New research suggests that a genetic incompatibility between Neanderthals and modern humans may have hastened the extinction of our ancient cousins. The study, published on a preprint database, found that different versions of a gene tied to red blood cell function, called PIEZO1, may have caused hybrid Neanderthal-human women to miscarry their fetuses.
When Neanderthals and early modern humans met in Eurasia around 45,000 years ago, they exchanged genes - but this exchange also led to hidden reproductive risks. Researchers discovered that the PIEZO1 gene differed significantly between Neanderthals and modern humans. The Neanderthal variant allowed hemoglobin in red blood cells to cling more tightly to oxygen molecules, while the human variant allowed oxygen to be passed more efficiently into surrounding tissue.
However, this difference may have caused problems when a hybrid Neanderthal-human mother mated with a modern-human father or a hybrid father. Abnormally high amounts of oxygen bound to hemoglobin in maternal blood could lead to hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) or restricted growth of the fetus or miscarriage.
The study suggests that this incompatibility would have had a significant impact on Neanderthals, causing many of their offspring to fail to survive. This, in turn, would mean that Neanderthal women passed on less of their mitochondrial DNA, which is carried in the egg and passes from mother to child.
Over several generations of mating between Neanderthals and humans, this may have significantly compromised hybrid Neanderthals' ability to have kids. The researchers believe that this PIEZO1 incompatibility may have accelerated the demise of Neanderthals by gradually eroding their reproductive capacity whenever the two groups interacted.
The study adds a new piece to the puzzle surrounding Neanderthal extinction, highlighting maternal-fetal incompatibility in oxygen transfer during pregnancy as a key factor. Experts say that this research highlights the complexities of genetic interactions and the need for further research into the topic.
When Neanderthals and early modern humans met in Eurasia around 45,000 years ago, they exchanged genes - but this exchange also led to hidden reproductive risks. Researchers discovered that the PIEZO1 gene differed significantly between Neanderthals and modern humans. The Neanderthal variant allowed hemoglobin in red blood cells to cling more tightly to oxygen molecules, while the human variant allowed oxygen to be passed more efficiently into surrounding tissue.
However, this difference may have caused problems when a hybrid Neanderthal-human mother mated with a modern-human father or a hybrid father. Abnormally high amounts of oxygen bound to hemoglobin in maternal blood could lead to hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) or restricted growth of the fetus or miscarriage.
The study suggests that this incompatibility would have had a significant impact on Neanderthals, causing many of their offspring to fail to survive. This, in turn, would mean that Neanderthal women passed on less of their mitochondrial DNA, which is carried in the egg and passes from mother to child.
Over several generations of mating between Neanderthals and humans, this may have significantly compromised hybrid Neanderthals' ability to have kids. The researchers believe that this PIEZO1 incompatibility may have accelerated the demise of Neanderthals by gradually eroding their reproductive capacity whenever the two groups interacted.
The study adds a new piece to the puzzle surrounding Neanderthal extinction, highlighting maternal-fetal incompatibility in oxygen transfer during pregnancy as a key factor. Experts say that this research highlights the complexities of genetic interactions and the need for further research into the topic.
. I mean, we already knew they intermingled with humans, but this genetic incompatibility thing is wild. So basically, their reproductive systems were kinda incompatible with ours, and it made it super hard for them to have healthy kids. It's like, imagine having a baby with someone, but your body's all "nope, I don't think so"... that's what was happening here 
. And if that happened enough times, it would've just gradually killed off the Neanderthal population over time. It's crazy to think about how one little gene could have such a huge impact on an entire species 
. I mean, it makes sense that there would be some kind of incompatibility issue when we're talking about exchanging genes between two different species. But the idea that this could have led to them having trouble having kids is just wild to think about 
.
. The thought that their reproductive abilities were gradually compromised over time because of genetic differences between them and us humans is just mind-blowing to me 
. This study definitely adds another layer to our understanding of human history and the complexities of genetic interactions 
.
can u even imagine carrying a pregnancy with your mixed heritage dna and it not being able to thrive due to genetic differences? 
this study makes total sense tho - like, it's no wonder neanderthals didn't survive when we think about it... all these little details are just mind-blowing 
I THINK THIS RESEARCH IS SO FASCINATING! THE IDEA THAT A GENETIC INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN NEANDERTHALS AND MODERN HUMANS MIGHT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR EXTINCTION IS JUST MIND-BLOWING! IMAGINE BEING A HYBRID NEANDERTHAL-HUMAN MOM, TRYING TO PREGNANCY WITH YOUR HUMAN PARTNER, BUT THE GENES YOU INHERITED FROM YOUR NEANDERTHAL SIDE CAUSING TROUBLE. IT'S LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE! BUT SERIOUSLY, THIS RESEARCH IS REALLY MAKING ME THINK ABOUT HOW OUR GENES CAN INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND HOW THAT MIGHT AFFECT OUR LIVES. I GUESS WE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR MORE RESEARCH TO COME OUT AND SEE IF THIS THEORY HOLDS UP.