Evidence of genotypic adaptation to the exposure to volcanic risk at the dopamine receptor DRD4 locus.

ABSTRACT: Humans have colonized and adapted to extremely diverse environments, and the genetic basis of some such adaptations, for example to high altitude, is understood. In some cases, local or regional variation in selection pressure could also cause behavioural adaptations. Numerous genes influence behaviour, such as alleles at the dopamine receptor locus D4 (DRD4), which are associated with attitude toward risk in experimental settings. We demonstrate genetic differentiation for this gene, but not for five unlinked microsatellite loci, between high- and low risk environments around Mount Merapi, an active volcano in Java, Indonesia. Using a behavioural experiment, we further show that people inhabiting the high risk environment are significantly more risk averse. We provide evidence of a geneti

SUBMITTER: Faurie C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5131341 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature