Resident and Anadromous Forms of Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus) from North-East Europe: An Example of High Ecological Variability without Speciation.

Samples from 11 populations of the Arctic char of the North-European part of Russia belonging to the anadromous and resident forms and two samples from Lake Sobach'e (Taimyr) were studied. The nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene was determined in 60 individuals. In the majority of populations, the same COI haplotype was found. In some populations of the resident chars, haplotypes differing from the widespread haplotype in a single nucleotide substitution were found. The obtained genetic data give no reason to distinguish the resident form of the Arctic char from lakes of Karelia and the Kola Peninsula as an independent species, Salvelinus lepechini. The adaptation of the Arctic char to the unstable environmental conditions is ensured primarily by its phenotypic plasticity.

[Analysis of Alu-insertion polymorphism in three subethnic groups of Kalmyks].

Eight Alu insertions at the NBC27, TPA25, NBC148, NBC123, ACE, APOA1, NBC51, and PV92 locus were examined in three subethnic groups of Kalmyks (Torgouds, Derbets, and Buzava). In general, the pattern of allele frequencies in Kalmyks was consistent with that in Asian populations of the world, and was similar to the Alu insertion frequencies pattern in Turkic populations of the Volga--Ural region and Central Asia. Pairwise comparisons of three subpopulations of Kalmyks with respect to the frequency distributions of eight Alu insertions revealed the differences between the groups examined. The coefficient of gene differentiation, F(st), constituted 1.37%, pointing to the common origin of the groups of interest, as well as to the uniformity of the gene pools of subethnic groups of Kalmyks examined.

Polymorphisms at locus D1S80 and other hypervariable regions in the analysis of Eastern European ethnic group relationships.

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that, whereas many loci are used to generate phylogenetic relationships, the utilization of those that yield the most information could increase the accuracy of any multilocus phylogenetic reconstruction. Among these is the D1S80 hypervariable minisatellite region, which has been shown to be highly polymorphic globally, and it was of interest to compare the nearest neighbours and distant populations of Eastern Europe using the D1S80 polymorphism. AIM: The study evaluated the capacity of the D1S80 locus to discriminate between populations from different ethnic groups in Russia and the Republic of Belarus, revealing the polymorphism parameters of the populations studied. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Hypervariable D1S80 minisatellite polymorphism was studied in 15 populations, belonging to six distinct ethnic groups from the Russian Federation (Russians, Komis, Maris, Udmurts, Kalmyks, and Yakuts) and the Republic of Belarus (Byelorussians). The data were analysed with other results reported for D1S80 polymorphism among Eastern Europeans, and were analysed together with those previously reported for Eastern European populations for the 3'ApoB, DMPK, DRPLA, and SCA1 hypervariable loci. Genetic diversity analysis was carried out using multidimensional scaling (MDS) of Nei's genetic distances. RESULTS: The Eastern Slavonic populations (Russians, Ukrainians, and Byelorussians) are closely associated, and outermost from populations of Asian origin (Kalmyks and Yakuts). The populations that inhabit the Volga-Ural region (Udmurt, Komi, Mari, and Bashkir ethnic groups) revealed intermediate characteristics. CONCLUSION: The clustering of populations demonstrated here using D1S80 alone coincides with the analysis of five hypervariable region (HVR) loci, and is consistent with linguistic, geographic, and ethnohistorical data. These results are in agreement with most studies of mtDNA, Y-chromosomal, and autosomal DNA diversity in Eastern Europe. The D1S80 locus is convenient for population analyses, and may be used as part of a set of similar markers, which should allow the easy resolution of small differences in population structures.

Health consequences of postsocialist transition: dietary and lifestyle determinants of plasma lipids in Yakutia.

