitro in women with and without endometriosis who underwent IVF and embryo replacement 72 hours after oocyte retrieval. We observed that compared to controls, patients with endometriosis had a significantly reduced number of blastomeres per embryo as well as an increased incidence of arrested embryos in vitro. In subsequent studies we compared fertility parameters in patients receiving donor oocytes. We noted that when donor oocytes came from patients without known endometriosis, embryo development and implantation rates were similar in patients with and without endometriosis. However, when the results of oocyte donation were classified according to the nature of the oocytes donated, patients who received embryos derived from oocytes from women with endometriotic ovaries showed a significantly reduced implantation rate compared to the controls. Taken together, these observations suggest that IVF in patients with endometriosis may be related to alterations within the oocyte, which, in turn, result in embryos of lower quality with a reduced ability to implant.

1,2-Bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene, a novel trans-chelating bipyridyl ligand. structural characterization of the complexes with silver(I) triflate and palladium(II) chloride

The design, synthesis, and complexation characteristics of the bipyridyl ligand 1,2-bis-(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene are described. The X-ray crystallographic characterization of the 1:1 complexes of 1,2-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene with silver(I) triflate and palladium(II) chloride are described. In the X-ray crystal structure of the silver(I) triflate complex the ligand is essentially planar with negligible distortion compatible with a good fit of the cation in the "cavity" between the pyridine N atoms. Indeed the silver center is almost linear with the N(1)-Ag(1)-N(2) angle of 177.02(10) degrees. The ligand is also essentially planar in the palladium(II) chloride complex with square planar coordination about the palladium with the N(1)-Pd(1)-N(2), Cl(2)-Pd(1)-Cl(2), and N(1)-Pd(1)-Cl(2) angles at 179.53(7), 177.17(2), and 90.52(5) degrees, respectively.

Online reference database of European Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) haplotypes

The reference database of highly informative Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) haplotypes (YHRD), available online at http://ystr.charite.de, represents the largest collection of male-specific genetic profiles currently available for European populations. By September 2000, YHRD contained 4688 9-locus (so-called "minimal") haplotypes, 40% of which have been extended further to include two additional loci. Establishment of YHRD has been facilitated by the joint efforts of 31 forensic and anthropological institutions. All contributing laboratories have agreed to standardize their Y-STR haplotyping protocols and to participate in a quality assurance exercise prior to the inclusion of any data. In view of its collaborative character, and in order to put YHRD to its intended use, viz. the support of forensic caseworkers in their routine decision-making process, the database has been made publicly available via the Internet in February 2000. Online searches for complete or partial Y-STR haplotypes from evidentiary or non-probative material can be performed on a non-commercial basis, and yield observed haplotype counts as well as extrapolated population frequency estimates. In addition, the YHRD website provides information about the quality control test, genotyping protocols, haplotype formats and informativity, population genetic analysis, literature references, and a list of contact addresses of the contributing laboratories.

Human mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in the Moroccan population of the Souss area

BACKGROUND

Various populations have contributed to the present-day gene pool of Morocco, including the autochthonous Berber population, Phoenicians, Sephardic Jews, Bedouin Arabs and sub-Saharan Africans.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the study was to complete a genetic description of the Berber-speaking population in the Souss region of southern Morocco, based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence analysis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The first hypervariable segment of the mtDNA control region was sequenced in a sample of 50 individuals from the Souss Valley, and the results compared with the extensive body of data available on mtDNA sequence variation in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.

RESULTS

Thirty-four different sequences were found: an estimated 68% of the sequences occurred throughout Europe, West Asia and North Africa, 26% originated in sub-Saharan Africa, and 6% belonged to the North African specific haplogroup U6. The Souss Valley mtDNA sequences indicated the presence of two populations which expanded at different times: the West Eurasian sequences in the Souss sample had a smaller average number of pairwise differences than pairs of sub-Saharan sequences.

CONCLUSION

Detailed knowledge of the possible geographic origin of each sequence facilitated an interpretation of both internal diversity parameters and between-population relationships. The sub-Saharan admixture in the Souss Valley matched the south-north cline of sub-Saharan influence in North Africa, also evident in the genetic distances of North African populations to Europeans and sub-Saharan Africans.

Y chromosome STR haplotypes in four populations from northwest Africa

The eight short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphic systems mapping on the male-specific region of the human Y chromosome, DYS19, DYS388, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392 and DYS393, were typed in four populations from northwest (NW) Africa (Moroccan Arabs, southern Moroccan Berbers, Saharawis and Mozabites). Allele frequency distributions showed statistically significant differences for all loci among all the populations except for DYS19. Complete typing was obtained for 185 chromosomes, which showed 74 different haplotypes. The two most frequent haplotypes were found in 16.2% and 15.1% of the individuals, although the latter was almost exclusively found in the Mozabites. Locus and haplotype informativeness were measured by means of the gene diversity (D). The haplotype diversity ranged from 0.856 (Mozabites) to 0.967 (southern Moroccan Berbers). For some loci, allele frequencies in NW Africans were clearly different from those in Europeans. The most common NW African haplotype was found only in one individual out of a total of 494 Europeans typed for the whole STR set. Thus, NW African and European Y chromosomes are clearly differentiated.

Donor-acceptor interactions in crystal engineering

The molecular complex formed between 4-methyltolane and bis(4-N-methylpyridinium)ethyne ditriflate is reported. The X-ray crystal structure indicates that the crystalline superstructure consists of infinite zigzag ribbons of interlocked donor-acceptor complexes separated by triflate counterions.

Retention of ionizable compounds on HPLC. 6. pH measurements with the glass electrode in methanol-water mixtures

The relationship, delta values, between the two rigorous pH scales, S(S)pH (pH measured in a methanol-water mixture and referred to the same mixture as standard state) and S(W)pH (pH measured in a methanol-water mixture but referred to water as standard state), in several methanol-water mixtures was determined (delta = S(W)pH-S(S)pH). Delta values were measured using a combined glass electrode and a wide set of buffer solutions. The results are consistent with those obtained with the hydrogen electrode. This confirms the aptness of the glass electrode to achieve rigorous pH measurements in methanol-water mixtures. An equation that relates delta and composition of methanol-water mixtures, and allows delta computation at any composition by interpolation, is proposed. Therefore, S(S)pH can be achieved from the experimental S(W)pH value and delta at any mobile phase composition. S(S)pH (or S(W)pH) values are related to the chromatographic retention of ionizable compounds through their thermodynamic acid-base constants in the methanol-water mixture used as mobile phase. These relationships were tested for the retention variation of several acids and bases with the pH of the mobile phase. Therefore, the optimization of the mobile phase acidity for any analyte can be easily reached avoiding the disturbances observed when W(W)pH is used.

Retention of ionizable compounds on high-performance liquid chromatography. VII. Characterization of the retention of ionic solutes in a C18 column by mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization

The elution of ions from a C18 column with mobile phases containing methanol (60%, v/v) and aqueous buffers is studied by mass spectrometry. It is demonstrated that the anions are excluded from the stationary phase by the ionized silanols. However, the ionized silanols interact strongly with cations, which are retained in the column. These cations are later eluted from the column by ion exchange with the cations present in the pH buffered mobile phase. The size of the ions, the mobile phase cation concentration and the mobile phase pH are the main parameters that affect elution of the retained cations. It is also demonstrated that there are at least two different types of ionizable silanols, with different acidities, that contribute to the retention of cations. An estimate of the pKa values of these two groups of silanols in 60% methanol is given.

Allele frequencies of 13 short tandem repeats in population samples from the Iberian Peninsula and northern Africa

The 13 short tandem repeat (STR) loci D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D16S539, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317 and D7S820 as well as the amelogenin locus, contained in AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus and/or AmpFlSTR Cofiler and/or AmpFlSTR Green I PCR amplification kits, were studied in four populations from the Iberian Peninsula, Basques, Catalans, Andalusians and Portuguese and two North African populations (Moroccan Arabs and Berbers). The aim of the study was to obtain accurate allele frequency data and other genetic parameters of forensic interest on the main representative human groups living in Iberia and Morocco using an automated method and commercial amplification kits.

Solute-solvent interactions in micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Selectivity of lithium dodecyl sulfate-lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate mixed-micellar buffers

The solvation parameter model has been applied to the characterization of micellar electrokinetic chromatographic (MEKC) systems with mixtures of lithium dodecyl sulfate and lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate as surfactant. The variation in MEKC surfactant composition results in changes in the coefficients of the correlation equation, which in turns leads to information on solute-solvent and solute-micelle interactions. Lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate is more dipolar and hydrogen bond acidic but less polarizable and hydrogen bond basic than lithium dodecyl sulfate. Therefore mixtures of lithium dodecyl sulfate and lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate cover a very wide range of polarity and hydrogen bond properties, which in turn results in important selectivity changes for analytes with different solute properties.

Fourier Transform Spectra of the E(2)Pi(u)-X(2)Pi(g)((3/2)) System of CuCl(2)

High-resolution Fourier transform spectra of the laser-induced fluorescence of (63)Cu(37)Cl(2) produced in a cell have been recorded following excitation of a single vibronic level of the E(2)Pi(u) electronic state. Fluorescence occurs in combination bands to a broad spread of levels in the ground electronic state. A global vibronic model is proposed for the ground state based on an effective Hamiltonian, which fits the experimental data (2782 fluorescence lines, lower state quantum numbers: v(1) = 0-6, v(2) = 0-2, v(3) = 0-6, and J = 4(1/2)-80(1/2)) to 0.019 cm(-1) rms error. Vibrational, rotational and Renner-Teller parameters are obtained (e.g., omega(2) = 95.195(36) cm(-1), B(e) = 0.055106(3) cm(-1), epsilon = -0.1893(28)). A revised value for the equilibrium internuclear distance Cu-Cl is deduced: r(e)(Cu-Cl) = 0.20341(3) nm. The energy diagram of vibronic levels in the ground state is plotted up to 4000 cm(-1). Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Interpretive optimisation strategy applied to the isocratic separation of phenols by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with acetonitrile-water and methanol-water mobile phases

An optimisation protocol is presented for the resolution of complex mixtures in isocratic RPLC with binary mobile phases of organic solvent and water, which is based on the prediction of peak position and shape of the individual compounds. A good description of the retention was achieved through the application of statistical weights to the widely used linear or quadratic relationships between the logarithm of the retention factor (log k) and the organic solvent concentration in the mobile phase. The maximisation of the product of peak purities for each compound is shown as a competitive resolution strategy versus the worst value of a selectivity parameter. Peak purities allow one to associate a single resolution value to each compound, which is not affected by the identity of the interfering peaks. It is shown how when full resolution is not achieved with a single mobile phase, the same experimental data set (retention factors, asymmetries and efficiencies) can be used for finding two or three optimal complementary mobile phases (CMPs). Each CMP resolves fully some compounds in the mixture, while the remaining compounds can overlap among them. The elementary limiting resolutions, which measure the maximal separation degree for each compound, are also given as a useful guide in the selection of the elution conditions. A mixture of 13 phenols (phenol, chloro-, bromo-, nitro- and methyl-derivatives), eluted with acetonitrile-water or methanol-water mobile phases, is used to show the proposed methodology.

Genetic structure of north-west Africa revealed by STR analysis

We have analysed a large set of autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci in several Arabic and Berber-speaking groups from north-west Africa (ie Moroccan Arabs, northern-central and southern Moroccan Berbers, Saharawis, and Mozabites). Two levels of analysis have been devised using two sets of 12STR loci, (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, THO1, TPOX, CSF1PO, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317 and D7S820) and 21 (the former set plus D9S926, D11S2010, D13S767, D14S306, D18S848, D2S1328, D4S243, F13A1, and FES/FPS). For each set, data for a number of external reference populations were gathered from the literature. Several methods of analysis based on genetic distances (neighbour-joining trees, principal coordinate analysis, boundary detection), as well as AMOVA, showed that genetic differentiation among NW African populations was very low and devoid of any spatial pattern. When the NW African populations were grouped according to cultural or linguistic differences, the partition was not associated with genetic differentiation. Thus, it is likely that Arabisation was mainly a cultural process. A clear genetic difference was found between NW African populations and Iberians, which underscores the Gilbraltar Straits as a strong barrier to genetic exchange; nonetheless, some degree of gene flow into Southern Iberia may have existed. NW Africans were genetically closer to Iberians and to other Europeans than to African Americans.

[Traumatic rupture of thoracic aorta and non operative treatment of concomitant splenic lesion. Case report]

We report a 26 years old male that suffered a motorcycle accident resulting in a traumatic aortic rupture and splenic laceration. He was subjected to a surgical repair of the aortic lesion under complete heparinization. The splenic rupture was non operatively managed successfully.

Differential abilities of the Raf family of protein kinases to abrogate cytokine dependency and prevent apoptosis in murine hematopoietic cells by a MEK1-dependent mechanism

In this study, the abilities of constitutive and conditional forms of the three Raf kinases to abrogate the cytokine dependency of FDC-P1 cells were examined. The constitutively active forms (delta) of all three Raf kinases were fused to the hormone-binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER), rendering their activities conditionally dependent upon exogenous beta-estradiol. The vast majority of deltaRaf:ER-infected FDC-P1 cells remained cytokine-dependent; however, cells were obtained at low frequency in which expression of deltaRaf:ER abrogated cytokine dependency. Isoform specific differences between the Raf kinases were observed as cytokine-independent cells were obtained more frequently from deltaA-Raf:ER than either deltaRaf-1:ER or deltaB-Raf:ER infected cells. To determine whether the regulatory phosphorylation sites in the Raf proteins were necessary for abrogation of cytokine dependency, they were changed by site-directed mutagenesis. Substitution with phenylalanine eliminated the transforming ability of the deltaB-Raf:ER and deltaRaf-1:ER kinases. However, a similar substitution in A-Raf did not extinguish its transforming activity. The activated Raf proteins induced essential downstream MEK1 activity as treatment with the MEK1 inhibitor, PD98059, suppressed Raf-mediated growth. Activated MAP kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) were detected in deltaRaf:ER-transformed cells, and their presence was dependent upon a functional MEK1 protein. The cytokine-independent phenotype required the continued activity of the deltaRaf:ER proteins as removal of beta-estradiol caused the cells to stop growing and undergo apoptosis. The Raf-responsive cells were found to express autocrine growth factors, which promoted their growth. Constitutive activation of the Raf-1 oncogene resulted in malignant transformation as cytokine-independent FDC-P1 cells infected with a retrovirus encoding an activated Raf-1 protein formed tumors upon injection of immunocompromised mice. In summary, Raf kinases can abrogate cytokine dependency, prevent apoptosis and induce the tumorigenicity of a certain subpopulation of FDC-P1 cells by a MEK1-dependent mechanism.

Dissociation constants of phenols in methanol--water mixtures

A preferential solvation model that relates solute properties with solvent composition in binary mixtures has been applied to the dissociation pKa values of a set of 28 substituted phenols in methanol-water mixtures. The parameters of the model allow estimation of the pKa value of each phenol for any methanol-water composition. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the pKa values of the whole set of phenols at any methanol-water composition are linearly related to the pKa values of the phenols in water. Equations that relate the correlations' slope and intercept values with the solvent composition have been derived and tested with the set of phenols. The general parameters obtained for these equations allow an accurate calculation of the pKa value of any phenol, even of those not included in the original set, at any methanol-water composition solely from the pKa value of the phenol in water. These calculated pKa values can be used for quantitative structure-HPLC retention relationships. The method is tested by comparison of the calculated pKa values with the HPLC determined pKa values of 26 phenols in a polymeric column with a 50% methanol as mobile phase.

Sex-specific migration patterns in Central Asian populations, revealed by analysis of Y-chromosome short tandem repeats and mtDNA

Eight Y-linked short-tandem-repeat polymorphisms (DYS19, DYS388, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, and DYS393) were analyzed in four populations of Central Asia, comprising two lowland samples-Uighurs and lowland Kirghiz-and two highland samples-namely, the Kazakhs (altitude 2,500 m above sea level) and highland Kirghiz (altitude 3,200 m above sea level). The results were compared with mtDNA sequence data on the same individuals, to study possible differences in male versus female genetic-variation patterns in these Central Asian populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed a very high degree of genetic differentiation among the populations tested, in discordance with the results obtained with mtDNA sequences, which showed high homogeneity. Moreover, a dramatic reduction of the haplotype genetic diversity was observed in the villages at high altitude, especially in the highland Kirghiz, when compared with the villages at low altitude, which suggests a male founder effect in the settlement of high-altitude lands. Nonetheless, mtDNA genetic diversity in these highland populations is equivalent to that in the lowland populations. The present results suggest a very different migration pattern in males versus females, in an extended historical frame, with a higher migration rate for females.

Solute-solvent interactions in micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Characterization of sodium dodecyl sulfate-Brij 35 micellar systems for quantitative structure-activity relationship modelling

The solvation parameter model has been applied to the characterization of micellar electrokinetic chromatographic (MEKC) systems with mixtures of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Brij 35 as surfactant. The variation in MEKC surfactant composition results in changes in the coefficients of the correlation equation, which in turns leads to information on solute-solvent and solute-micelle interactions. Since the same solvation model can be used to describe many biological processes, particular MEKC surfactant compositions can be selected that model the solute-solvent interactions of some of these processes. Two different MEKC systems have been selected to model the solute-solvent interactions of two processes of biological interest (octanol-water partition and tadpole narcosis).

Differential abilities of activated Raf oncoproteins to abrogate cytokine dependency, prevent apoptosis and induce autocrine growth factor synthesis in human hematopoietic cells

Raf is a key serine-threonine protein kinase which participates in the transmission of growth, anti-apoptotic and differentiation messages. These signals can be initiated after receptor ligation and are transmitted to members of the MAP kinase cascade that subsequently activate transcription factors controlling gene expression. Raf is a member of a multigene family which includes: Raf-1, A-Raf and B-Raf. The roles that individual Raf kinases play in the regulation of normal and malignant hematopoietic cell growth are not clear. The following studies show that all three Raf kinases are functionally present in certain human hematopoietic cells, and their aberrant expression can result in abrogation of cytokine dependency. Cytokine-dependent TF-1 cells were infected with retroviruses encoding amino-terminal deleted (delta) A-Raf, B-Raf and Raf-1 proteins. These Raf proteins were conditionally inducible as they were fused to the hormone-binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER). A hierarchy in the abilities of Raf-containing retroviruses to abrogate cytokine dependency was observed as deltaA-Raf:ER was 20- to 200-fold more efficient than either deltaRaf-1:ER or deltaB-Raf:ER, respectively. This result was unexpected as A-Raf is an intrinsically weaker kinase than either Raf-1 or B-Raf. The activated Raf proteins induced downstream MEK and MAP (ERK1 and ERK2) kinase activities in the cells which proliferated in response to Raf activation. Furthermore, a functional MEK signaling pathway was necessary as treatment of the cells with a MEK1-inhibitor suppressed Raf-mediated proliferation. To determine whether the regulatory phosphorylation residues contained in the modified Raf oncoproteins were necessary for transformation, they were altered by site-directed mutagenesis. Substitution of the regulatory phosphorylation tyrosine residues with phenylalanine in either A-Raf or Raf-1 reduced the capacity of these oncoproteins to abrogate cytokine dependency. In contrast, changing the critical aspartic acid residues of B-Raf to either tyrosine or phenylalanine increased the frequency of estradiol-responsive cells. Thus, the amino acids present in the regulatory residues modulated the capability of Raf proteins to abrogate the cytokine dependency of TF-1 cells. Differences in the levels of Raf and downstream kinase activities were observed between cytokine-dependent and estradiol-responsive deltaRaf:ER-infected cells as estradiol-responsive cells usually expressed more Raf and MEK activity than GM-CSF-dependent, deltaRaf:ER-infected cells. Abrogation of cytokine dependency by the activated deltaRaf:ER proteins was associated with autocrine growth factor synthesis which was sufficient to promote the growth of uninfected TF-1 cells. In summary, these observations indicate that the aberrant expression of certain activated deltaRaf:ER oncoproteins can alter the cytokine dependency of human hematopoietic TF-1 cells. These cells will be useful in evaluating the roles of the individual Raf oncoproteins in signal transduction, cell cycle progression, autocrine transformation, regulation of apoptosis and differentiation. Moreover, these Raf-infected cells may be important in evaluating the efficacy of novel anticancer drugs designed to inhibit Raf and downstream signal transduction molecules.

Trading genes along the silk road: mtDNA sequences and the origin of central Asian populations

Central Asia is a vast region at the crossroads of different habitats, cultures, and trade routes. Little is known about the genetics and the history of the population of this region. We present the analysis of mtDNA control-region sequences in samples of the Kazakh, the Uighurs, the lowland Kirghiz, and the highland Kirghiz, which we have used to address both the population history of the region and the possible selective pressures that high altitude has on mtDNA genes. Central Asian mtDNA sequences present features intermediate between European and eastern Asian sequences, in several parameters-such as the frequencies of certain nucleotides, the levels of nucleotide diversity, mean pairwise differences, and genetic distances. Several hypotheses could explain the intermediate position of central Asia between Europe and eastern Asia, but the most plausible would involve extensive levels of admixture between Europeans and eastern Asians in central Asia, possibly enhanced during the Silk Road trade and clearly after the eastern and western Eurasian human groups had diverged. Lowland and highland Kirghiz mtDNA sequences are very similar, and the analysis of molecular variance has revealed that the fraction of mitochondrial genetic variance due to altitude is not significantly different from zero. Thus, it seems unlikely that altitude has exerted a major selective pressure on mitochondrial genes in central Asian populations.