The molecular basis of increased hemoglobin in Andean Aymara highlanders is unknown. We conducted an integrative analysis of whole-genome-sequencing and granulocytes transcriptomics from Aymara and Europeans in Bolivia to explore genetic basis of the Aymara high hemoglobin. Differentially expressed and spliced genes in Aymaras were associated with inflammatory and hypoxia-related pathways. We identified transcripts with 4th or 5th exon skipping of NFKB1 (AS-NFKB1), key part of NF-kB complex, and their splicing quantitative trait loci; these were increased in Aymaras. AS-NFKB1 transcripts correlated with both transcripts and protein levels of inflammatory and HIF-regulated genes, including hemoglobin. While overexpression of the AS-NFKB1 variant led to increased expression of inflammatory and HIF-targeted genes; under inflammatory stress, NF-kB protein translocation to the nucleus was attenuated, resulting in reduced expression of these genes. Our study reveals AS-NFKB1 splicing events correlating with increased hemoglobin in Aymara and their possible protective mechanisms against excessive inflammation.

• MeSH
• alternativní sestřih * genetika   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• exony genetika   MeSH
• faktor 1 indukovatelný hypoxií - podjednotka alfa genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• granulocyty metabolismus   MeSH
• hemoglobiny * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lokus kvantitativního znaku MeSH
• NF-kappa B - podjednotka p50 * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese MeSH
• transkriptom MeSH
• zánět * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Bolívie MeSH