Friday, April 15, 2022

Researchers discover gene variant partially responsible for height in world’s shortest people.

 

While there are many common variants in DNA known to affect height each has only about a millimeter difference or so. However, a gene variant found in 5% of Peruvians is observed to reduce height by up to 2.2 centimeters. This is the largest observed effect on height by any common gene variation. Rare variations like Marfans syndrome can have much larger effects on height but are found in less than 1% percent of individuals.

The variation is located on the FBN1 gene, a gene which involves producing a protein involved in forming bone, connective tissues, skin and other issues. Marfans syndrome is also linked to a variation within this gene. However the 5% of Peruvians who carry this variant are not considered sick in any pathological definition. Researchers surmised that natural selection favors the variant for shorter individuals, but it is unclear wether there is an evolutionary advantage it gives the those affected currently.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/gene-variant-height-peruvians-short

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2302-0


1 comment:

  1. I loved reading your blog! This has reminded me of a teacher I had in high school who is over seven feet tall and I know it talks about short individuals, it is just interesting to talk about it. Great article, did not know Peruvians had that gene.

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