Article
Biology
Min-Sheng Peng, Yan-Hu Liu, Quan-Kuan Shen, Xiao-Hua Zhang, Jiajia Dong, Jin-Xiu Li, Hui Zhao, Hui Zhang, Xiaoming Zhang, Yaoxi He, Hong Shi, Chaoying Cui, Ouzhuluobu, Tian-Yi Wu, Shi-Ming Liu, Gonggalanzi, Baimakangzhuo, Caijuan Bai, Duojizhuoma, Ti Liu, Shan-Shan Dai, Robert W. Murphy, Xue-Bin Qi, Guanghui Dong, Bing Su, Ya-Ping Zhang
Summary: This study provides insights into the history of dairy pastoralism on the Tibetan Plateau, showing the introduction of dairy animals from West Eurasia and the genetic adaptations of Tibetan dogs and humans to milk and dairy products.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William Andres Lopez-Arboleda, Stephan Reinert, Magnus Nordborg, Arthur Korte
Summary: The study demonstrates that sampling locations have an impact on GWAS results in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, showing that certain traits are influenced by unique genetic effects in local populations. While using gene expression as a molecular phenotype, some genes are affected by shared variants globally, while others are affected by variants specific to subpopulations.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jan Krzysztof Nowak, Emilia Dybska, Marzena Dworacka, Natallia Tsikhan, Victoria Kononets, Saule Bermagambetova, Jaroslaw Walkowiak
Summary: The study found that different polymorphisms of lactase genes (rs4988235 and rs3754689) can affect the expression of lactase in the ileum, which does not seem to be directly related to age, sex, smoking, or BMI. Additionally, the marker of monocytes and macrophages, CD14, has a negative correlation with lactase expression, a finding that warrants further investigation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan-Hu Liu, Lu Wang, Zhiguo Zhang, Newton O. Otecko, Saber Khederzadeh, Yongqin Dai, Bin Liang, Guo-Dong Wang, Ya-Ping Zhang
Summary: Through genomic analysis, this study identified 86 unique positively selected genes in European dogs, including the LCT gene involved in lactose digestion. A mutation that increases the expression of LCT was found to enhance the ability of dogs to digest milk, supporting convergent evolution between humans and dogs in terms of diet.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Madeleine Bleasdale, Kristine K. Richter, Anneke Janzen, Samantha Brown, Ashley Scott, Jana Zech, Shevan Wilkin, Ke Wang, Stephan Schiffels, Jocelyne Desideri, Marie Besse, Jacques Reinold, Mohamed Saad, Hiba Babiker, Robert C. Power, Emmanuel Ndiema, Christine Ogola, Fredrick K. Manthi, Muhammad Zahir, Michael Petraglia, Christian Trachsel, Paolo Nanni, Jonas Grossmann, Jessica Hendy, Alison Crowther, Patrick Roberts, Steven T. Goldstein, Nicole Boivin
Summary: The consumption of milk from other species is a unique adaptation of Homo sapiens, with evidence of milk consumption in ancient Africa at least six millennia ago. Analysis of dental calculus from 41 ancient individuals from Sudan and Kenya shows that milk consumption occurred as soon as herding spread into eastern Africa.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pasquale De Luca, Daniela Iaconis, Elio Biffali, Coluccia Enza, Laura de Magistris, Gabriele Riegler, Diego Pappalardo, Maria Rosaria Amato, Patrizia Iardino, Concetta Montanino, Bruna De Felice
Summary: This study aimed to develop a novel genetic method to test lactase non persistence more powerfully by selecting SNPs from different populations and detecting them simultaneously. The technique used single nucleotide primer extension method with Sanger sequencing and capillary electrophoresis, showing efficiency in checking genotype asset of multiple SNPs related to lactase persistence simultaneously.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carsten Carlberg
Summary: Nutrigenomics explores the connection between nutrients and our genome. Over the past 50,000 years, our genome has undergone evolutionary changes due to migration, change in lifestyle, and dietary shifts. These adaptations have affected not only physical traits but also our susceptibility to complex diseases. Studying the variation in our (epi)genome in response to environmental changes provides insights into the mechanisms of disease development and prevention.
Article
Microbiology
Ulrika Boulund, Diogo M. Bastos, Bart Ferwerda, Bert-Jan van den Born, Sara-Joan Pinto-Sietsma, Henrike Galenkamp, Evgeni Levin, Albert K. Groen, Aeilko H. Zwinderman, Max Nieuwdorp
Summary: This study conducted a large-scale fecal microbiome genome-wide association study on a multiethnic cohort, revealing ethnic-specific associations between host genomes and gut microbiota. The study also sheds light on the potential effects of gut microbes on cardiometabolic health factors.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandre Fabre, Anne Fabre, Celine Bon, Paul Guerry, Laure Segurel
Summary: Lactase persistence is a strongly selected phenotype in humans, encoded by multiple genetic variants. The underlying mechanism is unclear as adults, including lactase non-persistence individuals, can tolerate dairy products. Cultural adaptations, such as fermentation and transformation, in ancient societies may have provided energy to both lactase persistence and non-persistence individuals without any cost.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Justin George, Adesoji Adelaja, Titus O. Awokuse
Summary: The research shows that the violent actions of the FEM have had negative impacts on agricultural output, crop yields, and livestock holdings in Nigeria.
EUROPEAN REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ashley Scott, Sabine Reinhold, Taylor Hermes, Alexey A. Kalmykov, Andrey Belinskiy, Alexandra Buzhilova, Natalia Berezina, Anatoliy R. Kantorovich, Vladimir E. Maslov, Farhad Guliyev, Bertille Lyonnet, Parviz Gasimov, Bakhtiyar Jalilov, Jeyhun Eminli, Emil Iskandarov, Emily Hammer, Selin E. Nugent, Richard Hagan, Kerttu Majander, Paivi Onkamo, Kerkko Nordqvist, Natalia Shishlina, Elena Kaverzneva, Arkadiy I. Korolev, Aleksandr A. Khokhlov, Roman V. Smolyaninov, Svetlana V. Sharapova, Rudiger Krause, Marina Karapetian, Eliza Stolarczyk, Johannes Krause, Svend Hansen, Wolfgang Haak, Christina Warinner
Summary: This study investigates the dietary proteins of individuals from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe and neighboring regions, shedding light on the economic foundations and mobility of pastoralist societies from the Neolithic to Greco-Roman periods. The findings reveal that sheep dairying was present during the early forms of pastoralism in the North Caucasus, and there was a shift from cattle to sheep for dairying during the Maykop and early Yamnaya populations. Livestock specialization broke down and dairy herds became more diversified during aridification, potentially driving the increased mobility of the Middle and Late Bronze Age periods. After a hiatus of over 500 years, the North Caucasian steppe was repopulated with Early Iron Age societies that had a mobile dairy economy, including horse milking.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wael Abdrabou, Mame Massar Dieng, Aissatou Diawara, Samuel Sindie Serme, Dareen Almojil, Salif Sombie, Noelie Bere Henry, Desire Kargougou, Vinu Manikandan, Issiaka Soulama, Youssef Idaghdour
Summary: The study revealed metabolic perturbations and transcriptional changes in immune cells in children from two different ethnic groups in West Africa following seasonal malaria infection. It identified an immunosuppressive role of endogenous steroids induced by P. falciparum infection, shedding light on potential new targets for antimalarial therapeutic interventions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Gao, Chuan-Xin Yu, Wei-Wei Zhou, Bao-Lin Zhang, E. Anne Chambers, Hollis A. Dahn, Jie-Qiong Jin, Robert W. Murphy, Ya-Ping Zhang, Jing Che
Summary: Speciation plays a crucial role in evolution, and understanding the origins and persistence of reproductive isolation (RI) is important. This study examined two closely related toad-headed lizards using genomic data and found that divergent selection and low genetic recombination help maintain RI between the two species.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria Orru, Francesca Virdis, Michele Marongiu, Valentina Serra, David Schlessinger, Marcella Devoto, Francesco Cucca, Edoardo Fiorillo
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate cell interactions in biological processes. This study evaluated blood levels of EVs and platelet traits and conducted the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on these traits. The results showed that EV levels decrease with age and are influenced by genetic factors. Several significant genetic signals were identified, suggesting that EV formation is not solely dependent on metabolic regulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Simun Niclasen, Stig Andersen, Nadja Albertsen, Henrik Bygum Krarup
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of lactase non-persistence (LNP) among Greenlandic Inuit and Scandinavians. The results showed a higher prevalence of LNP among Inuit compared to Scandinavians. Furthermore, there were significant differences in LNP between East and West Greenland and the Inuit and Scandinavian populations.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maximilian Larena, James McKenna, Federico Sanchez-Quinto, Carolina Bernhardsson, Carlo Ebeo, Rebecca Reyes, Ophelia Casel, Jin-Yuan Huang, Kim Pullupul Hagada, Dennis Guilay, Jennelyn Reyes, Fatima Pir Allian, Virgilio Mori, Lahaina Sue Azarcon, Alma Manera, Celito Terando, Lucio Jamero, Gauden Sireg, Renefe Manginsay-Tremedal, Maria Shiela Labos, Richard Dian Vilar, Acram Latiph, Rodelio Linsahay Saway, Erwin Marte, Pablito Magbanua, Amor Morales, Ismael Java, Rudy Reveche, Becky Barrios, Erlinda Burton, Jesus Christopher Salon, Ma Junaliah Tuazon Kels, Adrian Albano, Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles, Edison Molanida, Lena Granehall, Mario Vicente, Hanna Edlund, Jun-Hun Loo, Jean Trejaut, Simon Y. W. Ho, Lawrence Reid, Kurt Lambeck, Helena Malmstrom, Carina Schlebusch, Phillip Endicott, Mattias Jakobsson
Summary: The research shows that Ayta Magbukon Negritos in the Philippines have the highest level of Denisovan ancestry in the world, with an independent admixture event from Denisovans compared to Australians and Papuans. Additionally, the study suggests that there were multiple archaic species in the Philippines before the arrival of modern humans, and these groups may have been genetically related. Overall, the findings reveal a complex intertwined history of modern and archaic humans in the Asia-Pacific region.
Article
Anthropology
Carina M. Schlebusch, Liisa Loog, Huw S. Groucutt, Turi King, Adam Rutherford, Chiara Barbieri, Guido Barbujani, Lounes Chikhi, Chris Stringer, Mattias Jakobsson, Anders Eriksson, Andrea Manica, Sarah A. Tishkoff, Eleanor ML. Scerri, Aylwyn Scally, Chris Brierley, Mark G. Thomas
Summary: The use of genetic data to pinpoint a 'homeland' for our species is common in academic literature, but it comes with inferential pitfalls like over-reliance on weakly informative data, treating genetic lineages as population representatives, assuming high regional population continuity over hundreds of thousands of years, and not considering alternative hypotheses or formally evaluating any hypothesis. This commentary reviews a recent publication that claims to identify the origins of 'modern humans' to a specific region in Africa, highlighting how it falls into these inferential traps and discussing strategies to avoid them.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gwenna Breton, Anna C. Johansson, Per Sjodin, Carina M. Schlebusch, Mattias Jakobsson
Summary: Population genetic studies are increasingly using high-throughput sequencing to capture diversity in an unbiased way. This study surveyed the use of GATK tools to process high coverage full genomes from diverse populations. Results showed that different strategies for data processing and variant calling were used across studies, and recommended a coverage of >30X for identifying most variants.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Mario Vicente, Imke Lankheet, Thembi Russell, Nina Hollfelder, Vinet Coetzee, Himla Soodyall, Michael De Jongh, Carina M. Schlebusch
Summary: The study analyzed the genome data of descendants of Hessequa herders in southern Africa, revealing the genetic influence of East African pastoralists and the male-biased nature of pastoralist expansion in the region. The findings contribute to understanding historical human migration and the spread of livestock practices.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica De Loma, Mario Vicente, Noemi Tirado, Franz Ascui, Marie Vahter, Jacques Gardon, Carina M. Schlebusch, Karin Broberg
Summary: This study found positive selection signals near the gene encoding arsenite methyltransferase (AS3MT) in indigenous groups from the Bolivian Andes, indicating adaptation to arsenic. The study also discovered a higher frequency of alleles associated with more efficient arsenic metabolism in these populations.
