El mono humanizado : la búsqueda genética de lo que nos hace humanos

Desde su empleo como justificación para mantener un racismo de especie, el concepto de humano ha evolucionado a un punto de tal inclusividad que la distinción entre hombre y chimpancé se vuelve borrosa. Gracias a los avances de la biología molecular, la genómica y la proteómica, paralelamente la antropología molecular ha pasado de ser una disciplina meramente descriptiva y especulativa a plantearse la búsqueda de los mecanismos funcionales de nuestras capacidades cognitivas. En este trabajo hacemos un repaso histórico de la metodología empleada en la búsqueda de nuestra humanidad a nivel molecular, los conceptos y los hallazgos más relevantes

El código de barras de ADN confirma la distribución de Bombus magnus (Vogt, 1911) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) en la península Ibérica

Bombus magnus (Vogt, 1911) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is one of the three cryptic species belonging to the lucorum complex besides B. lucorum (Linnaeus, 1761) and B. cryptarum (Fabricius, 1775). In the Iberian Peninsula, only B. lucorum and B. magnus are present but the presence of this last species south of the Pyrenees has not yet been confirmed. Given their morphological similarity, we used the DNA barcode region for the identification of 113 individuals of this species complex in an Iberian sampling. Results confirm the presence of B. magnus in the Pyrenees and extend its current distribution to the Northern Iberian Plateau. Given these results, we suggest that the distribution and conservation status of this species in the Iberian Peninsula should be revised.Bombus magnus (Vogt, 1911) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) es una de las tres especies crípticas pertenecientes al complejo lucorum junto con B. lucorum (Linnaeus, 1761) y B. cryptarum (Fabricius, 1775). En la península Ibérica solo se encuentran B. lurocum y B. magnus pero la presencia de esta última no ha sido confirmada al sur de los Pirineos. Dada su similitud morfológica, usamos la región del código de barras de ADN para identificar 113 individuos de este complejo de especies en un muestreo ibérico. Los resultados confirman la presencia de B. magnus en los Pirineos y amplían su distribución actual hacia la meseta Norte ibérica. Dados estos resultados, sugerimos que ha de revisarse su distribución y el estado de conservación de esta especie en la península Ibérica

Searching for Molecular Markers to Differentiate Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus) Subspecies in the Iberian Peninsula

Bumblebees (genus Bombus Latreille) are pollinator insects of great ecological and economic importance, which commercial use for pollination has increased since the 80s. However, the introduction of foreign Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus) has resulted in a decline of native bumblebee populations in Japan, Chile or Argentina among others. To study the potential introgression of commercial B. terrestris into the Iberian endemic subspecies Bombus terrestris lusitanicus Krüger, it is necessary to find a precise molecular marker that differentiates both subspecies. For this purpose, comparative analyses were carried out between B. t. lusitanicus and B. t. terrestris (Linnaeus) from Spain and from Belgium by sequencing the nuclear genes elongation factor 1-α and arginine kinase and the mitochondrial gene 16S ribosomal RNA, and genotyping with eleven microsatellite loci. No differentiation was observed at the nuclear level, but haplotypes found within the 16S sequence correlated with the morphological characterization of the subspecies. In a case study including individuals sampled before the establishment of bumblebee rearing companies and others from recent samplings, we detected hybrid individuals (those with non-matching morphological subspecies and 16S haplotype) more frequently in the south supporting the naturalization of commercial B. t. terrestris and introgression events between both subspecies. This marker should be used in Iberian populations with the aim to support management and conservation actions in endemic populations of B. t. lusitanicus

A Recording Form for Differential Diagnosis of Arthropathies

The present study is focused on a group of arthropathies that may have very similar bone manifestations (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis), which makes it more difficult to diagnose them in human remains from archaeological contexts. A stepwise recording form was designed in order to improve the identification and differential diagnosis of these pathological conditions in bone remains, particularly in joint manifestations of the spine, pelvis, hands, feet and other limb joints. This recording form was applied in the analysis of two medieval individuals from the Basque Country (Spain) who presented very severe arthropathic manifestations. The use of this recording form allowed the researchers the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis in one of them and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in the other.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (GCL2016-79093/P), and grants from the Basque Government to Research Groups of the Basque University System (IT1138-16). We are grateful to Mikel Neira, Director of the archaeological intervention in the medieval necropolis of San Miguel de Erenozar for the archaeological data. Besides, the Institutions that granted permission for human remains study, including the Government of the Basque Country (Cultural Heritage Dept.) and the Archaeology Museum of Bizkaia

Environmental factors modulated ancient mitochondrial DnA variability and the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in the Basque country

Among the factors that would explain the distribution of mitochondrial lineages in Europe, climate and diseases may have played an important role. A possible explanation lies in the nature of the mitochondrion, in which the energy generation process produces reactive oxygen species that may influence the development of different diseases. The present study is focused on the medieval necropolis of San Miguel de Erenozar (13th-16th centuries, Basque Country), whose inhabitants presented a high prevalence of rheumatic diseases and lived during the Little Ice Age (LIA). Our results indicate a close relationship between rheumatic diseases and mitochondrial haplogroup H, and specifically between spondyloarthropathies and sub-haplogroup H2. One possible explanation may be the climate change that took place in the LIA that favoured those haplogroups that were more energy-efficient, such as haplogroup H, to endure lower temperatures and food shortage. However, it had a biological trade-off: the increased risk of developing rheumatic diseases.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (GCL2016-79093/P), and grants from the Basque Government to Research Groups of the Basque University System (IT1138-16) and to Imanol Martin Laza (2014_1_326). We are grateful to the Institutions that granted permission for human remains study, including the Cultural Heritage Department of the Government of the Basque Country and the Archaeology Museum of Bizkaia

