Use of short tandem repeats loci to study the genetic structure of several populations from Zulia State, Venezuela

Signs of continental ancestry in urban populations of Peru through autosomal STR loci and mitochondrial DNA typing

The human genetic diversity around the world was studied through several high variable genetic markers. In South America the demic consequences of admixture events between Native people, European colonists and African slaves have been displayed by uniparental markers variability. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been the most widely used genetic marker for studying American mixed populations, although nuclear markers, such as microsatellite loci (STRs) commonly used in forensic science, showed to be genetically and geographically structured. In this work, we analyzed DNA from buccal swab samples of 296 individuals across Peru: 156 Native Amazons (Ashaninka, Cashibo and Shipibo from Ucayali, Huambiza from Loreto and Moche from Lambayeque) and 140 urban Peruvians from Lima and other 33 urban areas. The aim was to evaluate, through STRs and mtDNA variability, recent migrations in urban Peruvian populations and to gain more information about their continental ancestry. STR data highlighted that most individuals (67%) of the urban Peruvian sample have a strong similarity to the Amazon Native population, whereas 22% have similarity to African populations and only ~1% to European populations. Also the maternally-transmitted mtDNA confirmed the strong Native contribution (~90% of Native American haplogroups) and the lower frequencies of African (~6%) and European (~3%) haplogroups. This study provides a detailed description of the urban Peruvian genetic structure and proposes forensic STRs as a useful tool for studying recent migrations, especially when coupled with mtDNA.

Genomic biomarkers related to drug response in Venezuelan populations

Pharmacogenetics is being applied to develop individual specific therapies considering different ethnic groups and mixed populations. The Venezuelan population is very heterogeneous as a result of the admixture process that occurred between Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans through five centuries. This review provides a summary of the literature concerning gene variants within drug-metabolizing enzymes, drug targets, and drug receptors (CYP2C19, CYP2D6, GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, NAT2, MTHFR, LEP, LEPR, LTC4S, and ADRβ2 genes) evaluated in the Venezuelan population. In particular, most of the studies were conducted with relatively low numbers of individuals. Some of these studies included analyses of genetic polymorphisms in native groups living in this country. Although the recent studies represent a hopeful progress toward the inclusion of the Venezuelan population among those who will benefit from the implementation of pharmacogenetic principles and tools in drug therapy, there are not yet sufficient data concerning allelic frequencies of genomic biomarkers related to drug response for their implementation in clinical practice. Therefore, there is a critical need for more research in pharmacogenetics in Venezuela to increase data availability.

Interethnic admixture and the evolution of Latin American populations

A general introduction to the origins and history of Latin American populations is followed by a systematic review of the data from molecular autosomal assessments of the ethnic/continental (European, African, Amerindian) ancestries for 24 Latin American countries or territories. The data surveyed are of varying quality but provide a general picture of the present constitution of these populations. A brief discussion about the applications of these results (admixture mapping) is also provided. Latin American populations can be viewed as natural experiments for the investigation of unique anthropological and epidemiological issues.

Distribution of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and TP53 disease-associated gene variants in native and urban Venezuelan populations

The contemporary Venezuelan population is the product of major admixture process across various historical events, which has provided it a particular genetic background. The aim of this study concerns the analysis of glutathione S-transferase (GST) GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1 genetic variants and five polymorphisms at the TP53 gene, which are related to cancer susceptibility, in an urban/admixed population and five Amerindian tribes (Bari, Panare, Pemon, Warao and Wayuu) from Venezuela. Genotyping was carried out in 120 individuals from an urban sample and 188 Amerindians. The analysis performed on TP53 haplotype and GST allele distribution showed a close correlation for Pemon and Warao populations, while Bari group appears isolated from the other populations. GSTT1 null variant frequency in our admixed (11%) and native samples (0.0-11.4%) was lower when compared with Caucasians, Africans and Asians. Frequency of the GSTP1*Val cancer-associated allele found in Bari (88.6%) and Panare (63.0%) is of the highest so far reported. Fourteen TP53 haplotypes were observed in the admixed populations, whereas only 3 to 5 in Amerindians. To our knowledge this is the first report of GST polymorphisms and TP53 haplotype distribution in Venezuelans. The distribution of most of analyzed polymorphisms in the urban sample is consistent with the admixed origin of the present-day population of Venezuela. While, the inter-ethnic variations in genetic polymorphisms found in Native American tribes seem to be the result of the influence of demographic factors. These results provide additional data for undertaking ethnographic and disease association studies in Venezuela.

Autosomal STR genetic variability in the Gran Chaco native population: Homogeneity or heterogeneity?

To investigate the population structure and variation in Gran Chaco's Amerindian population, data from 15 short tandem repeats (STRs) were determined in 128 individuals from three tribes of the Argentinean part of this region. STR genotypic differences, structure analysis, and multidimensional plot for the D(A) distances indicated that (1) Wichí from the Chaco Province are genetically distinct from the other populations, but still preserve a fair amount of genetic similarity with Wichí from Formosa; (2) the Toba populations studied are genetically indistinguishable; and (3) Toba subjects from Formosa are similar to the Pilagá of the same linguistic group (Guaykurú) and to the Wichí from Formosa who speak a Mataco language. This similarity could be due to their past mobility and the custom of absorbing females taken as prisoners from groups raided by them. Language, geography, and genetics seem to play similar roles in determining the population structure of these groups. Analyses of molecular variance and G(ST)' values calculated considering three South American regions indicated that the Argentinean Chaco is genetically homogeneous; addition of the Ayoreo Amerindians of the Paraguayan Chaco, however, led to diversity values that are not much different from those of South Amerindians in general. The present data contribute to efforts that try to understand in what way groups with diverse sociocultural settings (tribal, agricultural, and industrial) differ in genetic structure.

A comprehensive analysis of microsatellite diversity in Aboriginal Australians

Indigenous Australians have a unique evolutionary history that has resulted in a complex system of inter and intra-tribal relationships. While a number of studies have examined the population genetics of indigenous Australians, most have used a single sample to illuminate details of the global dispersal of modern humans and few studies have focussed on the population genetic features of the widely dispersed communities of the indigenous population. In this study we examine the largest Aboriginal Australian sample yet analysed (N = 8,868) at fifteen hypervariable autosomal microsatellite loci. A comprehensive analysis of differentiation indicates different levels of heterogeneity among indigenous peoples from traditional regions of Aboriginal Australia. The most genetically differentiated populations inhabit the North of the country, in particular the Tiwi of Melville and Bathurst islands, Arnhem Land (itself divided into West and East Arnhem), and Fitzmaurice regions. These tribal groups are most differentiated from other Aboriginal Australian tribes, especially those of the Central Desert regions, and also show marked heterogeneity from one another. These genetic findings are supportive of observations of body measurements, skin colour, and dermatoglyphic features which also vary substantially between tribes of the North (e.g. Arnhem Land) and Central Australian regions and, more specifically, between the Tiwi and West and East Arnhem tribes. This study provides the most comprehensive survey of the population genetics of Aboriginal Australia.

Total plasma homocysteine values among elderly subjects: findings from the Maracaibo Aging Study

OBJECTIVES

The present study generated baseline data for total homocysteine (tHcy) in elderly Caribbeans of Hispanic ancestry, residing in Venezuela, their country of origin.

DESIGN AND METHODS

2106 participants in the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS), older than 55 years, underwent standardized clinical and laboratory assessments, including measurement of plasma tHcy levels, folate, and vitamin B12 in fasting samples.

RESULTS

tHcy concentration in the healthy, normative group ranged from 4.1 to 31.8 micromol/L, with a median of 11.5+/-4.7 micromol/L. tHcy level increased with age, was significantly higher in men than in women, and exhibited inverse correlations with folate and vitamin B12.

CONCLUSIONS

tHcy levels of the MAS participants were generally higher than levels previously reported for community-dwelling elderly populations from other countries. The normative centile curves for tHcy can be used in disease risk analysis for this population, and possibly for other Hispanic populations residing in the Caribbean.