Mitochondrial DNA-HVR1 Variation Reveals Genetic Heterogeneity in Thai-Isan Peoples from the Lower Region of Northeastern Thailand

Wibhu Kutanan, Suparat Srithawong, Artittaya Kamlao, Jatupol Kampuansai

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Forensic Science Program, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

DOI: 10.4236/aa.2014.41002                

Abstract

The Thai-Isan are the largest ethnic group in Northeastern Thailand, who migrated from the territory of present-day Laos around 200 years ago. There are a limited number of previous studies of mtDNA diversity in Northeastern Thai populations. The present study investigates genetic variation and genetic structure in three Thai-Isan populations by analyzing mitochondrial DNA variation in hypervariable region 1. We also evaluate genetic relationship and admixture between Thai-Isan and surrounding populations from Northeastern Thailand, and neighboring countries. The studied Thai-Isan populations reveal genetic differentiation from each other and from compared populations. Thai-Isan exhibit a close relationship with surrounding populations, particularly the Lao and Khmer, reflecting extensive gene flow among them. Admixture proportions observed in most Thai-Isan populations exhibit a higher contribution from the parental Lao than the Khmer. Different admixture patterns reflect genetic heterogeneity of Thai-Isan groups. The lower the latitude, the higher the Khmer contribution might be associated with the ethnic constitution of parental populations in each Thai-Isan population. More genetic data from HVR2 and coding regions, as well as different marker systems are needed to infer population history of Thai-Isan populations.

Keywords

mtDNA Diversity; Genetic Relationship; Genetic Admixture; Thai-Isan; Northeastern Thailand

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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