CHROMOSOMAL Q-HETEROCHROMATIN POLYMORPHISMS IN 3 ETHNIC GROUPS (KAZAKHS, RUSSIANS AND UYGHURS) OF KAZAKHSTAN

A comparative study of polymorphic variants of chromosomal Q-heterochromatin regions (Q-HRs) was performed in three ethnic groups (Kazakhs, Russians, and Uyghurs) of Kazakhstan. The number of chromosomal Q-HRs in the genome of studied individuals ranged from 0 to 7, with the mean 3.51, 3.51 and 4.15 in Kazakhs, Russians, and Uyghurs, respectively. The studied Kazakhs and Russians showed statistically significant homogeneity in the distribution of the number and mean number of Q-HRs, while the highest amount of chromosomal Q-HRs revealed in the Uyghur group. Differences and homogeneity between these three groups in the amount of Q-HRs in their genome are discussed as evidence in favor of the hypothesis of the possible selective value of chromosomal Q-heterochromatin material in human adaptation to various climate-geographic conditions.