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Neocortex expansion in development and evolution - from cell biology to single genes
Michaela Wilsch-Bräuninger1, Marta Florio1, Wieland B Huttner1
1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|June 4, 2016
Summary
Neocortex expansion is driven by neural progenitor cell activity. New insights reveal basal progenitors delaminate, lose polarity, and proliferate, aided by extracellular matrix and human-specific genes like ARHGAP11B.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Neocortex expansion is crucial for cognitive abilities.
- Neural progenitor cell activity underlies neocortex growth.
- Understanding progenitor cell behavior is key to brain evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the cellular mechanisms driving neocortex expansion.
- To investigate the generation and proliferation of basal progenitors.
- To identify genetic factors contributing to human neocortex evolution.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of neural progenitor cell behavior during development.
- Investigation of cell polarity, delamination, and mitosis.
- Examination of extracellular matrix interactions and growth factor signaling.
- Comparative analysis of gene expression in human and non-human primates.
Main Results:
- Apical progenitors generate basal progenitors that delaminate and divide in the subventricular zone.
- Basal progenitor proliferation is supported by self-produced extracellular matrix and growth factor signaling.
- Human neocortex expansion involves altered expression of PAX6 and human-specific genes like ARHGAP11B.
Conclusions:
- Basal progenitor generation and proliferation are key mechanisms for neocortex expansion.
- Extracellular matrix and genetic factors, including human-specific genes, significantly contribute to this process.
- These cellular and genetic insights advance our understanding of brain development and evolution.
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