What's Happening?
A recent study has identified a Neanderthal version of a gene that enhances the body's response to growth hormone, resulting in increased muscle mass in adults who carry it. This genetic variant, inherited through interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals
approximately 47,000 years ago, is still present in millions of people today. The research, led by Hugo Zeberg of Sweden's Karolinska Institutet and Philipp Kanis of Germany's Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, found that cells with the Neanderthal receptor grew 40% more than those with the modern human version. The study also noted that adults carrying this variant have, on average, about 270 grams more muscle mass than non-carriers. The effect of this gene variant appears to manifest around puberty, coinciding with a rise in growth hormone levels.
Why It's Important?
The discovery of this Neanderthal gene variant's impact on muscle mass provides significant insights into human evolutionary biology and genetics. It highlights the lasting influence of Neanderthal DNA on modern human physiology, particularly in muscle development. This finding could have implications for understanding genetic predispositions to muscle growth and related health conditions. Additionally, it underscores the complexity of human genetic heritage and the potential for ancient DNA to affect contemporary human traits. The study also emphasizes the importance of genetic research in uncovering the nuances of human evolution and its ongoing impact on present-day populations.
