Is your dog a human in disguise? Research says maybe

Do you ever look at your dog, and think, damn they are a human in disguise? There could be some truth in that. A recent study concluded that human and dog genes have been evolving together for thousands of years. So pupper really is the mini you – well almost. A team of scientists from the Kunming Institute of Zoology in China performed genome sequencing of wolf and dog genes and compared this to our human genome sequencing. There first finding was that the genomes of wolves and dogs began to diverge over 32,000 years ago, meaning wolves began domestication a much longer time than previously thought. Secondly, they uncovered that our genes and dog genes have been evolving in parallel. Humans and dogs share 32 positive selected genes in common (i.e. the genes that evolve most rapidly) out of the total 1708 positively selected genes identified in humans and 233 in dogs. The scientists hypothesised that our parallel gene evolution was driven by the similar environments that humans and dogs experienced throughout the years. Most of our overlapping genes fall into three categories: 1) Digestion and metabolism 2) Neurological process and 3) Cancer genes Digestion and metabolism genes An example of a digestion gene that has evolved in both humans and dogs alike is MGAM: a gene that assists the digestion of starch. The driving force of the evolution of this gene in dogs is mostly likely the development of human’s agricultural based lifestyle, which meant dogs faced a change in their food. This doesn’t mean that our dogs should be fed nutrient-empty carbohydrates, such as corn, wheat or soy. More so, it does mean that dogs can thrive with small amounts of nutrient-rich higher carbohydrate vegetables and legumes in their diet, such as carrots, peas and chickpeas. Another set of genes that have evolved in both humans and dogs are ABCG5 and ABCG8: genes that assist the transport of dietary cholesterol. These genes have been naturally selection in both our species, mostly likely driven by the changes in the proportions of plant food, relative to animal food in our diets. Neurological process genes The striking overlap in our neurological process genes, may have been by the complex and intimate interactions between dogs and humans as we have evolved. As a result of their similar genes, dogs may experience similar neurological conditions that humans do. For example obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and autism are all conditions dogs may also experience. Perhaps this explains the obsessive ball-chasing or tail-chasing behaviour that many owners see in their puppers. Dogs have even been shown to respond similarly to the drugs that are used to treat humans. Cancer genes Many cancer-related genes also overlap between humans and dogs. One example is MET: a gene that if amplified, leads to the growth of cancerous tumours. This finding implies that some of the lifestyle principles we follow to decrease our cancer risks can also apply to dogs. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight, exercising them regularly and feeding them a fresh, natural diet can all contribute to a healthy, cancer-free pupper.
WELLNESS

Do you sometimes think that your pupper, is actually a human-being trapped in a furry (and sometimes drool-excessive) body? Well, there may be some truth to that. A recent study concluded that human and dog genes have been evolving together for thousands of years. So pupper really is a mini you – well almost.

A team of scientists from the Kunming Institute of Zoology in China performed genome sequencing of wolf and dog genes, comparing the results to our human genomes.

Their first finding was that the genomes of wolves and dogs began to diverge over 32,000 years ago. Incredibly, humans began domesticating wolves a much longer time ago than previously thought.

Their second finding was that that human and dog genes have been evolving in parallel ever since. They uncovered that dogs share 32 positive selected genes with us. Positively selection genes are the ones that change most rapidly and drive our evolution (humans have a total 1708 positively selected genes and dogs have 233).

The scientists hypothesised that our parallel gene evolution was influenced by the similar environmental conditions that humans and dogs experienced throughout the years. In other words, man’s best friend has stuck by so closely with us, that their natural selection patterns closely mirror ours.

Most of our overlapping genes fall into three categories: 1) Digestion and metabolism genes 2) Neurological process genes and 3) Cancer genes

Digestion and metabolism genes

An example of a digestion gene that has evolved in both humans and dogs alike is MGAM: a gene that assists the digestion of starch. The evolution of this gene was most likely caused by our shift to an agricultural based lifestyle, which also impacted the diet our of dogs. This doesn’t mean that you should feed pupper a diet high in nutrient-empty carbohydrates, such as corn, wheat or soy. More so, it means that dogs can thrive with small amounts of nutrient-rich, high-carb vegetables and legumes in their diet, such as carrots, peas and chickpeas.

Man's best friend has more in common with us than we think

 

Neurological process genes

There is striking overlap in the neurological process genes of dogs and humans, which may have been by influenced by the history of complex and intimate interactions between dogs and humans. Interestingly, this means that dogs can experience similar neurological conditions as humans, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and autism. Perhaps this explains the obsessive ball-chasing or tail-chasing behaviour that you may see in your pupper. Dogs have even been shown to respond similarly to the drugs that are used to treat these conditions in humans.

Cancer genes

Many cancer-related genes also overlap between humans and dogs. One example is MET: a gene that if amplified, leads to the growth of cancerous tumours. This finding implies that some of the lifestyle principles you follow to decrease cancer risks can also apply to your pupper. Keeping your pupper at a healthy weight, exercising them regularly and feeding them a fresh, natural diet can all contribute to a healthy, cancer-free pupper.

 

Read the full genome sequencing research report here.

 

Source: Wang, GD. et al, The genomics of selection in dogs and the parallel evolution between dogs and humans, Nature Communications, 2013.