Biology 3466B Lecture Notes - Genotype Frequency, Valine, Population Genetics
Document Summary
In the 1950"s an outbreak of kuru, a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, was reported to be spreading in the fore tribe population of new guinea. This disease is caused by prions (proteins that have an abnormal sequence that makes them infectious to the body). Fore tribe received kuru from their dead relatives. Kuru is caused by a single amino acid mutation from methionine to valine. Fore children (who are typically less exposed to cannibalism), the allele frequencies observed were statistically similar to those expected. This shows that among children, this locus is at hardy-weinberg. In a population survey of 30 fore adults (who are typically more exposed to cannibalism), the allele frequencies observed statistically different from those expected. This shows that among adults, this locus strongly deviates from hardy-weinberg equilibrium; there is evolution within 1 generation. The excess of heterozygotes depicts that genotype as advantageous to the bearer, whereas homozygotes tend to suffer.