The rapid social and cultural changes introduced by the collapse of the Soviet Union have resulted in important differences in cardiovascular health for indigenous Siberians. This study investigated diet and lifestyle determinants of plasma lipids in the Yakut, an indigenous Siberian herding population. The study used a cross-sectional design with data on 201 subjects in three urbanized towns and three rural communities in northeastern Siberia. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake, and material lifestyle were collected, and lipids were analyzed from venous whole blood. Diet was analyzed using patterns of dietary intake based on principal components analysis of a dietary intake (food frequency) questionnaire. We identified three diet patterns: a traditional subsistence diet, a market foods diet, and a mixed diet. The effect of lifestyle on cardiovascular risk factors was measured using an ethnographically defined lifestyle index, with two orthogonal dimensions: subsistence lifestyle and modern lifestyle. Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly higher among those consuming a traditional subsistence diet of meat and dairy products. A modern lifestyle was associated with lower TC and LDL but higher adiposity and higher risk of obesity. LDL and TC were higher in rural communities and lower in urbanized towns. The significantly higher lipid levels associated with a subsistence diet and indirectly with a subsistence lifestyle indicate the emergence of a significant health problem associated with the social and cultural changes occurring in Yakutia today. These findings underscore the need for dietary modification and promotion of physical activity among those most at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moreover, these results differ from those commonly seen in "modernizing" populations, in that elements of subsistence lifestyle are associated with an elevated rather than reduced risk of CVD. Such variable responses to lifestyle change emphasize the need to better understand the distinct social and historical events that may influence health changes among populations in transition.

[Analysis of mitochondrial DNA variation in the population of Oroks].

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation was studied in population of Oroks (n = 61), the indigenous inhabitants of Eastern Siberia. Most of the mtDNA types examined fell into five haplogroups (C, D, G, M10, and Y) typical of Eastern Eurasian populations. For three haplogroups (D, C, and M10), the founder effect was established. In one individual, a unique lineage belonging to haplogroup HV and typical of Caucasoids was detected.

p53 polymorphisms in Russia and Belarus: correlation of the 2-1-1 haplotype frequency with longitude.

Four different polymorphisms in the human p53 gene (a 16-bp duplication in intron 3, and three RFLPs: for Bsh1236I at codon 72, for MspI in intron 6 and for BamHI in the 3' flanking region) and extended haplotypes were studied in nine geographically diverse populations from Russia and Belarus. The Yakuts differed from all other populations, as they had a significantly higher frequency of the BamHI A1 allele. Most populations did not differ significantly from each other in the frequency of the Bsh1236I polymorphism. The 16-bp duplication A1 allele and MspI A2 allele frequencies were significantly higher in the Yakut and Khant populations. Linkage disequilibrium values (D') between BamHI and other polymorphic sites were not significant in many cases; for this reason we have used the 16 bp-Bsh1236I-MspI haplotype frequencies only. Of eight possible haplotypes, five were observed in the populations investigated. Haplotype 1-2-2 was the most frequent in all populations. The next most common haplotype, 1-1-2, was present at very similar frequencies among the Byelorussians and Russians from Smolensk, but was more frequent in other populations. The frequency of haplotype 2-1-1 showed a nearly continuous decrease from West to East (from 17.857% among the Byelorussians to 0.685% in the Yakuts from the Verkhoyansk) and correlated with longitude (Spearman's r = -0.8667, P = 0.0025), which may be due to natural selection and adaptation. The relationships among populations were evaluated by means of Nei's D(A) distances for the 16 bp-Bsh1236I-MspI haplotype frequencies. Based on the multidimensional scaling analysis a correlation between p53 haplotype frequencies and ethnicity is supposed.

[Distribution of the HIV-1 resistance-conferring alleles (CCR5delta32, CCR2-64I, and SDF1 3'A) in Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian populations]. / Raspredelenie VICH-protektivnykh allelei (CCR5delta32, CCR2-64I i SDF1-3'A) v vyborkakh russkikh, ukrintsev i belorusov.

The frequencies of three alleles, CCR5delta32, CCR2-64I, and SDF1 3'A, known to decrease the risk of AIDS onset and the rate of the disease progression in HIV-infected individuals were determined in three native population samples from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The frequencies of the alleles were 0.15, 0.12, 0.21; 0.12, 0.07, 0.20; and 0.12, 0.08, 0.26 for Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarussians, respectively. The proportion of the individuals without any of three protective alleles among Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarussians constituted 49, 65, and 61%, respectively. The genotype frequencies for the three loci studied were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Based on the three-locus genotype frequencies, the hazard ratios (relative hazards, RH) of AIDS onset in HIV-infected individuals in each sample were calculated as ranging from 0.79 to 0.88. In the samples of Eastern Slavs analyzed the estimated frequencies of the AIDS-protective alleles tested, as well as the frequencies of the corresponding genotypes and the relative hazards of AIDS onset were within the range of these parameters for the other European populations. The data on the allele frequencies and the relative hazard values in Russians, Ukrainians and Belarussians can be used as the predictors of AIDS onset and progression rate in HIV-1-infected individuals from the populations studied.

