High Mitochondrial Haplotype Diversity Found in Three Pre-Hispanic Groups from Colombia

Genes (Basel). 2023 Sep 23;14(10):1853. doi: 10.3390/genes14101853.

Abstract

The analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable region (HVR) sequence data from ancient human remains provides valuable insights into the genetic structure and population dynamics of ancient populations. mtDNA is particularly useful in studying ancient populations, because it is maternally inherited and has a higher mutation rate compared to nuclear DNA. To determine the genetic structure of three Colombian pre-Hispanic populations and compare them with current populations, we determined the haplotypes from human bone remains by sequencing several mitochondrial DNA segments. A wide variety of mitochondrial polymorphisms were obtained from 33 samples. Our results support a high population heterogeneity among pre-Hispanic populations in Colombia.

Keywords: Colombia; ancient DNA; mtDNA HVS-I; native American ancestries; native American founding lineages; native American genetic history; pre-Hispanic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colombia
  • DNA, Mitochondrial* / analysis
  • DNA, Mitochondrial* / genetics
  • Genetic Variation* / genetics
  • Genetics, Population
  • Haplotypes / genetics
  • Humans
  • Indians, South American

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Universidad de La Sabana through the Convocatoria interna de 2013 (Internal Call of 2013) according to acta 809 de la comisión de asuntos generales, proyecto MED-168-2013. The APC (article processing charge) was funded by Universidad de La Sabana.