Population genetic studies of PI, Tf, Gc and PGM1 subtypes among various caste groups in North India

Approximately 500 blood samples from various endogamous groups in north India have been subjected to isoelectric focusing to reveal genetic variation at the PI, Tf, Gc and PGM1 loci. The average heterozygosity per locus varies from 40% to 60% and the gene frequency data reflects considerable variation among the caste groups studied. The Nei genetic distances calculated from the 4 loci demonstrate that Khatri, Arora and Rajput are strongly clustered together and genetically they are closer to Brahmin than to Vaish and Scheduled Castes. Vaish emerge as a unique group showing maximum genetic distances with all other caste groups. The comparison of the present populations with our own data from two south Indian populations indicates that the tribal population of Soliga is distinct from the non-tribal populations, but the non-tribal south Indian series clusters closely with the main caste populations in north India.