New insights into the history of the C-14010 lactase persistence variant in Eastern and Southern Africa.

摘要: Lactase persistence (LP), the ability to digest lactose into adulthood, is strongly associated with cultural traits of pastoralism and milk-drinking among human populations, several different genetic variants are known that confer LP. Recent studies LP in Southern African a focus on Khoisan-speaking groups, found high frequencies an variant (the C-14010 allele) also occurs Eastern Africa, concluded allele was brought Africa via migration pastoralists from Africa. However, this conclusion based indirect evidence; date no study has jointly analyzed data both groups Here, we combine analyze published consisting haplotypes four closely-linked short tandem repeat (STR) loci. Our results provide direct evidence for previously-hypothesized origin groups. In addition, find separate introduction Bantu-speaking Xhosa. The estimated selection intensity lower than which suggests dietary changes conferring fitness advantage occurred some time after allele. Conversely, present when introduced, as would be expected if introduced concomitantly.