title: Linkage disequilibrium between microsatellite markers in the Swedish Sami relative to a worldwide selection of populations.
abstract: The pattern of linkage disequilibrium (LD) is affected by a number of factors, including population demography. High LD is seen in populations with a relatively limited and constant size, presumably because of genetic drift. We have examined the extent of LD among over 300 genome-wide pattern microsatellite loci in 29 populations from around the world. The pattern of LD varied between populations, with a larger extent of LD in populations with limited size relative to larger populations. In addition, the LD between 88 less well-spaced microsatellite markers from 10 different genomic regions was examined in the Sami compared with the general Swedish population. For these markers, increased LD extending up to 5 Mb was detected in the Sami. The amount of LD also differed between the chromosomal regions. The amount of LD in the Sami makes this population suitable for the mapping of complex genetic traits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 57185 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Asa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vavruch-Nilsson
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edin-Liljegren
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sjölander
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gyllensten
mesh_terms: D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers