Genome-wide patterns of selection in 230 ancient Eurasians.

Nature
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Ancient DNA makes it possible to observe natural selection directly by analysing samples from populations before, during and after adaptation events. Here we report a genome-wide scan for selection using ancient DNA, capitalizing on the largest ancient DNA data set yet assembled: 230 West Eurasians who lived between 6500 and 300 bc, including 163 with newly reported data. The new samples include, to our knowledge, the first genome-wide ancient DNA from Anatolian Neolithic farmers, whose genetic material we obtained by extracting from petrous bones, and who we show were members of the population that was the source of Europe's first farmers. We also report a transect of the steppe region in Samara between 5600 and 300 bc, which allows us to identify admixture into the steppe from at least two external sources. We detect selection at loci associated with diet, pigmentation and immunity, and two independent episodes of selection on height.

Year of Publication
2015
Journal
Nature
Volume
528
Issue
7583
Pages
499-503
Date Published
2015 Dec 24
ISSN
1476-4687
URL
DOI
10.1038/nature16152
PubMed ID
26595274
PubMed Central ID
PMC4918750
Links
Grant list
263441 / European Research Council / International
R01 GM100233 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
GM100233 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States