Article
Relaxation of selective constraint and loss of function in the evolution of human bitter taste receptor genes.
Human molecular genetics - 1 Nov 2004
Wang Xiaoxia, Thomas Stephanie D, Zhang Jianzhi
Abstract excerpt
Bitter taste perception prevents mammals from ingesting poisonous substances because many toxins taste bitter and cause aversion. We hypothesize that human bitter taste receptor (TAS2R) genes might be relaxed from selective constraints because of the change in diet, use of fire and reliance on other means of toxin avoidance that emerged in human evolution. Here, we examine the intra-specific variations of all 25...
Topics
- Africa
- Black or African American
- Animals
- Asian People
- Evolution, Molecular
- Genetic Variation
- Humans
- Indians, South American
- Mammals
- Mutation
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander