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Adaptive Changes in Fatty Acid Desaturation Genes in Indigenous Populations of Northeast Siberia

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Abstract

Since ancient times, meat and fat of seals and whales, rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, prevailed in the traditional “Arctic” diet of the indigenous people of the far Northeast of Siberia (Eskimos, Chukchi, Koryaks). This was reflected in the peculiarities of lipid metabolism of northern aborigines—for example, among them, variants of the genes for fatty acid desaturases (FADS1 and FADS2) encoding enzymes with reduced activity are predominantly widespread. In this study, we investigated the distribution of 22 bp insertion of the FADS2 gene (rs66698963), which affects the expression of the FADS1 gene, in populations of the northeastern (Koryaks, Evens) and southern (Buryats) parts of Siberia. The Koryaks had a minimum frequency of 22 bp insertions (5.6%)—almost an order of magnitude less frequently than Buryats (45.3%). In addition, a high frequency (10.9%) of nonsense mutation in the CYB5R2 gene (position 7 694 023 of chromosome 11) was detected in the Koryaks. This mutation leads to premature termination of the synthesis of NADH cytochrome b5 reductase, which is necessary for the functioning of desaturases encoded by FADS genes. The revealed genetic features of the indigenous population of the Far North are explained by long-term adaptation to a traditional diet very rich in lipids, which is a reason that prevents the need for additional synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids using fatty acid desaturases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 685000, Magadan, Russia

    B. A. Malyarchuk, M. V. Derenko & G. A. Denisova

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  1. B. A. Malyarchuk
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  3. G. A. Denisova
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Correspondence to B. A. Malyarchuk.

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Malyarchuk, B.A., Derenko, M.V. & Denisova, G.A. Adaptive Changes in Fatty Acid Desaturation Genes in Indigenous Populations of Northeast Siberia. Russ J Genet 57, 1461–1466 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795421120103

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