Study of the ApoB 3' HVR in Galicia (NW Spain). An interpopulational analysis.

The genetic polymorphism of ApoB 3' HVR was analyzed in 200 unrelated individuals from Galicia, North-West Spain, using the polymerase chain reaction followed by horizontal electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels and silver staining. Up to 17 alleles were detected in this way and a heterozygosity index of 77% was obtained. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected using the conventional Pearson's chi 2, while the application of an exact test did not bring about significant values. A Correspondence Analysis among world populations resulted in clustering of the human major groups, although the lack of group specific alleles and the limited discrimination power found among Caucasian populations limit the usefulness of this locus in population genetic studies to some extent, despite its high degree of genetic variability.