Key Gene Difference Between Humans and Neanderthals Linked to Their Extinction: Study

Rapid Summary

• A new study investigated the enzyme ADSL (adenylosuccinate lyase), which differs between modern humans and their extinct relatives, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.
• In modern humans, a single amino acid mutation in ADSL appears to have altered its activity compared to neanderthals/Denisovans.
• The variant enzyme seen in modern humans is less stable and breaks down more quickly,affecting DNA synthesis-related processes.
• Experiments on genetically modified mice revealed behavioral changes: female mice with the human-like enzyme performed better at tasks requiring pattern recognition or motivation. No effects were noted in male mice.
• Statistical analyses suggest that mutations in the human version of ADSL likely provided an evolutionary advantage post-divergence from other hominin species ~600,000 years ago.
• Despite these findings, disorders caused by excessive reductions in ADSL activity affect cognition negatively in humans today.
• Experts have mixed opinions on how relevant this study is to understanding why modern humans outlasted Neanderthals or Denisovans.

Indian Opinion Analysis

while the research offers intriguing insights into genetic divergence between modern humans and their extinct relatives through an amino acid mutation of ADSL, broad conclusions about behaviour and survival cannot yet be drawn.It underscores how minute biological changes potentially shaped human intelligence or adaptability but also highlights complexities like gender-specific impacts observed only among female mice.

For India’s scientific community researching evolution or even broader fields like genetics-based medicine, such studies encourage multidisciplinary approaches-combining molecular biology with behavioral experiments-to unlock mysteries related to our ancestry.Additionally, it illustrates how India can collaborate internationally by leveraging bioinformatics expertise for similar studies into evolutionary biology.

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