[Genetic-demographic study of the Gagauz population of Moldava]. / Genetiko-demograficheskoe issledovanie populiatsii gagauzov Moldavii.

The genetic demographic structure of the Gagauz population of Moldova has been described for the first time. Data of interviews and official records have been used to analyze the sex and age structure of the population and marriage relationships, as well as to estimate the effective sizes of the populations of six settlements and selection intensity (according to Crow's formula). The demographic data indicate that social transformations have substantially affected the genetic demographic parameters of the population. The gene exchange rate per generation has been determined (m = 0.0204 in 1972 and m = 0.0309 in 1997). The estimated ratio between the components of Crow's index (I(m) < I(f)) in the Gagauz population is similar to those for the populations of developed countries with traditionally rural lifestyles. The study of marriage relationships of the Gagauz population has shown that Gagauzes are intensely mixing with Moldovans, Bulgarians, Russians, and Ukrainians.

Apolipoprotein B 3'-VNTR polymorphism in Eastern European populations.

Apolipoprotein B 3' (3' ApoB) minisatellite polymorphism was studied in healthy unrelated individuals from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, in 10 populations from five ethnic groups: Russians, Byelorussians, Adygeis, Kalmyks and Yakuts. The analysis was carried out using PCR and electrophoresis followed by silver staining. Overall, 25 alleles of the 3' ApoB minisatellite, ranging from 25 to 55 repeats, were detected. Heterozygosity indices were high and varied from 0.73 to 0.84. The distributions of alleles of this minisatellite in the Caucasoid populations (Russians, Byelorussians and Adygeis) had a bimodal character, whereas that for Mongoloid populations (Kalmyks and Yakuts) had a unimodal distribution. Nei's genetic distances between the populations studied and some reference populations of Europe and Asia were estimated. Despite their allele distribution homogeneity, different East Slavonic ethnic groups were clearly resolved by multidimensional analyses. The East Slavonic and Adygei populations revealed a high similarity with European Caucasoids. The Mongoloid populations (Kalmyks and Yakuts) were considerably different from those of the European Caucasoid populations, but were similar to other Asian Mongoloid populations. The results demonstrate the variability of 3' ApoB minisatellite polymorphism not only in distant populations but also, to a certain extent, in genetically relative ones.

[Analysis of the allele polymorphism of (CTG)n and (GAG)n triplet repeats in DM, DRPLA, and SCA1 genes in various populations of Russia]. / Analiz allel'nogo polimorfizma tripletnykh povtorov (CTG)n i (GAG)n v genakh DM, DRPLA i SCA1 v razlichnykh populiatsiiakh Rossii.

Polymorphism of highly polymorphic triplet repeats CTG of the 3'-untranslated region of the myotonin protein kinase gene and CAG of the genes associated with dentatorobral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA, or Hew River syndrome) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) was analyzed in several ethnic populations of Russia. A difference in allele spectra of the three genes was demonstrated for populations differing in ethnic origin.

[Ethnogenetics of yakuts from three regions of Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) inferred from the frequencies of biochemical gene markers]. / Etnogenetika iakutov iz trekh regionov Respubliki Sakha (Iakutiia) po dannym o chastotakh biokhimicheskikh markerov genov.

Comparative data on the distribution of immunological markers (AB0 and RH), serum proteins (HP, TF, GC, PI, and C3), and red cell enzymes (PGM1, ACP1, ESD, and GLO1) polymorphisms in Yakut populations from three regions of the Republic are presented. Close genetic affinities of Yakuts to Altaians, Mongols, and Buryats along with their notable difference from Evenks, Evens, and Chukchi were demonstrated.

[Distribution of the ABO blood groups and the HP, TF, GC, PI and C3 serum proteins in Yakuts]. / Raspredelenie grupp krovi ABO i syvorotochnykh faktorov HP, TF, GC, PI i C3 u iakutov.

