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Characterization of human cortical gene expression in relation to glucose utilization
Kirstin N Sterner1, Michael R McGowen, Harry T Chugani
1Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Human brain development involves unique gene expression patterns that change with age. Some genes show adaptive evolution, potentially linking gene activity to brain glucose use.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Human brain development is prolonged, with significant postnatal growth and glucose utilization peaks.
- The molecular mechanisms driving these developmental changes remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map developmental gene expression trajectories in the human cerebral cortex.
- To investigate the evolutionary history of age-dependent genes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microarrays on surgically resected human cerebral cortical tissue (infancy to adulthood).
- Employed regression models to identify age-related linear and curvilinear gene expression patterns.
- Applied population genetics to analyze the evolution of differentially expressed genes.
Main Results:
- Identified 40 transcripts with significant age-related expression patterns.
- Discovered 10 genes involved in nervous system development and metabolism, plus novel candidates.
- Found evidence of adaptive evolution in regulatory regions of three genes during recent human evolution.
Conclusions:
- A subset of human cerebral cortex genes mirrors developmental glucose consumption patterns.
- The causal relationship between gene expression and glucose utilization requires further investigation.
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