The genetic landscape of Mediterranean North African populations through complete mtDNA sequences. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Font-Porterias, Neus; Solé-Morata, Neus; Serra-Vidal, Gerard; Bekada, Asmahan; Fadhlaoui-Zid, Karima; Zalloua, Pierre; Calafell, Francesc; Comas, David
• Is Part Of: Annals of human biology. Volume 45:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 104
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Population genetics -- North Africa -- mitochondrial DNA -- haplogroups; Human biology -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2017.1413133
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4460

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The genetic composition of human North African populations is an amalgam of different ancestral components coming from the Middle East, Europe, south-Saharan Africa and autochthonous to North Africa. This complex genetic pattern is the result of migrations and admixtures in the region since Palaeolithic times. Aims: The objective of the present study is to refine knowledge of the population history of North African populations through the analysis of complete mitochondrial sequences. Subjects and methods: This study has sequenced complete mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) in several North African and neighbouring individuals. Results: The mtDNA haplogroup classification and phylogeny shows a high genetic diversity in the region as a result of continuous admixture. The phylogenetic analysis allowed us to identify a new haplogroup characterised by positions 10 101 C and 146 C (H1v2), a sub-branch of H1v, which is restricted to North Africa and whose origins are estimated as ∼4000 years ago. Conclusions: The analysis of the complete mtDNA genome has allowed for the identification of a North African sub-lineage that might be ignored by the analysis of partial mtDNA control region sequences, highlighting the phylogeographic relevance of mtDNA complete sequence analysis.