Population genetics for Y-chromosomal STRs haplotypes of Chinese Korean ethnic group in northeastern China

Dominant contribution of northern chinese to the paternal genetic structure of Chaoshanese in South China

We investigated the Y chromosome of various Chinese populations to determine the patrilineal origin of the Chaoshanese population. Admixture analysis of six specific Y short tandem repeat (STR) loci in 6,292 individual samples taken from 51 populations, including Chaoshanese and Minnanese of our earlier studies, showed that over 85% of the Chaoshanese Y chromosomes were derived from the Central China Han (M (RH): 0.8614; M (BE): 1.1868 ± 0.2054), and a very small portion were from the southern aborigines. These results support a Central China Han origin of the Chaoshanese and additionally reveal that males from the Central China Han were the predominant contributor to the patrilineal genetics of the Chaoshanese. A phylogenetic tree and analysis of molecular variance signified a strong association between Y chromosomes of Chinese populations and their linguistic affiliations, revealing a coevolution of Y chromosome diversity and languages in East Asia.

Population genetics for Y-chromosomal STRs haplotypes of Chinese Xibe ethnic group

Allele and haplotype frequencies of 11 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) included in the PowerPlex(®) Y Systems (Promega) were determined in a sample of 280 unrelated healthy autochthonous male individuals of the Chinese Xibe ethnic minority group living in Liaoning (northeast of China). The gene diversity values of the Y-STRs loci ranged from 0.3618 (DYS391) to 0.9686 (DYS385a/b). A total of 237 haplotypes were identified in the Y-STR loci, among which 207 were unique, 22 was found in 2 individuals, 4 were shared in 3 individuals, 3 were shared in 4 individuals, and 1 was shared in 5 individuals. The observed haplotype diversity value and discrimination capacity were 0.9984 and 0.8464, respectively. AMOVA tests demonstrated significant genetic heterogeneity between the Xibes and 16 reference populations from China and other Asian populations, justifying the establishment of local databases in the Chinese Xibe ethnic group for forensic application.

Y-STR haplotypes and the genetic structure from eight Chinese ethnic populations

To investigate the genetic structure of 8 Chinese ethnic populations, haplotype data of 9 short tandem repeats (STR) loci on non-recombining region of the Y chromosome (NRY) from 1816 individuals of 12 populations was obtained from the Database of Genome Diversity and Variation for Chinese Populations (HGD-Chn), unpublished data from Key Laboratory of Forensic Sciences and the prior literature. No specific Chinese population groups could be identified through the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on Y-chromosomal STRs from these samples. Pairwising F(ST) and Nei's genetic distance values were calculated and significant heterogeneity among these populations were observed. The phylogenetic trees were attained based on both the Nei's genetic and pairwising F(ST) values, and pairwising F(ST) based multidimensional scaling plot was also obtained. Several genetic features were observed through the analysis above, and it indicated some further cultural, religious and geographic significance.

The peopling of Korea revealed by analyses of mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosomal markers

BACKGROUND

The Koreans are generally considered a northeast Asian group because of their geographical location. However, recent findings from Y chromosome studies showed that the Korean population contains lineages from both southern and northern parts of East Asia. To understand the genetic history and relationships of Korea more fully, additional data and analyses are necessary.

METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS

We analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation in the hypervariable segments I and II (HVS-I and HVS-II) and haplogroup-specific mutations in coding regions in 445 individuals from seven east Asian populations (Korean, Korean-Chinese, Mongolian, Manchurian, Han (Beijing), Vietnamese and Thais). In addition, published mtDNA haplogroup data (N = 3307), mtDNA HVS-I sequences (N = 2313), Y chromosome haplogroup data (N = 1697) and Y chromosome STR data (N = 2713) were analyzed to elucidate the genetic structure of East Asian populations. All the mtDNA profiles studied here were classified into subsets of haplogroups common in East Asia, with just two exceptions. In general, the Korean mtDNA profiles revealed similarities to other northeastern Asian populations through analysis of individual haplogroup distributions, genetic distances between populations or an analysis of molecular variance, although a minor southern contribution was also suggested. Reanalysis of Y-chromosomal data confirmed both the overall similarity to other northeastern populations, and also a larger paternal contribution from southeastern populations.

CONCLUSION

The present work provides evidence that peopling of Korea can be seen as a complex process, interpreted as an early northern Asian settlement with at least one subsequent male-biased southern-to-northern migration, possibly associated with the spread of rice agriculture.

[Polymorphism analysis of 11 Y-STR loci in Manchu population and genetic relationships with 16 populations]

To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 11 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats(STR) loci in Manchu population, and to evaluate their forensic application values and genetic relationships with 16 other populations of China, 11 Y-STR loci in 203 unrelated Manchu individuals in Liaoning were amplified with PowerPlex Y System, and the PCR products were analyzed by 310 Genetic Analyzer. Cluster analysis and phylogenic trees were applied to show the genetic distance among the populations. As a result, a total of 189 haplotypes were identified and the overall haplotypes diversity for the 11 Y-STR loci was 0.9991. The gene diversity values (GD) for each locus ranged from 0.4594 (DYS391) to 0.9258 (DYS385a/b). Comparing with 16 populations, genetic distance between Manchu and Northeast Han population was the smallest(0.0015), while genetic distance between Man and Uygur ethnic the largest(0.1485). The phylogenetic tree was similar to the results of clustering analysis. The genetic distribution of 11 Y-STR loci in Liaoning Manchu population showed favorable polymorphisms, and was thus suitable for forensic identification and paternity testing in local area. The study of genetic diversity among different populations is useful for the research of their origins, migrations and their relationships.

Population genetics for Y-chromosomal STRs haplotypes of Chinese Tujia ethnic group

Allele and haplotype frequencies of 11 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) included in the PowerPlex Y Systems (Promega) were determined in a sample of 215 unrelated healthy male individuals of Chinese Tujia ethnic group living in Chongqing (Southwest of China). The gene diversity values of the Y-STRs loci ranged from 0.3757(DYS391) to 0.9170 (DYS385a/b). A total of 195 haplotypes were identified in the Y-STR loci, among which 180 were unique, 11 were found in two individuals, 3 were shared in three individuals and 1 was shared in four individuals. The observed haplotype diversity value and discrimination capacity were 0.9942 and 0.9070, respectively.