Some genetic mutations can make a person amazing
Did you know that 99% of the genetic information in your body is basically the same as that of everyone else in the world? Genes determine a person’s gender, hair and skin color, susceptibility to various diseases, and so on. But what is responsible for that 1%, which is unique in humans? Scientists have many reasons to believe that the specific genes included in this small percentage can endow some people with amazing abilities. For example, rare gene variations can give a person the ability to run fast and for a long time, protect against dangerous diseases, drink a lot of coffee, and so on. Let’s find out what genes a person needs to have in order to be considered a full-fledged “superman”?
The list of genetic mutations that can give a person amazing features was shared by Business Insider.
Strength and endurance gene
Each person, without exception, has the ACTN3 gene, which helps our body produce a special hormone alpha-actinin-3. It is one of the most well-studied proteins in the human body – it has long been known to control muscle fibers, which are very important during running and lifting weights. How much of the alpha-actinin-3 hormone is produced in the human body determines its ability to run fast and long, lift weights, and so on.
Some mutations in the ACTN3 gene can make a person remarkably hardy or strong.
Many people refer to ACTN3 as the “sports gene” and even get tested for its mutations. Based on these results, one can understand which sports a person is most predisposed to. In some cases, people are genetically inclined towards sports where endurance is very important: running, swimming, skiing, and so on. In other cases, men and women are not very hardy, but much more muscular and because of this they can lift heavy weights. Especially often, parents who want to send their child to the sports section are interested in the presence of a mutation in the ACTN3 gene.
short sleep genes
In 5 Compelling Reasons to Sleep Less on Weekends, we found that adults need 8 hours of sleep a day. But there is an exception – people with a mutation in the hDEC2 gene are able to restore their energy in just 4 hours of sleep.
Mutations in some genes can save a person from the need for long sleep
The hDEC2 gene is not the only one whose mutation can reduce sleep time without harm to health. In an article about short sleep syndrome, my colleague Andrei Zhukov wrote that the BHLHE41 and ADRB1 genes can also reduce sleep time. But such mutations are very rare.
Bitter taste sensitivity gene
According to scientists, about a quarter of the world’s population has a critically high sensitivity to bitter taste. For example, when they drink coffee, they feel its bitterness more than others, which makes it necessary to add more milk or sugar to the drink. On the one hand, this feature can significantly complicate life. But, it is worth noting, such people have a chance to become highly paid drink tasters. Scientists believe that increased sensitivity to bitter is associated with mutations in the TAS2R38 gene.
People with TAS2R38 gene mutation can become good tasters
strong bone gene
Certain genetic mutations in the LRP5 gene can make a person’s bones very fragile. Scientists suggest that it is these genetic disorders that can explain some cases of juvenile osteoporosis, a disease in which bone mineralization is severely reduced. People with this kind of disease are at risk of fracture even with a weak blow.
Mutations in the LRP5 gene can make bones weak, or vice versa – extremely strong
However, some mutations in the LRP5 gene have the opposite effect – human bones become unusually strong. Such people are not afraid of strong blows and falls, because their skeleton becomes extremely strong.
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gene that protects against malaria
According to WHO, malaria is a dangerous infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. According to 2021 data, 247 million people worldwide were affected by this disease. People who live in warm parts of the Earth with high humidity are especially at risk of getting sick with a terrible disease.
Deadly disease transmitted by malarial mosquitoes
Some people have genetic protection against malaria associated with a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. This genetic change leads to the development of sickle cell anemia, in which red blood cells take on the shape of a sickle. Parasitic organisms cannot reproduce in cells of this shape, which provides protection.
cholesterol lowering gene
Fatty foods like fried meats, as well as all sorts of sausages and other unhealthy foods, increase the level of bad cholesterol. Its excess leads to the development of atherosclerosis – the formation of plaques on the walls of the arteries. As a result of their formation, a person has a significantly increased risk of developing diseases such as angina pectoris, as well as the occurrence of myocardial infarction and stroke.
There is a mutation that keeps cholesterol at optimal levels
However, some people have a mutation in the gene that is responsible for the production of the cholesterol ester transport protein (CETP). A mutation in the gene leads to a deficiency of this protein, resulting in a decrease in the level of bad cholesterol. Scientists believe that this reduces the risk of developing the mentioned diseases.
Genes for fast coffee digestion
To date, scientists know at least six genes that are responsible for the absorption of caffeine by the body. For example, the BDNF and SLC6A4 genes make people want to drink more coffee, and several others speed up the breakdown of caffeine – because of this, the effect wears off faster and people can drink their favorite drink at least 10 times a day. Why not a superpower?
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skin redness gene
After drinking a can of beer or a glass of wine, most people simply become more relaxed. However, there are men and women in the world whose skin becomes reddish after drinking alcohol. In some cases, this is due to a mutation in a gene that is responsible for the ability of the liver enzyme ALDH2 to convert the alcohol by-product acetaldehyde to acetate.
Genetic mutation could cause skin to turn red when drinking alcohol
The mutation interferes with this conversion, causing acetaldehyde to accumulate in the blood and dilate the capillaries under the skin, causing it to turn red. It would seem that this is just an interesting feature of the body. However, acetaldehyde is one of the substances that can lead to the development of esophageal cancer. Perhaps this is the only mutation in this article that does not make a “superman” out of a person.
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Finally, it is worth noting that mutations in DNA can affect the aging of the body. Read more about it here.
