title: The Caucasus as an asymmetric semipermeable barrier to ancient human migrations.
abstract: The Caucasus, inhabited by modern humans since the Early Upper Paleolithic and known for its linguistic diversity, is considered to be important for understanding human dispersals and genetic diversity in Eurasia. We report a synthesis of autosomal, Y chromosome, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in populations from all major subregions and linguistic phyla of the area. Autosomal genome variation in the Caucasus reveals significant genetic uniformity among its ethnically and linguistically diverse populations and is consistent with predominantly Near/Middle Eastern origin of the Caucasians, with minor external impacts. In contrast to autosomal and mtDNA variation, signals of regional Y chromosome founder effects distinguish the eastern from western North Caucasians. Genetic discontinuity between the North Caucasus and the East European Plain contrasts with continuity through Anatolia and the Balkans, suggesting major routes of ancient gene flows and admixture.
authors.affiliation: Estonian Biocentre, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Bayazit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yunusbayev
authors.forename: Mait
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Metspalu
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Järve
authors.forename: Ildus
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kutuev
authors.forename: Siiri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rootsi
authors.forename: Ene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Metspalu
authors.forename: Doron M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Behar
authors.forename: Kärt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Varendi
authors.forename: Hovhannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sahakyan
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khusainova
authors.forename: Levon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yepiskoposyan
authors.forename: Elza K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Khusnutdinova
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Underhill
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kivisild
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Villems
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004247:DNA; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000266:history*; D051456:Gene Flow; D005828:Genetics, Population; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008037:Linguistics; D014154:Transcaucasia; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D004247:DNA