Summary auto-generated
JC polyomavirus (JCV) is a ubiquitous human virus that persists in renal tissue and is shed in urine. Because JCV genotypes show population-specific geographic distributions and are transmitted primarily within populations rather than between them, JCV genotyping can trace human migrations. This study analyzed JCV isolates from eight sites across China and Mongolia to clarify the genetic composition of modern Chinese populations. Researchers refined the classification of the previously broad B1 genotype into four distinct subtypes (B1-a to B1-d) using phylogenetic analysis. Four major JCV genotypes were identified in China and Mongolia: CY, SC, B1-a, and B1-b. Geographic distribution patterns revealed striking regional variation—CY predominated in Northern China, SC in Southern China, B1-b was found only in Mongolia, and B1-a was distributed throughout China. Statistical analysis confirmed these regional differences were significant. The findings suggest that the modern Chinese population, particularly the Han ethnic majority, resulted from intermingling of multiple genetically distinct population groups. The study also indicates genetic relationships between Mongolians and Chinese, between Japanese and Chinese populations, and between Southern Chinese and Southeast Asians, based on shared JCV genotypes.
Key findings
- Four JCV genotypes (CY, SC, B1-a, and B1-b) are prevalent in China and Mongolia, with distinct geographic distributions reflecting different ancestral populations
- CY is predominant in Northern China while SC is predominant in Southern China, consistent with known genetic differences between these regions
- The modern Chinese Han population appears to have resulted from intermixing of at least three genetically distinct population lineages based on JCV genotype distribution
- JCV genotyping provides a novel molecular marker for tracing human migrations and population origins, with potential applications for understanding the ancestry of minor aboriginal groups in China
This summary was generated automatically from the article PDF and is not part of the original publication. Refer to the PDF for the authoritative text.
Abstract
JC polyomavirus (JCV) is ubiquitous in humans, persisting in renal tissue and excreting progeny in urine. It has been shown that the genotyping of urinary JCV offers a novel means of tracing human migrations. This approach was used to elucidate the racial composition of modern China. JCV isolates in the Old World were previously classified into nine distinct genotypes. One of them (B1) has a wide domain, encompassing part of Europe and the entirety of Asia. By constructing a neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree, all B1 isolates detected so far were classified into four distinct groups (B1-a to -d), each occupying unique domains in the world. According to this revised classification system of JCV DNAs, four genotypes (CY, SC, B1-a and -b) were found to be prevalent in China and Mongolia (Mongolia was studied instead of Inner Mongolia, which is part of China). There was a remarkable variation in the incidence of genotypes among the sites of sample collection. CY was more frequently detected in Northern China, SC was predominant in Southern China and B1-b was detected only in Mongolia. B1-a was spread throughout China. These data were statistically analysed and the observed regional differences in the incidence of genotypes were found to be significant. It is likely that these differences in JCV distribution in China reflect the intermingling of different population groups that constitute modern China.