New research from Copenhagen University (Denmark) revealed that between 18 and 25 percent of the Danish population carries a GeneticAbout 7,000 years, which can make it resistance or even immunized against HIV.
So far it was not known where and when or why the mutation arose, but thanks to progress DNA analysis technologyThe researchers were able to solve this genetic ambiguity. The result was recently published in the magazine cell.
The origin in the Black Sea region
Simon Rasmussen said from Basic metabolism research center (CBMR) of the Novo Nordsk Foundation, at the University of Copenhagen, the main author of the study that identified the mutation.
He added: “HIV virus is a relatively new disease, which is less than 100 years old, so it is almost by chance – and very wonderful – that genetic variation appeared thousands of years ago from a modern virus such as HIV.”
Systematic with artificial intelligence
To determine the origin of the mutation, scientists first analyzed the genetic material of 2000 people from around the world. Then they developed a The method of artificial intelligence To determine the old DNA mutation extracted from the remains of the bone.
The team examined data from more than 900 skeletons dated the beginnings of the Stone Age and the Vikings era. “When you monitor this wide collection of data, we can determine the time and location of the mutation. For a period of time it was completely absent, but then I grew up and spread quickly,” said Cersin Raven, the main author of the study and researcher at CBMR.
Evolutionary advantage and immune balance
The number of scientists in the mutation in a person who lived 9,000 years ago in the Black Sea region, who descend from all current pregnant women. They believe that the boom expanded quickly because it was presented Evolutionary advantage For old settlers.
“People who suffer from this mutation live better, perhaps because it relieves the immune system at a time when humans are exposed to the causes of new diseases,” said Leonardo Cobotoshio, author of the study at CBMR.
“The great thing is that the difference affects The gene related to the immune system. Although it may seem negative, it may have been useful. The aggressive immune system can be very fatal: let’s think about allergic reactions or serious cases of viral infections such as Covid-19. The scientific team concluded that when humans moved from being fishermen to live in agricultural societies, the pressure of infectious diseases has increased, so the most balanced immune system can represent a feature.
