GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES IN THE ALLELE FREQUENCIES OF THE HUMAN Y-LINKED TETRANUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM DYS19

We have studied the allele frequency distribution of the microsatellit e locus DYS19 in several populations with different geographical origi ns worldwide. Three new alleles were found. In addition, remarkable ge ographic and ethnic differences were observed in the allele frequency profiles and DNA marker (gene) diversity among populations and major e thnic groups. Amerindians showed an overwhelming predominance of the A allele, while in Caucasians the B allele was modal, and in Greater As ians and Africans allele C became predominant. Even within these geogr aphic regions there were significant gradients, as exemplified by the decreasing frequency profile of the B allele from Great Britain over G ermany to Slovakia. Thus, DYS19 emerges as a useful tool for studying the structure and dynamics of human populations.