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Published on: September 6, 2017
Admixture as a source for HLA variation in Neolithic European farming communities.
Nicolas Antonio da Silva1, Onur Özer1,2, Magdalena Haller-Caskie1
1Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany.
Neolithic farmers in northern Europe experienced admixture with hunter-gatherers, altering their immune-relevant human leukocyte antigen (HLA) diversity. This study reveals shifts in HLA alleles and increased diversity in late farmers compared to early farmers.
Area of Science:
- Ancient DNA analysis
- Population genetics
- Neolithic archaeology
Background:
- Northern European Neolithic characterized by farmer migration and admixture with western hunter-gatherers.
- Admixture event's impact on the immune-relevant human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the influence of admixture on HLA variation in Neolithic populations.
- Analyze shifts in HLA allele frequencies and diversity between early and late farmers.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide data analysis of 125 Neolithic individuals from Germany.
- HLA genotyping of 135 Neolithic individuals.
- Analysis of Y-chromosome haplogroup distribution.
Main Results:
- Late farmers show sex-biased admixture from male western hunter-gatherers.
- Significant shifts in HLA allele frequencies observed from early to late farmers, with evidence of hunter-gatherer origin for specific haplotypes.
- Increased HLA diversity in late farmers compared to early farmers, though lower than modern populations.
Conclusions:
- Neolithic farmers had a narrower HLA allele spectrum than modern populations.
- Potentially lower pathogen pressure during the Neolithic period, indicated by sparse pathogen DNA traces.
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