Human species-specific genetic mutation enhances atherosclerosis

https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2019/07/18/1902902116.short?rss=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Pnas-RssFeedOfEarlyEditionArticles+%28Early+Edition%29

by bookofjoe • 7 years ago

28 8 7 years ago

pnas.org

logfromblammo• 7 years ago

To abstract the abstract:

2 to 3 million years ago, a gene in early humans was permanently inactivated (perhaps due to a malaria-like outbreak targeting a cell-surface molecule that the protein the gene coded for helped to build). That cell-surface molecule is found in most other mammals (excepting humans, ferrets, platypuses, and New World monkeys) so consumption of certain meats can cause it to be taken up and incorporated into human cell membranes, as the genes that allow for this are still functioning. But the immune system becomes sensitized to it, as a foreign antigen, and produces antibodies that subsequently cause chronic inflammation in the cells that took it up and exposed it on their surfaces.

krohling• 7 years ago

Awesome, summary. Thank you.

est31• 7 years ago

Hmm so if we genetically modify animals with our mutation, the disease can be avoided if only such animals are eaten? Sounds cool, and is probably much easier to get approved than a drug for humans.

opportune• 7 years ago

So this is a causative link between meat consumption and atherosclerosis-causing inflammation

mordechai9000• 7 years ago

Specific gut bacteria have also been implicated as a link between red meat consumption and atherosclerosis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3650111/

I'm curious how those findings relate to this.

see-also• 7 years ago

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20511582 (more discussion)

Since this is a prehistoric alteration to the genome, cutting across all humans, it's more than likely a result of natural selection via merciless and deadly contagion. Every early human predecessor with the gene died without offspring, and only the last remaining children of those ancestral origins lacking the gene lived long enough to evade death by the disease.

So, before any or all humans even emerged as a species, something came along and cut down common ancestors, only leaving behind survivors that disused the related genes.

eledumb• 7 years ago

I'd be really curios to know who funded this research, and to understand the eating habits of the scientists involved.

There was a lot of research that showed smoking didn't cause cancer and we all know how that came about.

ncmncm• 7 years ago

Apparently, "enhances" means "worsens", here.

Human species-specific genetic mutation enhances atherosclerosis

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