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Fire Usage and Ancient Hominin Detoxification Genes: Protective Ancestral Variants Dominate While Additional Derived
Jac M M J G Aarts1,2, Gerrit M Alink1,3, Fulco Scherjon1
1Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Ancient hominins, including Neanderthals and Denisovans, possessed genetic resistance to toxic compounds, unlike modern humans who show more recent evolution of less efficient detoxification genes.
Area of Science:
- Paleogenetics
- Human Evolution
- Toxicology
Background:
- Ancient hominin diets and fire use exposed them to toxic substances.
- Exposure to toxins likely drove genetic selection for enhanced detoxification mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate genetic selection for detoxification in ancient hominins (Neanderthals, Denisovans) and modern humans.
- To compare these genetic variants with those in chimpanzees and gorillas.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene polymorphisms in Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans.
- Comparison of ancient hominin alleles with those of chimpanzees and gorillas.
- Utilizing data from modern human epidemiological studies on smoke exposure.
Main Results:
- Neanderthals and Denisovans predominantly had gene variants for increased toxin resistance.
- Chimpanzees and gorillas also possess these resistant variants.
- Less efficient variants appear to be derived and are mainly found in modern humans, observable from the Upper Palaeolithic period onwards.
Conclusions:
- Detoxification gene variants show long-term stability despite dietary niche changes.
- Deleterious detoxification gene variants in humans are predominantly recent, indicating recent population history impacts.
- Ancient hominins likely had robust genetic defenses against environmental toxins.
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