Genetics of Hitchhiker's Thumb

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By Afsaneh Khetrapal BSc (Hons)

Hitchhiker's thumb is otherwise known as distal hyperextensibility of the thumb. This is because of the genetic traits that make a person bend his thumb backward while stretching.

The distal joint plays an important role in keeping the thumb straight. When the distal joint hyperextends, it enables the thumb to bend backward, creating the hitchhiker's thumb. Having a hitchhiker's thumb is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. This type of bending does not affect the functions of the thumb nor causes any pain to it.

Bendy Thumb Gene

In the human genetic pattern, there are a number of genes that determine the size, shape, and color of a person. The gene that controls the extendibility of the thumb is known as the "Bendy thumb gene." The bendy thumb gene comprises of multiple alleles in the chromosomes. One allele from the bendy thumb gene can produce a straight thumb and another allele may produce a hitchhiker's thumb. It all depends on what allele people receive from their parents.

Thumbs ranging from straight to hitchhiker. Image Credit: Myths of Human Genetics John H. McDonald, University of Delaware

Phenotype

The group of genes that is responsible for a trait is known as a genotype, with the characteristic of that particular trait called a phenotype. Hitchhiker's thumb is not to be considered as a genetic condition or disorder, but is a result of the phenotype. Phenotype consists of traits that influence the appearance and behavior of a person. Traits are alleles that help in the formation of chromosomes and fall into two categories: dominant traits and recessive traits.

Dominant traits: When alleles combine together, some become stronger than the others. This stronger allele is responsible for the dominant trait. A person with dominant traits will have a straight thumb, which can only be folded toward the palm.

Recessive Traits: Dominant alleles can be found in all organisms. In case the dominant allele fails to show its presence, the recessive allele will be expressed. These are known as recessive traits. A person with recessive traits will have a hitchhiker thumb that can be folded to the back of the hand. Meanwhile, a person has a hitchhiker thumb only when he receives two recessive alleles from the parents.

Let us assume “S” to be the dominant allele and “s” to be the recessive allele. If a person is born with the “ss” genotype, then they will have a hitchhiker's thumb. A person born with the “Ss” genotype will have a straight thumb, but will also be a bearer of the hitchhiker's thumb. A person born with an "SS" genotype will only have a straight thumb and no chances for having the condition of the hitchhiker.

Conditions that Cause Hitchhiker's Thumb

Joint Hypermobility and Diastrophic Dysplasia are conditions associated with Hitchhiker's thumb.

Joint Hypermobility: Joint Hypermobility is a condition in which people are able to move their joints and limbs to an extent that normal people find difficult. This condition is affected by the genes that are transferred to the person by his parents. Genetically, hypermobility is determined by the change that occurs in collagen, an abundant protein found in the skin, muscle, and bones. When collagen becomes weak, it will lead to loose and flexible joints and ligaments.

A person with hypermobility feels pain in the joints of his fingers, knees, and elbows. This condition is often found in young people and children. It is a common condition and hence does not require any treatment, unless the frequency of the pain in the joint is very high.

Diastrophic dysplasia: Diastrophic dysplasia is also known as diastrophic dwarfism. This is known to be an infrequent condition, formed at the time of birth. The diastrophic dysplasia creates a disorder in the development of the bones and the cartilage. The diastrophic dysplasia sulfate transporter (DTDST) gene is responsible for the formation of this condition. DTDST is located at the arm structure in the chromosomes.

This condition includes abnormal spine curvature, short legs and arms, upward-turning foot, and unusually bending thumbs or the hitchhiker's thumb.

Genetic disorders and defects are possible to occur at any stage during pregnancy. Most of the disorders tend to affect the baby before the third month (the time during which the formation of the organs occurs). Although hitchhikers is genetic, the parents are not always responsible for this defect in the child. If both the parents have straight thumbs, there is a lowered chance for the child to get affected by hitchhiker’s thumb.

If one parent has hitchhiker's thumb while the other has a straight thumb, there are possibilities for the child to get either of the (straight or hitchhiker) thumb structures. In some cases, there are also chances for the child to be born with disorders, even though the mother and father are free of any genetic risks.