Structure and genetic relationship of five populations from central India based on 15 autosomal STR loci.

Aim: To estimate population parameters based on allele frequencies obtained for 15 polymorphic autosomal STR loci investigated in caste and tribal populations of central India (n = 419).

Methods: Multiplexed PCR amplifications of the 15 Autosomal STR Loci were performed and amplified products were genotyped using multi-capillary electrophoresis on an ABI 3100 genetic analyser. Parameters of population genetics and forensic interest based on the allele frequencies were calculated. Genetic affinity of the studied populations among themselves and with previously reported populations of India was also analysed using distance-based NJ tree and using PCA plot.

Results: All the 15 STR loci were highly informative and discriminating, with CPD of 0.999 99. Except for Brahmins and Rajput, all other studied populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The only tribe (Gond) population studied showed significant variation with the other four caste populations (Brahmin, Yadav, Rajput and Muslim) studied and formed a cluster with other previously reported tribal populations of India. Nei's genetic distance based clustering pattern of the NJ tree and the PCA plot showed the same pattern of genetic relationship, i.e. caste and tribal populations formed a distinct cluster.

Conclusions: With respect to the distribution of alleles at each STR locus, the studied loci were found to be substantially polymorphic in all the studied populations, indicating good informativeness of all 15 STR markers. The population data generated in this study are useful for forensic, anthropological and demographic studies.