Register for free to listen to this article
Thank you. Listen to this article using the player above.
Want to listen to this article for FREE?
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.
Its a question that has spurred many hypotheses over the years. The general consensus in modern science is that right- or left-brain hemisphere dominance dictates our handedness.
Studies of human fetuses have shown that right-lateralized predominance of arm movements can occur as early as 10 weeks into gestation in right-handed individuals. The fact that this right- or left-sided preference is apparent so early on in human development suggests that genetically regulated mechanisms could be at play.
Subscribe to Technology Networks daily newsletter, delivering breaking science news straight to your inbox every day.
To further probe how genetics might contribute to handedness, scientists at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Psycholinguistics turned to the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database that contains genetic data from thousands of individuals in the UK. Their research is published in Nature Communications.
Continue reading below...
Led by Dr. Clyde Francks, senior investigator in the language and genetics department at MPI, the scientists analyzed and compared exome data from 313,271 right-handed people and 38,043 left-handed people.
The collection of exons protein-coding DNA sequences in the genome is known as the exome.
A specific genetic variant was found to be much more common in left-handed people than right.
The beta-tubulin gene TUBB4B shows exome-wide significant association, with a rate of rare coding variants 2.7 times higher in left-handers than right-handers, the authors said.
TUBB genes encode proteins found in microtubules, which help to control the structure and movement of cells. Microtubules are prominent parts of the cytoskeleton the framework of protein filaments internal to cells that contributes to a wide range of processes including cellular growth, division, migration, shape and axis formation, axon outgrowth and intracellular transport, the researchers explained.
How microtubules affect variation in human handedness is not currently known. Previous research suggests a role in cellular chirality during brain development, which might impact the formation of the brains leftright axis.
Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data was only available for 13 of the UK Biobank TUBB4B variant carriers (left- and right-handers together), which is too small a sample for reliable association mapping with respect to brain structural or functional asymmetries, Francks and team said. Neither of the left-handed frameshift variant carriers had MRI data.
Some studies have identified TUBB genes as the underlying cause of incredibly rare neurological disorders. Intriguingly, mutations in TUBB2B can cause asymmetrical polymicrogyria (many and small folds) of the cerebral cortex, the researchers said. Mutations in TUBB3 can cause asymmetrical cortical dysplasia and unilateral hypohidrosis (reduced sweating on one side of the body, thought to be linked to disrupted function of the cortex, brain stem and spine). It may therefore be informative to collect brain MRI data from TUBB4B variant carriers in future studies, they add.
Reference: Schijven D, Soheili-Nezhad S, Fisher SE, Francks C. Exome-wide analysis implicates rare protein-altering variants in human handedness. Nat Comms. 2024;15(1):2632. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46277-w
Excerpt from:
Is Left-Handedness Tied to Your Genetics? Possibly, New Study Suggests - Technology Networks
- Scientists Unveil the Genetic Blueprint of Blood Pressure - SciTechDaily - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Analysis | An NIH genetics study targets a long-standing challenge: Diversity - The Washington Post - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- NSF grant to fund research on genetics and physiology of corn kernel development - Penn State University - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Honey Creek Beef farm's success spurred by focus on animal comfort, genetics and feed - Dayton Daily News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Deciphering genetic diversity in conserved cattle bulls to achieve sustainable development goals | Scientific Reports - Nature.com - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Research finds genetics plays bigger role in Alzheimer's than previously thought - CBS Boston - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Kids Shape Their Development to Match Genetic Tendencies - Neuroscience News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Myriad Genetics Reports Strong First Quarter 2024 Financial Results; Achieves 12% Revenue Growth Year-Over-Year ... - Yahoo Finance - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Navigating the Complexities of Payment for Genetic Testing - MedCity News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- CSHLs Gabrielle Pouchelon studies effects of sensory cues, genetics on brain development - TBR News Media - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Puberty Growth Spurts Linked to Adult Health Risks - Neuroscience News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Liberty Hill Farm Holds Auction of Elite Genetics - ourherald.com - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- CRISPR gene-editing therapies need more diverse DNA to realize their full potential - Vox.com - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- An epigenome editing toolkit to dissect the mechanisms of gene regulation - EurekAlert - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Introgression and disruption of migration routes have shaped the genetic integrity of wildebeest populations - Nature.com - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- A pan-genome of 69 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions reveals a conserved genome structure throughout the global ... - Nature.com - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Clemson researchers pave the way for precision medicine with AI - Clemson News - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine Elects Four Highly Accomplished Medical Genetics ... - PR Newswire - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Katie Gallagher MS '15, CGC Named Director of the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah ... - Sarah Lawrence College - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- The genomic architecture of inherited DNA variants - Baylor College of Medicine | BCM - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Clemson genetics major named Truman Scholar for her work in combatting rare diseases - ABC NEWS 4 - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Otago University Discovers Cause of Rare Genetic Condition - Mirage News - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Genetic Analysis Guides Conservation of Endangered Bumble Bee - Entomology Today - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- First insights into the genetic bottleneck characterizing early sheep husbandry in the Neolithic period - EurekAlert - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Protein-truncating variants in BSN are associated with severe adult-onset obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease - Nature.com - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- A deep dive into the genetics of alcohol consumption - Medical Xpress - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Right-wing authoritarianism appears to have a genetic foundation - PsyPost - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- UC Irvine-led research team builds first tandem repeat expansions genetic reference maps - UCI News - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- A Deep Dive Into the Genetics of Alcohol Consumption - University of California San Diego - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Untold story of bird evolution revealed through genetics - Earth.com - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Genetic Test for Opioid Addiction Risk Should Be Withdrawn, Experts Tell FDA - Medpage Today - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Scientists Discover 17 New Genetic Variants Linked to Alzheimer's Disease - SciTechDaily - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- An hereditary liver disease cured with the help of gene scissors - EurekAlert - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- World Anthropology Day showcases multifaceted programs | Binghamton News - Binghamton University - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Resilience to periodic disturbances and the long-term genetic stability in Acropora coral | Communications Biology - Nature.com - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Rare genetic variants found to have a large impact on obesity risk - Drug Target Review - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- INTERACT COALITION FORMED TO ADVANCE PATIENT ACCESS TO GENETIC TESTING FOR HEREDITARY ... - PR Newswire - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Christensen Genetics - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST - AGInfo Ag Information Network - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- New form of EDS identified by mutation in THBS2 gene - Ehlers-Danlos News - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Genetics of estrogen production linked to endometrial cancer risk in postmenopausal women - News-Medical.Net - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Cord Blood Registry (CBR) by CooperSurgical and Fulgent Genetics Launch Innovative Genetic Testing - PR Newswire - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Gene Variant Linked to Lower Levels of Hormonal Birth Control - The Scientist - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- CooperSurgical, Fulgent partner on genetic screening panels - Medical Device Network - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- UM Today | Faculty of Science | The intersection of genetics and advocacy - UM Today - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Genome-wide association study identifies human genetic variants associated with fatal outcome from Lassa fever - Nature.com - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Secrets of human genetics could optimize medical care - Earth.com - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Significance of genetic mutations in toxic tort cases - Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Why Should Farmers Invest in New Genetics? A Recent Panel Discussion Offered Some Good Reasons - Seed World - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- The Role of Genetics and Maternal Factors in Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Comparative Study - Medriva - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- 'The Idea That Who You Are Is Only Genetics Is the Essence of Evil' - Books - Haaretz - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- IPK researchers provide genetic explanations for shade-induced biomass allocation in wheat - EurekAlert - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- River Valley Beef Cattle Conference to explore state of hay availability, cattle genetics and more - Stuttgart Daily Leader - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Harnessing human evolution to advance precision medicine - EurekAlert - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Twins are a mirror to each other and a window into the mysteries of genetics - WAMU 88.5 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Unveiling the Disparity in Cardiovascular Health: Biological Factors, Dyslipidemia, and Genetics - Medriva - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Parental traits offer new clues to predicting neurodevelopmental disorders in children - News-Medical.Net - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Cheetahs Are Extremely Inbred: 50 Interesting Genetics Facts You May Have Missed At School - Bored Panda - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Five Best: Books on Genetics - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- 4 new US sites added to global Parkinson's genetics study - Parkinson's News Today - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Animal Genetics Market revenue to exceed USD 43.4 Billion by 2036, says Research Nester - Yahoo Finance - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Nobel Laureate and World-Renowned Geneticist to Speak at 2024 Commencement - News Center - Feinberg News Center - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Efforts are underway to improve genetics in cattle herds to better sustainability - RFD-TV - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- First report on the molecular phylogenetics and population genetics of Aedes aegypti in Iran - Parasites & Vectors - Parasites & Vectors - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- What can your DNA say about your risk of opioid addiction? - National Geographic - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- The Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study enables generational genetic discoveries - Nature.com - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Invitae Partners with BridgeBio Pharma to Harness Genetic Insights for the Discovery of Rare Disease Therapeutics - PR Newswire - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Rare disorder causing extra fingers and toes identified - EurekAlert - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Retinal OCT and Genetics Identify Links Between Ocular and Systemic Health - Photonics.com - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Researchers discover mechanism that protects tissue after faulty gene expression - News-Medical.Net - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Genetics or lifestyle: What makes the greatest difference in health? - Agweek - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Why Some Folks Get COVID, and Others Never Do - HealthDay - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- From plant genetics to fresh produce to be showcased in Berlin - FreshPlaza.com - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Adolescent Stress Alters Brain Genes, Affecting Adult Behavior - Neuroscience News - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Significance of genetic mutations in toxic tort cases - Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- New genetic test in England aims to make blood transfusions safer - Sickle Cell Disease News - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Unlocking tree genetic diversity: advanced hyperspectral phenotyping for enhanced Scots pine selection - EurekAlert - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- The Role of Genetics in Cancer Care Continues to Expand - OncLive - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Family faces multiple diagnoses for genetic condition NF1 - Sanford Health News - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Unique gene variants tied to glaucoma found in Black patients - Livescience.com - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Myriad Genetics to Acquire Precise Tumor, Precise Liquid and Laboratory from Intermountain Precision Genomics - GlobeNewswire - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]