A Genomic Analysis Identifies a Novel Component in the Genetic Structure of Sub-Saharan African Populations

Overview

Journal Eur J Hum Genet

Specialty Genetics

Date 2010 Aug 26

PMID 20736976

Citations 20

Authors

Martin Sikora

Hafid Laayouni

Francesc Calafell

David Comas

Jaume Bertranpetit

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Studies of large sets of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data have proven to be a powerful tool in the analysis of the genetic structure of human populations. In this work, we analyze genotyping data for 2841 SNPs in 12 sub-Saharan African populations, including a previously unsampled region of southeastern Africa (Mozambique). We show that robust results in a world-wide perspective can be obtained when analyzing only 1000 SNPs. Our main results both confirm the results of previous studies, and show new and interesting features in sub-Saharan African genetic complexity. There is a strong differentiation of Nilo-Saharans, much beyond what would be expected by geography. Hunter-gatherer populations (Khoisan and Pygmies) show a clear distinctiveness with very intrinsic Pygmy (and not only Khoisan) genetic features. Populations of the West Africa present an unexpected similarity among them, possibly the result of a population expansion. Finally, we find a strong differentiation of the southeastern Bantu population from Mozambique, which suggests an assimilation of a pre-Bantu substrate by Bantu speakers in the region.

Citing Articles

Genetic structure correlates with ethnolinguistic diversity in eastern and southern Africa.

Atkinson E, Dalvie S, Pichkar Y, Kalungi A, Majara L, Stevenson A Am J Hum Genet. 2022; 109(9):1667-1679.

PMID: 36055213 PMC: 9502052. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.07.013.

Assessing the importance of cultural diffusion in the Bantu spread into southeastern Africa.

Isern N, Fort J PLoS One. 2019; 14(5):e0215573.

PMID: 31067220 PMC: 6506142. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215573.

Genome-Wide SNP Analysis of Southern African Populations Provides New Insights into the Dispersal of Bantu-Speaking Groups.

Gonzalez-Santos M, Montinaro F, Oosthuizen O, Oosthuizen E, Busby G, Anagnostou P Genome Biol Evol. 2015; 7(9):2560-8.

PMID: 26363465 PMC: 4607521. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv164.

The genetics of East African populations: a Nilo-Saharan component in the African genetic landscape.

Dobon B, Hassan H, Laayouni H, Luisi P, Ricano-Ponce I, Zhernakova A Sci Rep. 2015; 5:9996.

PMID: 26017457 PMC: 4446898. DOI: 10.1038/srep09996.

Genetic variation reveals large-scale population expansion and migration during the expansion of Bantu-speaking peoples.

Li S, Schlebusch C, Jakobsson M Proc Biol Sci. 2014; 281(1793).

PMID: 25209939 PMC: 4173682. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.1448.

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