Population genetic study of the STR loci (HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX, HUMTHO1, HUMLPL, HUMF13A01, HUMF13B, HSFESFPS and HUMVWA) in North Indians

Background: Highly polymorphic genetic markers like short tandem repeats (STRs) have been used successfully in disease analysis and studies of human evolution and population genetic diversity. However, DNA-based population genetic studies of Indian populations are limited. Subjects and Methods: To enlarge our understanding of genetic variation in Indian populations, a population genetic study was carried out on Jat Sikh (Punjab, North India) individuals ( n = 150) using a battery of the STR loci. The STR loci analysed by means of PCR amplification followed by electrophoresis and silver staining included HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX, HUMTHO1, HUMLPL, HUMF13A01, HUMF13B, HUMFESFPS and HUMVWA loci. Results: The overall pattern of allele frequencies was similar to many Caucasian and Indian populations and heterozygosity varied from 65% (HUMLPL) to 85% (HUMVWA). For all eight loci, no deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium hypothesis were detected. Significant differences were observed between Jat Sikhs and Afri...