The evolutionary adaptation of the C282Y mutation to culture and climate during the European Neolithic.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The C282Y allele is the major cause of hemochromatosis as a result of excessive iron absorption. The mutation arose in continental Europe no earlier than 6,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of the Neolithic agricultural revolution. Here we hypothesize that this new Neolithic diet, which originated in the sunny warm and dry climates of the Middle East, was carried by migrating farmers into the chilly and damp environments of Europe where iron is a critical micronutrient for effective thermoregulation. We argue that the C282Y allele was an adaptation to this novel environment.

Materials and methods

To address our hypothesis, we compiled C282Y allele frequencies, known Neolithic sites in Europe and climatic data on temperature and rainfall for statistical an

SUBMITTER: Heath KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5066702 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature