The European population shows selection signals (Supplementary Fig. 36a) in the vicinity of LCT and the MHC locus, reflecting well-known signals for adaptation to lactose metabolism and immune system function61. We further identify a strong selection signal implicating HERC2, a gene that is associated with iris pigmentation62. The African population shows a selection signal (Supplementary Fig. 36b) at a locus situated among a cluster of antimicrobial alpha- and beta-defensin genes63, which has an important role in innate immunity, suggesting a possible adaptive response to environmental pathogens. Other regions implicated include a locus 23 kb upstream of NRG3, a previously identified putative target of selection expressed in neural tissue64,65 and the calcium sensor STIM1. Mutations in STIM1 are known to cause immunodeficiency66. The East Asian population shows a selection signal (Supplementary Fig. 36c) at GJA5, a gap junction protein that forms intercellular channels to allow transport between cells, and at PRAG1, a pseudokinase that interacts with cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase (CSK), which ultimately affects antibacterial immune response67. Combined with a strong signal at the MHC locus, this once again suggests adaptation in
