Population variation in molecular polymorphisms of the short arm of the human X chromosome.

Five DNA probes (RC8, 754, XJ 1-1, pert 87.8, and L1.28) from the short arm of the human X chromosome were investigated in samples from five populations (English, Nigerian, Chinese, Muslim, and Hindu from India). The variation in the allele frequencies of several probes between different groups was significant. The average heterozygosity in females of the five populations ranged from 32% to 51%. The genetic distance between the five groups was compatible with that using traditional polymorphic systems. There is an interesting suggestion of longitudinal cline for allele *2 (9 kb) detected with probe L1.28. The X-linked RFLPs are useful genetic markers for anthropological studies.