At some point, each of us fantasized about the life of a superhero. Sure, tight leotards can be awkward in some places, but it's a small price anyone is willing to pay for amazing powers. Fortunately, these dreams are close to reality. Geneticists track specific mutations responsible for truly incredible abilities. From immunity to electricity to the superpower of the Hulk, these astounding talents may soon become as commonplace as eating and breathing.
Unbreakable bones
Broken bone is a surprisingly easy way to break your day (and the next few months). Although bones are the strongest substances in the human body, they are certainly vulnerable. Unless you have a rare LRP5 gene mutation.
LRP5 is responsible for bone density. Scientists already know that mutations in this gene can lead to decreased bone density, or osteoporosis. Recently, however, they have also found that gene mutation can have the opposite effect. One family in Connecticut turns out to have LRP5 mutations that give their bones such a density that they are virtually indestructible. None of them have ever broken a bone. The increased strength of the bones, especially the spine, skull and pelvis, gives the members of this family the strongest skeletons on earth.
Scientists believe that this mutation triggers too many bone growth signals, which lead to hardening of bones and, consequently, super strength. Hopefully, one day the controlled form of the mutant gene can be used to end bone mutations.
Promotional video:
Super speed
We all know how to run from nature, although we don't really love. Yet some people seem to be naturally better at this basic skill. Of course, this could be due to training or steroids, but geneticists believe that this is far from the answer.
It turns out that naturally gifted runners may be more suitable for the X-Men than for the Olympics. The ACTN3 gene is present in every human body, but in some it mutates and produces a specific substance. This protein, alpha-actinin-3, is responsible for controlling the fast twitch muscle fibers that enable us to run. An increase in its amount leads to an explosive surge in muscle strength, which translates into high performance in all sports, especially sprint.
Remarkably, there are two versions of this mutant gene, and the athletes in whom both versions were found performed definitely better than their counterparts with conventional chromosomes. We may be on the cusp of a new era of productivity improvement.
Immunity to poison
When it comes to poison, the human body gives up very quickly. Even one drop of cyanide or ricin is everything. If these substances accidentally or deliberately enter the human body, there is no longer any protection from them.
However, for hundreds of years, residents of San Antonio de los Cobres in Argentina have drank mountain water, which has 80 times safe levels of arsenic. And, oddly enough, they remained residents of San Antonio de los Cobres. Despite extreme daily exposure to the deadly metal, residents remain completely healthy. And all thanks to a mutant gene that has gone through thousands of years of natural selection.
His name is AS3MT. It allows the body to process arsenic without allowing it to build up in dangerous concentrations, so the owners of these microscopic mutants can consume as much arsenic as they want. It is estimated that 6,000 people in total now have this gene.
Nap
A superhero has a difficult life. If you work at a regular job during the day and roam the rooftops at night, there is no time for sleep at all. But if you're lucky, your mutant powers will include naps.
The genes involved in sleep are many and incredibly complex. One such as DEC2 is responsible for regulating the amount of sleep we need each night to function properly. Most of us need eight hours of sleep or more, but about 5% of the population enjoy a slightly different mutant version.
Tests carried out on a mother and daughter who had mutations revealed the ability to sleep only 4-6 hours each night. Ordinary mortals began to experience negative consequences after a couple of days of such a dream, but mutants tolerate this quite normally. Scientists hope to replicate this mutation so that crime fighters can spend less time unconscious.
Electro-resistant leather
Electricity ranks on the list of the most dangerous things we face every day. We usually don't think about it because we are used to it, but we are almost always surrounded by enough power that could kill us in the blink of an eye. Serb Slavis Paikic was never bothered by this: his unique genetic makeup protects him from electricity in the best way.
The average person is covered with millions of sweat glands, which usually provide a convenient wet path for electric shock directly into our skin. Paikich, on the other hand, lacks sweat or salivary glands due to a rare genetic disorder. This means that electricity cannot enter his body.
This unique talent earned Paikich the title of "battery man". He can cook food, boil water, and even set fire to something by passing electricity through his body, which has set several records and appeared on several television shows. In addition, he uses his gift to heal (although this is, of course, unlikely) various ailments, migraines and back pain, in his native Serbia.
Tinned intestines
The lifestyle of the rich and famous musician is notorious for being bad for the body. Countless lives have sunk prematurely due to the stresses of the constant use of alcohol and drugs. But, oddly enough, one of the men, especially those associated with this dangerous profession, remains quite strong for many decades.
The ironic long life of rock artist Ozzy Osbourne can be explained by more than just special luck. Scientists have analyzed the genetic code of the legendary musician and found quite a few mutant genes. Most have to do with how the body breaks down alcohol and other chemicals. For example, a mutation in the ADH4 gene provides it with an increased amount of proteins that remove alcohol from the body. Genetic variants like this help explain how Osborne is still on his feet despite "pools of booze, cocaine, morphine, sleeping pills, cough syrup, LSD" and other things that rockers have killed themselves with for years.
Devouring metal
Every superhero has had a moment in its career when defeat seems inevitable. The villain's apocalyptic device is ticking and all hope is lost. But thankfully, the superhero's genetic variations give him another shot. He grabs the device, adds a pinch of salt, and swallows it. The city is saved.
The name of this superhero is Michelle Lotito. This phenomenal French showman ate absolutely everything all his life. Televisions, shopping carts, beds, and even an entire plane went through his all-consuming stomach. Swallowing shards of glass and twisted scraps of metal usually kills anyone, but Lotito followed his deadly diet for many years.
Lotito's digesting stomach is believed to be the result of a very rare genetic defect. He was born with a bizarrely thick stomach and intestine wall, so his digestive system was strong enough to avoid the inevitable cuts and tears other people would face. A few sips of lubricating mineral oil is the only precaution.
Super flexibility
Inhuman flexibility has been a comic cliche for many years. Because the ability to deform and bend the body into amazing shapes was visually interesting. However, its popularity makes you think it's fantastic. But this is not fiction.
People born with a genetic disorder known as Marfan syndrome literally have rubbery tendons and ligaments. Mutations in the gene responsible for the production of the protein fibrillin-1 cause the body to create connective tissue with inhuman flexibility. Such people can twist their bodies into amazing shapes that Mister Fantastic himself would envy.
Of course, this gift has a price. Such people can acquire unnaturally long limbs and facial deformities. The genetic defect also leads to problems with the skeleton, nervous system and even heart, some of which can be fatal.
Superpower
Superpower is the quintessential superhero capability. It was with this ability that the popularity of superheroes began. Brute strength surprises and allows you to lift any weight with absolutely no effort. The good news is that it is possible. Bad news: you have to be born with it.
Those who are lucky enough to be born with mutations in the gene responsible for the production of the protein myostatin do not have to dream of superpower. Myostatin tells the body to stop producing muscle when there is enough of it, but defective genes cause the muscle to grow twice as large and reduce body fat.
Not many people in our world have this ability, and scientists are trying to curb it. It is believed that by studying these mutant genes, we may one day be able to treat muscle conditions like dystrophy.
Immunity to pain
Pain. Whether you hit your toe on the corner of the bed, cut yourself while shaving, or walk through a closed door, all people regularly experience this feeling. Pharmaceutical companies are making billions of pain relievers, but the secret to true pain insensitivity lies in mutant genes that are relatively rare.
The SCN11A gene determines the amount of sodium in the cells of the body. This may not sound very impressive until you understand that nerve cells use sodium to send a pain signal. If the mutant gene lowers sodium levels, nerve cells do not have enough of the substance to send these signals, making the body immune to pain.
Oddly enough, these people are more likely to break bones and generally suffer from accidental self-harm. In the absence of pain that tells them not to do something, they tend to injure themselves, especially during childhood. Yet their mutant genes are incredibly rare and valuable, and could be the key to revolutionary new pain relievers.
ILYA KHEL