Magister Scientiae - MSc (Biotechnology) / The objective of this study is to deduce paternal ancestry using ancestry informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by means of High Resolution Melting (HRM). This was completed by producing a multiplex system that was designed in a hierarchical manner according to the YSNP tree. This project mainly focused on African ancestry and was used to infer paternal ancestral lineages on the Johannesburg Coloured population. South Africa has a diverse population that has ancestral history from across the globe. The South African Coloured population is the most admixed population as it is derived from at least five different population groups: these being Khoisan, Bantu, Europeans, Indians and Southeast Asians. There have been studies done on the Western Cape/ Cape Town Coloured populations before but this study focused on the Johannesburg Coloured population. The first step was to design the multiplex system. This was done by using inhouse SNPs. A total of seven multiplexes were designed and optimised, each consisting of two, three or four different SNPs respectively. A total of 143 saliva and buccal samples were collected from male Johannesburg Coloureds. DNA was extracted from the saliva samples using an optimised organic method. DNA was extracted from the buccal samples using an optimised salting out method. DNA was successfully extracted from 77 of the male samples. A total of 69 samples were screened using Multiplex 1; of the 69 samples 56 samples were successfully screened to infer the paternal lineage of the samples. The results show that the most frequent haplogroup of the Johannesburg male samples was haplogroup CF (39%). The second most frequent haplogroup was haplogroup DE (38%). Under further analysis of haplogroup DE it was seen that 37% of those samples were derived for the haplogroup E1b1b.

<p>Sex chromosomes are useful in elucidating the evolutionary factors affecting diversity and divergence. In particular, Y chromosome analyses may complement studies using mitochondrial DNA for inferring sex-specific population genetic processes.</p><p>Y chromosome studies have been scarce due to limited access to genetic markers and the dynamic evolution of Y. Conserved Y-specific primers that could amplify a diverse set of mammalian species were developed from comparison of gametologous X and Y sequences. Y-specific sequence, generally more than one kb, was amplified for all 20 species examined.</p><p>Intraspecific diversity on mammalian Y was found to be reduced even when male-biased mutation rate and effective population size were corrected for. A number of factors can cause this low variation on Y of which selection on a haploid chromosome seems most important.</p><p>The field vole (<i>Microtus agrestis</i>), a common and well-studied small mammal in Eurasia, was examined for X and Y variability. Earlier studies on mtDNA had shown that the field vole is separated in two distinct lineages in Europe. The X and Y chromosome sequences confirmed the deep split and suggested that the two lineages of field vole should be reclassified as two separate species.</p><p>Two distinct Y chromosome haplogroups were found in modern European cattle, distributed among breeds according to a north-south gradient. Ancient DNA analysis of European aurochsen showed the northern haplogroup to be the most common, possibly indicating local hybridization between domestic cows and wild aurochs bulls in Europe.</p>

<p>Management of wolves is a complex issue, and molecular genetics is an important tool in this work. Molecular genetics can provide important information at the species, population and individual level, which can be essential for the development of management programs aiming at the long term survival of wolf populations.</p><p>In this thesis I developed new genetic markers on the canine Y chromosome to estimate the number of founders of the Scandinavian wolf population. This knowledge is important to reconstruct the history of the population and to design the most appropriate conservation strategies. Next, genetic markers with different pattern of inheritance have been used to identify hybrids between wolves and dogs. This allowed us to determine the direction of hybridization and to evaluate its possible impact on the gene pool of a wolf population. Furthermore, I also developed a method for a more reliable identification of the predator responsible of an attack by using saliva remains left on the prey. Since predation on livestock is perhaps the main reason for the negative opinions about the predator, the correct identification of the responsible for an attack (wolf, dog or hybrid) is essential. </p><p>Finally, this thesis has also been focusing on the domestication of dogs. By using Y chromosome markers (paternally inherited), it has been possible to complement previous studies based on mtDNA sequences (maternally inherited) and autosomal markers (inherited from both parents). In this way I have obtained a more complete picture of the domestication process and of the origin of breeds. This has shown that there has been a bias in the contribution of the two sexes in the origin of dog breeds (fewer males then females contributing to each breed) and that the origin of dogs was not marked by extensive backcrosses with male wolves over the entire species range.</p>

Sex chromosomes are useful in elucidating the evolutionary factors affecting diversity and divergence. In particular, Y chromosome analyses may complement studies using mitochondrial DNA for inferring sex-specific population genetic processes. Y chromosome studies have been scarce due to limited access to genetic markers and the dynamic evolution of Y. Conserved Y-specific primers that could amplify a diverse set of mammalian species were developed from comparison of gametologous X and Y sequences. Y-specific sequence, generally more than one kb, was amplified for all 20 species examined. Intraspecific diversity on mammalian Y was found to be reduced even when male-biased mutation rate and effective population size were corrected for. A number of factors can cause this low variation on Y of which selection on a haploid chromosome seems most important. The field vole (Microtus agrestis), a common and well-studied small mammal in Eurasia, was examined for X and Y variability. Earlier studies on mtDNA had shown that the field vole is separated in two distinct lineages in Europe. The X and Y chromosome sequences confirmed the deep split and suggested that the two lineages of field vole should be reclassified as two separate species. Two distinct Y chromosome haplogroups were found in modern European cattle, distributed among breeds according to a north-south gradient. Ancient DNA analysis of European aurochsen showed the northern haplogroup to be the most common, possibly indicating local hybridization between domestic cows and wild aurochs bulls in Europe.

Management of wolves is a complex issue, and molecular genetics is an important tool in this work. Molecular genetics can provide important information at the species, population and individual level, which can be essential for the development of management programs aiming at the long term survival of wolf populations. In this thesis I developed new genetic markers on the canine Y chromosome to estimate the number of founders of the Scandinavian wolf population. This knowledge is important to reconstruct the history of the population and to design the most appropriate conservation strategies. Next, genetic markers with different pattern of inheritance have been used to identify hybrids between wolves and dogs. This allowed us to determine the direction of hybridization and to evaluate its possible impact on the gene pool of a wolf population. Furthermore, I also developed a method for a more reliable identification of the predator responsible of an attack by using saliva remains left on the prey. Since predation on livestock is perhaps the main reason for the negative opinions about the predator, the correct identification of the responsible for an attack (wolf, dog or hybrid) is essential. Finally, this thesis has also been focusing on the domestication of dogs. By using Y chromosome markers (paternally inherited), it has been possible to complement previous studies based on mtDNA sequences (maternally inherited) and autosomal markers (inherited from both parents). In this way I have obtained a more complete picture of the domestication process and of the origin of breeds. This has shown that there has been a bias in the contribution of the two sexes in the origin of dog breeds (fewer males then females contributing to each breed) and that the origin of dogs was not marked by extensive backcrosses with male wolves over the entire species range.

DNA as forensic evidence is valuable in criminal investigations. Implementation of new, sensitive and fast technologies is an important part of forensic genetic research. This thesis aims to evaluate new sensitive methods to apply in forensic DNA analysis including analysis of old skeletal remains. In Paper I and II, two novel systems for analysis of STRs, based on the Pyrosequencing technology, are presented. In Paper I, Y chromosomal STRs are analysed. Markers on the male specific Y chromosome are especially useful in analysis of DNA mixtures. In Paper II, ten autosomal STRs are genotyped. The systems are based on sequencing of STR loci instead of size determination of STR fragments as in routine analysis. This provides a higher resolution since sequence variants within the repeats can be detected. Determination of alleles is based on a termination recognition base. This is the base in the template strand that is excluded from the dispensation order in the sequencing of the complementary strand and therefore terminates the reaction. Furthermore, skeletal remains are often difficult to analyse, due to damaging effects from the surrounding environment on the DNA and the high risk of exogenous contamination. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA is useful on degraded samples and in Paper III, mtDNA analysis of 700 years old skeletal remains is performed to investigate a maternal relationship. The quantity and quality of DNA are essential in forensic genetics. In Paper IV the efficiency of DNA isolation is investigated. Soaking skeletal remains in bleach is efficient for decontamination but result in a lower DNA yield, especially on pulverised skull samples. In conclusion, this thesis presents novel sequencing systems for accurate and fast analysis of STR loci that can be useful in evaluation of new loci and database assembly as well as the utility of mtDNA in forensic genetics.

