Variation in the number of FMR1 microsatellite repeats in three subgroups of the Hellenic population

Microsatellites have been used for human evolution and origin studies by comparing their frequency, diversity, and allele size. In this study we report the analysis of three microsatellite loci, FMR1 CGG and flanking DXS548 and FRAXAC2, in three separate groups of the Hellenic population: Athens, representing the general Hellenic population; Epirus (northwest Greece); and Cyprus. Significant variations in frequency and diversity were found in the three groups. Compared with Athens, Epirus had a tendency for longer alleles and a higher heterozygosity for DXS548. Cyprus had a frequency of CGG alleles similar to Athens but a low heterozygosity and a limited number of alleles at DXS548 and FRAXAC2. Allele differences of microsatellite loci not only are present in remote populations but also are evident between groups belonging to the same population. Microsatellite analysis could be a useful tool for identifying the origin of the founder chromosomes in intra-population studies and the time elapsed from the establishment of each population subgroup.