Musical genes

Scientists named candidates for "composer genes"

Alexander Enikeev, N+1

Geneticists from the University of Helsinki, using the method of genome-wide association search, found that the predisposition to such musical activity as composing music and arranging is associated with certain genes that determine the formation of synaptic connections in the human brain. The results of the study are published in the journal PLOS ONE (Oikkonen et al., Creative Activities in Music – A Genome-Wide Linkage Analysis).

Scientists have conducted genetic studies to determine whether there is any connection between certain areas of chromosomes and human musical activity. The research involved 577 people who reported their musical activity through a survey. This number included 474 people from 79 families, which made it possible to determine the features of inheritance of possible genetic variants associated with "musical" phenotypes.

In the questionnaires, the study participants were asked to indicate whether they were engaged in composing music, arranging or improvising, as well as whether they had a musical education. The scientists then divided the participants into several different groups according to different musical activities. In addition, the study included groups of people who had musical education, but were not engaged in music, as well as those who were not engaged in any creative activity.

The search for associations was carried out on the basis of approximately 591 thousand single nucleotide polymorphisms (snips) – differences in DNA sequences of one nucleotide in size. Then the scientists conducted a genome-wide search for associations, as well as an analysis of gene coupling, that is, joint inheritance of genes. Heritability was determined using the family method, which consisted in determining the correlation between the proportion of genetic similarity between relatives in the family and predisposition to a certain creative activity.

The results of the study showed that hereditary factors determined musical and other creative activity by 29-34 percent. Improvisation classes depended on genes only by 11 percent. The participants who indicated in their questionnaires that they were engaged in arranging had associated gene variants on the 16th chromosome, in the region of the GSG1L gene. This gene encodes a protein that is involved in the formation of synaptic connections in the central nervous system.

Composing music demonstrated a connection with the UNC5C gene, which is located on the fourth chromosome. UNC5C determines the growth of axons, as well as cell migration during the development of the nervous system. Analysis of the nonequilibrium coupling of genes showed that, together with UNC5C, genes involved in reducing the strength of synaptic signal transmission are inherited.

Interestingly, geneticists also found a connection with the genes of those who did not compose music and did not arrange, but received a musical education. Other creative activity was associated with a number of genes SYN1, ELK1, KCND1 and SYP, which influence brain activity through the formation of synaptic connections. Mutations in these genes cause epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders.

Scientists emphasize that their research has limitations caused, for example, by using questionnaires instead of a more accurate method of determining the phenotype.

Genome–wide association search is a method that allows you to identify associations between genomic variants and phenotypic traits. The material for the study is DNA samples of the study participants. If it is possible to identify variants of alleles that are more common in people with a certain phenotype, then such variants are associated with this phenotype.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru 01.03.2015