Epistasis describes non-additive interactions which affect gene expression and phenotype. It can happen on multiple levels, including on a genomic level with interactions between genes or even chromosomes affecting global patterns of gene expression. It can also happen within a gene itself, with epistatic interactions between amino acids affecting gene expression and resultant phenotypes. I present three studies in two organisms to study this phenomenon on a global-genomic scale, and also on a local-genic scale.

Este trabalho teve como meta principal contribuir para elucidar algumas das questões em aberto pertinentes à história evolutiva e antropológica de populações nativas americanas. Para isso investigou-se marcadores uniparentais paternos, ligados à NRY, e materno, mtDNA. Para o cromossomo Y foram investigados 108 indivíduos (85 sulameríndios de 16 tribos, pertencentes a 5 grupos lingüísticos, além de 23 asiáticos (siberianos), compreendendo 6 grupos étnicos distintos). Para o mtDNA foram investigados 160 indivíduos (homens e mulheres), compreendendo 10 tribos sulamericanas, pertencentes a 5 grupos lingüísticos distintos. Para o cromossomo Y foram utilizados 26 marcadores (SNPs). Para o mtDNA a região controladora-RC (HVS-I: da posição 16.024 até 16.569, e HVS-II: da posição 001 até 576) e a região imediatamente 5’ à região controladora foram seqüenciadas. Foi possível determinar para o cromossomo Y que Q1a3a* (autóctone nativo-americano, de provável origem beringiana) está fixado em 63% das tribos; o haplogrupo Q1a3*, que por outro lado também é encontrado na Ásia, foi observado entre os Araweté (25%), Jamamadi (100%), Lengua (25%) e esquimós asiáticos (17%). Merece destaque que Q1a3* parece ser o que até agora era identificado como sendo apenas “haplogrupo Q*”, ou seja, cromossomo Y portador do alelo derivado no loco M242, mas com alelo ancestral para o M3. Nenhuma das novas mutações mencionadas na atual árvore filogenética do cromossomo Y (com exceção do M346, que define Q1a3*) foram encontradas. O seqüenciamento de regiões do cromossomo Y não revelou nenhuma nova mutação. No caso do mtDNA, os indígenas do tronco Ge mostram os haplogrupos B e A como sendo os mais freqüentes, enquanto que nos Tupi esses haplogrupos apresentam freqüências mais elevadas apenas em regiões bastante restritas, ficando o haplogrupo D como o mais freqüente. Cabe salientar que o haplogrupo C apresenta freqüência muito baixa tanto para os Ge quanto para os Tupi, sendo que freqüências um pouco mais elevadas estão quase que geograficamente opostas, ficando no sul do Brasil para os Ge e no norte para os Tupi. Avaliando o modelo de fissão-fusão pôde-se sugerir que: 1) As linhagens mitocondriais tribo-específicas dentro das tribos Kayapó aqui investigadas dificilmente representariam linhagens autóctones, já que o tempo de surgimento de cada tribo por processo de fissão é pequeno para comportar uma rede de novas mutações. As especificidades poderiam estar vinculadas ao modelo de fissão envolvendo grupos de pessoas aparentadas via materna. Nesse caso, grupos de parentes carregariam para fora do grupo parental todas as seqüências pertencentes a uma determinada linhagem. Assim a linhagem estaria presente somente no grupo derivado e não mais no parental; 2) Perda de linhagens parentais na dispersão e/ou por deriva na formação do novo grupo, o que resultaria na diferença encontrada entre os grupos derivados; 3) Embora não se possa excluir alguma fusão posterir a fissão, a quantidade de linhages exclusivas nas tribos Kayapó estaria indicando relativo isolamento dos grupos depois da fissão (ausência ou baixa freqüência de fluxo gênico entre os grupos fissionados levando à relativa baixa freqüência de linhagens compartilhadas), o que denota o fato do fenômeno ser recente (atritos ainda presentes na memória coletiva e/ou familiar dos grupos fissionados) como estabelecido pelos dados históricos (início