The evolutionary fate of Neanderthal DNA in 30,780 admixed genomes with recent African-like ancestry.

ABSTRACT: Following introgression, Neanderthal DNA was initially purged from non-African genomes, but the evolutionary fate of remaining introgressed DNA has not been explored yet. To fill this gap, we analyzed 30,780 admixed genomes with African-like ancestry from the All of Us research program, in which Neanderthal alleles encountered novel genetic backgrounds during the last 15 generations. Observed amounts of Neanderthal DNA approximately match expectations based on ancestry proportions, suggesting neutral evolution. Nevertheless, we identified genomic regions that have significantly less or more Neanderthal ancestry than expected and are associated with spermatogenesis, innate immunity, and other biological processes. We also identified three novel introgression desert-like regions in recently

SUBMITTER: Pfennig A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11291122 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature