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Liu J, Bitsue HK, Yang Z. Skin colour: A window into human phenotypic evolution and environmental adaptation. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17369. [PMID: 38713101 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
As modern humans ventured out of Africa and dispersed around the world, they faced novel environmental challenges that led to geographic adaptations including skin colour. Over the long history of human evolution, skin colour has changed dramatically, showing tremendous diversity across different geographical regions, for example, the majority of individuals from the expansive lands of Africa have darker skin, whereas the majority of people from Eurasia exhibit lighter skin. What adaptations did lighter skin confer upon modern humans as they migrated from Africa to Eurasia? What genetic mechanisms underlie the diversity of skin colour observed in different populations? In recent years, scientists have gradually gained a deeper understanding of the interactions between pigmentation gene and skin colour through population-based genomic studies of different groups around the world, particularly in East Asia and Africa. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of 26 skin colour-related pigmentation genes and 48 SNPs that influence skin colour. Important pigmentation genes across three major populations are described in detail: MFSD12, SLC24A5, PDPK1 and DDB1/CYB561A3/TMEM138 influence skin colour in African populations; OCA2, KITLG, SLC24A2, GNPAT and PAH are key to the evolution of skin pigmentation in East Asian populations; and SLC24A5, SLC45A2, TYR, TYRP1, ASIP, MC1R and IRF4 significantly contribute to the lightening of skin colour in European populations. We summarized recent findings in genomic studies of skin colour in populations that implicate diverse geographic environments, local adaptation among populations, gene flow and multi-gene interactions as factors influencing skin colour diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuming Liu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Habtom K Bitsue
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhaohui Yang
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Pu Y, Pu S, Chen Y, Kong Q, Liu X, Zhao Q, Xu K, Liu J, Li M, Xu X, Qiao X, Su B, Chen J, Yang Z. Weakened tanning ability is an important mechanism for evolutionary skin lightening in East Asians. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00038-9. [PMID: 38461943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of light-skin pigmentation among Eurasians is considered as an adaptation to the high-latitude environments. East Asians are ideal populations for studying skin color evolution because of the complex environment of East Asia. Here, we report a strong selection signal for the pigmentation gene phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) in light-skinned Han Chinese individuals. The intron mutation rs10778203 in PAH is enriched in East Asians and is significantly associated with skin color of the back of the hand in Han Chinese males (P < 0.05). In vitro luciferase and transcription factor binding assays show that the ancestral allele of rs10778203 could bind to SMAD2 and has a significant enhancer activity for PAH. However, the derived T allele (the major allele in East Asians) of rs10778203 decreases the binding activity of transcription factors and enhancer activity. Meanwhile, the derived T allele of rs10778203 shows a weaker ultraviolet radiation response in A375 cells and zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, rs10778203 decreases melanin production in transgenic zebrafish embryos after ultraviolet B (UVB) treatment. Collectively, PAH is a potential pigmentation gene that regulates skin tanning ability. Natural selection has enriched the adaptive allele, resulting in weakened tanning ability in East Asians, suggesting a unique genetic mechanism for evolutionary skin lightening in East Asians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwei Pu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Siyu Pu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Laboratory of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yanyan Chen
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Qinghong Kong
- Guizhou Provincial College-based Key Lab for Tumor Prevention and Treatment with Distinctive Medicines, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Xuyang Liu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Jiuming Liu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xiaoyang Qiao
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Bing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China; Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Laboratory of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
| | - Zhaohui Yang
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.
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Chong Y, Tu X, Lu Y, Gao Z, He X, Hong J, Wu J, Wu D, Xi D, Deng W. Two High-Quality Cygnus Genome Assemblies Reveal Genomic Variations Associated with Plumage Color. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16953. [PMID: 38069278 PMCID: PMC10707585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
As an exemplary model for examining molecular mechanisms responsible for extreme phenotypic variations, plumage color has garnered significant interest. The Cygnus genus features two species, Cygnus olor and Cygnus atratus, that exhibit striking disparities in plumage color. However, the molecular foundation for this differentiation has remained elusive. Herein, we present two high-quality genomes for C. olor and C. atratus, procured using the Illumina and Nanopore technologies. The assembled genome of C. olor was 1.12 Gb in size with a contig N50 of 26.82 Mb, while its counterpart was 1.13 Gb in size with a contig N50 of 21.91 Mb. A comparative analysis unveiled three genes (TYR, SLC45A2, and SLC7A11) with structural variants in the melanogenic pathway. Notably, we also identified a novel gene, PWWP domain containing 2A (PWWP2A), that is related to plumage color, for the first time. Using targeted gene modification analysis, we demonstrated the potential genetic effect of the PWWP2A variant on pigment gene expression and melanin production. Finally, our findings offer insight into the intricate pattern of pigmentation and the role of polygenes in birds. Furthermore, these two high-quality genome references provide a comprehensive resource and perspective for comparative functional and genetic studies of evolution within the Cygnus genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Chong
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Y.C.); (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (X.H.); (J.H.); (J.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Xiaolong Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China;
| | - Ying Lu
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Y.C.); (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (X.H.); (J.H.); (J.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Zhendong Gao
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Y.C.); (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (X.H.); (J.H.); (J.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Xiaoming He
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Y.C.); (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (X.H.); (J.H.); (J.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Jieyun Hong
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Y.C.); (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (X.H.); (J.H.); (J.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Jiao Wu
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Y.C.); (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (X.H.); (J.H.); (J.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Dongdong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China;
| | - Dongmei Xi
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Y.C.); (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (X.H.); (J.H.); (J.W.); (D.X.)
| | - Weidong Deng
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Y.C.); (Y.L.); (Z.G.); (X.H.); (J.H.); (J.W.); (D.X.)
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Iwasaki RL, Satta Y. Spatial and temporal diversity of positive selection on shared haplotypes at the PSCA locus among worldwide human populations. Heredity (Edinb) 2023:10.1038/s41437-023-00631-8. [PMID: 37353592 PMCID: PMC10382566 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00631-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Selection on standing genetic variation is important for rapid local genetic adaptation when the environment changes. We report that, for the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) gene, different populations have different target haplotypes, even though haplotypes are shared among populations. The C-C-A haplotype, whereby the first C is located at rs2294008 of PSCA and is a low risk allele for gastric cancer, has become a target of positive selection in Asia. Conversely, the C-A-G haplotype carrying the same C allele has become a selection target mainly in Africa. However, Asian and African share both haplotypes, consistent with the haplotype divergence time (170 kya) prior to the out-of-Africa dispersal. The frequency of C-C-A/C-A-G is 0.344/0.278 in Asia and 0.209/0.416 in Africa. Two-dimensional site frequency spectrum analysis revealed that the extent of intra-allelic variability of the target haplotype is extremely small in each local population, suggesting that C-C-A or C-A-G is under ongoing hard sweeps in local populations. From the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of selected haplotypes, the onset times of positive selection were recent (3-55 kya), concurrently with population subdivision from a common ancestor. Additionally, estimated selection coefficients from ABC analysis were up to ~3%, similar to those at other loci under recent positive selection. Phylogeny of local populations and TMRCA of selected haplotypes revealed that spatial and temporal switching of positive selection targets is a unique and novel feature of ongoing selection at PSCA. This switching may reflect the potential of rapid adaptability to distinct environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa L Iwasaki
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, School of Advanced Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193, Japan
- Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193, Japan
| | - Yoko Satta
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, School of Advanced Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193, Japan.
- Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193, Japan.
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Asadollahpour Nanaei H, Cai Y, Alshawi A, Wen J, Hussain T, Fu WW, Xu NY, Essa A, Lenstra JA, Wang X, Jiang Y, Wang X, Jiang Y. Genomic analysis of indigenous goats in Southwest Asia reveals evidence of ancient adaptive introgression related to desert climate. Zool Res 2023; 44:20-29. [PMID: 36257823 PMCID: PMC9841177 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how evolutionary pressures related to climate change have shaped the current genetic background of domestic animals is a fundamental pursuit of biology. Here, we generated whole-genome sequencing data from native goat populations in Iraq and Pakistan. Combined with previously published data on modern, ancient (Late Neolithic to Medieval periods), and wild Capra species worldwide, we explored the genetic population structure, ancestry components, and signatures of natural positive selection in native goat populations in Southwest Asia (SWA). Results revealed that the genetic structure of SWA goats was deeply influenced by gene flow from the eastern Mediterranean during the Chalcolithic period, which may reflect adaptation to gradual warming and aridity in the region. Furthermore, comparative genomic analysis revealed adaptive introgression of the KITLG locus from the Nubian ibex ( C. nubiana) into African and SWA goats. The frequency of the selected allele at this locus was significantly higher among goat populations located near northeastern Africa. These results provide new insights into the genetic composition and history of goat populations in the SWA region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojjat Asadollahpour Nanaei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yudong Cai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Akil Alshawi
- Department of Internal and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Bagdad 10090, Iraq
| | - Jiayue Wen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Tanveer Hussain
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Wei-Wei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Nai-Yi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Abdulameer Essa
- Animal Genetics Resources Department, Directorate of Animal Resources, the Ministry of Iraqi Agriculture, Baghdad 10081, Iraq
| | - Johannes A. Lenstra
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Xihong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China,E-mail:
| | - Yu Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China,
