JC virus genotyping suggests a close contact or affinity between Greenland Inuit and other circumarctic populations

Abstract

We used the JC virus genotyping method to investigate the origins of Greenland Inuits. Using polymerase chain reaction, we detected six JC virus isolates in urine samples collected from Inuits in northwestern and southeastern Greenland. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete and partial DNA sequences of these isolates demonstrated that all isolates belonged to the EU-a1/Arc cluster previously identified in native northeastern Siberians (e.g. Chukchis and Koryaks) and Canadian Inuits. This finding suggests a close contact or affinity between Greenland Inuits and other circumarctic populations.