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Computer simulations show that Neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting.

ABSTRACT: Three adaptive hypotheses have been forwarded to explain the distinctive Neanderthal face: (i) an improved ability to accommodate high anterior bite forces, (ii) more effective conditioning of cold and/or dry air and, (iii) adaptation to facilitate greater ventilatory demands. We test these hypotheses using three-dimensional models of Neanderthals, modern humans, and a close outgroup (Homo heidelbergensis), applying finite-element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This is the most comprehensive application of either approach applied to date and the first to include both. FEA reveals few differences between H. heidelbergensis, modern humans, and Neanderthals in their capacities to sustain high anterior tooth loadings. CFD shows that the nasal cavities of Neanderthals and especially modern humans condition air more efficiently than does that of H. heidelbergensis, suggesting that both evolved to better withstand cold and/or dry climates than less derived Homo We further find that Neanderthals could move considerably more air through the nasal pathway than could H. heidelbergensis or modern humans, consistent with the propositions that, relative to our outgroup Homo, Neanderthal facial morphology evolved to reflect improved capacities to better condition cold, dry air, and, to move greater air volumes in response to higher energetic requirements.

SUBMITTER: Wroe S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5904316 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Computer simulations show that Neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting.

Wroe Stephen S Parr William C H WCH Ledogar Justin A JA Bourke Jason J Evans Samuel P SP Fiorenza Luca L Benazzi Stefano S Hublin Jean-Jacques JJ Stringer Chris C Kullmer Ottmar O Curry Michael M Rae Todd C TC Yokley Todd R TR

Proceedings. Biological sciences 20180401 1876

Three adaptive hypotheses have been forwarded to explain the distinctive Neanderthal face: (i) an improved ability to accommodate high anterior bite forces, (ii) more effective conditioning of cold and/or dry air and, (iii) adaptation to facilitate greater ventilatory demands. We test these hypotheses using three-dimensional models of Neanderthals, modern humans, and a close outgroup (<i>Homo heidelbergensis</i>), applying finite-element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Thi ...[more]

PMID: 29618551

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Project description:Amyloidlike fibrils are found in many fatal diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, type II diabetes mellitus, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and prion diseases. These diseases are linked to proteins that have partially unfolded, misfolded, and aggregated into amyloidlike fibrils. The kinetics of amyloidlike fibrils aggregation is still hotly debated and remains an important open question. We have utilized the GNNQQNY crystal structure and high-temperature molecular dynamics simulation in explicit solvent to study the disaggregation mechanism of the GNNQQNY fibrils and to infer its likely aggregation pathways. A hexamer model and a 12-mer model both with two parallel beta-sheets separated by a dry side-chain interface were adopted in our computational analysis. A cumulative time of 1 micros was simulated for the hexamer model at five different temperatures (298 K, 348 K, 398 K, 448 K, and 498 K), and a cumulative time of 2.1 micros was simulated for the 12-mer model at four temperatures (298 K, 398 K, 448 K, and 498 K). Our disaggregation landscape and kinetics analyses indicate that tetramers probably act as the transition state in both the hexamer and the 12-mer simulations. In addition, the 12-mer simulations show that the initial aggregation nucleus is with eight peptides. Furthermore, the landscape is rather flat from 8-mers to 12-mers, indicating the absence of major barriers once the initial aggregation nucleus forms. Thus, the likely aggregation pathway is from monomers to the initial nucleus of 8-mers with tetramers as the transition state. Transition state structure analysis shows that the two dominant transition state conformations are tetramers in the 3-1 and 2-2 arrangements. The predominant nucleus conformations are in peptide arrangements maximizing dry side-chain contacts. Landscape and kinetics analyses also indicate that the parallel beta-sheets form earlier than the dry side-chain contacts during aggregation. These results provide further insights in understanding the early fibrils aggregation.

Dataset Information

Computer simulations show that Neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting.

Publications

Computer simulations show that Neanderthal facial morphology represents adaptation to cold and high energy demands, but not heavy biting.

Similar Datasets

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