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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
13:00
A Rapid High-throughput Method for Mapping Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) on Human pre-mRNA
Published on: December 2, 2009
An RNA gene expressed during cortical development evolved rapidly in humans
Katherine S Pollard1, Sofie R Salama, Nelle Lambert
1Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA.
Nature
|August 18, 2006
Summary
Researchers identified a novel RNA gene, HAR1F, crucial for human brain development. This gene, found in Cajal-Retzius neurons during early gestation, is vital for forming the human cortex structure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Human-specific brain evolution mechanisms are poorly understood.
- Comparative genomics with chimpanzees offers insights into genetic and phenotypic changes.
- Evolutionary acceleration in the human genome highlights regions of rapid change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel genetic elements contributing to human brain evolution.
- To investigate the role of human accelerated regions (HARs) in cortical development.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide analysis to rank regions of evolutionary acceleration.
- Identification and characterization of the HAR1 region as a novel RNA gene (HAR1F).
- Analysis of HAR1F expression patterns in the developing human neocortex.
Main Results:
- The most accelerated region, HAR1, corresponds to a novel RNA gene, HAR1F.
- HAR1F is specifically expressed in Cajal-Retzius neurons during critical human neocortex development (7-19 gestational weeks).
- HAR1F is co-expressed with reelin, a key factor in cortical layer formation.
Conclusions:
- HAR1F is a significant contributor to human-specific brain features.
- HAR1F plays a critical role in the specification and migration of cortical neurons.
- HARs, including HAR1F, represent promising candidates for understanding unique human biology.
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Related Concept Videos
01:10Transcription
Overview
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
02:01pre-mRNA Processing
In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl guanosine). This 5’ cap helps the...
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl guanosine). This 5’ cap helps the...
02:05Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
In contrast, regions which code...
02:05Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
In contrast, regions which code...
01:17Transcription
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in correctly synthesizing messenger RNA (mRNA). Transcriptional regulation is responsible for the differentiation of different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds of RNA Molecules
In eukaryotes,...
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds of RNA Molecules
In eukaryotes,...
01:35Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends
In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a cap to the 5' end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5' phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached (7-methyl guanosine). This 5' cap helps the cell...
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a cap to the 5' end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5' phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached (7-methyl guanosine). This 5' cap helps the cell...