Researchers found that this specific Neanderthal gene, a variant of the growth hormone receptor gene, causes cells to respond strongly to growth hormone. The Neanderthal version of the gene creates a growth hormone receptor with two amino acid changes and one deletion, compared with the typical receptor in most modern humans. The researchers think it entered the modern human gene pool through interbreeding, probably about 47,000 years ago.
The study, published Aug. 5 in the journal Cell, found that almost all Neanderthals had this gene variant, but only about 10% of modern humans do. Certain modern human groups were more likely to have it, with the variant showing up in about 1% of modern people with European ancestry, and up to 25% of those with Southern Asian or Southeast Asian ancestry. It does not seem to appear in people of African ancestry, possibly because the interbreeding happened in Eurasia.
In the study, the researchers studied 10 samples of Neanderthal DNA and two samples of Denisovan DNA from archaeological sites in Europe, the Balkans, Siberia and Asia. (The Denisovans were closely related to the Neanderthals.)
The researchers next tweaked cells in the laboratory to express the regular and Neanderthal variants of the gene, and found that the Neanderthal cells multiplied about 40% more often than regular cells when flushed with growth hormone. Despite this, the Neanderthal gene variant doesn't always make people look bulkier, the researchers found. Instead, the differences are more subtle: for example, people who have this gene variant would have higher levels of a key signaling protein in response to growth hormone, the researchers wrote.
Neanderthals went extinct around 40,000 years ago, but passed along key genetic features to modern humans. (Image credit: gorodenkoff via Getty Images)
Growing Neanderthals
Neanderthals were, in general, stockier than modern humans. But Zeberg thinks their enhanced response to growth hormone does not fully explain why Neanderthals were generally more robust and "thick-set" than modern humans.
The placenta produces a particular form of growth hormone for a fetus, which differs from the form of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland. However, it seems the Neanderthal variant doesn't respond to growth hormone from the placenta. As a result, Neanderthal babies were the same size at birth as modern human babies but grew faster after that, Zeberg said.
Related stories
Neanderthal genes may explain disorder where brain bulges out of the skullSome of the last surviving Neanderthals were remarkably diverse — suggesting inbreeding didn't doom themHumans and Neanderthals interbred — but it was mostly male Neanderthals and female humans who coupled up, study finds
Kornelius Kupczik, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Chile in Santiago who was not involved in the study, told Live Science that it was notable to see such a high prevalence of the Neanderthal gene variant in people of South Asian and Southeast Asian ancestry, when it was relatively rare among Europeans.
How much do you know about our closest relatives? Find out with our Neanderthal quiz!
Hence then, the article about neanderthals passed on a gene that helps modern humans pack on more muscle but only a few people have it was published today ( ) and is available on Live Science ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Neanderthals passed on a gene that helps modern humans pack on more muscle — but only a few people have it )
Also on site :
- Walmart’s ‘Beautiful’ 9-Cube Farmhouse Bookcase Is a ‘Great Organization Solution for Small Spaces,’ Now 53% Off
- The Pioneer Woman’s 'Whimsical' $29 Floral and Gingham Ceramic Serving Tray Trio Is the Epitome of Country Charm
- Quote Of The Day By Jennifer Garner: 'Look In The Mirror Less, Obsess Less, And Look At The Rest Of The World...