Absence of the 9-bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA in pre-Hispanic inhabitants of Argentina

We investigated the incidence of the Region V mitochondrial,a DNA 9-base-pa ir (bp) deletion from human remains recovered from several archaeological s ites and contexts throughout Argentina. Of the 34 samples analyzed, 24 yiel ded DNA extractions that gave clear amplification results. All of the indiv iduals carried two repeats of the 9 bp, one of which has been shown to be d eleted in some individuals of Asian origin and defines mitochondrial lineag e B. Although most of the modem Amerindian groups in the region exhibit the deletion in high frequencies, the absence of the 9-bp deletion among ancie nt populations of South America seems to be the rule rather than the except ion, as was reported by several studies involving extinct populations. The evidence gathered until now suggests that the earliest settlers of this reg ion of South America did not carry mitochondrial lineage B.