Submitted by Lass_OM t3_117oez7 in askscience
HankScorpio-vs-World t1_j9dqf81 wrote
Reply to comment by masken21 in Are some people immune to HIV? by Lass_OM
Would that indicate a large population crash in “pre-history” caused by HIV? Leaving only those with the CCR5 mutation to repopulate? That would indicate that HIV has been around for a very long time and have big historical implications.
Alexis_J_M t1_j9dr6dq wrote
Not necessarily, as population bottlenecks sometimes concentrate a random mutation in a population.
The gene might also be beneficial in some other way we don't yet understand.
Spartan-417 t1_j9eztkd wrote
Other viruses could interact with CCR5
Smallpox is the primary candidate as its relatives interact with the same receptor family, and this study shows a protective effect against HIV from smallpox vaccination suggesting antigens between the two viruses are somewhat similar in an example of convergent evolution
Lightning_Lance t1_j9edpjp wrote
Evolution is random. Sometimes outside circumstances guide this randomness, sometimes it doesn't. (or the mutation coincides with another mutation that is more actively selected for)
BenjaminHamnett t1_j9f1aut wrote
It’s much less random than people believe
the mutations are mostly always happening, they usually only become widespread enough to notice when a change in environment selects for it so it can spread.
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