Study discovers how body size is regulated

Cambridge, Mass. -- A German-U.S. study has discovered 10 new genes related to human growth in a finding scientists say might explain why people distinctly vary in size.

The international genome-wide study, in cooperation with the Helmholtz Center Munich, was a meta-analysis, based on data from more than 26,000 study participants. It verifies two already known genes, but also discovered 10 new genes. The researchers said, altogether, the newly discovered genes bring the total number of known "height genes" to 26.

The researchers said several of the identified genes are targeted by the microRNA let-7, which affects the regulation of other genes. That connection was completely unknown until now.

Moreover, the researchers said their results could have relevance for people with inherited growth problems or problems in bone development.

The study's coordinator was Professor Guillaume Lettre, while the principal investigator was Professor Joel Hirschhorn. Both scientists work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.

The findings, along with those of a similar German study, appear in the journal Nature Genetics.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.