Ancient Roots of a Genetic Variant Responsible for HIV Resistance in Viking Populations Uncovered
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have traced the ancient origins of the CCR5 delta 32 mutation, a genetic variation that offers protection against HIV infection. The mutation, found in 10 to 16 percent of Europeans, has a fascinating history that challenges previous assumptions about its origins and reshapes our understanding of human genetic evolution.
The mutation, which is approximately 700 to 800 years old, was first identified in an individual who lived near the Black Sea between 6,700 and 9,000 years ago. This discovery was made after scientists analyzed over 3,000 genomes, including ancient DNA from 934 individuals, to trace the origins of the CCR5 delta 32 mutation.
The mutation spread rapidly across Eurasia long before the Viking Age, with the earliest genetic evidence found in populations in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. The mutation's frequency is significantly higher in Northern Europe compared to Southern Europe, and it is almost absent in Africa and East Asia.
Researchers suggest that individuals carrying the CCR5 delta 32 mutation may have had an advantage in surviving new pathogens encountered during migrations. This advantage could have contributed to the mutation's spread, especially as it seemed to offer protection against certain infections, such as the plague or smallpox, which would have been prevalent during these periods.
However, the first carrier of the CCR5 delta 32 mutation remains unknown. Despite extensive research, there is no specific name or location that can be identified as the "starting point" for this mutation. It is believed to have originated as a random genetic mutation in a northerneuropean population group before the Middle Ages and then spread gradually due to its protective effects.
Today, the CCR5 delta 32 mutation is of particular interest because it confers HIV resistance. People with two copies of the mutation (homozygous) are resistant to many HIV strains. The genetics of this small variation reveals how random mutations can shape our biological destiny.
Understanding the ancient origins of the CCR5 delta 32 mutation also provides potential guidance for future research into immune system resilience. The mutation likely helped early humans regulate immune responses, preventing excessive inflammation that could be deadly. This insight could lead to new treatments and strategies for managing immune responses in modern times.
In conclusion, the first carrier of the CCR5 delta 32 mutation is unknown, but it was likely a person in the northern European region around 700 to 800 years ago, whose descendants spread this genetic variation due to an evolutionary advantage. The findings on the CCR5 delta 32 mutation's origins highlight the long-term impact of genetic adaptations on modern health.
This article was written by April Joy Jovita for Live Science.
