Figure 4.

Working hypothesis - Evolutionary positive selection for “T” allele for rs10166942 is described in the context of TRPM8 expression, cold sensory function and the consequent thermoregulatory heat production. The ancestral “C” allele found among populations that inhabited warmer climates correlates with reduced TRPM8 function and attenuated cold sensory function. TRPM8 expression is higher among the carriers of “T” allele among inhabitants of colder climates and functionally might have provided higher cold activated sensory input that translates into higher thermoregulatory heat production resulted in the positive selection of this allele along the latitudinal cline as an adaptation to colder environments.