Acid phosphatase locus 1 (ACP1): Possible relationship of allelic variation to body size and human population adaptation to thermal stress - A theoretical perspective

The acid phosphatase locus 1 (ACP1) codes for a low molecular weight phosph otyrosine protein phosphatase that has the important action of dephosphoryl ating tyrosine phosphorylated proteins and peptides and a second important role in modulating flavin cofactor levels and the activity of flavo-enzymes . These functions significantly influence cell division, differentiation, a nd growth. Two alleles (ACP1*A and ACP1*B) reach polymorphic frequencies at the ACP1 locus in all human populations, while the ACP1*C and ACP1*R allel es reach polymorphic frequencies in restricted geographical regions. The wo rldwide distribution of these alleles, and data from several clinical studi es, strongly suggest that the ACP1 locus functions to modulate growth and t hat selection at this locus is a component of the selective processes influ encing body mass and human population adaptation to thermal stress. The ACP 1*A allele reaches highest frequencies at extreme latitudes and appears to be associated with maximizing body mass and adaptation to cold stress, wher eas the ACP1*B allele reaches highest frequencies in tropical and subtropic al environments and appears to be associated with minimizing body mass and adaptation to heat stress. The high frequency of the ACP1*C allele at north ern latitudes, where ACP1*A allele frequencies are elevated, may be a mecha nism for limiting fetal and maternal complications associated with fetal ma crosomia and adult obesity in populations where protein and calorie intake are relatively high. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.