The imprint of the Slave Trade in an African American population: mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome and HTLV-1 analysis in the Noir Marron of French Guiana

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Retracing the genetic histories of the descendant populations of the Slave Trade (16^th-19^thcenturies) is particularly challenging due to the diversity of African ethnic groups involved and the different hybridisation processes with Europeans and Amerindians, which have blurred their original genetic inheritances. The Noir Marron in French Guiana are the direct descendants of maroons who escaped from Dutch plantations in the current day Surinam. They represent an original ethnic group with a highly blended culture. Uniparental markers (mtDNA and NRY) coupled with HTLV-1 sequences (<it>env </it>and LTR) were studied to establish the genetic relationships linking them to African American and African populations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All genetic systems presented a high conservation of the African gene pool (African ancestry: mtDNA = 99.3%; NRY = 97.6%; HTLV-1 e<it>nv </it>= 20/23; HTLV-1 LTR = 6/8). Neither founder effect nor genetic drift was detected and the genetic diversity is within a range commonly observed in Africa. Higher genetic similarities were observed with the populations inhabiting the Bight of Benin (from Ivory Coast to Benin). Other ancestries were identified but they presented an interesting sex-bias. Whilst male origins spread throughout the north of the bight (from Benin to Senegal), female origins were spread throughout the south (from the Ivory Coast to Angola).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Noir Marron are unique in having conserved their African genetic ancestry, despite major cultural exchanges with Amerindians and Europeans through inhabiting the same region for four centuries. Their maroon identity and the important number of slaves deported in this region have maintained the original African diversity. All these characteristics permit to identify a major origin located in the former region of the Gold Coast and the Bight of Benin; regions highly impacted by slavery, from which goes a sex-biased longitudinal gradient of ancestry.</p

Uniparental (mtDNA, Y-chromosome) Polymorphisms in French Guiana and Two Related Populations - Implications for the Region's Colonization

International audienceBlood samples collected in four Amerindian French Guiana populations (Palikur, Emerillon, Wayampi and Kali'na) in the early 1980s were screened for selected mtDNA and Y-chromosome length polymorphisms, and sequenced for the mtDNA hypervariable segment I (HVS-I). In addition, two other Amerindian populations (Apalaí and Matsiguenga) were examined for the same markers to establish the genetic relationships in the area. Strong dissimilarities were observed in the distribution of the founding Amerindian haplogroups, and significant p-values were obtained from F(ST) genetic distances. Interpopulation similarities occurred mainly due to geography. The Palikur did not show obvious genetic similarity to the Matsiguenga, who speak the same language and live in a region from where they could have migrated to French Guiana. The African-origin admixture observed in the Kali'na probably derives from historical contacts they had with the Bushinengue (Noir Marron), a group of escaped slaves who now lead independent lives in a nearby region. This analysis has identified significant clues about the Amerindian peopling of the North-East Amazonian region

A new deep branch of eurasian mtDNA macrohaplogroup M reveals additional complexity regarding the settlement of Madagascar.

BACKGROUND: Current models propose that mitochondrial DNA macrohaplogroups M and N evolved from haplogroup L3 soon after modern humans left Africa. Increasingly, however, analysis of isolated populations is filling in the details of, and in some cases challenging, aspects of this general model. RESULTS: Here, we present the first comprehensive study of three such isolated populations from Madagascar: the Mikea hunter-gatherers, the neighbouring Vezo fishermen, and the Merina central highlanders (n = 266). Complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequences reveal several unresolved lineages, and a new, deep branch of the out-of-Africa founder clade M has been identified. This new haplogroup, M23, has a limited global distribution, and is restricted to Madagascar and a limited range of African and Southwest Asian groups. CONCLUSIONS: The geographic distribution, phylogenetic placement and molecular age of M23 suggest that the colonization of Madagascar was more complex than previously thought.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequences provide new insights into the Polynesian motif and the peopling of Madagascar

More than a decade of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) studies have given the 'Polynesian motif' renowned status as a marker for tracing the late-Holocene expansion of Austronesian speaking populations. Despite considerable research on the Polynesian motif in Oceania, there has been little equivalent work on the western edge of its expansion - leaving major issues unresolved regarding the motif's evolutionary history. This has also led to considerable uncertainty regarding the settlement of Madagascar. In this study, we assess mtDNA variation in 266 individuals from three Malagasy ethnic groups: the Mikea, Vezo, and Merina. Complete mtDNA genome sequencing reveals a new variant of the Polynesian motif in Madagascar; two coding region mutations define a Malagasy-specific sub-branch. This newly defined 'Malagasy motif' occurs at high frequency in all three ethnic groups (13-50%), and its phylogenetic position, geographic distribution, and estimated age all support a recent origin, but without conclusively identifying a specific source region. Nevertheless, the haplotype's limited diversity, similar to those of other mtDNA haplogroups found in our Malagasy groups, best supports a small number of initial settlers arriving to Madagascar through the same migratory process. Finally, the discovery of this lineage provides a set of new polymorphic positions to help localize the Austronesian ancestors of the Malagasy, as well as uncover the origin and evolution of the Polynesian motif itself

GM and KM immunoglobulin allotypes in the Galician population: new insights into the peopling of the Iberian Peninsula

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The current genetic structure of Iberian populations has presumably been affected by the complex orography of its territory, the different people and civilizations that settled there, its ancient and complex history, the diverse and persistent sociocultural patterns in its different regions, and also by the effects of the Iberian Peninsula representing a refugium area after the last glacial maximum. This paper presents the first data on <it>GM </it>and <it>KM </it>immunoglobulin allotypes in the Galician population and, thus, provides further insights into the extent of genetic diversity in populations settled in the geographic extremes of the Cantabrian region of northern Spain. Furthermore, the genetic relationships of Galicians with other European populations have been investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Galician population shows a genetic profile for <it>GM </it>haplotypes that is defined by the high presence of the European Mediterranean <it>GM</it>*<it>3 23 5* </it>haplotype, and the relatively high incidence of the African marker <it>GM*1,17 23' 5*</it>. Data based on comparisons between Galician and other Spanish populations (mainly from the north of the peninsula) reveal a poor correlation between geographic and genetic distances (<it>r </it>= 0.30, <it>P </it>= 0.105), a noticeable but variable genetic distances between Galician and Basque subpopulations, and a rather close genetic affinity between Galicia and Valencia, populations which are geographically separated by a long distance and have quite dissimilar cultures and histories. Interestingly, Galicia occupies a central position in the European genetic map, despite being geographically placed at one extreme of the European continent, while displaying a close genetic proximity to Portugal, a finding that is consistent with their shared histories over centuries.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest that the population of Galicia is the result of a relatively balanced mixture of European populations or of the ancestral populations that gave rise to them. This would support the importance of the migratory movements that have taken place in Europe over the course of recent human history and their effects on the European genetic landscape.</p

Diversité génétique (allotypie GM et STRs) des populations Berbères et peuplement du nord de l'Afrique

The origin of the Berber populations is not clearly established today but their ancestors are considered as the oldest inhabitants of North Africa since the Upper Palaeolithic or the Neolithic. Then, the historical period is marked by successive invasions and conquests that caused important changes on North-African autochthonous people. By studying present-day Berber populations it may be possible to describe both cultural and religious changes, in the context of the North-African settlement. Within the EUROCORES framework "The Origin of Man, Language and Languages" (OMLL), we describe here the genetic structure of several Berberspeakers. We study 2 genetic polymorphisms: the GM immunoglobulin allotypic system and 13 autosomal microsatellites (STR). The aim of the work is to characterize both the cultural and genetic relationships between North-African Berbers and between the Berbers and geographically related populations. The analyses reveal the correspondence between GM and STR results. We see (1) a clear genetic differentiation between North-West and North-East African Berbers; (2) a relationship between North-West African Berbers and South-West European populations; (3) in Morocco, a genetic distinction between Arabic- and Berber-speakers. Finally, it seems that the present-day Berbers bear some old traces of the North- African settlement. Moreover, they have preserved their cultural identity in spite of the successive past events.L'origine des populations berbères n'est pas encore clairement établie mais on considère aujourd'hui leurs ancêtres comme les plus anciens habitants du nord de l'Afrique, probablement depuis le Paléolithique supérieur ou le Néolithique. Ces hommes ont ensuite connu un passé historique marqué par de nombreuses invasions et conquêtes qui ont induit de profonds changements sur les autochtones nord-africains. Ces impacts, à la fois culturels et génétiques, peuvent être appréhendés par l'étude des populations berbères actuelles permettant ainsi d'apporter des éléments de réponse sur la question du peuplement du nord de l'Afrique. Dans le cadre d'un projet EUROCORES " Origin of Man, Language and Languages " (OMLL), le présent travail décrit la structure génétique de différentes populations berbérophones à l'aide de 2 polymorphismes autosomaux : le système allotypique GM des immunoglobulines et 13 microsatellites ou Short Tandem Repeats (STR). Notre objectif est de décrire les relations génétiques et culturelles entre les populations berbérophones et de retracer les degrés de parenté entre celles-ci et des populations voisines de culture et de langue différentes. Nos analyses révèlent une concordance entre les résultats obtenus d'après l'étude du système GM et ceux apportés par les polymorphismes STR. Nous constatons ainsi (1) une nette différenciation génétique entre les populations berbères nord-ouest et nord-est africains ; (2) une proximité entre les Berbères nord-ouest africains et les populations sud-ouest européennes ; (3) une absence de distinction génétique entre arabophones et berbérophones marocains

Genetic position of Andalusians from Huelva in relation to other European and North African populations: a study based on GM and KM allotypes.

