Y-chromosomal STR haplotypes in Kalmyk population samples

Area of Science:

• Population Genetics
• Human Genetics
• Forensic Genetics

Background:

• The Y-chromosome is crucial for tracing paternal lineage and population history.
• Short tandem repeats (STRs) are highly polymorphic markers used in population genetics and forensics.
• Understanding the genetic landscape of the Kalmyk population provides insights into Central Asian genetic diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To genetically characterize the Kalmyk population using Y-STR data.
• To investigate the population's genetic relationships with neighboring and Central Asian groups.
• To identify unique genetic features within the Kalmyk population.

Main Methods:

• Typing of seventeen Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) in 99 DNA samples from the Kalmyk population.
• Analysis of allele frequencies, including duplicated DYS19 alleles and DYS448 locus deletions.
• AMOVA (Analysis of Molecular Variance) to assess genetic distances and relationships.

Main Results:

• The Kalmyk population exhibits a high frequency of duplicated DYS19 alleles and deletions at the DYS448 locus.
• Central Asian haplogroup C* is prevalent in the studied population.
• AMOVA analysis indicates genetic proximity to Mongolian and Kazakh populations.
• A significant genetic distance was observed between the Kalmyk population and geographically adjacent Russian, Ukrainian, and Caucasian populations.

Conclusions:

• The Kalmyk population possesses distinct Y-STR genetic profiles.
• The findings support a closer genetic relationship with Central Asian populations than with surrounding European and Caucasian groups.
• This study contributes valuable data to the understanding of Y-chromosome diversity in Eurasia.