ANALYSIS OF DNA POLYMORPHISM, DETECTED US ING DNA-FINGERPRINTING ON THE BASIS OF M13 PHAGE DNA, IN BASHKIR AND KOMI POPULATIONS

Hyperpolymorphism of minisatellite DNA, detected using the M13 bacteri ophage DNA hybridization probe, was studied in three ethnographic grou ps of Bashkirs and in the Komi population. Bands from 2 to 20 kb were analyzed in hybridization patterns. A significant population differenc e was detected both in evaluation of the average number of hybridizati on fragments per individuals and in the distribution of frequency of s ome fractions. Thus, it seems possible to describe a set of so-called characteristic fractions for each population. According to the hybridi zation fragment frequency for the populations investigated, an index o f genetic similarity was calculated. The possibility of using this kin d of multiple polymorphism of DNA in population genetic investigations at the level of ethnic groups and peoples is discussed, and a conclus ion is made about the necessity of searching for the most informative methods of analyzing the data obtained.