Analysis of 21 X-chromosome polymorphisms in urban and rural populations in Salta province (north-western Argentina)

• Published in: International journal of legal medicine Vol. 133; no. 4; pp. 1043 - 1047
• Main Authors: Ferragut, J. F., Bassitta, M., Torrens, V., Albeza, V., Acreche, N., Castro, J. A., Ramon, C., Picornell, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-07-2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Argentina; Biomarkers; Chromosomes; Chromosomes, Human, X - genetics; Forensic Medicine; Gene Frequency; Genealogy; Genetic Variation; Genetics; Genetics, Population - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Indians, South American - genetics; Markers; Medical Law; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Native peoples; Polymorphism; Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics; Population Data; Population genetics; Populations; Rural areas; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; Argentina; Investigator Argus X-12 kit; X-STR; Alu insertions; Salta; North-western Argentina (NWA); X-chromosome; Calchaqui Valleys
• ISSN: 0937-9827; 1437-1596
• DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1970-x

Population genetic data for 21 X-chromosome markers (Alu insertions and STRs) are reported for two populations (rural and urban) in Salta province (north-western Argentina). New variants are described, confirming the complexity and variability of some markers in this set. Results reveal Salta populations harbor a high Native American component, despite their self-recognized European ancestry. Notwithstanding the high genetic similarity of both populations, the rural sample seems to have maintained a larger Amerindian legacy. Data further show these X-linked markers, especially STRs, are highly informative in Salta populations and, therefore, can contribute to the development of a local database for forensic purposes in north-western Argentina.