MtDNA variations in genetic structure of populations in Tuzla region (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Abstract

MtDNA variations, determined in terms of mtDNA haplogroups, were analyzed, the sample consisted of the human population of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the teritory of the Tuzla region. The analysis included a total of 245 mtDNA samples (kin unrelated individuals). Determination of mtDNA haplogroups was studied by using haplogroup-specific PCR-RFLP markers of a coding region of mtDNA. We observed that 95.11% of investigated individuals in the Tuzla region belong to the Western-Euroasian mtDNA haplogroups: H, V, T, I, J, K, U, X, W. The impact of migratory activities on the population structure of the Tuzla region was estimated by analysis within- and of intergroup genetic differences (index of genetic specificities, pairwise FST analysis and exact-p test) of indigenous and migrant categories (recent, internal, and historical). The analysis showed that a significant demographic influence on the genetic structure of indigenous people was exerted by the category of recent migrants only.

Keywords

• mtDNA haplogroups
• PCR-RFLP markers
• migration