Neanderthal Noses Influence Human Honkers

[Judi Lynn]

1. Nose shape gene inherited from Neanderthals

Date:
May 8, 2023
Source:
University College London
Summary:
Humans inherited genetic material from Neanderthals that affects the shape of our noses, finds a new study.


Humans inherited genetic material from Neanderthals that affects the shape of our noses, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

The new Communications Biology study finds that a particular gene, which leads to a taller nose (from top to bottom), may have been the product of natural selection as ancient humans adapted to colder climates after leaving Africa.

Co-corresponding author Dr Kaustubh Adhikari (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment and The Open University) said: "In the last 15 years, since the Neanderthal genome has been sequenced, we have been able to learn that our own ancestors apparently interbred with Neanderthals, leaving us with little bits of their DNA.

"Here, we find that some DNA inherited from Neanderthals influences the shape of our faces. This could have been helpful to our ancestors, as it has been passed down for thousands of generations."

The study used data from more than 6,000 volunteers across Latin America, of mixed European, Native American and African ancestry, who are part of the UCL-led CANDELA study, which recruited from Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru. The researchers compared genetic information from the participants to photographs of their faces -- specifically looking at distances between points on their faces, such as the tip of the nose or the edge of the lips -- to see how different facial traits were associated with the presence of different genetic markers.

More:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230508104930.htm