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Naik PP, Farrukh SN. Influence of Ethnicities and Skin Color Variations in Different Populations: A Review. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2021; 35:65-76. [PMID: 34515229 DOI: 10.1159/000518826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the world scientific tradition, skin color is the primary physical characteristic used to divide humans into groups. Human skin has a wide range of tones and colors, which can be seen in a wide range of demographic populations. Many factors influence the color of people's skin, but the pigment melanin is by far the most important. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes in the skin and is the primary determinant of skin color in people with darker skin. Indeed, >150 genes have now been identified as having a direct or indirect effect on skin color. Vitamin D has recently been discovered to regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation in a variety of tissues, including the skin. The mechanisms through which the active vitamin D metabolite 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (or calcitriol) affects keratinocyte development are numerous and overlap with the mechanisms by which calcium influences keratinocyte differentiation. Ultraviolet (UV) is the most major modifiable risk factor for skin cancer and many other environmental-influenced skin disorders when it is abundant in the environment. Although the UV component of sunlight is known to cause skin damage, few researches have looked at the impact of non-UV solar radiation on skin physiology in terms of inflammation, and there is less information on the role of visible light in pigmentation. SUMMARY The quantity and quality of melanin are regulating by the expression of genes. The enzyme tyrosinase is primarily responsible for the genetic mechanism that controls human skin color. Genetics determines constitutive skin color, which is reinforced by facultative melanogenesis and tanning reactions. High quantities of melanin and melanogenic substances are typically accepted in darker skin to protect against UV radiation-induced molecular damage. Previous research has proposed that skin color variation is caused by a dynamic genetic mechanism, contributing to our understanding of how population demographic history and natural selection shape human genetic and phenotypic diversity. However, the most significant ethnic skin color difference is determined by melanin content. This current review aimed to assess the influence of skin color variations in skin structure and functions as well as difference in dermatological disease patterns. Also, this article reviewed several cases of skin color adaptation in different populations. Key Messages: Skin color impacts the composition and activity. Therefore, the contrast of dermatological ailments between distinct race-related categories is remarkable. Skin color adaptation is a challenging procedure. Refinement of skin color is an age-old craving of humans with ever-evolving drifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyu Parth Naik
- Department of Dermatology, Saudi-German Hospital & Clinic, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Syed Nadir Farrukh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Adam-Vital Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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2
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Feng Y, McQuillan MA, Tishkoff SA. Evolutionary genetics of skin pigmentation in African populations. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:R88-R97. [PMID: 33438000 PMCID: PMC8117430 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin color is a highly heritable human trait, and global variation in skin pigmentation has been shaped by natural selection, migration and admixture. Ethnically diverse African populations harbor extremely high levels of genetic and phenotypic diversity, and skin pigmentation varies widely across Africa. Recent genome-wide genetic studies of skin pigmentation in African populations have advanced our understanding of pigmentation biology and human evolutionary history. For example, novel roles in skin pigmentation for loci near MFSD12 and DDB1 have recently been identified in African populations. However, due to an underrepresentation of Africans in human genetic studies, there is still much to learn about the evolutionary genetics of skin pigmentation. Here, we summarize recent progress in skin pigmentation genetics in Africans and discuss the importance of including more ethnically diverse African populations in future genetic studies. In addition, we discuss methods for functional validation of adaptive variants related to skin pigmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanqing Feng
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael A McQuillan
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sarah A Tishkoff
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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3
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Skin Pigmentation Differences between Mongolian, Korean, and Uzbekistan Ancient Human DNA Samples. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:2585324. [PMID: 33083459 PMCID: PMC7559177 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2585324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background This study reports the use of real-time PCR to identify the SNP rs1545397 in the intron region on the OCA2 gene from ancient and degraded DNA isolated from ancient human bones from Mongolia, Korea, and Uzbekistan. This SNP is a marker for skin pigmentation. LightCycler-based probes (HybProbes) were designed. A LightCycler (version 2.0) system was used for the real-time PCR. Results The results of the real-time PCRs of three different genotypes of SNP rs1545397 were compared with those of the direct sequencing. Melting curve analysis was used for genotype determination. Three genotypes were distinguished: the homozygous T (T/T) SNP type formed a distinct melting peak at 53.3 ± 0.14°C, the homozygous A (A/A) SNP type formed a distinct melting peak at 57.8 ± 0.12°C, and the heterozygous A/T SNP type formed two distinct melting peaks at 53.3 ± 0.17°C and 57.8 ± 0.15°C. Mongolian aDNA samples tested in this study carried all three types of the SNP (A/T, A/A, and T/T) with no distinctly predominant type observed. In contrast, Korean aDNA samples carried the Asian genotype (T/T), while the Uzbekistan aDNA samples carried the European genotype (A/A) more often than the Asian genotype (T/T). Conclusions Human Mongolian aDNA samples had A/T, A/A, and T/T SNP rs1545397 with no distinct predominant genotype. When combined with the archeological and aDNA studies of other coupling morphologies with aDNA, our results infer that Mongolia's prehistoric population had considerable heterogeneity of skin color and morphological traits and that in the Neolithic period, a Eurasian or mixed population inhabited the western part of Mongolia.
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4
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Kidd KK, Pakstis AJ, Donnelly MP, Bulbul O, Cherni L, Gurkan C, Kang L, Li H, Yun L, Paschou P, Meiklejohn KA, Haigh E, Speed WC. The distinctive geographic patterns of common pigmentation variants at the OCA2 gene. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15433. [PMID: 32963319 PMCID: PMC7508881 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72262-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oculocutaneous Albinism type 2 (OCA2) is a gene of great interest because of genetic variation affecting normal pigmentation variation in humans. The diverse geographic patterns for variant frequencies at OCA2 have been evident but have not been systematically investigated, especially outside of Europe. Here we examine population genetic variation in and near the OCA2 gene from a worldwide perspective. The very different patterns of genetic variation found across world regions suggest strong selection effects may have been at work over time. For example, analyses involving the variants that affect pigmentation of the iris argue that the derived allele of the rs1800407 single nucleotide polymorphism, which produces a hypomorphic protein, may have contributed to the previously demonstrated positive selection in Europe for the enhancer variant responsible for light eye color. More study is needed on the relationships of the genetic variation at OCA2 to variation in pigmentation in areas beyond Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth K Kidd
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208005, New Haven, CT, 06520-8005, USA.
| | - Andrew J Pakstis
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208005, New Haven, CT, 06520-8005, USA
| | - Michael P Donnelly
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208005, New Haven, CT, 06520-8005, USA.,Biological and Environmental Sciences, Troy University, Dothan, AL, 36303, USA
| | - Ozlem Bulbul
- Institute of Forensic Science, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, 34500, Turkey
| | - Lotfi Cherni
- Laboratory of Genetics, Immunology and Human Pathologies, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia.,Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, Monastir University, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Cemal Gurkan
- Turkish Cypriot DNA Laboratory, Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus Turkish Cypriot Member Office, Nicosia, North Cyprus), Turkey.,Dr. Fazıl Küçük Faculty of Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta (North Cyprus), Turkey
| | - Longli Kang
- Key Laboratory forMolecular GeneticMechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, 712082, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of High Altitude Environment and Genes Related To Disease of Tibet Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, 712082, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Li
- MOE State Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Libing Yun
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, West China College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No.16. Section 3. RenMin Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Peristera Paschou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Kelly A Meiklejohn
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - Eva Haigh
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208005, New Haven, CT, 06520-8005, USA
| | - William C Speed
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208005, New Haven, CT, 06520-8005, USA
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5
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Yang Z, Shi H, Ma P, Zhao S, Kong Q, Bian T, Gong C, Zhao Q, Liu Y, Qi X, Zhang X, Han Y, Liu J, Li Q, Chen H, Su B. Darwinian Positive Selection on the Pleiotropic Effects of KITLG Explain Skin Pigmentation and Winter Temperature Adaptation in Eurasians. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 35:2272-2283. [PMID: 29961894 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msy136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human skin color diversity is considered an adaptation to environmental conditions such as UV radiation. Investigations into the genetic bases of such adaptation have identified a group of pigmentation genes contributing to skin color diversity in African and non-African populations. Here, we present a population analysis of the pigmentation gene KITLG with previously reported signal of Darwinian positive selection in both European and East Asian populations. We demonstrated that there had been recurrent selective events in the upstream and the downstream regions of KITLG in Eurasian populations. More importantly, besides the expected selection on the KITLG variants favoring light skin in coping with the weak UV radiation at high latitude, we observed a KITLG variant showing adaptation to winter temperature. In particular, compared with UV radiation, winter temperature showed a much stronger correlation with the prevalence of the presumably adaptive KITLG allele in Asian populations. This observation was further supported by the in vitro functional test at low temperature. Consequently, the pleiotropic effects of KITLG, that is, pigmentation and thermogenesis were both targeted by natural selection that acted on different KITLG sequence variants, contributing to the adaptation of Eurasians to both UV radiation and winter temperature at high latitude areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Yang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Hong Shi
