Microsatellite variability and genetic distances

摘要: We analyze the within- and between-population dynamics of distribution number repeats at multiple microsatellite DNA loci subject to stepwise mutation. Analytical expressions for moments up fourth order within a locus variance between-locus mutation-drift equilibrium have been obtained. These statistics may be used test appropriateness one-step mutation model detect variation in rate. Published data are compatible with model, although they do not reject two-step model. Using both multinomial sampling diffusion approximations analysis genetic distance introduced by Goldstein et al. [Goldstein, D. B., Linares, A. R., Cavalli-Sforza, L. & Feldman, M. W. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92, 6723-6727], we show that this follows chi 2 degrees freedom equal when there is no rates among loci. In presence such variation, conclude required construction phylogenetic trees reliable branch lengths several hundred. Also, mutations change repeat scores units, even though extremely rare, dramatically influence estimates population parameters.