BACKGROUND: The genetic structure, affinities, and diversity of the 1 billion Indians hold important keys to numerous unanswered questions regarding the evolution of human populations and the forces shaping contemporary patterns of genetic variation. Although there have been several recent studies of South Indian caste groups, North Indian caste groups, and South Indian Muslims using Y-chromosomal markers, overall, the Indian population has still not been well studied compared to other geographical populations. In particular, no genetic study has been conducted on Shias and Sunnis from North India. AIM: This study aims to investigate genetic variation and the gene pool in North Indians. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 32 Y-chromosomal markers in 560 North Indian males collected from three higher caste groups (Brahmins, Chaturvedis and Bhargavas) and two Muslims groups (Shia and Sunni) were genotyped. RESULTS: Three distinct lineages were revealed based upon 13 haplogroups. The first was a Central Asian lineage harbouring haplogroups R1 and R2. The second lineage was of Middle-Eastern origin represented by haplogroups J2*, Shia-specific E1b1b1, and to some extent G* and L*. The third was the indigenous Indian Y-lineage represented by haplogroups H1*, F*, C* and O*. Haplogroup E1b1b1 was observed in Shias only. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that a substantial part of today's North Indian paternal gene pool was contributed by Central Asian lineages who are Indo-European speakers, suggesting that extant Indian caste groups are primarily the descendants of Indo-European migrants. The presence of haplogroup E in Shias, first reported in this study, suggests a genetic distinction between the two Indo Muslim sects. The findings of the present study provide insights into prehistoric and early historic patterns of migration into India and the evolution of Indian populations in recent history.
BACKGROUND: The genetic structure, affinities, and diversity of the 1 billion Indians hold important keys to numerous unanswered questions regarding the evolution of human populations and the forces shaping contemporary patterns of genetic variation. Although there have been several recent studies of South Indian caste groups, North Indian caste groups, and South Indian Muslims using Y-chromosomal markers, overall, the Indian population has still not been well studied compared to other geographical populations. In particular, no genetic study has been conducted on Shias and Sunnis from North India. AIM: This study aims to investigate genetic variation and the gene pool in North Indians. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 32 Y-chromosomal markers in 560 North Indian males collected from three higher caste groups (Brahmins, Chaturvedis and Bhargavas) and two Muslims groups (Shia and Sunni) were genotyped. RESULTS: Three distinct lineages were revealed based upon 13 haplogroups. The first was a Central Asian lineage harbouring haplogroups R1 and R2. The second lineage was of Middle-Eastern origin represented by haplogroups J2*, Shia-specific E1b1b1, and to some extent G* and L*. The third was the indigenous Indian Y-lineage represented by haplogroups H1*, F*, C* and O*. Haplogroup E1b1b1 was observed in Shias only. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that a substantial part of today's North Indian paternal gene pool was contributed by Central Asian lineages who are Indo-European speakers, suggesting that extant Indian caste groups are primarily the descendants of Indo-European migrants. The presence of haplogroup E in Shias, first reported in this study, suggests a genetic distinction between the two Indo Muslim sects. The findings of the present study provide insights into prehistoric and early historic patterns of migration into India and the evolution of Indian populations in recent history.
Authors: Fulvio Cruciani; Piero Santolamazza; Peidong Shen; Vincent Macaulay; Pedro Moral; Antonel Olckers; David Modiano; Susan Holmes; Giovanni Destro-Bisol; Valentina Coia; Douglas C Wallace; Peter J Oefner; Antonio Torroni; L Luca Cavalli-Sforza; Rosaria Scozzari; Peter A Underhill Journal: Am J Hum Genet Date: 2002-03-21 Impact factor: 11.025
Authors: Richard Cordaux; Robert Aunger; Gillian Bentley; Ivane Nasidze; S M Sirajuddin; Mark Stoneking Journal: Curr Biol Date: 2004-02-03 Impact factor: 10.834
Authors: T Kivisild; S Rootsi; M Metspalu; S Mastana; K Kaldma; J Parik; E Metspalu; M Adojaan; H-V Tolk; V Stepanov; M Gölge; E Usanga; S S Papiha; C Cinnioğlu; R King; L Cavalli-Sforza; P A Underhill; R Villems Journal: Am J Hum Genet Date: 2003-01-20 Impact factor: 11.025
Authors: Cengiz Cinnioğlu; Roy King; Toomas Kivisild; Ersi Kalfoğlu; Sevil Atasoy; Gianpiero L Cavalleri; Anita S Lillie; Charles C Roseman; Alice A Lin; Kristina Prince; Peter J Oefner; Peidong Shen; Ornella Semino; L Luca Cavalli-Sforza; Peter A Underhill Journal: Hum Genet Date: 2003-10-29 Impact factor: 4.132
Authors: R S Wells; N Yuldasheva; R Ruzibakiev; P A Underhill; I Evseeva; J Blue-Smith; L Jin; B Su; R Pitchappan; S Shanmugalakshmi; K Balakrishnan; M Read; N M Pearson; T Zerjal; M T Webster; I Zholoshvili; E Jamarjashvili; S Gambarov; B Nikbin; A Dostiev; O Aknazarov; P Zalloua; I Tsoy; M Kitaev; M Mirrakhimov; A Chariev; W F Bodmer Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2001-08-28 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: J R Luis; D J Rowold; M Regueiro; B Caeiro; C Cinnioğlu; C Roseman; P A Underhill; L L Cavalli-Sforza; R J Herrera Journal: Am J Hum Genet Date: 2004-02-17 Impact factor: 11.025
Authors: Marina Silva; Marisa Oliveira; Daniel Vieira; Andreia Brandão; Teresa Rito; Joana B Pereira; Ross M Fraser; Bob Hudson; Francesca Gandini; Ceiridwen Edwards; Maria Pala; John Koch; James F Wilson; Luísa Pereira; Martin B Richards; Pedro Soares Journal: BMC Evol Biol Date: 2017-03-23 Impact factor: 3.260
Authors: Ganeshprasad Arunkumar; David F Soria-Hernanz; Valampuri John Kavitha; Varatharajan Santhakumari Arun; Adhikarla Syama; Kumaran Samy Ashokan; Kavandanpatti Thangaraj Gandhirajan; Koothapuli Vijayakumar; Muthuswamy Narayanan; Mariakuttikan Jayalakshmi; Janet S Ziegle; Ajay K Royyuru; Laxmi Parida; R Spencer Wells; Colin Renfrew; Theodore G Schurr; Chris Tyler Smith; Daniel E Platt; Ramasamy Pitchappan Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-11-28 Impact factor: 3.240