Restriction fragment length polymorphism of human mitochondrial DNA in a sample population from Apulia (southern Italy).

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of human mitochondrial DNA was analysed in a sample of 87 subjects from Apulia (South Italy) by the restriction enzymes HpaI, BamHI, HaeII, MspI, AvaII, and HincII using total blood cell DNA probed by human mtDNA from placenta. Five BamHI morphs were observed, two of which are new (BamHI-4 and -5), as well as one new AvaII morph (AvaII-28). The association BamHI-4/AvaII-28 enables us to demonstrate for the first time two polymorphic BamHI sites present together in the same mtDNA molecule. In agreement with historical data the Apulian sample has been shown to be the most heterogeneous Italian population so far tested.