Gene expression levels are a target of recent natural selection in the human genome.

ABSTRACT: Changes in gene expression may represent an important mode of human adaptation. However, to date, there are relatively few known examples in which selection has been shown to act directly on levels or patterns of gene expression. In order to test whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect gene expression in cis are frequently targets of positive natural selection in humans, we analyzed genome-wide SNP and expression data from cell lines associated with the International HapMap Project. Using a haplotype-based test for selection that was designed to detect incomplete selective sweeps, we found that SNPs showing signals of selection are more likely than random SNPs to be associated with gene expression levels in cis. This signal is significant in the Yoruba (which is the popu

SUBMITTER: Kudaravalli S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2767089 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature