Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
1) Research Centre for Medical Genetics RAMS, Moscow, Russia; 2) Vavilov Instritute of General Genetics RAS, Moscow, Russia; 3) Kemerovo State University, Kemerovo, Russia; 4) Chita State University, Chita, Russia; 5) Adygei State University, Maikop, Russia; 6) Mordovian State University, Saransk, Russia; 7) Gumilev Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan; 8) Centre of Forensic Examination, Astana, Kazakhstan; 9) Mongolian Academy of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Balaganskaya O., e-mail: olga.vasinskaja@mail.ru; Lavryashina Mariya B., Ph.D., D.Sc., prof., ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1593-0676, e-mail: lmb2001@mail.ru; Kuznetsova M.A., e-mail: kirya7@list.ru; Romanov Aleksey G., e-mail: a_romanov85@mail.ru; Dibirova Kh., e-mail: hadizha-dibirova@mail.ru; Frolova S.A., e-mail: s_frolova@list.ru; Kuznetchova A.A.; Zakharova T.A.; Baranova E.E., e-mail: superbarash@rambler.ru; Teuchezh I.E., e-mail: ira_teuchezh@mail.ru; Romashkina M.V., e-mail: RomashkinaMar@yandex.ru
Aim: This study aims to analyze the gene pool structure of the Altay populations by using the standardized panel of the Y chromosomal SNPs. Comparing with the surrounding populations should reveal the main directions of the gene flow. It is important to cover local and tribal populations, rather than large aggregate groups, which allows estimation of the genetic heterogeneity of these combined groups. Materials and methods: DNA samples were collected from all principal parts of the indigenous population of the Altay mountains: Chelkans, Kumandins, Tubalars, Telengits, Altay-Kizhi, Mountain and Abakan Shors (Russia), Altay Kazakhs (Kazakhstan), western Khalkh-Mongols and Mongolian minorities from Altay (Mongolia). 805 persons were sampled totally, all gave the informed consent. The average sample size per population was about 90. The applied panel of 40 SNP markers allowed recognizing Y chromosomal sub-haplogroups (genetic variants) with high phylogenetic resolution, thus proving possibility to reveal even smaller differences between gene pools, reflecting peculiarities of their population history. Results: The Y chromosomal haplogroups R1a1, Q, N1b, N1c1, R1b1b1, and С were shown to be the most typical for Altay populations. Haplogroup R1a1 might indicate the paleo-Caucasoid component of the Altay populations. Haplogroup С has been probably spread later, during the expansion of the Mongolian-speaking Central Asian populations. Siberian haplogroups Q and N1b could be the most ancient component of the Altaian gene pool, tracing the role of paleo-Asian and proto-Uralic populations. Within Altay the clear geographical trend was identified from the north to the south: the genetic variation increases, the frequency of «Siberian» haplogroups decreases, the frequency of «Central Asian» haplogroups increases and reaches its maximum in Altaian Mongols. The genetic relationship dendrogram demonstrated the Shorian and South Altaian clusters, while other populations found separate places of the plot. Tubalars join South Altaians rather than North Altaians, this finding corresponds with the new linguistic data. The population groups known as «North Altaians» and «South Altaians» were proved to be highly genetically heterogeneous. Average heterogeneity of Altay sub-populations within aggregate groups was significantly higher than that within European nations. For example, Chelkans, Kumandins, and Tubalars, often united as «Northern Altaians» were genetically so different, that each population was characterized by separate major haplogroups, reaching 50% of the total gene pool. This pronounced genetic differences between populations which have the self-identification, indicates that their population level could be better described as small ethnic groups. Conclusions: We revealed the genetic connections between Altay population and different regions of Eurasia: the gene flows from Western Eurasia, Central Asia, and North Asia (Siberia). Within Altay, both the frequency of «Mongoloid» Central Asian haplogroups and the diversity of haplogroup spectrum increased southward, but inter-population differences were highest between North Altaians. This might indicate that their subpopulations should be considered as ethnic (rather than sub-ethnic) groups.
Y chromosome, Altay ethnic groups, Kazakh, Mongols, gene pool, intra-ethnic variation
Цит.: Balaganskaya O.A., Lavryashina M.B., Kuznetchova M.A., Romanov A.G., Dibirova Kh.D., Frolova S.A., Kuznetchova A.A., Zakharova T.A., Baranova E.E., Teuchezh I.E., Romashkina M.V., Sabitov Zh., Taji Gene pool of the Altay ethnic groups (from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia) analyzed by the Y chromosomal markers // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2011; 2/2011; с. 25-36
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