Neanderthal growth hormone receptor increases muscle mass in people today, study shows
Neanderthals were generally more strongly built than most people living today. Their bones show signs of large muscles, and they had characteristic features such as prominent brow ridges and relatively short tooth roots.
A study published in Current Biology reveals that a growth hormone receptor variant inherited from Neanderthals increases muscle mass in modern humans. This receptor, with two Neanderthal-specific changes, causes cells and laboratory-grown muscle tissue to grow more than those with the common modern human receptor. The stronger response is primarily due to one of these Neanderthal-specific changes.
Today, this Neanderthal version is especially prevalent in South and East Asian populations, with up to 24% of individuals carrying it, compared to just 0.5% of Europeans. The effect of this variant becomes noticeable after childhood, possibly around puberty, when growth hormone levels surge. Carriers of the Neanderthal receptor have an average of 270 grams more muscle mass than non-carriers.
While this genetic adaptation could explain some aspects of Neanderthal physique, it is just one piece of the complex puzzle that shapes human body type and is not responsible for overall appearance.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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