[Restriction types of main noncoding segments of mitochondrial DNA in aboriginal and migrant inhabitants of Northeast Asia].

An analysis of data on the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the 16,081-16,545-bp locus of the major noncoding region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in samples of Asian Eskimos and coastal Chukchi of Chukotka and Slavs from Magadan is presented. By means of analysis of combinations of restriction pattern variants, the mitotypical structure of the studied population groups of the northeastern region of Russia was studied. A notable difference in mitotypical diversity was found: twelve types of the non-coding region were observed in Slvas (h = 0.916) and only two identical types each were found in Eskimos (h = 0.1) and Chukchi (h = 0.356). The results are compared with literature data on mtDNA polymorphism in various world populations. Possible reasons for the observed differences in mitotypical diversity in population groups of Northeast Asia differing in ethnic origin are discussed.