The Ethiopian highlands are about 3,500 meters above ocean level , yet a case of inveterate mountain sickness has never been reported among native highlanders . Now , research worker may have uncovered the genetical adaptation that help Ethiopians to adjust to life in low oxygen conditions over evolutionary clock time . The findings were publish inProceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesthis week .

People have been living in gamy - altitude locus for thousands of geezerhood . There are more than 140 million the great unwashed exist 2,500 meters above ocean level or higher . Previous work   suggests that three high - dwelling house populations – Andeans , Himalayans , and Ethiopians – have adapt unique ways to cope with these extreme environments . In a2014 cogitation , researcher trying to understand the basis for high - altitude adaptations analyzed the whole genomes of 13 native Ethiopian highlanders for genetic variation . Six of the participant survive on the Bale Plateau , and the other seven mortal live on Chennek field in the Simien Mountains . This work highlighted sure factor linked to adaptations for hypoxia , a term cause by O want .

Now , aUC San Diego team led by Gabriel Haddadtested one of those genes called endothelin sense organ B ( EdnrB ) . Its product is a signaling receptor affect in cardiac function . They display genetically engineered mouse – who have only one functional transcript of the gene – to moderate or extreme hypoxia ( just 5 % atomic number 8 ) . Compared to control mice , these mutant computer mouse indicate better cardiac performance and oxygenation of vital organs . Decreased EdnrB , it seems , improves cardiac tolerance to hypoxia .

When they conducted a gene expression analytic thinking , the squad identified several genes that might facilitate to explain this superior cardiac function under hard hypoxia . Three of these genes – Nppa , Sln and   Myl4 – were implicate in cellular pathways involved in Ca regulation , heart muscular contraction , and blood circulation .

If lowering grade of EdnrB helps to continue cardiac function in hypoxic condition at high altitudes , understanding this good could help people to maintain optimum oxygen residue at various other altitude .