Polymorphism of Y-Chromosomal Microsatellites in Russian Populations from the Northern and Southern Russia as Exemplified by the Populations of Kursk and Arkhangelsk Oblast

Abstract

Allelic polymorphisms at five Y-chromosomal microsatellite loci ( DYS19 , DYS390 , DYS391 , DYS392 , and DYS393 ) were typed in 87 individuals from male population samples from two geographically isolated regions (Arkhangelsk oblast and Kursk oblast) of the European part of Russia. The populations examined demonstrated substantial differences in the distribution of the DYS392 ( P = 0.005) and DYS393 ( P = 0.003) alleles. Estimates of genetic relationships between these populations and some other European populations (including Eastern-Slavic) showed that irrespectively of the measure of genetic distance chosen, Arkhangelsk population was closer to the populations belonging to the Finno-Ugric linguistic group (Saami and Estonians) and to the Estonian geographical neighbors, Latvians, while Kursk population was the member of a cluster formed by Eastern-Slavic populations (Russians of Novgorod oblast, Ukrainians, and Belarussians). Phylogenetic analysis of the most frequent haplotypes indicated that these differences between Kursk and Arkhangelsk populations were associated with high prevalence in the latter of major haplotypes characteristic primarily of the Finno-Ugric populations.

Y-Chromosome distribution within the geo-linguistic landscape of northwestern Russia

“…Alternatively, the transformation model proposes that eastern Slavic groups gradually evolved in situ from ancient groups autochthonous to the area. Mitochondrial DNA, 24,25 Y-STR haplotypes, 26,27 and autosomal STR diversity distributions 8,28 endorse the hybridization theory supporting the Central European Slavic infusion into tribes previously residing in Eastern Europe.…”

“…A recent Y-chromosomal study addressing the intraethnic variation in Russian populations revealed that central and southern Slavic Russian groups cluster closely together, whereas northern groups exhibit genetic and phylogenetic affinities to Finno-Ugric peoples, suggesting an assimilation of the Uralic substrata throughout the area, 23 a phenomenon previously observed using other marker systems, such as mtDNA, 24,25 Y-STR haplotypes, 26,27 and autosomal STR loci. 8,28 These and other publications 14,29 also claim that geographic partitioning rather than ethnolinguistic boundaries constitutes the main genetic barriers throughout Europe.…”

Analysis of Allele and Haplotype Diversity Across 25 Genomic Regions in Three Eastern European Populations

“…The settlement of these territories by Slavs was accompanied by active contacts with local populations and their subsequent assimilation by growing Slavic populations; however, the extent of the assimilation might differ from one region to another. Our Y chromosome microsatellite polymorphism data revealed significant differences between Russians from the Archangelsk region (Northern Russians) and other Russian populations [21] . Taking into account the historical and geographical specificities of the colonization of Northern European territories, it has been proposed that Northern Russians may have preserved more Finno-Ugric components when compared with Southern Russians.…”

Minisatellite DNA Markers in Population Studies

“…Comparison of these findings with the variability of Y chromosome haplotypes in European populations revealed the kinship between the Arkhangelsk population from Oschevensk and not only Slavic, but also Finno-Ugric populations (Khrunin et al, 2005). The analysis of the data of mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome polymorphisms, taking into consideration the peculiarities of ethnic history, leads to the conclusion that the gene pools of some Russian populations from the Arkhangelsk region contain an ancestral Finno-Ugric component.…”

“…We paid particular attention to the analysis of D1S80 polymorphisms among northern Russians (individuals from the Mezen district of the Arkhangelsk region), who exhibit differences from other Russians and proximity to the Finno-Ugric-and Balticspeaking populations (Balanovsky et al 2008;Khrunin et al 2009;Limborska et al, 2011b). Yakuts are typical North Asians (Cavalli-Sforza et al 1996) who are one of the groups that is genetically most distant from Russians (Khrunin et al 2005(Khrunin et al , 2007Verbenko et al, 2005;Flegontova et al, 2009). Subsequently, taking into account the extensive data available on the D1S80 polymorphism among African populations, we compared the D1S80 allele patterns of Russians and Yakuts with our African samples.…”