Genetic features of Mongolian ethnic groups revealed by Y-chromosomal analysis.
About 20 ethnic groups reside in Mongolia. On the basis of genetic and anthropological studies, it is believed that Mongolians have played a pivotal role in the peopling of Central and East Asia. However, the genetic relationships among these ethnic groups have remained obscure, as have their detailed relationships with adjacent populations. We analyzed 16 binary and 17 STR polymorphisms of human Y chromosome in 669 individuals from nine populations, including four indigenous ethnic groups in Mongolia (Khalkh, Uriankhai, Zakhchin, and Khoton). Among these four Mongolian populations, the Khalkh, Uriankhai, and Zakhchin populations showed relatively close genetic affinities to each other and to Siberian populations, while the Khoton population showed a closer relationship to Central Asian populations than to even the other Mongolian populations. These findings suggest that the major Mongolian ethnic groups have a close genetic affinity to populations in northern East Asia, although the genetic link between Mongolia and Central Asia is not negligible.
Katoh
Toru
T
Molecular Life Science, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Bohseidai, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
Munkhbat
Batmunkh
B
Tounai
Kenichi
K
Mano
Shuhei
S
Ando
Harue
H
Oyungerel
Ganjuur
G
Chae
Gue-Tae
GT
Han
Huun
H
Jia
Guan-Jun
GJ
Tokunaga
Katsushi
K
Munkhtuvshin
Namid
N
Tamiya
Gen
G
Inoko
Hidetoshi
H
D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences