Worldwide spatial genetic structure of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene: a new evolutionary ecological evidence for the thrifty genotype hypothesis.

ABSTRACT: As JV Neel put forward the 'thrifty genotype' hypothesis, many researches tend to support this hypothesis involved in the regulation of energy balance. However, the phrase could equally well encapsulate broader traits and the forms of thrift should be multiple. In particular, genes involved in the regulation of water and sodium balance may also be excellent candidates as thrifty genes. In the present study, we selected the ancestral D allele of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, a key gene involved in water and sodium balance regulation, as a candidate to confirm the 'thrifty genotype' hypothesis in the framework of evolutionary ecology. On the basis of our compiled worldwide spatial genetics database of I/D frequency of ACE gene and spatial climate database, using techniques of spa

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3179366 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature