JC virus genotyping offers a new paradigm in the study of human populations.
A small DNA virus, named JC virus (JCV) and belonging to the Polyomaviridae, is attracting the attention of anthropologists worldwide, as JCV genotyping appears to be a novel means of elucidating human migrations and the origins of various ethnic groups. The basic properties of JCV, the regional distributions of JCV genotypes, and the phylogenetic relationships among various JCV genotypes are described. Then, a study is described in which the origin of the modern Japanese was extensively investigated using the JCV genotyping method. Based on JCV genotypes in neighboring areas, the origins of people who carried JCV genotypes to the Japanese Archipelago are discussed. Finally, the relationships between JCV genotypes and Y-chromosome haplogroups are examined, as genetic variation on the Y chromosome has recently been examined in detail to investigate ancient human migrations and the population structures of human groups.
Yogo
Yoshiaki
Y
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. yogo-tky@umin.ac.jp
Sugimoto
Chie
C
Zheng
Huai-Ying
HY
Ikegaya
Hiroshi
H
Takasaka
Tomokazu
T
Kitamura
Tadaichi
T
D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine / Q000821:virology*
D004279:DNA, Viral