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Evolution of New miRNAs and Cerebro-Cortical Development
Kenneth S Kosik1, Tomasz Nowakowski2,3
1Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA;
Annual Review of Neuroscience
|April 6, 2018
Summary
Novel microRNAs (miRNAs) have significantly contributed to primate brain evolution by generating new cell types. Understanding their genomic context and integration into molecular circuits is now possible.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The noncoding genome, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), plays a crucial role in primate cortical development.
- Cortical expansion in primates is linked to the emergence of novel precursor cell populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the contribution of novel microRNAs to cellular diversity in the primate brain.
- To investigate the genomic context and molecular integration of newly emerged microRNAs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of genomic data to identify novel microRNAs.
- Examination of miRNA expression profiles in relation to cell identity.
- Investigating the integration of microRNAs into cellular molecular circuitry.
Main Results:
- MicroRNA expression patterns correlate strongly with cell identity.
- Evidence suggests novel microRNAs have emerged and contributed to primate brain evolution.
- Tools are now available to study the genomic origins and functional integration of these microRNAs.
Conclusions:
- Novel microRNAs are significant contributors to primate brain evolution and cellular diversity.
- Further research can now elucidate the genomic and molecular mechanisms underlying miRNA-driven brain development.
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