Preliminary report on cross-species microsatellite amplification for bumblebee biodiversity and conservation studies

The Iberian Peninsula holds a high diversity of bumblebees but there is a general lack of information about their biodiversity in this area. To overcome this and facilitate conservation studies, we present two novel multiplex assays for the amplification of six and five microsatellite loci respectively. Both assays successfully amplified for most of the studied species in the Iberian populations. Sibling workers and population genetic parameters were analysed in the managed species B. terrestris and in the wild species B. monticola and B. mesomelas, demonstrating the capability of these multiplex assays for biodiversity studies of both managed and wild bumblebee species

First data on the prevalence and distribution of pathogens in bumblebees (Bombus terrestris and Bombus pascuorum) from Spain

Bumblebees provide pollination services not only to wildflowers but also to economically important crops. In the context of the global decline of pollinators, there is an increasing interest in determining the pathogen diversity of bumblebee species. In this work, wild bumblebees of the species Bombus terrestris and Bombus pascuorum from northern and southern Spain were molecularly screened to detect and estimate prevalence of pathogens. One third of bumblebees were infected: while viruses only infected B. pascuorum, B. terrestris was infected by Apicystis bombi, Crithidia bombi and Nosema bombi. Ecological differences between host species might affect the success of the pathogens biological cycle and consequently infection prevalence. Furthermore, sex of the bumblebees (workers or males), sampling area (north or south) and altitude were important predictors of pathogen prevalence. Understanding how these factors affect pathogens distribution is essential for future conservation of bumblebee wild populations

Spatial and temporal patterns of genetic diversity in Bombus terrestris populations of the Iberian Peninsula and their conservation implications

The bumblebee Bombus terrestris is used worldwide for crop pollination. Despite its positive impact on crop yield, it has become a widespread threat to biodiversity due to its interactions with local bumblebee populations. Commercial subspecies introduced to the Iberian Peninsula since the 1990s without any regulation have colonized the environment, with evidence of naturalization and introgression with the endemic subspecies Bombus terrestris lusitanicus. We have used mitochondrial and nuclear genetic data to describe the current genetic diversity of the Iberian population and to estimate the expansion of commercial bumblebees. Samples from the natural distribution range of the commercial subspecies, the natural intergradation area between the two subspecies and from a period prior to the use of commercial colonies (i.e., before the 1990s) have been used for comparison. Our results show that the mitochondrial haplotype of the commercial breeds has spread throughout the territory, which, together with subtle changes observed in the nuclear genetic diversity of the populations, indicates that hybridization and consequent introgression are occurring in most of the peninsula. It is, therefore, necessary to improve the existing legislation concerning the management and exportation of commercial bumblebees to conserve locally adapted populations

The domestic dog that lived ∼17,000 years ago in the Lower Magdalenian of Erralla site (Basque Country): A radiometric and genetic analysis

Dogs are known to be the first species domesticated by humans, although the geographic and temporal origin of this process is still under debate in different fields of knowledge. In the present study, we examined a humerus from a canid recovered in the Lower Magdalenian level of the site of Erralla (Zestoa, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain), combining morphology, radiocarbon dating and genetics. Our results confirm the identification of this specimen as Canis lupus familiaris, discarding miss-identification with a dhole (Cuon alpinus) through genetic analyses of cytochrome b gene and mtDNA haplogroup. The direct AMS 14C dating (17,410–17,096 cal. BP) indicated that the Erralla specimen represents one of the earliest domesticated dogs in Europe, in the Lower Cantabrian Magdalenian period. We discuss our results in the light of the debate of the origin of dogs, conducting a critical review of the datings of sites of Eurasia that have provided remains of Paleolithic and Mesolithic dogs, including the so-called “dog-like wolves”.This research was supported by a Basque Government Grant for the study of the Erralla canid (C.R.) and for Research Groups in the Basque University Education System (IT 1693-22). The award of a predoctoral fellowship to A.S.J.N. by the Spanish Government (FPU, Ministerio de Ciencia Innovación y Universidades) and a previous fellowship by the Basque Government contributed to this research

Comparison of the transcriptional profiles of melanocytes from dark and light skinned individuals under basal conditions and following ultraviolet-b irradiation

We analysed the whole-genome transcriptional profile of 6 cell lines of dark melanocytes (DM) and 6 of light melanocytes (LM) at basal conditions and after ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation at different time points to investigate the mechanisms by which melanocytes protect human skin from the damaging effects of UVB. Further, we assessed the effect of different keratinocyte-conditioned media (KCM+ and KCM-) on melanocytes. Our results suggest that an interaction between ribosomal proteins and the P53 signaling pathway may occur in response to UVB in both DM and LM. We also observed that DM and LM show differentially expressed genes after irradiation, in particular at the first 6h after UVB. These are mainly associated with inflammatory reactions, cell survival or melanoma. Furthermore, the culture with KCM+ compared with KCM- had a noticeable effect on LM. This effect includes the activation of various signaling pathways such as the mTOR pathway, involved in the regulation of cell metabolism, growth, proliferation and survival. Finally, the comparison of the transcriptional profiles between LM and DM under basal conditions, and the application of natural selection tests in human populations allowed us to support the significant evolutionary role of MIF and ATP6V0B in the pigmentary phenotype.Dept. Educacion, Universidades e Investigacion of the Basque Government IT542-10 BFI09.248 University of the Basque Country program UFI11/0