Evolutionary changes in the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the human genome from 9000 years BP until modern times
Date
2015-02-13
Authors
Spigelman, Mark
Donoghue, Helen D.
Abdeen, Ziad
Ereqat, Suheir
Sarie, Issa
Greenblatt, Charles L.
Pap, Ildiko
Szikossy, Ildiko
Hershkovitz, Israel
Bar-Gal, Gila Kahila
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
The demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in ancient skeletons gives researchers an insight
into its evolution. Findings of the last two decades sketched the biological relationships between the
various species of tubercle bacilli, the time scale involved, their possible origin and dispersal. This paper
includes the available evidence and on-going research. In the submerged Eastern Mediterranean
Neolithic village of Atlit Yam (9000 BP), a human lineage of M. tuberculosis, defined by the TbD1 deletion
in its genome, was demonstrated. An infected infant at the site provides an example of active tuberculosis
in a human with a naïve immune system. Over 4000 years later tuberculosis was found in Jericho.
Urbanization increases population density encouraging M. tuberculosis/human co-evolution. As susceptible
humans die of tuberculosis, survivors develop genetic resistance to disease. Thus in 18th century
Hungarian mummies from V ac, 65% were positive for tuberculosis yet a 95-year-old woman had clearly
survived a childhood Ghon lesion.
Whole genome studies are in progress, to detect changes over the millennia both in bacterial virulence
and also host susceptibility/resistance genes that determine the NRAMP protein and Killer Cell
Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs). This paper surveys present evidence and includes initial findings.
Description
Keywords
Ancient DNA , Evolution , KIR historical specimens , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , SLC11A1 gene , Solute Carrier family genes