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Human brain evolution: Emerging roles for regulatory DNA and RNA
Jing Liu1, Federica Mosti2, Debra L Silver3
1Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|December 3, 2021
Summary
Human brain evolution is linked to unique noncoding genetic elements that regulate cerebral cortex development. These genetic changes may also contribute to neurodevelopmental diseases.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Humans exhibit distinct neuroanatomy and cognitive abilities compared to other primates.
- The human cerebral cortex shows significant expansion, unique cellular composition, and circuitry.
- Human-specific gene expression, particularly in noncoding regulatory elements, is hypothesized to drive these neocortical differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging noncoding genetic elements involved in human cortical evolution.
- To explore the role of regulatory DNA and RNA in shaping the human brain.
- To discuss the connection between human-specific genetic alterations and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on human brain evolution.
- Analysis of studies focusing on noncoding regulatory elements (DNA and RNA).
- Examination of genetic changes associated with human neurodevelopmental diseases.
Main Results:
- Noncoding regulatory loci are strongly associated with human traits like progenitor proliferation and cortical size.
- Emerging evidence implicates specific noncoding elements in human cortical evolution.
- Human-specific genetic changes are linked to various neurodevelopmental diseases.
Conclusions:
- Noncoding genetic elements play a crucial role in the evolution of the human cerebral cortex.
- Understanding these elements is key to comprehending human cognitive uniqueness.
- Further research into these genetic factors may offer insights into neurodevelopmental disease mechanisms.
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