Article
Neurosciences
Yvonne Gloor, Alain Matthey, Komla Sobo, Mederic Mouterde, Eva Kosek, Gisele Pickering, Estella S. Poloni, Christine Cedraschi, Georg Ehret, Jules A. Desmeules
Summary: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a disease characterized by widespread pain and increased sensitivity to nociceptive stimulus or tenderness. This study identified a potential association between a common mutation in the Huntingtin associated protein 1 (HAP1) gene and a lowered Nociceptive Flexion Reflex (NFR) threshold in FMS patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cesar Fortes-Lima, Petr Triska, Martina Cizkova, Eliska Podgorna, Mame Yoro Diallo, Carina M. Schlebusch, Viktor Cerny
Summary: The study reveals fine-scale population structure and complex admixture patterns among populations in the Sahel/Savannah belt, with the Rashaayda Arabic-speaking population showing lack of gene flow from African groups, and Western Sahelian populations exhibiting signatures of selection in various genetic regions.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Mederic Mouterde, Youssef Daali, Victoria Rollason, Martina Cizkova, Anwar Mulugeta, Khalid A. Al Balushi, Giannoulis Fakis, Theodoros C. Constantinidis, Khalid Al-Thihli, Marie Cerna, Eyasu Makonnen, Sotiria Boukouvala, Said Al-Yahyaee, Getnet Yimer, Viktor Cerny, Jules Desmeules, Estella S. Poloni
Summary: Variations in genes involved in drug ADME can affect individual response to treatment. This study assessed phenotypic variation in four populations across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe and found significant population differentiation for most drug metabolism phenotypes. Genome-wide association studies identified genetic variants associated with phenotypic variation in certain drug metabolism enzymes. However, no association was found for other enzymes, suggesting different evolutionary mechanisms shaping these phenotypes.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Maryna Steyn, Anja Meyer, Rita Peyroteo-Stjerna, Cecile Jolly, Carina Schlebusch, Larry Barham, Marlize Lombard
Summary: This article reevaluates the human remains from Mumbwa Caves in South Africa, revealing that the poorly preserved remains represent at least 16 individuals. The analysis of radiocarbon dating and stable isotope shows that the individuals were buried between the late tenth and early twentieth century CE, with most dates clustering between the early sixteenth and the late nineteenth century. The isotope values suggest that these individuals lived in agricultural communities rather than the Stone Age as previously suggested.
AFRICAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Biology
Riaan F. F. Rifkin, Surendra Vikram, Jaime Alcorta, Jean-Baptiste Ramond, Don A. A. Cowan, Mattias Jakobsson, Carina M. M. Schlebusch, Marlize Lombard
Summary: By analyzing metagenome libraries derived from the sequencing of a Later Stone Age hunter-gatherer child who lived near Ballito Bay, South Africa, about 2000 years ago, ancient DNA sequences homologous to the flea-borne typhus-like pathogen Rickettsia felis were identified, and an ancient R. felis genome was reconstructed. This provides ancient genomic evidence for the presence of Rickettsia felis in human remains from 2000 years ago, reframing previous hypotheses of R. felis as a novel or emergent pathogen in modern humans.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Shijun Li, Xiaojian Zhang, Xinyu Dong, Ruiyang Guo, Jiuhong Nan, Jingwei Yuan, Carina M. Schlebusch, Zheya Sheng
Summary: This study systematically evaluated the population structure and demography of current Tibetan chicken populations, revealing complex genetic histories and a clear separation into 4 sub-populations. Two high altitude associated genes were found in all 4 sub-populations, indicating similar responses to selection pressures. These results have important implications for future genetic analyses on chickens and other domestic animals in Tibet.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria C. Avila-Arcos, Maanasa Raghavan, Carina Schlebusch
Summary: Ancient DNA research has provided valuable insights into the history of our species, particularly in regions beyond the continental level and the histories of oppressed peoples.
Article
Anthropology
Anita Stojanovic Markovic, Matea Zajc Petranovic, Marko Skobalj, Estella S. Poloni, Lana Pichler Oberski, Tatjana Skaric-Juric, Marijana Pericic Salihovic
Summary: This study investigates the genetic variation of NAT1 and NAT2 genes in three Roma groups from Croatia and finds significant differences in the distribution of NAT2 gene haplotypes among them, with the highest frequency of slow acetylators in the Balkan Roma group.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Iva Kulichova, Mederic Mouterde, Mohammed G. Mokhtar, Issa Diallo, Petr Triska, Yoro Mame Diallo, Zuzana Hofmanova, Estella S. Poloni, Viktor Cerny
Summary: The study found no evidence for positive selection pressure on the TAS2R16 gene in African Sahelian populations, instead suggesting that genetic drift was the main driving force of genetic variation at this locus. The analysis also revealed a strong correlation between genetic and geographical distances based on the provenience of sampled populations, indicating the impact of genetic drift.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2022)