MYH16 gene mutation disabled jaw muscles in human ancestors

[Monique]

"The researchers' new discovery involves a gene called MYH16, which had apparently gone unrecognized because of a small mutation that had rendered it inactive for producing some jaw muscles for chewing and biting. The scientists found that this myosin gene was still intact today in other primates, like chimpanzees and macaques, which have correspondingly strong jaw muscles. An analysis of DNA samples showed the gene-inactivating mutation to be present in all modern humans worldwide. The analysis further traced the mutation's occurrence to a range of 2.1 million to 2.7 million years ago, probably 2.4 million."

Gene mutation helped split humans and apes
http://www.iht.com/articles/511932.html

The Nature article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/links/040325/040325-1.html

 

[iansmith]

Monique , I post this couple days ago

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=16971

 

[Monique]

really
I'm going to lock my own thread then.. who would've thought that'd ever happen

thanks Ian