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Genetic studies link Neanderthal DNA and FNIP1 mutations to increased muscle mass
International researchers have identified genetic links between ancient ancestry and modern physical traits. A study involving over one million people has found that a variant of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) inherited from Neanderthals is associated with increased muscle mass in modern humans.
Laboratory experiments demonstrated that cells with this Neanderthal-derived receptor responded approximately 40% more intensely to growth hormones. In adult populations, carriers of this variant possessed, on average, about 270 grams more muscle mass than non-carriers. This genetic trait is notably more prevalent in South and East Asian populations (up to 24%) compared to Europeans (0.5%).
Additionally, research led by the Regeneron Genetics Center identified mutations in the FNIP1 gene. This specific mutation is associated with higher muscle mass, reduced abdominal fat, and lower blood glucose levels, which may provide a 60% lower risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. This mutation is estimated to occur in approximately one in 7,000 people.
Entities
Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) variant · Hugo Zeberg · Karolinska Institutet · Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Neanderthal · Philipp Kanis · Regeneron Genetics Center
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] In laboratory tests, cells with the Neanderthal receptor showed approximately 40 percent higher growth than those with the common variant. www.nrz.de · www.wp.de · www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Analysis of data from over one million adults found that individuals with the Neanderthal variant have an average of 270 grams more muscle mass. www.nrz.de · www.wp.de · www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] A Neanderthal gene variant affects the growth hormone receptor in modern humans. www.nrz.de · www.wp.de · www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The physical effects of the gene variant appear to manifest in adulthood rather than childhood. www.nrz.de · www.wp.de · www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de