RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3), the CUB and sushi multiple domains 1 (CSMD1) and the neuregulin 1 (NRG1) genes were used to study the genetic diversity and affinity among North African populations and to examine their genetic relationships in worldwide populations. METHODS: The rs3773678, rs3732783 and rs6280 SNPs of the DRD3 gene located on chromosome 3, the rs10108270 SNP of the CSMD1 gene and the rs383632, rs385396 and rs1462906 SNPs of the NRG1 gene located on chromosome 8 were analysed in 366 individuals from seven North African populations (Libya, Kairouan, Mehdia, Sousse, Kesra, Smar and Kerkennah). RESULTS: The low values of FST indicated that only 0.27%-1.65% of the genetic variability was due to the differences between the populations. The Kairouan population has the lowest average heterozygosity among the North African populations. Haplotypes composed of the ancestral alleles ACC and ACAT were more frequent in the Kairouan population than in other North African populations. The PCA and the haplotypic analysis showed that the genetic structure of populations in North Africa was closer to that of Europeans, Admixed Americans, South Asians and East Asians. However, analysis of the rs3732783 and rs6280 SNPs revealed that the CT microhaplotype was specific to the North African population. CONCLUSIONS: The Kairouan population exhibited a relatively low rate of genetic variability. The North African population has undergone significant gene flow but also evolutionary forces that have made it genetically distinct from other populations.