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Pengcheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Shilei Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghong Kong
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Tianhao Bian
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Chao Gong
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xuebin Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yinglun Han
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Jiewei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Qingwei Li
- College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Hua Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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6
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Quillen EE, Norton HL, Parra EJ, Lona-Durazo F, Ang KC, Illiescu FM, Pearson LN, Shriver MD, Lasisi T, Gokcumen O, Starr I, Lin YL, Martin AR, Jablonski NG. Shades of complexity: New perspectives on the evolution and genetic architecture of human skin. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 168 Suppl 67:4-26. [PMID: 30408154 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Like many highly variable human traits, more than a dozen genes are known to contribute to the full range of skin color. However, the historical bias in favor of genetic studies in European and European-derived populations has blinded us to the magnitude of pigmentation's complexity. As deliberate efforts are being made to better characterize diverse global populations and new sequencing technologies, better measurement tools, functional assessments, predictive modeling, and ancient DNA analyses become more widely accessible, we are beginning to appreciate how limited our understanding of the genetic bases of human skin color have been. Novel variants in genes not previously linked to pigmentation have been identified and evidence is mounting that there are hundreds more variants yet to be found. Even for genes that have been exhaustively characterized in European populations like MC1R, OCA2, and SLC24A5, research in previously understudied groups is leading to a new appreciation of the degree to which genetic diversity, epistatic interactions, pleiotropy, admixture, global and local adaptation, and cultural practices operate in population-specific ways to shape the genetic architecture of skin color. Furthermore, we are coming to terms with how factors like tanning response and barrier function may also have influenced selection on skin throughout human history. By examining how our knowledge of pigmentation genetics has shifted in the last decade, we can better appreciate how far we have come in understanding human diversity and the still long road ahead for understanding many complex human traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen E Quillen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.,Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Heather L Norton
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Esteban J Parra
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto - Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frida Lona-Durazo
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto - Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Khai C Ang
- Department of Pathology and Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Florin Mircea Illiescu
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Centro de Estudios Interculturales e Indígenas - CIIR, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Laurel N Pearson
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark D Shriver
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Tina Lasisi
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Omer Gokcumen
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Izzy Starr
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Yen-Lung Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Alicia R Martin
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Nina G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
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7
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Ombra MN, Paliogiannis P, Doneddu V, Sini MC, Colombino M, Rozzo C, Stanganelli I, Tanda F, Cossu A, Palmieri G. Vitamin D status and risk for malignant cutaneous melanoma: recent advances. Eur J Cancer Prev 2017; 26:532-541. [PMID: 28125434 PMCID: PMC5627529 DOI: 10.1097/cej.0000000000000334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous malignant melanoma, whose incidence is increasing steadily worldwide, is the result of complex interactions between individual genetic factors and environmental risk factors. Ultraviolet radiation represents the most important environmental risk factor for the development of skin cancers, including melanoma. Sun exposure and early sunburn during childhood are the principal causes of cutaneous melanoma insurgence in adults, with double the risk relative to a nonexposed population. Consequently, ultraviolet protection has long been recognized as an important measure to prevent such a malignancy. Biological and epidemiological data suggest that vitamin D status could affect the risk of cancer and play a role in cancer prevention by exerting antiproliferative effects. Solar radiations are critical for vitamin D synthesis in humans; however, uncontrolled and intensive sun exposure is dangerous to skin health and may contribute toward the development of cutaneous malignant melanoma. An optimum balance between sun protection and exposure is thus advocated. Additional research is required to confirm the preventive role of vitamin D in melanoma incidence or a positive influence on patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria N. Ombra
