HIV -protecting mutation arose 7,000 years

The mutation originated between 6.7 and 9,000 years ago

Yacobchuk1/Depositphotos

A mutation, which reduces the susceptibility to HIV, appeared in the territory near the Black Sea more than 7 thousand years ago.

Its carriers are up to 25% of Danish residents, as well as a significant proportion of the population of Northern Europe.

About it testify Research results published in Cell journal, writes Medicalxpress.

Scientists from Copenhagen University have been able to determine that the mutation originated between 6.7 and 9 thousand years ago.

”It is extremely exciting: a mutation that originated millennia ago protects people from a modern disease that has existed for less than 100 years« , – said Professor Simon Rasmussen, a leading author of a study from the NOVO Nordisk Center for Fundamental Metabolic Research.

The researchers’ team used a new AI platform to analyze ancient DNA and studied samples of more than 900 human skeletons dating from the Stone Age to the Viking era, and genomes data from 2,000 modern people.

They managed to trace when the mutation first appeared in the population. At first, it was completely absent, and then suddenly arose and spread very quickly.

« This indicates that it gave a significant advantage to survive« , – explains the first author of the study of Kirstine Rann.

It is a mutation that « breaks » one of the immune genes. At first glance, it seems harmful. But this is what could save the life of our ancestors.

« Excessively aggressive immune system can be deadly. During severe infections-such as Covid-19-the excess immune response is the cause of complications and death »– explains co -author Leonardo Kubuchcz.

When people moved from nomadic life to sedentary agriculture, they began to live denser, more often in contact with animals, and therefore – pathogens. In such circumstances, a softer, restrained immune response could be saving.

This ancient mutation was accidentally effective against HIV because it blocks the path that the virus penetrates into the immune cells. On the basis of this mechanism, modern drugs and genet therapy against HIV have already been created.

« We now know not only how the mutation works but also where and why it has arisen. It opens new horizons in personalized medicine »– the researchers summarize.