The First complete Zoroastrian Parsi Mitochondria Reference Genome: Implications of Mitochondrial signatures in an endogamous, non-smoking population
Our study has generated the reference mitochondrial genomes of the Zoroastrian Parsi population an endogamous non-smoking community residing in India, followers of the ancient Prophet Zarathushtra. To link and gain a clearer understanding of the historical migration of the Parsis from Persia and identify the haplogroups and to form phylogenetic relationships with the Iranians and Indian populations. To identify and link variants within the various haplogroups and disease associations thereof. Our study proves endogamy and a direct link to Iranian haplotypes. The study also shows the absence of lung disease due to non-smoking practices. The mitochondria genome analysis displayed signatures linked to Longevity, Parkinson, Colon cancer, and Rare disorders. Additionally, this study generated the first complete mitochondrial reference standards for the Zoroastrian Parsis of India associated with seven haplogroups (A, HV, M, U, Z, F, T). We generated the first Mitochondrial Consensus Standards based on full-length sequences of the Zoroastrian Parsi community.