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Kataria S, Dabas P, Saraswathy KN, Sachdeva MP, Jain S. Investigating the morphology and genetics of scalp and facial hair characteristics for phenotype prediction. Sci Justice 2023; 63:135-148. [PMID: 36631178 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Microscopic traits and ultrastructure of hair such as cross-sectional shape, pigmentation, curvature, and internal structure help determine the level of variations between and across human populations. Apart from cosmetics and anthropological applications, such as determining species, somatic origin (body area), and biogeographic ancestry, the evidential value of hair has increased with rapid progression in the area of forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP). Individuals differ in the features of their scalp hair (greying, shape, colour, balding, thickness, and density) and facial hair (eyebrow thickness, monobrow, and beard thickness) features. Scalp and facial hair characteristics are genetically controlled and lead to visible inter-individual variations within and among populations of various ethnic origins. Hence, these characteristics can be exploited and made more inclusive in FDP, thereby leading to more comprehensive, accurate, and robust prediction models for forensic purposes. The present article focuses on understanding the genetics of scalp and facial hair characteristics with the goal to develop a more inclusive approach to better understand hair biology by integrating hair microscopy with genetics for genotype-phenotype correlation research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj Kataria
- Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, India.
| | - Prashita Dabas
- Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | | | - M P Sachdeva
- Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, India.
| | - Sonal Jain
- Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, India.
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Genetic Variants in Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Contribute to Solar Lentigines. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 143:1062-1072.e25. [PMID: 36572090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Solar lentigines (SLs) are a hallmark of human skin aging. They result from chronic exposure to sunlight and other environmental stressors. Recent studies also imply genetic factors, but findings are partially conflicting and lack of replication. Through a multi-trait based analysis strategy, we discovered that genetic variants in telomerase reverse transcriptase were significantly associated with non-facial SL in two East Asian (Taizhou longitudinal cohort, n = 2,964 and National Survey of Physical Traits, n = 2,954) and one Caucasian population (SALIA, n = 462), top SNP rs2853672 (P-value for Taizhou longitudinal cohort = 1.32 × 10‒28 and P-value for National Survey of Physical Traits = 3.66 × 10‒17 and P-value for SALIA = 0.0007 and Pmeta = 4.93 × 10‒44). The same variants were nominally associated with facial SL but not with other skin aging or skin pigmentation traits. The SL-enhanced allele/haplotype upregulated the transcription of the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene. Of note, well-known telomerase reverse transcriptase‒related aging markers such as leukocyte telomere length and intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration were not associated with SL. Our results indicate a previously unrecognized role of telomerase reverse transcriptase in skin aging‒related lentigines formation.
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Uzamere I, Wang Y, Zheng T, Zhu Y. Genetic determinants for the racial disparities in the risk of prostate and testicular cancers. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2022; 2:138. [PMID: 36352009 PMCID: PMC9630379 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-022-00205-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A worldwide higher incidence of prostate cancer and lower incidence of testicular cancer in men of African ancestry compared to European ancestry has been observed previously. However, underlying mechanisms accounting for these observations are largely unknown. METHODS The current study analyzed previously reported SNPs associated with either prostate cancer or testicular cancer to examine whether the risk allele frequency could help us understand the observed incidence disparities in men of African ancestry and European ancestry. Both t-test and regression analysis were performed. RESULTS Here we show that men of African ancestry are more likely to have risk alleles of prostate cancer and less likely to have risk alleles of testicular cancer compared to men of European ancestry. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that genetic factors may play an important role in the racial disparities in the risk of prostate and testicular cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivie Uzamere
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Yinqiao Wang
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Tongzhang Zheng
- grid.40263.330000 0004 1936 9094Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912 USA
| | - Yong Zhu
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
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Abstract
Strong ultraviolet (UV) radiation at high altitude imposes a serious selective pressure, which may induce skin pigmentation adaptation of indigenous populations. We conducted skin pigmentation phenotyping and genome-wide analysis of Tibetans in order to understand the underlying mechanism of adaptation to UV radiation. We observe that Tibetans have darker baseline skin color compared with lowland Han Chinese, as well as an improved tanning ability, suggesting a two-level adaptation to boost their melanin production. A genome-wide search for the responsible genes identifies GNPAT showing strong signals of positive selection in Tibetans. An enhancer mutation (rs75356281) located in GNPAT intron 2 is enriched in Tibetans (58%) but rare in other world populations (0 to 18%). The adaptive allele of rs75356281 is associated with darker skin in Tibetans and, under UVB treatment, it displays higher enhancer activities compared with the wild-type allele in in vitro luciferase assays. Transcriptome analyses of gene-edited cells clearly show that with UVB treatment, the adaptive variant of GNPAT promotes melanin synthesis, likely through the interactions of CAT and ACAA1 in peroxisomes with other pigmentation genes, and they act synergistically, leading to an improved tanning ability in Tibetans for UV protection.
