Scientists identify Neandertal gene variants that can slow drug metabolism

New research led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology has traced two genetic variants to our Neandertal relatives that can affect how well drugs are metabolized. It is hypothesized these ancient Neanderthal genes may account for some differences in therapeutic drug activity from person to person.

Report informs, citing foreign media, that the modern human genome contains traces of Neandertal genes, which, presumably, could explain the differences in the therapeutic efficacy of drugs in different people.

The discovered genetic variants of CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C9*2 reduce the activity of key enzymes responsible for the absorption of a number of different drugs for diabetics, anti-inflammatory drugs, chemotherapy drugs and statins to lower cholesterol. These drugs can be toxic to some people with certain types of low enzymatic activity.

To reach these conclusions, the scientists compared human genomic sequences taken from the 1000 Genomes Project (a detailed catalog of human genetic variation) with corresponding sequences from all available Neandertal genomes.

Scientists estimate that about 12% of the European population may be carriers of these genetic variants.