Genetic anthropology of skin functions and microbiome in Asian populations

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26291095
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Physical anthropology
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Kimura Ryosuke 琉球大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (00453712)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 大橋 順 東京大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (80301141)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 細菌叢 / 皮膚 / 多様性 / ヒト / ゲノム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Previous population genomics studies have revealed that Asian-specific strong positive selections occurred on nonsynonymous variants in ABCC11 and EDAR, which are involved in the functions of sweat glands. In this study, we aimed to clarify the associations of these variants with the individual variation in skin functions and skin microbiome. As a result, we observed that both of the Asian-type variants are associated with a decreased amount of porphyrin on facial surface, which is mainly produced by Propionibacterium acnes. Moreover, an interaction between the effects of the two variants suggests that these variants co-evolved in Asia. Further functional studies and population genetics studies will be needed to elucidate the epistasis between the variants of ABCC11 and EDAR.

Free Research Field

ゲノム人類学