The history of malaria read in genes

2001/06/26 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Genetika

Anyone who wants to travel to Africa or several countries in South America is obliged to get vaccinated, among other things, against malaria. The villages surrounding the tropics are very attractive, but mosquitoes and other insects abound and contaminate many diseases.

Members of a Maryland research team, led by biochemist Sarah Tishkoff, have tried to analyze the genetic remnants of malaria and the conclusions they have drawn are surprising. Since this disease became a serious problem for humans it has been at most 12,000 years. The disease itself is ancient, but it has not left its mark on the human genome until recently.

People in areas where malaria is endemic have certain mutations in the genome. For example, one of them is the G6PD gene, which encodes the protein glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. They are widely studied proteins and genes, so easy genomes are analyzed.

Scientists used the blood of 747 people from Africa and Europe for genetic testing. Subsequently, they simulated the monitoring of evolution through a computer. One of the conclusions they drew is that malaria acquired importance together with agriculture, up to 12,000 years ago. Researchers say that many forests were destroyed at that time, and consequently the adequate means for the mosquito that contaminates malaria multiplied.

When analyzing another mutation, researchers have seen that the disease occurred in the Mediterranean 6,000 years ago, probably transmitted by Greek travelers and traders. In fact, the writings of Homer and Plato describe a serious disease such as malaria. Scientists are satisfied with this result, which, although only a hypothesis, is reinforced by history, archaeology and genetics.