Neanderthal Receptor Boosts Cell Growth 40%, Adding 270 Grams of Muscle in Modern Humans
Updated
Updated · SciTechDaily · Aug 11
Neanderthal Receptor Boosts Cell Growth 40%, Adding 270 Grams of Muscle in Modern Humans
3 articles · Updated · SciTechDaily · Aug 11
Summary
Laboratory tests showed the Neanderthal-form growth hormone receptor made cells grow 40% more than cells with the common modern human receptor, directly strengthening growth-hormone signaling.
Adult carriers of the variant had about 270 grams more muscle mass, while data from more than 6,000 children found no growth effect through age 11, pointing to a later impact near puberty.
Researchers traced most of the stronger response to one of two Neanderthal-specific receptor changes and linked the variant to subtle jaw and tooth-root traits that resemble Neanderthal anatomy.
The receptor entered modern humans through interbreeding about 47,000 years ago and remains unevenly distributed today—reaching 24% in some South Asian populations but only about 0.5% in Europeans.