Study on the distribution of the MSY2 polymorphism in 9 Chinese populations

The distribution of the MSY2 polymorphism in Chinese populations was analyzed by PCR. The results showed that the MSY2*4 allele, whose frequency in the total material was found to be 94.95%, was the common allele, while the distribution of the MSY2*3 allele was significantly different in the 416 tested males from the 9 populations under study. Based on the chi2-analysis, a distinct diversity was found in the non-group populations. Diversities were also discovered between southern and northern groups and among southern groups. On the contrary, no difference concerning the diversity was detected among the northern populations. In conclusion, MSY2 proved to be an important genetic marker with regard to the study of the genetic structure of Chinese populations, and further evidence is given concerning the migration direction between South and North.