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The intestinal lactase polymorphism in Papua New Guinea
Papua and New Guinea Medical Journal
|September 1, 1980
Summary
The persistence of intestinal lactase (PL) gene in Papua New Guinea suggests both mutation and diffusion contribute to its spread. Water absorption and linkage disequilibrium may explain trait selection, while other hypotheses appear less likely.
Area of Science:
- Human genetics
- Anthropology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The gene for lactase persistence (PL) allows adults to digest lactose.
- Its distribution in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is not fully explained by current theories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of the lactase persistence gene in Papua New Guinea.
- To evaluate existing hypotheses for the gene's distribution using PNG population data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing genetic and population data from Papua New Guinea.
- Application of established hypotheses (water absorption, linkage disequilibrium, culture historical, calcium absorption) to the observed gene frequencies.
Main Results:
- Small numbers of individuals with the lactase persistence gene were found in several PNG regions.
- The water absorption and linkage disequilibrium hypotheses appear to be plausible explanations for selection.
- Culture historical and calcium absorption hypotheses are less likely to explain the observed frequencies.
Conclusions:
- Both sporadic mutation and gene diffusion likely contribute to the current distribution of lactase persistence in PNG.
- Further research into the enzyme's properties may uncover functions beyond lactose hydrolysis.