The genetic structure of Mexican Mestizos of different locations: Trackingback their origins through MHC genes, blood group systems, and microsatellites

Mexican Mestizos, who are the result of the admixture of Spanish, Indian, a nd Black genes, were analyzed for different systems. Three populations from geographical distinct areas were studied: the north (State of Nuevo Leon), the center (State of Guanajuato), and the highlands (mainly Mexico City). Ten blood group systems (N = 229), STRs (N = 107), HLA-A*, B*, C* (N = 116- 167), and DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 (N = 40, 101, 160, respectively) were analyz ed in the samples of the highlands, The three groups cluster together in th e same branch: Mestizos from Venezuela, Mediterranean and Jews close to the cluster of Orientals, followed by Amerindians. All markers demonstrate tha t Indian genes are strongly represented in the highlands: Di(a), O, D--(+), s, A*0201, *0206, B*1539 (*1541), *3902, *3905, *3512, *3517, *4002, *4005 , Cw*0801, *0304, *0401 among others, Cw*0501, *1203, *1204, and *1601 are of White ancestry, The most frequent haplotypes *0407-*03011-*0302 and *080 2-*0401-*0402 are of Indian descent as well. The center and mainly the nort h show a more Caucasian and Semitic profile. The results demonstrate the hi gh variability resulting from interethnic admixture, suggesting that this m echanism is the main factor responsible for the large diversity found in ur ban populations, Human Immunology 62, 979-991 (2001). (C) American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, 2001. Published by Elsevier Scie nce Inc.