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Dong H, Dong Z, Wang F, Wang G, Luo X, Lei C, Chen J. Whole Genome Sequencing Provides New Insights Into the Genetic Diversity and Coat Color of Asiatic Wild Ass and Its Hybrids. Front Genet 2022; 13:818420. [PMID: 35646088 PMCID: PMC9135160 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.818420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of livestock coat color results from human positive selection and is an indispensable part of breed registration. As an important biodiversity resource, Asiatic wild ass has many special characteristics, including the most visualized feature, its yellowish-brown coat color, and excellent adaptation. To explore the genetic mechanisms of phenotypic characteristics in Asiatic wild ass and its hybrids, we resequenced the whole genome of one Mongolian Kulan (a subspecies of Asiatic wild ass) and 29 Kulan hybrids (Mongolian Kulan ♂×Xinjiang♀), and the ancestor composition indicated the true lineage of the hybrids. XP-EHH (Cross Population Extended Haplotype Homozygosity), θπ-ratio (Nucleotide Diversity Ratio), CLR (Composite Likelihood Ratio) and θπ (Nucleotide Diversity) methods were used to detect the candidate regions of positive selection in Asiatic wild ass and its hybrids. Several immune genes (DEFA1, DEFA5, DEFA7, GIMAP4, GIMAP1, IGLC1, IGLL5, GZMB and HLA) were observed by the CLR and θπ methods. XP-EHH and θπ-ratio revealed that these genes are potentially responsible for coat color (KITLG) and meat quality traits (PDE1B and MYLK2). Furthermore, the heatmap was able to show the clear difference in the haplotype of the KITLG gene between the Kulan hybrids and Asiatic wild ass group and the Guanzhong black donkey group, which is a powerful demonstration of the key role of KITLG in donkey color. Therefore, our study may provide new insights into the genetic basis of coat color, meat quality traits and immunity of Asiatic wild ass and its hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Dong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, SHIHEZI University, Shihezi, China
| | - Zheng Dong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Fuwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xiaoyu Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Chuzhao Lei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jingbo Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, SHIHEZI University, Shihezi, China
- *Correspondence: Jingbo Chen,
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Conrad D, Kehl A, Beitzinger C, Metzler T, Steiger K, Pfarr N, Fischer K, Klopfleisch R, Aupperle-Lellbach H. Molecular Genetic Investigation of Digital Melanoma in Dogs. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9020056. [PMID: 35202309 PMCID: PMC8874500 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9020056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine digital melanoma, in contrast to canine oral melanoma, is still largely unexplored at the molecular genetic level. The aim of this study was to detect mutant genes in digital melanoma. Paraffin-embedded samples from 86 canine digital melanomas were examined for the BRAF V595E variant by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), and for exon 11 mutations in c-kit. Furthermore, exons 2 and 3 of KRAS and NRAS were analysed by Sanger sequencing. Copy number variations (CNV) of KITLG in genomic DNA were analysed from nine dogs. The BRAF V595E variant was absent and in c-kit, a single nucleotide polymorphism was found in 16/70 tumours (23%). The number of copies of KITLG varied between 4 and 6. KRAS exon 2 codons 12 and 13 were mutated in 22/86 (25.6%) of the melanomas examined. Other mutually exclusive RAS mutations were found within the hotspot loci, i.e., KRAS exon 3 codon 61: 2/55 (3.6%); NRAS exon 2 codons 12 and 13: 2/83 (2.4%); and NRAS exon 3 codon 61: 9/86 (10.5%). However, no correlation could be established between histological malignancy criteria, survival times and the presence of RAS mutations. In summary, canine digital melanoma differs from molecular genetic data of canine oral melanoma and human melanoma, especially regarding the proportion of RAS mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Conrad
- Department of Pathology, LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany;
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexandra Kehl
- Department of Molecular Biology, LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (A.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Christoph Beitzinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (A.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Thomas Metzler
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, 81675 München, Germany; (T.M.); (K.S.); (N.P.)
| | - Katja Steiger
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, 81675 München, Germany; (T.M.); (K.S.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicole Pfarr
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, 81675 München, Germany; (T.M.); (K.S.); (N.P.)
| | - Konrad Fischer
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany;
| | - Robert Klopfleisch
- Department of Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany;
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12
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Jablonski NG. The evolution of human skin pigmentation involved the interactions of genetic, environmental, and cultural variables. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2021; 34:707-729. [PMID: 33825328 PMCID: PMC8359960 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The primary biological role of human skin pigmentation is as a mediator of penetration of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) into the deep layers of skin and the cutaneous circulation. Since the origin of Homo sapiens, dark, protective constitutive pigmentation and strong tanning abilities have been favored under conditions of high UVR and represent the baseline condition for modern humans. The evolution of partly depigmented skin and variable tanning abilities has occurred multiple times in prehistory, as populations have dispersed into environments with lower and more seasonal UVR regimes, with unique complements of genes and cultural practices. The evolution of extremes of dark pigmentation and depigmentation has been rare and occurred only under conditions of extremely high or low environmental UVR, promoted by positive selection on variant pigmentation genes followed by limited gene flow. Over time, the evolution of human skin pigmentation has been influenced by the nature and course of human dispersals and modifications of cultural practices, which have modified the nature and actions of skin pigmentation genes. Throughout most of prehistory and history, the evolution of human skin pigmentation has been a contingent and non-deterministic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina G. Jablonski
- Department of AnthropologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
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13
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Life History Is a Major Source of Adaptive Individual and Species Differences: a Critical Commentary on Zietsch and Sidari (2020). EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40806-021-00280-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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14
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Wiener P, Robert C, Ahbara A, Salavati M, Abebe A, Kebede A, Wragg D, Friedrich J, Vasoya D, Hume DA, Djikeng A, Watson M, Prendergast JGD, Hanotte O, Mwacharo JM, Clark EL. Whole-Genome Sequence Data Suggest Environmental Adaptation of Ethiopian Sheep Populations. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evab014. [PMID: 33501931 PMCID: PMC7955157 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Great progress has been made over recent years in the identification of selection signatures in the genomes of livestock species. This work has primarily been carried out in commercial breeds for which the dominant selection pressures are associated with artificial selection. As agriculture and food security are likely to be strongly affected by climate change, a better understanding of environment-imposed selection on agricultural species is warranted. Ethiopia is an ideal setting to investigate environmental adaptation in livestock due to its wide variation in geo-climatic characteristics and the extensive genetic and phenotypic variation of its livestock. Here, we identified over three million single nucleotide variants across 12 Ethiopian sheep populations and applied landscape genomics approaches to investigate the association between these variants and environmental variables. Our results suggest that environmental adaptation for precipitation-related variables is stronger than that related to altitude or temperature, consistent with large-scale meta-analyses of selection pressure across species. The set of genes showing association with environmental variables was enriched for genes highly expressed in human blood and nerve tissues. There was also evidence of enrichment for genes associated with high-altitude adaptation although no strong association was identified with hypoxia-inducible-factor (HIF) genes. One of the strongest altitude-related signals was for a collagen gene, consistent with previous studies of high-altitude adaptation. Several altitude-associated genes also showed evidence of adaptation with temperature, suggesting a relationship between responses to these environmental factors. These results provide a foundation to investigate further the effects of climatic variables on small ruminant populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Wiener
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Christelle Robert
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Abulgasim Ahbara
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Zoology, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
| | - Mazdak Salavati
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Ayele Abebe
- Debre Berhan Research Centre, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Adebabay Kebede
- Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
- LiveGene, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - David Wragg
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Juliane Friedrich
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Deepali Vasoya
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - David A Hume
- Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Appolinaire Djikeng
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Mick Watson
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - James G D Prendergast
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Olivier Hanotte
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
- LiveGene, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Joram M Mwacharo
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Emily L Clark
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Midlothian, United Kingdom
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15
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Stern AJ, Speidel L, Zaitlen NA, Nielsen R. Disentangling selection on genetically correlated polygenic traits via whole-genome genealogies. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:219-239. [PMID: 33440170 PMCID: PMC7895848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a full-likelihood method to infer polygenic adaptation from DNA sequence variation and GWAS summary statistics to quantify recent transient directional selection acting on a complex trait. Through simulations of polygenic trait architecture evolution and GWASs, we show the method substantially improves power over current methods. We examine the robustness of the method under stratification, uncertainty and bias in marginal effects, uncertainty in the causal SNPs, allelic heterogeneity, negative selection, and low GWAS sample size. The method can quantify selection acting on correlated traits, controlling for pleiotropy even among traits with strong genetic correlation (|rg|=80%) while retaining high power to attribute selection to the causal trait. When the causal trait is excluded from analysis, selection is attributed to its closest proxy. We discuss limitations of the method, cautioning against strongly causal interpretations of the results, and the possibility of undetectable gene-by-environment (GxE) interactions. We apply the method to 56 human polygenic traits, revealing signals of directional selection on pigmentation, life history, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and other traits. We also conduct joint testing of 137 pairs of genetically correlated traits, revealing widespread correlated response acting on these traits (2.6-fold enrichment, p = 1.5 × 10-7). Signs of selection on some traits previously reported as adaptive (e.g., educational attainment and hair color) are largely attributable to correlated response (p = 2.9 × 10-6 and 1.7 × 10-4, respectively). Lastly, our joint test shows antagonistic selection has increased type 2 diabetes risk and decrease HbA1c (p = 1.5 × 10-5).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Stern
- Graduate Group in Computational Biology, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94703, USA.
| | - Leo Speidel
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Noah A Zaitlen
- David Geffen School of Medicine, UC Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rasmus Nielsen
- Department of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94703, USA; Department of Statistics, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94703, USA
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16
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Vicuña L, Klimenkova O, Norambuena T, Martinez FI, Fernandez MI, Shchur V, Eyheramendy S. Postadmixture Selection on Chileans Targets Haplotype Involved in Pigmentation, Thermogenesis and Immune Defense against Pathogens. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 12:1459-1470. [PMID: 32614437 PMCID: PMC7487163 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of positive selection signatures in populations around the world is helping to uncover recent human evolutionary history as well as the genetic basis of diseases. Most human evolutionary genomic studies have been performed in European, African, and Asian populations. However, populations with Native American ancestry have been largely underrepresented. Here, we used a genome-wide local ancestry enrichment approach complemented with neutral simulations to identify postadmixture adaptations underwent by admixed Chileans through gene flow from Europeans into local Native Americans. The top significant hits (P = 2.4×10-7) are variants in a region on chromosome 12 comprising multiple regulatory elements. This region includes rs12821256, which regulates the expression of KITLG, a well-known gene involved in lighter hair and skin pigmentation in Europeans as well as in thermogenesis. Another variant from that region is associated with the long noncoding RNA RP11-13A1.1, which has been specifically involved in the innate immune response against infectious pathogens. Our results suggest that these genes were relevant for adaptation in Chileans following the Columbian exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Vicuña
- Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile
| | - Olga Klimenkova
- National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tomás Norambuena
- Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe I Martinez
- Center for Intercultural and Indigenous Research, School of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario I Fernandez
- Department of Urology, Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vladimir Shchur
- National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Susana Eyheramendy
- Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Investigación sobre los Fundamentos de los Datos (IMFD)
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17
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Genome-Wide Changes in Genetic Diversity in a Population of Myotis lucifugus Affected by White-Nose Syndrome. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:2007-2020. [PMID: 32276959 PMCID: PMC7263666 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Novel pathogens can cause massive declines in populations, and even extirpation of hosts. But disease can also act as a selective pressure on survivors, driving the evolution of resistance or tolerance. Bat white-nose syndrome (WNS) is a rapidly spreading wildlife disease in North America. The fungus causing the disease invades skin tissues of hibernating bats, resulting in disruption of hibernation behavior, premature energy depletion, and subsequent death. We used whole-genome sequencing to investigate changes in allele frequencies within a population of Myotis lucifugus in eastern North America to search for genetic resistance to WNS. Our results show low FST values within the population across time, i.e., prior to WNS (Pre-WNS) compared to the population that has survived WNS (Post-WNS). However, when dividing the population with a geographical cut-off between the states of Pennsylvania and New York, a sharp increase in values on scaffold GL429776 is evident in the Post-WNS samples. Genes present in the diverged area are associated with thermoregulation and promotion of brown fat production. Thus, although WNS may not have subjected the entire M. lucifugus population to selective pressure, it may have selected for specific alleles in Pennsylvania through decreased gene flow within the population. However, the persistence of remnant sub-populations in the aftermath of WNS is likely due to multiple factors in bat life history.
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18
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Yang Z, Liu S, Wang Y, Chen Y, Zhang P, Liu Y, Zhang H, Zhang P, Tao Z, Xiong K. High expression of KITLG is a new hallmark activating the MAPK pathway in type A and AB thymoma. Thorac Cancer 2020; 11:1944-1954. [PMID: 32463597 PMCID: PMC7327682 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background KIT proto‐oncogene ligand (KITLG) is a pleiotropic factor which is found in diverse cancers and is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. However, the value of KITLG in thymoma remains unclear. Methods A total of 121 thymoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas Thymoma (TCGA‐THYM) dataset were used to analyze KITLG related genome‐wide expression profiles, and microRNA profiles and methylation alterations and a GEO dataset‐GSE29695, including 37 samples was used as verification. For cell‐based studies, specific small interfering RNA targeting KITLG or a KITLG overexpression vector were used to clarify the changes of the MAPK pathway in an AB thymoma cell line Thy0517. Results Both datasets showed that high expression of KITLG was significantly associated with type A and AB thymoma. Through multiomic analysis of the TCGA‐THYM, it was found that with the high expression of KITLG, there were 220 upregulated and 72 downregulated genes at the mRNA level, 79 positive and 78 negative miRNAs, 28 hypermethylation and 163 hypomethylation regions. In the thymoma cell line Thy0517, it was found that the expression of GRB2 and the phosphorylation levels of BRAF, MEK1/2, and ERK1/2 in the MAPK pathway were positively correlated with the change in KITLG. Conclusions High expression of KITLG is a new hallmark of WHO type A and AB thymomas in which it might play a critical role through the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Additionally, it is hoped that KITLG will become a potential target for the diagnosis of type A and AB thymoma through further research in the future. Key points Significant findings of the study KIT proto‐oncogene ligand (KITLG) is a new hallmark of type A and AB thymomas which induce a series of aberrant alteration of mRNA, miRNA and DNA methylation. The expression of KITLG is significantly higher in type A and AB than other subtypes of thymoma. What this study adds KITLG activated the MAPK signaling pathway to promote type A and AB thymoma which might be a potential diagnostic biomarker or target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyu Yang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shinan Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanguo Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yimei Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ziyou Tao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Kai Xiong
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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19
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Weich K, Affolter V, York D, Rebhun R, Grahn R, Kallenberg A, Bannasch D. Pigment Intensity in Dogs is Associated with a Copy Number Variant Upstream of KITLG. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11010075. [PMID: 31936656 PMCID: PMC7017362 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dogs exhibit a wide variety of coat color types, and many genes have been identified that control pigment production, appearance, and distribution. Some breeds, such as the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR), exhibit variation in pheomelanin pigment intensity that is not explained by known genetic variants. A genome-wide association study comparing light red to dark red in the NSDTR identified a significantly associated region on canine chromosome 15 (CFA 15:23 Mb–38 Mb). Coverage analysis of whole genome sequence data from eight dogs identified a 6 kb copy number variant (CNV) 152 kb upstream of KITLG. Genotyping with digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) confirmed a significant association between an increased copy number with the dark-red coat color in NSDTR (p = 6.1 × 10−7). The copy number of the CNV was also significantly associated with coat color variation in both eumelanin and pheomelanin-based Poodles (p = 1.5 × 10−8, 4.0 × 10−9) and across other breeds. Moreover, the copy number correlated with pigment intensity along the hair shaft in both pheomelanin and eumelanin coats. KITLG plays an important role in melanogenesis, and variants upstream of KITLG have been associated with coat color variation in mice as well as hair color in humans consistent with its role in the domestic dog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalie Weich
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Verena Affolter
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Daniel York
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (D.Y.); (R.R.)
| | - Robert Rebhun
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (D.Y.); (R.R.)