do século XVII). Esse fato poderia sugerir que a fusão demanda mais tempo para ocorrer; 4) O compartilhamento das linhagens mais comuns, normalmente na raiz das networks, entre os Tupi e os Ge, parece denotar mais ancestralidade comum do que importante fluxo gênico depois da formação desses dois grandes estoques lingüísticos. / This work has as its main aim to elucidate some of the still open questions about the evolutive and anthropological history of the Native American populations. Paternal uniparental markers, in the NRY, and maternal, mtDNA, were investigated to do that. For the Y chromosome, 108 individuals were investigated (85 South-Amerindians from 16 tribes, belonging to 5 linguistic groups, and 23 Asians (Siberians), covering 6 distinct ethnical groups). For the mtDNA, 160 individuals (men and women) were evaluated, covering 10 South-American tribes, belonging to 5 distinct linguistic groups. For the Y chromosome 26 SNPs were tested and some regions sequenced. For the mtDNA the control region-CR (HVS-I: from position 16.024 to 16.569, and HVS-II: from position 001 to 576) and the region immediately 5’ of the control region were sequenced. It was possible to determine that Q1a3a* (a Native American autoctonous chromosome, probably of Beringian origin) is fixed in 63% of the tribes; the haplogroup Q1a3*, which, moreover, is also encountered in Asia, was observed in Araweté (25%), Jamamadi (100%), Lengua (25%) and Asian Eskimos (17%). It is worth mentioning that Q1a3* appears to be what until now has been identified as “haplogroup Q*” only, that is, Y chromosome carrier of the derived allele in the M242 locus, but with an ancestral allele for M3. Any of the new mutations mentioned in the current Y chromosome phylogenetic tree (except M346, which defines Q1a3*) were encountered. Sequencing of Y chromosome regions hasn’t revealed any new mutation. In the mtDNA’s case, the Ge indians show the haplogroups B and A as the most frequent ones, while in the Tupi indians these haplogroups show high frequencies only in very restrict regions, being haplogroup D the most frequent. It should be noted that haplogroup C shows very low frequency in both Ge and Tupi, the slightly higher frequencies occuping almost geographically opposite locations, at the South of Brazil for the Ge and on the North for the Tupi. On evaluating the fission-fusion model it could be suggested that: 1) Tribe-specific lineages in the Kayapó tribes investigated here would hardly represent autoctonous lineages, since the time of emergence of each tribe by fission process is small to bear a web of new mutations. The specificities could be related to the fission model involving maternally related groups of people. In this case, groups of relatives would carry out of the parental group all the sequences belonging to a determined lineage. Therefore the lineage would be present only in the derived group and not in the parental anymore; 2) Loss of parental lineages in the dispersion and/or by drift in the new group’s formation, which would result in the differences found between the derived groups; 3) Though some fusion posterior to the fission cannot be excluded, the amount of exclusive lineages in the Kayapó tribes would indicate a relative isolation of the groups after the fission (absence or low frequency of gene flow between the fissioned groups leading to relative low frequency of the shared lineages), which denotes the fact of the phenomenon being recent (struggles still present in the collective and/or familiar memories of the fissioned groups) as estabilished by historical data (beginning of the XVII century). This fact could suggest that the fusion demands more time to occur; 4) The sharing of the more common lineages, normally in the networks’ nodes, between Tupi and Ge, appears to denote more common ancestrality than important gene flow after the formation of these two great linguistic stocks.

Este trabalho teve como meta principal contribuir para elucidar algumas das questões em aberto pertinentes à história evolutiva e antropológica de populações nativas americanas. Para isso investigou-se marcadores uniparentais paternos, ligados à NRY, e materno, mtDNA. Para o cromossomo Y foram investigados 108 indivíduos (85 sulameríndios de 16 tribos, pertencentes a 5 grupos lingüísticos, além de 23 asiáticos (siberianos), compreendendo 6 grupos étnicos distintos). Para o mtDNA foram investigados 160 indivíduos (homens e mulheres), compreendendo 10 tribos sulamericanas, pertencentes a 5 grupos lingüísticos distintos. Para o cromossomo Y foram utilizados 26 marcadores (SNPs). Para o mtDNA a região controladora-RC (HVS-I: da posição 16.024 até 16.569, e HVS-II: da posição 001 até 576) e a região imediatamente 5’ à região controladora foram seqüenciadas. Foi possível determinar para o cromossomo Y que Q1a3a* (autóctone nativo-americano, de provável origem beringiana) está fixado em 63% das tribos; o haplogrupo Q1a3*, que por outro lado também é encontrado na Ásia, foi observado entre os Araweté (25%), Jamamadi (100%), Lengua (25%) e esquimós asiáticos (17%). Merece destaque que Q1a3* parece ser o que até agora era identificado como sendo apenas “haplogrupo Q*”, ou seja, cromossomo Y portador do alelo derivado no loco M242, mas com alelo ancestral para o M3. Nenhuma das novas mutações mencionadas na atual árvore filogenética do cromossomo Y (com exceção do M346, que define Q1a3*) foram encontradas. O seqüenciamento de regiões do cromossomo Y não revelou nenhuma nova mutação. No caso do mtDNA, os indígenas do tronco Ge mostram os haplogrupos B e A como sendo os mais freqüentes, enquanto que nos Tupi esses haplogrupos apresentam freqüências mais elevadas apenas em regiões bastante restritas, ficando o haplogrupo D como o mais freqüente. Cabe salientar que o haplogrupo C apresenta freqüência muito baixa tanto para os Ge quanto para os Tupi, sendo que freqüências um pouco mais elevadas estão quase que geograficamente opostas, ficando no sul do Brasil para os Ge e no norte para os Tupi. Avaliando o modelo de fissão-fusão pôde-se sugerir que: 1) As linhagens mitocondriais tribo-específicas dentro das tribos Kayapó aqui investigadas dificilmente representariam linhagens autóctones, já que o tempo de surgimento de cada tribo por processo de fissão é pequeno para comportar uma rede de novas mutações. As especificidades poderiam estar vinculadas ao modelo de fissão envolvendo grupos de pessoas aparentadas via materna. Nesse caso, grupos de parentes carregariam para fora do grupo parental todas as seqüências pertencentes a uma determinada linhagem. Assim a linhagem estaria presente somente no grupo derivado e não mais no parental; 2) Perda de linhagens parentais na dispersão e/ou por deriva na formação do novo grupo, o que resultaria na diferença encontrada entre os grupos derivados; 3) Embora não se possa excluir alguma fusão posterir a fissão, a quantidade de linhages exclusivas nas tribos Kayapó estaria indicando relativo isolamento dos grupos depois da fissão (ausência ou baixa freqüência de fluxo gênico entre os grupos fissionados levando à relativa baixa freqüência de linhagens compartilhadas), o que denota o fato do fenômeno ser recente (atritos ainda presentes na memória coletiva e/ou familiar dos grupos fissionados) como estabelecido pelos dados históricos (início do século XVII). Esse fato poderia sugerir que a fusão demanda mais tempo para ocorrer; 4) O compartilhamento das linhagens mais comuns, normalmente na raiz das networks, entre os Tupi e os Ge, parece denotar mais ancestralidade comum do que importante fluxo gênico depois da formação desses dois grandes estoques lingüísticos. / This work has as its main aim to elucidate some of the still open questions about the evolutive and anthropological history of the Native American populations. Paternal uniparental markers, in the NRY, and maternal, mtDNA, were investigated to do that. For the Y chromosome, 108 individuals were investigated (85 South-Amerindians from 16 tribes, belonging to 5 linguistic groups, and 23 Asians (Siberians), covering 6 distinct ethnical groups). For the mtDNA, 160 individuals (men and women) were evaluated, covering 10 South-American tribes, belonging to 5 distinct linguistic groups. For the Y chromosome 26 SNPs were tested and some regions sequenced. For the mtDNA the control region-CR (HVS-I: from position 16.024 to 16.569, and HVS-II: from position 001 to 576) and the region immediately 5’ of the control region were sequenced. It was possible to determine that Q1a3a* (a Native American autoctonous chromosome, probably of Beringian origin) is fixed in 63% of the tribes; the haplogroup Q1a3*, which, moreover, is also encountered in Asia, was observed in Araweté (25%), Jamamadi (100%), Lengua (25%) and Asian Eskimos (17%). It is worth mentioning that Q1a3* appears to be what until now has been identified as “haplogroup Q*” only, that is, Y chromosome carrier of the derived allele in the M242 locus, but with an ancestral allele for M3. Any of the new mutations mentioned in the current Y chromosome phylogenetic tree (except M346, which defines Q1a3*) were encountered. Sequencing of Y chromosome