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), Avellino
| | | | - Valentina Doneddu
- Department of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari
| | - Maria C. Sini
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (CNR), Cancer Genetics Unit, Sassari
| | - Maria Colombino
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (CNR), Cancer Genetics Unit, Sassari
| | - Carla Rozzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (CNR), Cancer Genetics Unit, Sassari
| | - Ignazio Stanganelli
- Romagna Scientific Institute for the Study and Cure of Tumors, Skin Cancer Unit, Meldola, Italy
| | - Francesco Tanda
- Department of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari
| | - Antonio Cossu
- Department of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, University of Sassari
| | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (CNR), Cancer Genetics Unit, Sassari
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8
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Deng L, Xu S. Adaptation of human skin color in various populations. Hereditas 2017; 155:1. [PMID: 28701907 PMCID: PMC5502412 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-017-0036-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin color is a well-recognized adaptive trait and has been studied extensively in humans. Understanding the genetic basis of adaptation of skin color in various populations has many implications in human evolution and medicine. DISCUSSION Impressive progress has been made recently to identify genes associated with skin color variation in a wide range of geographical and temporal populations. In this review, we discuss what is currently known about the genetics of skin color variation. We enumerated several cases of skin color adaptation in global modern humans and archaic hominins, and illustrated why, when, and how skin color adaptation occurred in different populations. Finally, we provided a summary of the candidate loci associated with pigmentation, which could be a valuable reference for further evolutionary and medical studies. CONCLUSION Previous studies generally indicated a complex genetic mechanism underlying the skin color variation, expanding our understanding of the role of population demographic history and natural selection in shaping genetic and phenotypic diversity in humans. Future work is needed to dissect the genetic architecture of skin color adaptation in numerous ethnic minority groups around the world, which remains relatively obscure compared with that of major continental groups, and to unravel the exact genetic basis of skin color adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Deng
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology (PICB), Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai, 200031 China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Shuhua Xu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Max Planck Independent Research Group on Population Genomics, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology (PICB), Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS, Shanghai, 200031 China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210 China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai, 200438 China
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9
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Herraiz C, Garcia-Borron JC, Jiménez-Cervantes C, Olivares C. MC1R signaling. Intracellular partners and pathophysiological implications. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:2448-2461. [PMID: 28259754 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) preferentially expressed in melanocytes is best known as a key regulator of the synthesis of epidermal melanin pigments. Its paracrine stimulation by keratinocyte-derived melanocortins also activates DNA repair pathways and antioxidant defenses to build a complex, multifaceted photoprotective response. Many MC1R actions rely on cAMP-dependent activation of two transcription factors, MITF and PGC1α, but pleiotropic MC1R signaling also involves activation of mitogen-activated kinases and AKT. MC1R partners such as β-arrestins, PTEN and the E3 ubiquitin ligase MGRN1 differentially regulate these pathways. The MC1R gene is complex and polymorphic, with frequent variants associated with skin phenotypes and increased cancer risk. We review current knowledge of signaling from canonical MC1R, its splice isoforms and natural polymorphic variants. Recently discovered intracellular targets and partners are also discussed, to highlight the diversity of mechanisms that may contribute to normal and pathological variation of pigmentation and sensitivity to solar radiation-induced damage. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Melanocortin Receptors - edited by Ya-Xiong Tao.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Herraiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jose C Garcia-Borron
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Celia Jiménez-Cervantes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Conchi Olivares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
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10
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Siska V, Jones ER, Jeon S, Bhak Y, Kim HM, Cho YS, Kim H, Lee K, Veselovskaya E, Balueva T, Gallego-Llorente M, Hofreiter M, Bradley DG, Eriksson A, Pinhasi R, Bhak J, Manica A. Genome-wide data from two early Neolithic East Asian individuals dating to 7700 years ago. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2017; 3:e1601877. [PMID: 28164156 PMCID: PMC5287702 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Ancient genomes have revolutionized our understanding of Holocene prehistory and, particularly, the Neolithic transition in western Eurasia. In contrast, East Asia has so far received little attention, despite representing a core region at which the Neolithic transition took place independently ~3 millennia after its onset in the Near East. We report genome-wide data from two hunter-gatherers from Devil's Gate, an early Neolithic cave site (dated to ~7.7 thousand years ago) located in East Asia, on the border between Russia and Korea. Both of these individuals are genetically most similar to geographically close modern populations from the Amur Basin, all speaking Tungusic languages, and, in particular, to the Ulchi. The similarity to nearby modern populations and the low levels of additional genetic material in the Ulchi imply a high level of genetic continuity in this region during the Holocene, a pattern that markedly contrasts with that reported for Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Siska
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB23EJ, U.K
- Corresponding author. (V.S.); (R.P.); (J.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Eppie Ruth Jones
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB23EJ, U.K
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sungwon Jeon
- The Genomics Institute, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngjune Bhak
- The Genomics Institute, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak-Min Kim
- The Genomics Institute, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sung Cho
- The Genomics Institute, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunho Kim
- Geromics, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyusang Lee
- Clinomics Inc., Ulsan 4919, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Tatiana Balueva
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Michael Hofreiter
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty for Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Daniel G. Bradley
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anders Eriksson
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB23EJ, U.K
| | - Ron Pinhasi
- School of Archaeology and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Corresponding author. (V.S.); (R.P.); (J.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Jong Bhak
- The Genomics Institute, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Geromics, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. (V.S.); (R.P.); (J.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Manica
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB23EJ, U.K
- Corresponding author. (V.S.); (R.P.); (J.B.); (A.M.)
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11
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Edwards M, Cha D, Krithika S, Johnson M, Cook G, Parra EJ. Iris pigmentation as a quantitative trait: variation in populations of European, East Asian and South Asian ancestry and association with candidate gene polymorphisms. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2015; 29:141-62. [DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Edwards
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON Canada
| | - David Cha
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON Canada
| | - S. Krithika
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON Canada
| | - Monique Johnson
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON Canada
| | - Gillian Cook
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON Canada
| | - Esteban J. Parra
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON Canada
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12
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Adaptations to local environments in modern human populations. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2014; 29:1-8. [PMID: 25129844 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2014.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
After leaving sub-Saharan Africa around 50000-100000 years ago, anatomically modern humans have quickly occupied extremely diverse environments. Human populations were exposed to further environmental changes resulting from cultural innovations, such as the spread of farming, which gave rise to new selective pressures related to pathogen exposures and dietary shifts. In addition to changing the frequency of individual adaptive alleles, natural selection may also shape the overall genetic architecture of adaptive traits. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the genetic architecture of adaptive human phenotypes based on insights from the studies of lactase persistence, skin pigmentation and high-altitude adaptation. These adaptations evolved in parallel in multiple human populations, providing a chance to investigate independent realizations of the evolutionary process. We suggest that the outcome of adaptive evolution is often highly variable even under similar selective pressures. Finally, we highlight a growing need for detecting adaptations that did not follow the classical sweep model and for incorporating new sources of genetic evidence such as information from ancient DNA.