| | - Robert Grahn
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (R.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Angelica Kallenberg
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (R.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Danika Bannasch
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-530-754-8728
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Guo J, Zhong J, Li L, Zhong T, Wang L, Song T, Zhang H. Comparative genome analyses reveal the unique genetic composition and selection signals underlying the phenotypic characteristics of three Chinese domestic goat breeds. Genet Sel Evol 2019; 51:70. [PMID: 31771503 PMCID: PMC6880376 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-019-0512-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As one of the important livestock species around the world, goats provide abundant meat, milk, and fiber to fulfill basic human needs. However, the genetic loci that underlie phenotypic variations in domestic goats are largely unknown, particularly for economically important traits. In this study, we sequenced the whole genome of 38 goats from three Chinese breeds (Chengdu Brown, Jintang Black, and Tibetan Cashmere) and downloaded the genome sequence data of 30 goats from five other breeds (four non-Chinese and one Chinese breed) and 21 Bezoar ibexes to investigate the genetic composition and selection signatures of the Chinese goat breeds after domestication. RESULTS Based on population structure analysis and FST values (average FST = 0.22), the genetic composition of Chengdu Brown goats differs considerably from that of Bezoar ibexes as a result of geographic isolation. Strikingly, the genes under selection that we identified in Tibetan Cashmere goats were significantly enriched in the categories hair growth and bone and nervous system development, possibly because they are involved in adaptation to high-altitude. In particular, we found a large difference in allele frequency of one novel SNP (c.-253G>A) in the 5'-UTR of FGF5 between Cashmere goats and goat breeds with short hair. The mutation at this site introduces a start codon that results in the occurrence of a premature FGF5 protein and is likely a natural causal variant that is involved in the long hair phenotype of cashmere goats. The haplotype tagged with the AGG-allele in exon 12 of DSG3, which encodes a cell adhesion molecule that is expressed mainly in the skin, was almost fixed in Tibetan Cashmere goats, whereas this locus still segregates in the lowland goat breeds. The pigmentation gene KITLG showed a strong signature of selection in Tibetan Cashmere goats. The genes ASIP and LCORL were identified as being under positive selection in Jintang Black goats. CONCLUSIONS After domestication, geographic isolation of some goat breeds has resulted in distinct genetic structures. Furthermore, our work highlights several positively selected genes that likely contributed to breed-related traits in domestic goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhong Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Jie Zhong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Li Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Tao Zhong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Linjie Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Tianzeng Song
- Institute of Animal Science, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, 850009 China
| | - Hongping Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
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Burunat E. Love is a physiological motivation (like hunger, thirst, sleep or sex). Med Hypotheses 2019; 129:109225. [PMID: 31371074 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The multitude of terms associated with love has given rise to a false perception of love. In this paper, only maternal and romantic love are considered. Love is usually regarded as a feeling, motivation, addiction, passion, and, above all, an emotion. This confusion has consequences in the lives of human beings, leading not only to divorces, suicides, femicides but possibly also to a number of mental illnesses and suffering. Therefore, it is crucial to first clarify what is meant by emotion, motivation and love. This work aims to finally place love within the category of physiological motivations, such as hunger, thirst, sleep, or sex, on the basis that love is also essential for human survival, especially in childhood. Love is presented from an evolutionary perspective. Some other similarities between love and other physiological motivations are pointed out, such as its importance for appropriate human development, both its ontogeny and its permanence, and the long-lasting consequences of abuse and neglect. There are summarized reasons that account for this, such as the fact that physiological motivations are essential for survival and that love is an essential motivation for the survival of human offspring. Other reasons are that minimum changes in the quantity and quality of love alters development, that there can be a variety of neurophysiological and behavioural states within a motivation, and that motivations (also love) appear and change throughout development. Also, motivations and love sometimes may lead to an addictive behaviour. Finally, it is recognized that once physiological motivations (and love) appear, they become permanent. In a third section, some potential social, cultural, clinical and scientific consequences of the proposed consideration of love as a motivation are discussed. Accordingly, love's recognition as a motivation in the clinical field would imply a better understanding of its disorders and its inclusion in classifications manuals such as The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), or in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Considering love as a motivation rather than an emotion could also impact the results of scientific research (an example is included). A comprehensive understanding of these questions could potentially allow for a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of mental illness, while offering an all-inclusive evolutionary explanation of cultural phenomena such as the origin and diffusion of both language and art. Love should be understood as a physiological motivation, like hunger, sleep or sex, and not as an emotion as it is commonly considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Burunat
- School of Health Sciences/School of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychobiology and Methodology, University of La Laguna, P.O. Box 456, 38200 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
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22
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The Evolutionary History of Human Skin Pigmentation. J Mol Evol 2019; 88:77-87. [PMID: 31363820 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-019-09902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Skin pigmentation is a complex, conspicuous, highly variable human trait that exhibits a remarkable correlation with latitude. The evolutionary history and genetic basis of skin color variation has been the subject of intense research in the last years. This article reviews the major hypotheses explaining skin color diversity and explores the implications of recent findings about the genes associated with skin pigmentation for understanding the evolutionary forces that have shaped the current patterns of skin color variation. A major aspect of these findings is that the genetic basis of skin color is less simple than previously thought and that geographic variation in skin pigmentation was influenced by the concerted action of different types of natural selection, rather than just by selective sweeps in a few key genes.
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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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