London, Mar 24 (ANI): Scientists have identified a gene variation that could add up to 155g to a child's birthweight.
The gene studied is considered to act as a growth suppressor, reducing birthweight.
But the UK-based researchers discovered that a specific variant passed down from the mother can add 93g (3.3oz) to the birthweight, or 155g if passed down from the maternal grandmother.
Professor Gudrun Moore of University College London and colleagues studied at a gene called PHLDA2 in about 9,500 DNA samples taken from mothers and their babies, collected in three separate studies.
They found a gene variant called RS1 seemed to change the way in which the gene functioned, leading to higher birthweights.
"The gene is already known to have a profound effect on birthweight by acting as a growth suppressor," the BBC quoted Prof Moore as saying.
"We have found a genetic variant of PHLDA2 that when inherited from the mother, causes the baby to be 93g bigger on average, or even 155g bigger on average, if inherited successively from the mother's mother."
The RS1 variation was identified in nearly 13 percent of the individuals studied, with 87 percent possessing the RS2 variation.
"We suggest that the more common RS2 gene variation, which is only found in humans, has evolved to produce a smaller baby as a protective effect to enhance the mother's survival during childbirth," said Prof Moore.
"Dad's lack of involvement in evolutionary terms may stem from his own survival not being at stake and he can continue to reproduce with other females."
The PHLDA2 gene is odd in that just the copy inherited from the mother is active, while the copy inherited from the father is 'silenced'.
This silencing of the paternal gene is a consequence of molecular processes around the DNA known as epigenetics.
"Although this study looks only at birthweight as an outcome, it is possible that this genetic variant may have longer-term health consequences," Dr Caroline Relton of Newcastle University said.
"Indeed the long-term health consequences associated with extremes of birthweight might be due in part to this and other contributory genetic factors," Dr Relton added.
The study has been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. (ANI)
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