regions hasn’t revealed any new mutation. In the mtDNA’s case, the Ge indians show the haplogroups B and A as the most frequent ones, while in the Tupi indians these haplogroups show high frequencies only in very restrict regions, being haplogroup D the most frequent. It should be noted that haplogroup C shows very low frequency in both Ge and Tupi, the slightly higher frequencies occuping almost geographically opposite locations, at the South of Brazil for the Ge and on the North for the Tupi. On evaluating the fission-fusion model it could be suggested that: 1) Tribe-specific lineages in the Kayapó tribes investigated here would hardly represent autoctonous lineages, since the time of emergence of each tribe by fission process is small to bear a web of new mutations. The specificities could be related to the fission model involving maternally related groups of people. In this case, groups of relatives would carry out of the parental group all the sequences belonging to a determined lineage. Therefore the lineage would be present only in the derived group and not in the parental anymore; 2) Loss of parental lineages in the dispersion and/or by drift in the new group’s formation, which would result in the differences found between the derived groups; 3) Though some fusion posterior to the fission cannot be excluded, the amount of exclusive lineages in the Kayapó tribes would indicate a relative isolation of the groups after the fission (absence or low frequency of gene flow between the fissioned groups leading to relative low frequency of the shared lineages), which denotes the fact of the phenomenon being recent (struggles still present in the collective and/or familiar memories of the fissioned groups) as estabilished by historical data (beginning of the XVII century). This fact could suggest that the fusion demands more time to occur; 4) The sharing of the more common lineages, normally in the networks’ nodes, between Tupi and Ge, appears to denote more common ancestrality than important gene flow after the formation of these two great linguistic stocks.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo a determinação da freqüência alélica de 12 microssatélites do cromossomo Y na população de Araraquara e da Grande São Paulo, tendo em vista a necessidade de ampliação dos dados referentes a estes marcadores devido a sua crescente aplicação em diferentes áreas, entre elas a forense na qual a utilização destes microssatélites torna-se muitas vezes a única ferramenta disponível para resolução de casos. Para isto foram tipados 200 indivíduos, que não apresentavam relação de parentesco, divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com autoclassificação de cor (branco, preto, pardo ou oriental). Foram coletadas destes indivíduos amostras de sangue ou saliva a partir das quais foi feita extração do DNA utilizando diferentes protocolos de acordo com o tipo de amostra, seguida da amplificação dos 12 locos do cromossomo Y através do PowerPlex® Y System (Promega) de acordo com instruções do fabricante. Os produtos da amplificação foram submetidos a eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida desnaturante a 6%, no seqüenciador ABI377 (Applied Biosystems) para obtenção dos perfis de cada loco. Os quais foram analisados com a utilização do software GeneScan ver. 2.1 (Applied Biosystems). Foi realizado o cálculo das freqüências alélicas e diversidade gênica de cada loco, assim como da diversidade haplotípica e capacidade de discriminação para cada grupo e para a amostra total. A comparação entre os resultados obtidos demonstrou que a variação dentro de cada grupo é maior que a variação entre os grupos. Os resultados obtidos foram enviados ao banco de dados mundial do cromossomo Y (Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database). / The aim of this study is to determine the allelic frequency of 12 microsatellites of the Y chromosome in Grande São Paulo and Araraquara population, in face of the amplification necessity of these markers data due to the increasing application of these markers on different fields, including the forensic on which the use of them is sometimes the only way to solve crime cases. For this purpose it was typed 200 unrelated individuals divided according to self report in four groups based on color skin (white, black, mulatto or yellow). Blood or buccal swab samples were collected and submitted to DNA extraction with different protocols according to the kind of sample. Subsequent amplification of 12 Y-STR was proceeded using the PowerPlex® Y System (Promega) following the manufacture’s protocol. The amplification products were submitted to electrophoresis in 6% polyacrilamid gel on ABI377 sequencer (Applied Biosystems) to obtain the profile of each locus. The results were analyzed with GeneScan ver. 2.1 software (Applied Biosystems). The allelic frequency and gene diversity of each locus as well as the haplotypic diversity and discrimination capacity was calculated for each group and for total sample. The comparison among the results showed that the variation inside the groups is higher than between groups. The haplotypes observed on this sample were sent to Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database.