Article
Genetic origins of lactase persistence and the spread of pastoralism in Africa.
American journal of human genetics - 3 Apr 2014
Ranciaro Alessia, Campbell Michael C, Hirbo Jibril B, Ko Wen-Ya, Froment Alain, Anagnostou Paolo, Kotze Maritha J, Ibrahim Muntaser, Nyambo Thomas, Omar Sabah A, Tishkoff Sarah A
Abstract excerpt
In humans, the ability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk, declines after weaning because of decreasing levels of the enzyme lactase-phlorizin hydrolase, encoded by LCT. However, some individuals maintain high enzyme amounts and are able to digest lactose into adulthood (i.e., they have the lactase-persistence [LP] trait). It is thought that selection has played a major role in maintaining this genetically...
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