title: Absence of the 9-bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA in pre-Hispanic inhabitants of Argentina.
abstract: We investigated the incidence of the Region V mitochondrial DNA 9-base-pair (bp) deletion from human remains recovered from several archaeological sites and contexts throughout Argentina. Of the 34 samples analyzed, 24 yielded DNA extractions that gave clear amplification results. All of the individuals carried two repeats of the 9 bp, one of which has been shown to be deleted in some individuals of Asian origin and defines mitochondrial lineage B. Although most of the modern Amerindian groups in the region exhibit the deletion in high frequencies, the absence of the 9-bp deletion among ancient populations of South America seems to be the rule rather than the exception, as was reported by several studies involving extinct populations. The evidence gathered until now suggests that the earliest settlers of this region of South America did not carry mitochondrial lineage B.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Antropología Biológica y Cultural, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Demarchi
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Panzetta-Dutari
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Colantonio
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Marcellino
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D020029:Base Pairing / Q000235:genetics*; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000266:history*; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010161:Paleodontology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial