title: Dopamine receptor D4 allele distribution in Amerindians: a reflection of past behavior differences?
abstract: The DRD4 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) allele distribution of 172 Guarani (Kaiowá and Ñandeva subgroups) and Kaingang Brazilian Amerindians is reported. These results are integrated with those previously obtained for this ethnic group. Allele frequencies for the three populations are within the interval observed for 15 other Native American populations and show intermediate values between those observed in Amazonia and Patagonia. Significant differences in allele distribution between recent past hunter-gatherer and agriculturalist populations are observed, with an increase of the 7R allele among hunter-gatherers (P < 0.001). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and pairwise F(ST) data suggest three distinct sectors for the genetic landscape of Native South America: Andes, Center/Southeast region, and Amazonia. Common traits among hunter-gatherers such as novelty-seeking temperament, hyperactivity, and impulsivity could have been important and advantageous in new environments during America's prehistoric colonization.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Caixa Postal 15053, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tovo-Rodrigues
authors.forename: Sidia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Callegari-Jacques
authors.forename: M Luiza
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Petzl-Erler
authors.forename: Luiza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tsuneto
authors.forename: Francisco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Salzano
authors.forename: Mara H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hutz
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000235:genetics*; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: C493599:DRD4 protein, human; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4