Genetic Diversity Based on the Analysis of 27 Y- Short Tandem Repetition (STR) Loci in Two Populations in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania.

BACKGROUND: Y chromosome analysis is used in various fields of forensic genetics, genetic genealogy, and evolutionary research, due to its unique characteristics. Short tandem repetitions (STR) are particularly relevant in population genetic studies. The aim of this study is to analyze the genetic profile of two populations in the Apuseni Mountains area, Baița and Roșia Montana, Romania. METHODS: 27 STR loci of the Y chromosome were analyzed to investigate the genetic profile of two populations from the Apuseni Mountains area. Investigating genetic diversity by analyzing allele frequency, haplotype frequency, calculating forensic parameters, and presenting the main haplogroups identified based on Y-STR markers. RESULTS: Gene diversity in the batch from Baița varies from 0.515 for the DYS393 locus to 0.947 for the DYS385 locus. In the Roșia Montana population, gene diversity ranges from 0.432 for DYS393 to 0.931 for DYS385. The haplotype diversity in Roșia Montana was 0.991, and the haplotype diversity was 1.000 in the population from Baița. A total of nine haplogroups was identified in the batch from Baița, while only seven haplogroups were observed in the batch from Roșia Montana. Both groups are based on the same five major haplogroups (E, G, I, J, and R) and the most common haplogroup is R1b in both populations. CONCLUSION: In this study, the genetic diversity of two distinct populations was assessed using genetic analyses based on different markers. Analysis of Y-STR profiles revealed significant genetic diversity in both studied groups. All haplogroups identified were similar to those present in other Romanian populations.