A Groundbreaking Gene Bank Analysis
A comprehensive study has been conducted on the bones and teeth of nearly 5,000 ancient humans from Western Europe and Asia, dating back to 34,000 years. This research, led by an international team of scientists, utilized advanced DNA sequencing techniques to compare ancient DNA with modern samples. This comparison enabled the mapping of gene and disease progression through time, as populations migrated. The impressive results of this study are detailed in four research papers published in Nature.
The Study's Key Findings
The research unearthed significant findings:
1. The origins of neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), were traced back thousands of years.
2. The reason behind northern Europeans being taller than their southern counterparts was discovered.
3. The introduction of risk genes into north-western Europe around 5,000 years ago, led to higher MS rates in the region.
4. The advantage of carrying the MS gene in ancient times, offering protection from infectious diseases.
5. The roots of genes linked to Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes are traced back to hunter-gatherers.
Decoding Multiple Sclerosis
Notably, the study found that genes increasing the risk of MS were introduced into north-western Europe by migrating livestock herders (Yamnaya people) from the east. This genetic variant provided a survival advantage by protecting against infections from animals but also increased MS risk.
Professor Eske Willerslev stated, “It must have been a distinct advantage for the Yamnaya people to carry the MS risk genes, even after arriving in Europe, despite the fact that these genes undeniably increased their risk of developing MS.” He further emphasized, “These results change our view of the causes of multiple sclerosis and have implications for the way it is treated.”
Exploring the North-South Gradient
The research explains the 'North-South Gradient', where modern-day northern Europe exhibits double the MS cases compared to southern Europe. The genetic influence of the Yamnaya people, ancestors of much of North-Western Europe, is highlighted as a key factor.
Technological and Collaborative Aspects of the Research
This remarkable study was led by Professor Eske Willerslev, Professor Thomas Werge, and Professor Rasmus Nielsen, with contributions from 175 researchers globally. The analysis involved DNA from ancient bones and teeth, comparing it with modern DNA from 400,000 individuals in the UK Biobank.
“These results astounded us all,” explained Dr. William Barrie. “They provide a huge leap forward in our understanding of the evolution of MS and other autoimmune diseases. Showing how the lifestyles of our ancestors impacted modern disease risk just highlights how much we are the recipients of ancient immune systems in a modern world.” The team is now set to explore other neurological and psychiatric conditions, aiming to make the gene bank open access. This research not only sheds light on the genetic evolution of diseases but also paves the way for future explorations in medical science.
Learn more from one of the four original publications below:
- Barrie, W., Yang, Y., Irving-Pease, E.K. et al. Elevated genetic risk for multiple sclerosis emerged in steppe pastoralist populations. Nature 625, 321–328 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06618-z
- Irving-Pease, E.K., Refoyo-Martínez, A., Barrie, W. et al. The selection landscape and genetic legacy of ancient Eurasians. Nature 625, 312–320 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06705-1
- Allentoft, M.E., Sikora, M., Fischer, A. et al. 100 ancient genomes show repeated population turnovers in Neolithic Denmark. Nature 625, 329–337 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06862-3
- Allentoft, M.E., Sikora, M., Refoyo-Martínez, A. et al. Population genomics of post-glacial western Eurasia. Nature 625, 301–311 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06865-0