A version of AMPD1 gene, which modern Europeans inherited from Neandertals, reduces muscle effectiveness. This conclusion was the scientists of the Institute of Evolism Institute of Max Planck. The study was published in Nature Communications (Natcom).
Scientists have explained that AMPD1 encodes enzyme for energy production and normal muscles. The mutations that reduce its activity are one of the most common causes of the Matabolism Misabetic in Europeans and meet 9-14% of the population.
An analysis of ancient DNA has shown that all Neandertals have had a unique version of AMPD1 in their genome, which reduced enzymatic activity by 25%. When this option was introduced into genetically modified mice, the enzymatic muscle activity fell by 80%, which significantly worsened their function.
Researchers believe that modern people have received this gene version of about 50,000 years ago as a result of intercourse with Neanderthal. Today, about 1-2% of the genome near the African population consists of the debris of Neanderthal.
"It is surprising that most of the bearers of this version do not have serious health problems," said the first author of the study Dominic Machk.
However, in accordance with the analysis of the genomes of more than a thousand elite athletes, people with non-functional AMPD1 have less likely to achieve a professional level in sports.
Translation of: Euromedia24.com
