Frequence of 9-bp delection in the human mitochondrial DNA among the Weiwuer nationality and Miao nationality in China

Objective: To search the intergenic COII/tRNA^Lys 9-bp deletion in the human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) among the Weiwuer nationality and Miao nationality in China. Methods: The DNA fragment in mtDNA intergenic COII/tRNA^Lys was amplified by PCR technique. Some samples were analysed by direct sequencing of PCR products. Results: We screened the present 80 Weiwuer nationality and 47 Miao nationality for the 9-bp deletion. The frequency of the 9-bp deletion was 2. 5% for Weiwuer nationality,10. 6% for Miao nationality. All this deletive cases were identified in this region present lack one of two adjacent copies of a 9-bp sequence normally. Conclusion: The data obtioned indicate that the intergenic COII/tRNA^Lys 9-bp deletion were discovered in Weiwuer nationality and Miao nationality with varying frequencies.