In Yakut populations examined, polymorphisms of immunological and serum protein markers, including AB0 and Rhesus blood groups, HP, TF, GC, PI and C3, were revealed. Gene frequencies for the systems studied fell into the following ranges: AB0 system: r, 0.514 to 0.663; p, 0.136 to 0.306; q, 0.110 to 0.337; haptoglobin HP*1: 0.214 to 0.431; transferrin TF*C: 0.700 to 1.0; group specific component GC*1: 0.821 to 0.978; PI*M1 proteinase inhibitor (or alpha 1-antitrypsin) PIM1: 0.860 to 0.946; and third component of the complement C3*F: 0.031 to 0.143.

[Polymorphism of glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 in several populations of Russia]. / Polimorfizm glutation-S-transferaz M1 i T1 v riade populiatsii Rossii.

Frequencies of the wild-type and null genotypes of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were established in healthy donors from several Russian populations (ethnic Russians from the towns of Oshevensk and Kholmogory, Arkhangel'sk oblast; ethnic Khants; ethnic Kalmyks; and ethnic Buryats) in order to identify the ethnic group with the maximal frequency of the null genotype. The highest frequency of individuals with the null genotype of both genes was observed in the Kalmyk and Buryat populations. The results may be used to study the effect of climatic and ecological conditions on multifactorial disease incidence in populations.

[The Russian gene pool. Genogeography of serum genetic markers (HP, GC, PI, TF)]. / Russkii genofond. Genografiia syvorotochnykh gennykh markerov (HP, GC, PI, TF).

The study continues the series of works on the Russian gene pool. Gene geographic analysis of four serum gene markers best studied in the Russian population (HP, GC, PI, and TF) has been performed. Gene-geographic electronic maps have been constructed for 14 alleles of these loci and their correlations with geographic latitude and longitude. For all maps, statistical characteristics are presented, including the variation range and mean gene frequencies, partial and multiple correlations with latitude and longitude, and parameters of heterozygosity and interpopulation diversity. The maps of five alleles (HP*1, GC*2, GC*1S, PI*M2, and TF*C2) are shown and analyzed in detail. The genetic relief and structural elements of the maps are compared with the ecumenical trends, main variation patterns of these genes in northern Eurasia, and genetic characteristics of the indigenous populations of the Urals and Europe.

[The Russian gene pool. Genogeography of erythrocyte genetic markers (ACP1, PGM1, ESD, GLO1, 6-PGD)]. / Russkii genofond. Genografiia éritrotsitarnykh gennykh markerov (ACP1, PGM1, ESD, GLO1, 6-PGD).

The study continues the series of works on the Russian gene pool. Gene geographic analysis of five erythrocytic gene markers best studied in the Russian population (ACP1, PGM1, ESD, GLO1, and 6-PGD) has been performed. Gene-geographic electronic maps have been constructed for 13 alleles of these loci and their correlations with geographic latitude and longitude. For all maps, statistical characteristics are presented, including the variation range and mean gene frequencies, partial and multiple correlations with latitude and longitude, and parameters of heterozygosity and interpopulation diversity. The maps of eight alleles (ACP1*A, ACP1*C, PGM1*2+, PGM1*2-, PGM1*1-, ESD*1, GLO1*1, and PGD*C) are shown and analyzed in detail. The genetic relief and structural elements of the maps are compared with the ecumenical trends, main variation patterns of these genes in northern Eurasia, and genetic characteristics of the indigenous populations of the Urals and Europe.

The geographical and ethnic distribution of the D90A CuZn-SOD mutation in the Russian Federation.

INTRODUCTION: Mutations in the gene encoding the free radical scavenging enzyme CuZn-superoxide dismutase have been associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ninety-eight mutations have been found worldwide in patients with ALS, all but one showing a dominant pattern of inheritance. The exception is the D90A mutation which in Finland, northern Norway and northern Sweden exists with an allele frequency of 1-2.5% and is in these regions associated with ALS inherited as a recessive trait. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study we searched for the D90A CuZn-SOD mutation in different ethnic populations of the Russian Federation and found the D90A mutation not only in locations close to the Scandinavian peninsula but also in remote populations in Asia. CONCLUSION: The finding makes the D90A mutation the most prevalent CuZn-SOD mutation globally and has implications for interpreting the recent reports of D90A-heterozygous ALS patients in North America and Europe.

[Genetic predisposition to development of toxic liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol]. / Geneticheskaia predraspolozhennost' k razvitiiu toksicheskogo twirroza pecheni, obuslovlennogo deistviem alkogolia.

Comprehensive analysis of the contribution of genetic factors into predisposition to alcoholic toxic cirrhosis (TC) was performed. The ABO, RH, HP, TF, GC, PI, ACP1, PGM1, ESD, GLO1, and GST1 genetic polymorphisms were compared in 34- to 59-year-old male TC patients and control donors of the same sex and age. The phenotypic frequencies in the TC group deviated from the theoretically expected values; the main difference was the excess of rare homozygotes for the loci GC, ACP1, ESD, and GLO1. In the TC patients, the observed heterozygosity (Ho) was considerably lower than the theoretically expected value (H(e)). Wright's fixation index (F) in the TC patients was 30 times higher than in the control group (0.0888 and 0.0027, respectively). The frequencies of PI*Z and PI*S, the PI alleles that are responsible for lower concentrations of proteinase inhibitor, were 12 and 6 times higher in the TC than in the control group. The TC patients exhibited a significantly higher frequency of the liver glutathione-S-transferase GST1*0 allele, whereas the GST1*2 frequency was two times higher in the control subjects than in the TC patients (0.2522 and 0.0953, respectively). The TC and control groups showed statistically significant differences in the frequencies of the following alleles of six independent loci: ABO*0, TF*C1, TF*C2, PI*M1, PI*Z, ACP1*C, PGM1*1+, PGM1*1-, PGM1*2-, GST1*0, and GST1*2. The haptoglobin level was significantly higher and the serum transferrin level was drastically lower in all phenotypic groups of TC patients than in control subjects. The concentrations of IgM and IgG depended on the HP, GC, and PI phenotypes. The total and direct reacting bilirubin concentrations depended on the erythrocytic-enzyme phenotypes (ACP1, PGM1, and GLO1) in both TC and control groups.

[Polymorphic markers for the angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme in Yakuts. Lack of association with blood pressure level]. / Polimorfnye markery genov angiotenzinogena i angiotenzin-prevrashchaiushchego fermenta u iakutov. Otsutstvie assotsiatsii s urovnem krovianogo davleniia.

Allele frequency distributions of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and the M235T polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene was studied in a random sample of the indigenous population of the Sakha Republic. The allelic variants of these genes did not showed an association with blood pressure in Yakuts.

[The Russian gene pool. Frequency of genetic markers]. / Russkii genofond. Chastoty geneticheskikh markerov.

Frequency distribution of several genetic markers was studied in ethnic Russians from the Moscow, Bryansk, Ryazan', Kostroma, Novgorod, Arkhangel'sk, and Sverdlovsk oblasts and Udmurtiya. Systems AB0, RH, HP, TF, GC, PI, C'3, ACP1, PGM1, ESD, GLO1, 6PGD, and AK were analyzed in most samples. New data on informative polymorphic genetic loci showed that the Russian gene pool mostly displays Caucasoid features. In addition, Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) DYS19, DYS390, and YCAII were analyzed in the Russian samples. STRs of the chromosome are particularly valuable for elucidating ethnogenetic processes in Eastern Europe. Frequency distributions of the Y-chromosomal markers in Russians were intermediate between those of West European populations and eastern Finno-Ugric ethnoses of the Volga region. A marked longitudinal gradient was revealed for frequencies of several molecular markers.

To the research of the gene pool of the Gagauz population of Moldavia.

Population genetic data on Gagauzes from Moldavia are reported here for the first time. AB0 and Rhesus blood groups, serum protein group (HP, TF, GC) and the red cell enzyme polymorphism PGM1 were determined in 190 Gagauzes. In addition to this the ability to taste PTC was tested. The following allele frequencies were found: AB0*0 = 0.5241, AB0*A = 0.3279, AB0*B = 0.1480; RH*D = 0.6083, RH*d = 0.3917; HP*1 = 0.3544, HP*2 = 0.6456; TF*C1 = 0.7472, TF*C2 = 0.1770, TF*C3 = 0.0730, TF*B = 0.0028; GC*1F = 0.1025, GC*1S = 0.5932, GC*2 = 0.3043; PGM*1+ = 0.5932; PGM*1- = 0.1000, PGM*2+ = 0.2607, PGM*2- = 0.1107. The frequency of the PTC*T allele was found to be 0.5298. These frequencies and genetic distance analyses show that the gene pool of the Gagauzes is similar to that of neighbouring southeastern European populations.