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López S, García Ó, Yurrebaso I, Flores C, Acosta-Herrera M, Chen H, Gardeazabal J, Careaga JM, Boyano MD, Sánchez A, Ratón-Nieto JA, Sevilla A, Smith-Zubiaga I, de Galdeano AG, Martinez-Cadenas C, Izagirre N, de la Rúa C, Alonso S. The interplay between natural selection and susceptibility to melanoma on allele 374F of SLC45A2 gene in a South European population. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104367. [PMID: 25093503 PMCID: PMC4122405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to study the selective pressures interacting on SLC45A2 to investigate the interplay between selection and susceptibility to disease. Thus, we enrolled 500 volunteers from a geographically limited population (Basques from the North of Spain) and by resequencing the whole coding region and intron 5 of the 34 most and the 34 least pigmented individuals according to the reflectance distribution, we observed that the polymorphism Leu374Phe (L374F, rs16891982) was statistically associated with skin color variability within this sample. In particular, allele 374F was significantly more frequent among the individuals with lighter skin. Further genotyping an independent set of 558 individuals of a geographically wider population with known ancestry in the Spanish population also revealed that the frequency of L374F was significantly correlated with the incident UV radiation intensity. Selection tests suggest that allele 374F is being positively selected in South Europeans, thus indicating that depigmentation is an adaptive process. Interestingly, by genotyping 119 melanoma samples, we show that this variant is also associated with an increased susceptibility to melanoma in our populations. The ultimate driving force for this adaptation is unknown, but it is compatible with the vitamin D hypothesis. This shows that molecular evolution analysis can be used as a useful technology to predict phenotypic and biomedical consequences in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saioa López
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Óscar García
- Ertzaintza Forensic Unit, Erandio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Flores
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario N.S. de Candelaria, Tenerife, Spain
- Applied Genomics Group (G2A), Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Marialbert Acosta-Herrera
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario N.S. de Candelaria, Tenerife, Spain
- Research Unit, Universitary Hospital Dr. Negrin, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Hua Chen
- Center for Computational Genetics and Genomics, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jesús Gardeazabal
- Dermatology Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Cruces-Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jesús María Careaga
- Dermatology Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - María Dolores Boyano
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ana Sánchez
- Dermatology Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Ratón-Nieto
- Dermatology Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Cruces-Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Arrate Sevilla
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Isabel Smith-Zubiaga
- Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Alicia García de Galdeano
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Neskuts Izagirre
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Concepción de la Rúa
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Santos Alonso
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
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Abe Y, Tamiya G, Nakamura T, Hozumi Y, Suzuki T. Association of melanogenesis genes with skin color variation among Japanese females. J Dermatol Sci 2012; 69:167-72. [PMID: 23165166 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2012.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin color mainly reflects pigmentation resulting from melanin. Although many of the detailed molecular mechanisms involved in melanin pigmentation are being revealed, little is understood about the genetic components responsible for variations in skin color within or between human populations. OBJECTIVE To investigate the contribution of the melanogenesis genes to skin color variation in Japanese population. METHODS We examined the association between 12 variants of four pigmentation-related genes (TYR, OCA2, SLC45A2, MC1R) and variations in the melanin index of 456 Japanese females using a multiple regression analysis. RESULTS OCA2 A481T (p=6.18×10(-8)) and, OCA2 H615R (p=5.72×10(-6)) were strongly associated with the melanin index. In addition, our results yielded evidence for a significant association in a combined analysis of males and females (OCA2 A481T p=2.1×10(-11), and OCA2 H615R p=1.0×10(-7)). Then five surviving variants including A481T, H615R, T387M in OCA2, D125Y in TYR, and T500P in SLC45A2, accounted for contribution to about 11% of the melanin index. CONCLUSION The skin color analysis among Japanese was successfully carried out to determine the association with genetic components by using the melanin index as an objective indicator. We believe that a better understanding of the genetic basis of skin color variation will be valuable for elucidating the correlation of pigmentation phenotype with skin-cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Abe
- Department of Dermatology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan
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Abstract
Genome-wide association studies and comparative genomics have established major loci and specific polymorphisms affecting human skin, hair and eye color. Environmental changes have had an impact on selected pigmentation genes as populations have expanded into different regions of the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Sturm
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Melanogenix Group, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
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Walsh S, Liu F, Wollstein A, Kovatsi L, Ralf A, Kosiniak-Kamysz A, Branicki W, Kayser M. The HIrisPlex system for simultaneous prediction of hair and eye colour from DNA. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2012; 7:98-115. [PMID: 22917817 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2012.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Recently, the field of predicting phenotypes of externally visible characteristics (EVCs) from DNA genotypes with the final aim of concentrating police investigations to find persons completely unknown to investigating authorities, also referred to as Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP), has started to become established in forensic biology. We previously developed and forensically validated the IrisPlex system for accurate prediction of blue and brown eye colour from DNA, and recently showed that all major hair colour categories are predictable from carefully selected DNA markers. Here, we introduce the newly developed HIrisPlex system, which is capable of simultaneously predicting both hair and eye colour from DNA. HIrisPlex consists of a single multiplex assay targeting 24 eye and hair colour predictive DNA variants including all 6 IrisPlex SNPs, as well as two prediction models, a newly developed model for hair colour categories and shade, and the previously developed IrisPlex model for eye colour. The HIrisPlex assay was designed to cope with low amounts of template DNA, as well as degraded DNA, and preliminary sensitivity testing revealed full DNA profiles down to 63pg input DNA. The power of the HIrisPlex system to predict hair colour was assessed in 1551 individuals from three different parts of Europe showing different hair colour frequencies. Using a 20% subset of individuals, while 80% were used for model building, the individual-based prediction accuracies employing a prediction-guided approach were 69.5% for blond, 78.5% for brown, 80% for red and 87.5% for black hair colour on average. Results from HIrisPlex analysis on worldwide DNA samples imply that HIrisPlex hair colour prediction is reliable independent of bio-geographic ancestry (similar to previous IrisPlex findings for eye colour). We furthermore demonstrate that it is possible to infer with a prediction accuracy of >86% if a brown-eyed, black-haired individual is of non-European (excluding regions nearby Europe) versus European (including nearby regions) bio-geographic origin solely from the strength of HIrisPlex eye and hair colour probabilities, which can provide extra intelligence for future forensic applications. The HIrisPlex system introduced here, including a single multiplex test assay, an interactive tool and prediction guide, and recommendations for reporting final outcomes, represents the first tool for simultaneously establishing categorical eye and hair colour of a person from DNA. The practical forensic application of the HIrisPlex system is expected to benefit cases where other avenues of investigation, including STR profiling, provide no leads on who the unknown crime scene sample donor or the unknown missing person might be.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Walsh
- Department of Forensic Molecular Biology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Mutations in the gene OCA2 are responsible for oculocutaneous albinism type 2, but polymorphisms in and around OCA2 have also been associated with normal pigment variation. In Europeans, three haplotypes in the region have been shown to be associated with eye pigmentation and a missense SNP (rs1800407) has been associated with green/hazel eyes (Branicki et al. in Ann Hum Genet 73:160–170, 2009). In addition, a missense mutation (rs1800414) is a candidate for light skin pigmentation in East Asia (Yuasa et al. in Biochem Genet 45:535–542, 2007; Anno et al. in Int J Biol Sci 4, 2008). We have genotyped 3,432 individuals from 72 populations for 21 SNPs in the OCA2-HERC2 region including those previously associated with eye or skin pigmentation. We report that the blue-eye associated alleles at all three haplotypes were found at high frequencies in Europe; however, one is restricted to Europe and surrounding regions, while the other two are found at moderate to high frequencies throughout the world. We also observed that the derived allele of rs1800414 is essentially limited to East Asia where it is found at high frequencies. Long-range haplotype tests provide evidence of selection for the blue-eye allele at the three haplotyped systems but not for the green/hazel eye SNP allele. We also saw evidence of selection at the derived allele of rs1800414 in East Asia. Our data suggest that the haplotype restricted to Europe is the strongest marker for blue eyes globally and add further inferential evidence that the derived allele of rs1800414 is an East Asian skin pigmentation allele.
