Genetic variation at five STR loci in subpopulations living in Turkey

Five short tandem repeat (STR) systems HumVWA, HumTH01, HumCD4, HumF13B and HumFES were investigated in 2 subpopulations living in Turkey (Laz Turks and Kurds). The population genetic data were compared to a Turkish population sample from the Adana area. A closer genetic relationship was found to the Laz Turks than to the Kurdish sample which was also confirmed by phylogenetic tree reconstruction with seven populations from three major ethnic groups (Caucasian, Asian and African). In contrast to the Laz and Adana populations the Kurdish sample showed relatively low heterozygosity values and deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in four of the five systems.