How do Tibetans easily survive at heights where some humans fall critically ill? A new study credits this to 10 unique oxygen processing genes that Tibetans have embraced over the years.
Researchers from the University of Utah School of Medicine report that thousands of years ago Tibetan highlanders began to genetically adapt to conditions so that they don’t suffer loss of oxygen, swelling of the lungs and brain, and respiratory failure.
Even at elevations of 14,000 feet above sea level or higher, where the atmosphere contains much less oxygen than at sea level, most Tibetans do not overproduce red blood cells. The researchers say this might be related to at least 10 genes, two of which are specific genes strongly associated with haemoglobin, a molecule that transports oxygen in the blood.
High-altitude lung and brain complications threaten and even kill even mountaineers.
But Tibetans have evolved genes that others living at similar elevations have not developed, says Lynn B. Jorde, professor of human genetics at Utah University and senior study author.
The study, undertaken after haematologist Josef T. Prchal approached Mr Jorde about doing genetic analysis related to his research on polycythemia, was published in Science Express earlier this week.
“What’s unique about Tibetans is they don’t develop high red blood cells counts,” said Mr Prchal, also a senior author on the study.
“If we can understand this, we can develop therapies for human disease,” Mr Prchal said.
—IANS