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Yuasa I, Harihara S, Jin F, Nishimukai H, Fujihara J, Fukumori Y, Takeshita H, Umetsu K, Saitou N. Distribution of OCA2∗481Thr and OCA2∗615Arg, associated with hypopigmentation, in several additional populations. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2011; 13:215-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2011.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2010] [Revised: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Prediction of eye and skin color in diverse populations using seven SNPs. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2010; 5:472-8. [PMID: 21050833 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2010.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Revised: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
An essential component in identifying human remains is the documentation of the decedent's visible characteristics, such as eye, hair and skin color. However, if a decedent is decomposed or only skeletal remains are found, this critical, visibly identifying information is lost. It would be beneficial to use genetic information to reveal these visible characteristics. In this study, seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located in and nearby genes known for their important role in pigmentation, were validated on 554 samples, donated from non-related individuals of various populations. Six SNPs were used in predicting the eye color of an individual, and all seven were used to describe the skin coloration. The outcome revealed that these markers can be applied to all populations with very low error rates. However, the call-rate to determine the skin coloration varied between populations, demonstrating its complexity. Overall, these results prove the importance of these seven SNPs for potential forensic tests.
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Yuasa I, Umetsu K, Matsusue A, Nishimukai H, Harihara S, Fukumori Y, Saitou N, Jin F, Chattopadhyay PK, Henke L, Henke J. A Japanese-specific allele in the GALNT11 gene. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2010; 12:208-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2010.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Revised: 03/29/2010] [Accepted: 04/04/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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21
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Edwards M, Bigham A, Tan J, Li S, Gozdzik A, Ross K, Jin L, Parra EJ. Association of the OCA2 polymorphism His615Arg with melanin content in east Asian populations: further evidence of convergent evolution of skin pigmentation. PLoS Genet 2010; 6:e1000867. [PMID: 20221248 PMCID: PMC2832666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2009] [Accepted: 01/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed important advances in our understanding of the genetics of pigmentation in European populations, but very little is known about the genes involved in skin pigmentation variation in East Asian populations. Here, we present the results of a study evaluating the association of 10 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) located within 5 pigmentation candidate genes (OCA2, DCT, ADAM17, ADAMTS20, and TYRP1) with skin pigmentation measured quantitatively in a sample of individuals of East Asian ancestry living in Canada. We show that the non-synonymous polymorphism rs1800414 (His615Arg) located within the OCA2 gene is significantly associated with skin pigmentation in this sample. We replicated this result in an independent sample of Chinese individuals of Han ancestry. This polymorphism is characterized by a derived allele that is present at a high frequency in East Asian populations, but is absent in other population groups. In both samples, individuals with the derived G allele, which codes for the amino acid arginine, show lower melanin levels than those with the ancestral A allele, which codes for the amino acid histidine. An analysis of this non-synonymous polymorphism using several programs to predict potential functional effects provides additional support for the role of this SNP in skin pigmentation variation in East Asian populations. Our results are consistent with previous research indicating that evolution to lightly-pigmented skin occurred, at least in part, independently in Europe and East Asia. Our knowledge of the genetic basis of normal pigmentation variation in human populations is quite incomplete. Recent studies have identified some of the genes responsible for the reduction in melanin content in European populations, but this is not the case for other population groups, such as East Asians. Here, we report that a genetic variant located within the gene OCA2 (rs1800414) is associated with skin pigmentation in two samples of East Asian ancestry. The allele associated with lower melanin levels is found at high frequencies in East Asian populations, but is absent or at very low frequencies in other population groups. This is one of the first reports of association of genetic markers with quantitative measures of pigmentation in East Asian populations and it confirms previous evidence indicating that evolution towards light skin occurred, at least in part, independently in Europe and East Asia. The OCA2 gene has been under positive selection in Europe and East Asia, but different alleles have been selected in each region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Edwards
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abigail Bigham
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jinze Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shilin Li
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Agnes Gozdzik
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kendra Ross
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Li Jin
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Esteban J. Parra
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Bouakaze C, Keyser C, Crubézy E, Montagnon D, Ludes B. Pigment phenotype and biogeographical ancestry from ancient skeletal remains: inferences from multiplexed autosomal SNP analysis. Int J Legal Med 2009; 123:315-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-009-0348-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 04/07/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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