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Ongoing Adaptive Evolution of ASPM, a Brain Size Determinant in Homo sapiens
Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov,1,2Sandra L. Gilbert,1Patrick D. Evans,1,2Eric J. Vallender,1,2Jeffrey R. Anderson,1Richard R. Hudson,3Sarah A. Tishkoff,4Bruce T. Lahn1*
The gene ASPM (abnormal spindle-like microcephaly associated)is a specific regulator of brain size, and its evolution inthe lineage leading to Homo sapiens was driven by strong positiveselection. Here, we show that one genetic variant of ASPM inhumans arose merely about 5800 years ago and has since sweptto high frequency under strong positive selection. These findings,especially the remarkably young age of the positively selectedvariant, suggest that the human brain is still undergoing rapidadaptive evolution.
1 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. 2 Committee on Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. 3 Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. 4 Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: blahn{at}bsd.uchicago.edu
Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov and Bruce T. Lahn (24 August 2007) Science317 (5841), 1036b.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1143658] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »
TECHNICAL COMMENTS
Fuli Yu, R. Sean Hill, Stephen F. Schaffner, Pardis C. Sabeti, Eric T. Wang, Andre A. Mignault, Russell J. Ferland, Robert K. Moyzis, Christopher A. Walsh, and David Reich (20 April 2007) Science316 (5823), 370b.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1137568] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »|Supporting Online Material »
TECHNICAL COMMENTS
Mathias Currat, Laurent Excoffier, Wayne Maddison, Sarah P. Otto, Nicolas Ray, Michael C. Whitlock, and Sam Yeaman (14 July 2006) Science313 (5784), 172a.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1122712] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Michael Balter (9 September 2005) Science309 (5741), 1662.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.309.5741.1662] |Summary »|Full Text »|PDF »
BREVIA
Toshiyuki Hayakawa, Takashi Angata, Amanda L. Lewis, Tarjei S. Mikkelsen, Nissi M. Varki, and Ajit Varki (9 September 2005) Science309 (5741), 1693.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1114321] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »|Supporting Online Material »
REPORTS
Patrick D. Evans, Sandra L. Gilbert, Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov, Eric J. Vallender, Jeffrey R. Anderson, Leila M. Vaez-Azizi, Sarah A. Tishkoff, Richard R. Hudson, and Bruce T. Lahn (9 September 2005) Science309 (5741), 1717.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1113722] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »|Supporting Online Material »
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