A Distinctive Pattern of Diversity for the TAS2R38 Gene in North Africa

The TAS2R38 gene is involved in bitter taste perception. This study documents the distinctive diversity patterns northern Africa of functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs713598 and rs1726866 at locus places those context global diversity. Data previously genotyped with TaqMan assay were analyzed for 375 unrelated subjects (305 Tunisians from seven locations: Mahdia, Sousse, Kesra, Nebeur, Kairouan, Smar, Kerkennah; plus 70 Libyans). to present haplotypes genotypes before comparison data worldwide populations. provides information about a part world that relatively understudied. Considering two SNPs rs1726866, CA nucleotide haplotype leading PV amino acid extremely rare almost everywhere, but it frequent (between 6% 15%) Africa, where coexists globally common PA, AA, AV. Given its higher frequency North authors propose as biogeographic marker forensic purposes.