The history of the North African mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U6 gene flow into the African, Eurasian and American continents.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome analyses have greatly improved the phylogeny and phylogeography of human mtDNA. Human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U6 has been considered as a molecular signal of a Paleolithic return to North Africa of modern humans from southwestern Asia.

Results

Using 230 complete sequences we have refined the U6 phylogeny, and improved the phylogeographic information by the analysis of 761 partial sequences. This approach provides chronological limits for its arrival to Africa, followed by its spreads there according to climatic fluctuations, and its secondary prehistoric and historic migrations out of Africa colonizing Europe, the Canary Islands and the American Continent.

Conclusions

The U6 expansions and contractions inside A

SUBMITTER: Secher B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4062890 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature