Tuesday, October 21, 2025

MUC19 genes in America


Modern-day Mexicans have the highest frequency of the Denisovan-specific MUC19
 variants, with about 33% of the population carrying this version of the gene. About 20% of Peruvians carried the variant, whereas only around 1% of Colombians and Puerto Ricans did. The researchers think this is because, on average, Mexicans have more Indigenous American DNA in their genomes than the other populations do.

When the team investigated which archaic human group had passed on these gene variants, they were surprised to see that the Denisovan section of the gene was sandwiched between Neanderthal-specific DNA. The most likely explanation for this is that Neanderthals first acquired these variants from mating with Denisovans, and when Neanderthals later mated with modern humans, they passed on this surprise genetic parcel.

The New Guineans carry the highest percentage of Denisovan genes. Probably they look like the original Denisovans  (pic). The men are muscular and the girls are not ugly.

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