MIGRATIONS, ADMIXTURE AND GENETIC DIVERSITY IN CENTRAL PATAGONIA ARGENTINA: ANALYSIS OF AUTOSOMAL ALU POLYMORPHISMS

PAROLIN M.L, ZANETTI D, CALÒ C.M, ESTEBAN E, AVENA S, CARNESE F.R, MORAL P

Basic and Applied Genetics

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE GENÉTICA

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2017 vol. 27

1666-0390

This study aimed to analyze autosomal Alu insertions in three localities from Patagonia Argentina belonging to the Andes region and the coast of the Chubut province. Knowledge of the genetic diversity of these populations, along with the genealogical data, will contribute to better understand historical information, differential migration process and bio-demographic composition of the Central Patagonia region. At the same time, this study could result of potential application in research of biomedical interest and forensic genetics. In order to achieve this objective, 16 autosomal Alu insertion polymorphisms were genotyped: ACE, APO-A1, TPA25, FXIIIB, A25, HS4.32, D1, HS4.69, HS2.43, Sb19.12, Yb8NBC120, Sb19.3, Yb8NBC125, Ya5NBC221, DM, and CD4. Our results showed that the Central Patagonia region presents complex continental genetic admixture with marked Native American roots 39% (±1.2), Eurasian 56% (±1.73) and, to a lesser extent, African 5% (±1.7). The genetic proximity of the Patagonian samples in relation to groups from Europe and Northern Africa, but with a displacement towards the native communities, constitutes a clear indicator of the character of the differential admixture process that took place in the different regions of Argentina. Moreover, genetic differences observed between Patagonian localities and Bahia Blanca (Central region of Argentina), warn us that the populations? genetic constitution analysis cannot be approached without bearing in mind the regional particularities, which are the result of the different historical, migratory, social-economic and demographic processes that occurs interior of the country.