International audienceAn understanding of population relationships in the Mediterranean region is crucial to the reconstruction of recent human evolution. Andalusia, the most southern region of Spain, has been continuously and densely occupied since ancient times and has a rich history of contacts with many different Mediterranean populations. Thus, to understand the Mediterranean peopling process, investigators should analyze the population relationships between the Iberian peninsula and northern Africa based on an assessment of genetic diversity that takes Andalusia into consideration. The aim of this study was to address the extent of genetic variation in the Iberian peninsula between its geographic extremes (Huelva and the Basque area) and to explain the intensity of the phylogenetic relationships between Andalusians and other neighboring populations, such as those from North Africa. We present, for the first time, results on allotype markers (GM and KM) of human immunoglobulins in the Andalusian population from Huelva. The most frequent GM haplotypes in Andalusia correspond to those that are also the most common in Europe. A sub-Saharan haplotype was found at a relatively high frequency compared to other Iberian samples, and a North Asian marker did not reach polymorphic frequencies in the study sample. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on the first two principal components (94.1% of the total genetic variance) revealed an interesting geographic structure for the 49 populations selected from the literature. The Huelva sample showed a central position in the multivariate space--despite being geographically located at one of the extremes of the Mediterranean basin--and clustered with most Western European populations. Western Europe and Eastern Europe (the latter group paradoxically including Italy and the major islands of the western Mediterranean) were differentiated. North African populations were grouped in two clusters that did not separate either Arabs and Berbers or their present-day countries. Analysis of immunoglobulin allotype markers shows that gene flow among human populations should generally be interpreted in terms of complex patterns, with the observed frequencies being the consequence of the entire genetic and demographic history of the population. Single historical events rarely determine gene frequencies in large human populations. Analysis of the GM system has shown that the Andalusian population from Huelva, as a result of its complex history, is not simply an outstanding part of the Mediterranean world but rather the genetic center of gravity of that world

A new deep branch of eurasian mtDNA macrohaplogroup M reveals additional complexity regarding the settlement of Madagascar

Abstract Background Current models propose that mitochondrial DNA macrohaplogroups M and N evolved from haplogroup L3 soon after modern humans left Africa. Increasingly, however, analysis of isolated populations is filling in the details of, and in some cases challenging, aspects of this general model. Results Here, we present the first comprehensive study of three such isolated populations from Madagascar: the Mikea hunter-gatherers, the neighbouring Vezo fishermen, and the Merina central highlanders (n = 266). Complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequences reveal several unresolved lineages, and a new, deep branch of the out-of-Africa founder clade M has been identified. This new haplogroup, M23, has a limited global distribution, and is restricted to Madagascar and a limited range of African and Southwest Asian groups. Conclusions The geographic distribution, phylogenetic placement and molecular age of M23 suggest that the colonization of Madagascar was more complex than previously thought.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

Estructura genética e historia biológica de tres poblaciones amerindias de Guyana Francesa

Se conoce poco sobre la historia de las poblaciones indígenas de Guyana francesa, principalmente porque la selva dificulta las investigaciones arqueológicas así como la conservación del material orgánico. Una alternativa para el estudio de estas poblaciones es el análisis de su variabilidad genética, que se ha llevado a cabo a partir del DNA extraído de sueros previamente recolectados, y teniendo en cuenta otros grupos amerindios de la misma región geográfica. De las muestras de tres poblaciones de Guyana Francesa se seleccionaron 102 indivíduos según los datos genealógicos, y se analizaron los polimorfismos característicos de los haplogrupos mitocondriales amerindios. Únicamente los Kaliña poseen los cuatros linajes fundadores amerindios. Los Palikur carecen de los haplogrupos A y C y los Emerillon de las líneas C y D. La ausencia de dos linajes en los Palikur podría ser debida a su aislamiento genético provocado por una estructura social extremadamente endogámica, mientras que en el caso de los Emerillon, debe considerarse el dramático cuello de botella. Estos resultados sugieren que el poblamiento inicial de la región de las Guayanas presenta algunas particularidades debidas, en parte, a su ubicación geográfica un tanto distante, así como también sus estructuras sociales singulares

Estructura genética e historia biológica de tres poblaciones amerindias de Guyana Francesa / Genetics struture and biological history of three amerindian populations for French Guyana

Se conoce poco sobre la historia de las poblaciones indígenas de Guyana francesa, principalmente porque la selva dificulta las investigaciones arqueológicas así como la conservación del material orgánico. Una alternativa para el estudio de estas poblaciones es el análisis de su variabilidad genética, que se ha llevado a cabo a partir del DNA extraído de sueros previamente recolectados, y teniendo en cuenta otros grupos amerindios de la misma región geográfica. De las muestras de tres poblaciones de Guyana Francesa se seleccionaron 102 indivíduos según los datos genealógicos, y se analizaron los polimorfismos característicos de los haplogrupos mitocondriales amerindios. Únicamente los Kaliña poseen los cuatros linajes fundadores amerindios. Los Palikur carecen de los haplogrupos A y C y los Emerillon de las líneas C y D. La ausencia de dos linajes en los Palikur podría ser debida a su aislamiento genético provocado por una estructura social extremadamente endogámica, mientras que en el caso de los Emerillon, debe considerarse el dramático cuello de botella. Estos resultados sugieren que el poblamiento inicial de la región de las Guayanas presenta algunas particularidades debidas, en parte, a su ubicación geográfica un tanto distante, así como también sus estructuras sociales singulares