Study of HLA genes in Russia Bering Island Aleuts

HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1 alleles and haplotypes have been studied in a group of Aleuts from Bering Island (Commander Islands, Russia). Many of their ancestors were original from other Aleutian Islands, like Attu and Atka Islands (USA) and may have had a low degree of admixture with Russians. HLA haplotypes are found to be specific and quite different from other First North America Inhabitants (including Amerindians, Na-Dene and Eskimo), as it was previously shown in a less numerous Aleut population. HLA-A*24:02 is found in a very high frequency; this character is shared by Pacific and Amerindian populations. In conclusion, HLA, other genetic markers, anthropological and linguistic traits make Aleuts to be different from First America Inhabitants and closer to Europeans and Asians: specifically Aleut relatedness has been found with Scandinavian Saami (Lapps) and Finns and Baikal Lake area Buryats, where all of them may have initialing being originated.