Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States have discovered a gene that enhances the body's response to alcohol, making it unpleasant for humans. Experts believe that the corresponding DNA will become widespread among humans as a result of natural selection. The Independent writes about this.
The researchers analyzed the genomes of 2,500 people belonging to 20 populations on four continents. It turned out that five populations have mutations in the group of genes encoding alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of alcohols. This defect leads to the fact that ethanol is destroyed less efficiently and has a toxic effect on the body, expressed by a deterioration in health. As a result, a person develops an aversion to alcohol.
Scientists believe that the gene is influenced by positive selection, as a result of which it becomes fixed and spreads in the population.
In November 2016, an article by American scientists was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which showed that one of the variants of the β-Klotho gene, which is involved in the activity of the central nervous system, suppresses the desire to drink alcohol.