Hemochromatosis: Niche Construction and the Genetic Domino Effect in the European Neolithic

Authors

John M. McCullough, University of UtahFollow
Kathleen M. Heath, Indiana State University
Alexis M. Smith, University of Utah

Document Type

Open Access Preprint

Anticipated Volume

87

Anticipated Issue

1

Final Published Version

http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol87/iss1/5/

Abstract

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is caused by a potentially lethal recessive gene (HFE, C282Y allele) that increases iron absorption and reaches polymorphic levels in Northern European populations. Because persons carrying the allele absorb iron more readily than non-carriers, it has often been suggested HFE is an adaptation to anemia. We hypothesize positive selection for HFE began during or after the European Neolithic with the adoption of an iron-deficient high grain and dairying diet and consequent anemia, a finding confirmed in Neolithic and later European skeletons. HFE frequency compared with rate of lactase persistence in Eurasia yields a positive linear correlation coefficient of 0.86. We suggest this is just one of many mutations that became common after the adoption of agriculture.

Recommended Citation

McCullough, John M.; Heath, Kathleen M.; and Smith, Alexis M., "Hemochromatosis: Niche Construction and the Genetic Domino Effect in the European Neolithic" (2015). Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints. 74.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol_preprints/74