The evolution of lactase persistence

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2012

Autores

Rocha, J (Autor) FCUP

Revista

Título: Antropologia Portuguesa

Vol. 29

Páginas: 121-137

ISSN: 0870-0990

Editora: Universidade de Coimbra

Indexação

Scopus - 4 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-009-PSG

DOI: 10.14195/2182-7982_29_9

Abstract (EN): Lactase persistence has long been recognized as a striking example of human dietary adaptation to changes in food production habits. The observation that the prevalence of lactase persistence is positively correlated with the cultural history of dairying in human populations has led to the formulation of an evolutionary interpretation that became known as the culture-historical hypothesis. This hypothesis emphasizes the influence that culturally derived selection can have on human genes by assuming that the nutritional benefits of milk drinking during adult life are selectively advantageous in groups that rely on dairying to subsist. The recent demonstration of the molecular basis of lactase persistence provided a unique opportunity to test the basic predictions of the culture-historical hypothesis and to evaluate its merit relative to alternative explanations. Here, I present an overview of the evolutionary history of lactase persistence by focusing on the predictions of the culture-historical hypothesis, including the correlation between lactase persistence and pastoralism, the age of lactase persistence mutations and molecular evidences for natural selection. The places of origin and geographic diffusion of lactase persistence mutations are also discussed in the context of the population movements associated with the spread of pastoralism.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica