Genetic characterization of the ABO blood group in Neandertals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The high polymorphism rate in the human ABO blood group gene seems to be related to susceptibility to different pathogens. It has been estimated that all genetic variation underlying the human ABO alleles appeared along the human lineage, after the divergence from the chimpanzee lineage. A paleogenetic analysis of the ABO blood group gene in Neandertals allows us to directly test for the presence of the ABO alleles in these extinct humans.

Results

We have analysed two male Neandertals that were retrieved under controlled conditions at the El Sidron site in Asturias (Spain) and that appeared to be almost free of modern human DNA contamination. We find a human specific diagnostic deletion for blood group O (O01 haplotype) in both Neandertal individuals.

Conclusio

SUBMITTER: Lalueza-Fox C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2629777 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature