Unknown

Dataset Information

0

The distinct morphological phenotypes of Southeast Asian aborigines are shaped by novel mechanisms for adaptation to tropical rainforests.


ABSTRACT: Southeast Asian aborigines, the hunter-gatherer populations living in tropical rainforests, exhibit distinct morphological phenotypes, including short stature, dark skin, curly hair and a wide and snub nose. The underlying genetic architecture and evolutionary mechanism of these phenotypes remain a long-term mystery. We conducted whole genome deep sequencing of 81 Cambodian aborigines from eight ethnic groups. Through a genome-wide scan of selective sweeps, we discovered key genes harboring Cambodian-enriched mutations that may contribute to their phenotypes, including two hair morphogenesis genes (TCHH and TCHHL1), one nasal morphology gene (PAX3) and a set of genes (such as ENTPD1-AS1) associated with short stature. The identified new genes and novel mutations suggest an independent origin of the distinct phenotypes in Cambodian aborigines through parallel evolution, refuting the long-standing argument on the common ancestry of these phenotypes among the worldwide rainforest hunter-gatherers. Notably, our discovery reveals that various types of molecular mechanisms, including antisense transcription and epigenetic regulation, contribute to human morphogenesis, providing novel insights into the genetics of human environmental adaptation.

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8970429 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC6012703 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9629509 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6821809 | biostudies-other
| S-EPMC7804445 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8093684 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4250916 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3439412 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC1469773 | biostudies-literature
2020-06-10 | GSE152200 | GEO
| S-EPMC10891123 | biostudies-literature