To better understand the genetics of height and skeletal growth, the study intersected two types of data—gene functions that alter chondrocyte proliferation and maturation in the growth plate (left) and “hot spots” of heritability in human height from GWAS (right). Credit: Nora Renthal
Key points:
- A human's height is largely decided by factors held within genetic genes.
- A team screened 600 million mouse cartilage cells to pinpoint height-associated genes that alter cell growth.
- The team now plans to use the method to understand hormones' effect on cartilage cells
A human's height is largely decided early on by factors held within a person’s growth plates. Now, scientists have shown that specific cells in these plates determine the length and shape of bones—and could play an integral role in a person’s height.
The study, published in Cell Genomics, reveals that these “height genes” are associated with genetic changes affecting cartilage cell maturation, which may strongly influence adult height.
For the study, the team screened 600 million mouse cartilage cells in an attempt to pinpoint height-associated genes—genes that, when deleted, can alter cell growth and maturation. These cellular changes in the growth plate can lead to variations in human height. The search uncovered 145 genes linked to skeletal disorders, all which play a crucial role in growth plate maturation and bone formation.
The researchers then compared the genes with data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of human height. The comparison revealed that genes affecting cartilage cells overlap with hotspots from human height GWAS, precisely locating genes in our DNA that likely play a role in determining our stature.
The team also discovered that many of the GWAS suggested height genes led to early maturation in cartilage cells. These findings suggest that genetic changes affecting cartilage cell maturation may influence height more.
Now, the researchers plan to use the method to understand hormones' effect on cartilage cells. They will also study 145 genes that have no known connection to skeletal growth, hoping it may reveal new genes that play a role in the bones.