To study the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms
in a total of 232 individuals from five ethnic
populations (Daur, n=45; Ewenki, n=47; Korean, n=48;
Mongolian, n=48; Oroqen, n=44) in northern China, we
analyzed the control region sequences and typed for a
number of characteristic mutations in coding regions (especially
the region 14576–16047), by direct sequencing or
restriction-fragment-length-polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.
With the exception of 14 individuals belonging to the European-specific
haplogroups R2, H, J, and T, the mtDNAs
considered could be assigned into the East Asian-specific
haplogroups described recently. The polymorphisms in cytochrome
b sequence were found to be very informative
for defining or supporting the haplogroups status of East
Asian mtDNAs in addition to the reported regions 10171–
10659 and 14055–14590 in our previous study. The haplogroup
distribution frequencies varied in the five ethnic
populations, but in general they all harbored a large amount
of north-prevalent haplogroups, such as D, G, C, and Z,
and thus were in agreement with their ethnohistory of
northern origin. The two populations (Ewenki and Oroqen)
with small population census also show concordant
features in their matrilineal genetic structures, with lower
genetic diversities observed.