Molecular genetic diversity in 5 populations of Madhya Pradesh, India

This paper presents data on the distribution of 3 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (D1S80, APOB, and YNZ22) in 5 populations of Central India. Using the polymerase chain reaction technique, 3 caste (Brahmin, Khatri, an d Dhimer) and 2 tribal (Gond and Baiga) populations. were studied for the 3 loci. The allelic variations observed in the caste populations are compati ble with those of many Caucasian populations, but the caste populations sho wed significant overall and interpopulation variability within the region. D1S80 allele *24 varied from 32% (Dhimers) to 42% (Brahmins). Allele *18 wa s not observed in Baiga tribal populations, but in caste populations it var ied from 11% (Dhimers) to 244b (Brahmins). Both tribal populations showed h igher frequencies of allele *31 (17%-18%). For APOB, caste populations agai n showed bimodal distribution of alleles *35 and *37, but in tribal populat ions higher allele numbers (*47, *49) were also frequent. For YNZ22, extens ive variation was observed for all populations studied. Allele *4 was the m ost common in caste populations, while alleles *2, *7, and *10 were promine nt in tribal populations. The level of gene differentiation is not very hig h for the 3 systems studied in the 5 populations. Overall, allele frequency distribution, heterozygosity, and genetic diversity analysis show that the genetic diversity observed is socially and geographically structured.