Old gene 'caveman & # 39; mutant protects against diabetes and obesity

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Old gene 'caveman & # 39; mutant that evolved when humans started cooking and that agriculture protects against diabetes and obesity

  • The mutant variant of the CLTCL1 gene is present in about half of the world population.
  • Less effective in trapping glucose, which reduces the blood sugar level of these people
  • Evolution when ancient humans started cooking and farming instead of hunting
  • People carrying the mutant gene are less likely to be obese or suffering from type 2 diabetes

By Joe Pinkstone for Mailonline and Colin Fernandez Scientific Correspondent of the Daily Mail

Published on: 13:32 EDT, June 4, 2019 | Update: 14:01 EDT, June 4, 2019

A mutant "Caveman" gene in humans can help some people to gain weight and make them more resistant to type 2 diabetes.

The variation in the gene, called CLTCL1, is found in about half of the world's population and has been preserved after evolved in our ancestors.

It participates in the production of a protein that "transports" blood sugar and causes it to be stored in fat and muscle cells.

The mutant form of the gene appeared when our ancestors invented farming and started cooking foods, thus increasing the amount of carbohydrates in our diet.

This version of the gene keeps the blood glucose low because it allows glucose to easily leave the bloodstream.

Before the mutant evolved, the "normal" version of the gene, which traps carbohydrates in the blood, was more common.

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Variation in the gene, called CLTCL1, is found in about half of the world's population and makes it easier for blood to get rid of glucose. This evolved when our ancestors invented agriculture and started cooking food and that the amount of sugar in our food increased (archive photo)

Variation in the gene, called CLTCL1, is found in about half of the world's population and makes it easier for blood to get rid of glucose. This evolved when our ancestors invented agriculture and started cooking food and that the amount of sugar in our food increased (archive photo)

This mutation allows us to eat starchy foods and sugary foods such as wheat and rice without gaining weight.

The findings are published in the eLife journal and Professor Frances Brodsky, director of UCL Biosciences, said, "We found that people differed as to how effectively their bodies could manage blood sugar, resulting in better health. an evolutionary process that seems to have been caused by change. Diet & # 39.

The researchers analyzed the DNA of former humans and 2,504 people today and discovered that the split with the "caveman" gene and the modern gene is around 50:50.

But in DNA samples taken from the bones of ancient populations before agriculture was developed, the older variant is more common, as are the hunter-gatherer populations of the world. modern.

Dr. Matteo Fumagalli, the first author, said, "The old version of this genetic variant would probably have been useful for our ancestors because it would have allowed higher blood glucose levels to be maintained during periods of fasting, as we did not have such easy access. carbohydrates, and that would have helped us to evolve our big brain.

WHAT IS CLTCL1?

The CLTCL1 gene directs the production of the CHC22 protein that plays a key role in the regulation of the glucose transporter in our fat and muscle cells.

Once people eat, insulin, a hormone that responds to higher blood glucose levels, releases the carrier to extract glucose from the blood and introduce it into muscles and adipose tissue.

Between meals, using the CHC22 protein, the glucose transporter stays inside the muscles and fat, allowing the blood glucose to continue to circulate.

A mutant form of the CHC22 variant is less effective in maintaining the glucose transporter in muscles and fat between meals.

This means that the carrier can more easily remove glucose from the blood.

People with the most recent variant will therefore have a lower blood sugar.

This gene keeps the blood glucose low because it allows the sugar to easily leave the bloodstream. Before the mutant evolved, the "normal" version of the gene, which traps sugar and maximizes its sugar content, was more common (stock)

This gene keeps the blood glucose low because it allows the sugar to easily leave the bloodstream. Before the mutant evolved, the "normal" version of the gene, which traps sugar and maximizes its sugar content, was more common (stock)

"In recent years, with our high carbohydrate diets that often provide us with too much sugar, the new variant could be beneficial," added Dr. Fumagalli.

The researchers say that although this genetic variant does not play a direct role in the development of diabetes, the fact that it is older can increase the risk of developing diabetes and can also exacerbate resistance to diabetes. insulin involved in diabetes.

"People with the older variant may need to pay more attention to their carbohydrate intake, but more research is needed to understand how the genetic variant found may affect our physiology."

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