TITLE:
Mitochondrial DNA-HVR1 Variation Reveals Genetic Heterogeneity in Thai-Isan Peoples from the Lower Region of Northeastern Thailand
AUTHORS:
Wibhu Kutanan, Suparat Srithawong, Artittaya Kamlao, Jatupol Kampuansai
KEYWORDS:
mtDNA Diversity; Genetic Relationship; Genetic Admixture; Thai-Isan; Northeastern Thailand
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Anthropology,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
27,
2014
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.