Neanderthals disappeared roughly 42,000 years ago, but their biological legacy remains present in many of us today. Research led by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology identifies a specific genetic variant inherited from these ancient hominins that continues to shape human muscle mass and jaw structure.
Scientists compared modern human DNA with high-quality Neanderthal genomes to identify a distinct version of the growth hormone receptor. This protein regulates how the body responds to growth hormone. Lab tests showed that cells containing this Neanderthal-inherited variant multiplied faster and exhibited stronger signaling than those with the standard human version.
This genetic trait is particularly common in populations across South and East Asia, appearing in about one-fifth of some groups. It remains rare or absent in sub-Saharan Africa. Genetic and health data from over a million individuals reveal that carriers of this variant are often slightly taller and heavier, with the extra weight linked to muscle mass rather than fat. Carriers also demonstrate distinct skeletal traits, including shorter tooth roots and a higher likelihood of an overbite.
These physical differences typically emerge during puberty when growth hormone levels spike. This finding provides a rare example where controlled laboratory results and large-scale population data align perfectly to explain a modern biological trait. While this gene is only one of many factors influencing human growth, it offers a clear view into how ancient interbreeding continues to influence our anatomy long after the extinction of the Neanderthal lineage.