Is Spatial Distribution of the HIV-1-resistant CCR5Δ32 Allele Formed by Ecological Factors?

Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY and Applied Human Science

Online ISSN : 1347-5355
Print ISSN : 1345-3475
ISSN-L : 1345-3475

RAPID COMMUNICATIONS

Is Spatial Distribution of the HIV-1-resistant CCR5Δ32 Allele Formed by Ecological Factors?

Oleg Balanovsky, Elvira Pocheshkhova, Andrey Pshenichnov, Daria Solovieva, Marina Kuznetsova, Olga Voronko, Michail Churnosov, Olga Tegako, Lubov Atramentova, Maria Lavryashina, Irina Evseeva, Svetlana Borinska, Margarita Boldyreva, Nadezhda Dubova, Elena Balanovska

Author information

Oleg Balanovsky
Research Centre for Medical Genetics
Elvira Pocheshkhova
Kuban State Medical Academy, Russia
Andrey Pshenichnov
Research Centre for Medical Genetics
Daria Solovieva
Research Centre for Medical Genetics
Marina Kuznetsova
Research Centre for Medical Genetics
Olga Voronko
Research Centre for Medical Genetics
Michail Churnosov
Belgorod State University, Russia
Olga Tegako
Institute of Fine Art, Ethnography and Folklore, National Academy of Sciencies, Belorussia
Lubov Atramentova
Karazin Kharkov National University, Ukraine
Maria Lavryashina
Kemerovo State University, Russia
Irina Evseeva
Northern State Medical University, Russia
Svetlana Borinska
Vavilov Institute for General Genetics
Margarita Boldyreva
Institute of Immunology, Russian Ministry of Health, Russia
Nadezhda Dubova
Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
Elena Balanovska
Research Centre for Medical Genetics

Keywords: CCR5, geographic distribution, frequency map, HIV, climate, selection

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2005 Volume 24 Issue 4 Pages 375-382

DOI https://doi.org/10.2114/jpa.24.375

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Abstract

It has been proposed that the Δ32 mutation in the chemokine receptor gene, inducing resistance to HIV-1 and, probably, to other virus infections, has undergone selection in historical times. The frequency of this mutant allele has changed rapidly both in time (during the last two millennia) and in space (across Eurasia). We compiled a global database on Δ32 allele frequencies in 300 populations. Nearly 10 percent of them are our data on 35 East European populations analyzed here for the first time. A detailed map of Δ32 frequency distribution was constructed and statistically analysed. We found a linearly decreasing trend with a maximum in areas surrounding the Baltic and White seas. Significant correlations with ground surface temperature were revealed. However, compared with our previous results, these correlations diminished, indicating that the influence of climate on Δ32 distribution was, if anything at all, indirect. The proposed scenario includes: i) arise and initial spread of the mutation among Uralic-speaking populations; ii) a frequency increase in northeastern Europe as a result of selection and/or genetic drift; iii) secondary spread (with selection continued) due to gene flow and the migrations of northern Europeans across the globe.

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© 2005 Japan Society of Physiological Anthropology

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Predecessor

The Annals of physiological anthropology

Applied Human Science

Successor

Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

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