A study of polymorphism of the D2 dopamine receptor gene in the populations of the Volga-Ural region

Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), TaqI polymorphism for the D2 dopamin e receptor gene (DRD2) was studied in eight populations of the Volga-Ural r egion that belong to the Turkic (Bashkirs, Tatars, and Chuvashes), Finno-Ug ric (Maris, Komis, Mordvinians, and Udmurts), and Eastern-Slavonic (Russian s) ethnic groups. Significant differences in the distribution of genotype f requencies were found between the Tatar population belonging to the Turkic branch of the Altaic linguistic family and the Mari and Mordvinian populati ons belonging to the Finno-Ugric branch of the Ural family and between the Tatar and Bashkir populations belonging to the Turkic ethnic group.