Analysis of DNA polymorphism in populations of the Volga-Urals region by means of genome fingerprinting with phage M13 DNA

The hyperpolymorphism of minisatellite DNA hybridizing with DNA of bacterio phage M13 was analyzed in seven Turkic and Finno-Ugric populations from the Volga-Urals region. In total, hybridization revealed 80 BspRI genomic DNA fragments ranging in size from 1.7 to 10 kb; the average frequency of an in dividual fragment was 0.299 +/- 0.020. The average number of hybridization fragments per pattern (varying from 14 to 20 in different populations) and frequencies of individual fragments showed significant interpopulation diff erences. Parameters of this polymorphic system were assumed to reflect phen otypic diversity of populations. Genome fingerprinting with the use of phag e M13 can be employed in the studies of population genetic structure and di fferentiation and in forensic medicine for more accurate personal identific ation.