Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Visualization of Cortical Modules in Flattened Mammalian Cortices
Published on: January 22, 2018
Molecular architecture of language-related cortical areas revealed by integrative proteomic and connectome analyses
Jinsong Wu1, Zixian Wang2,3, Fengjiao Li4
1Glioma Surgery Division, Neurological Surgery Department of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Protein expression asymmetry between brain hemispheres is hypothesized to influence functional connectivity, yet its role in language-related networks remains poorly understood. Additionally, how such molecular differences relate to brain reorganization in glioma requires further exploration.
Methods:
We performed label-free tandem mass spectrometry on 13 left-hemispheric language-related Brodmann areas (BAs) and their right-hemispheric counterparts from 10 donor brains, identifying protein signatures across 6 language-related functional modules. We then compared these proteomic profiles with resting-state structural and functional connectivity data from 26 BAs across 90 subjects from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). Finally, we examined functional compensation in 13 glioma patients with tumors in Wernicke's area, correlating gray matter volume in contralateral homologs with linguistic performance.
Results:
Protein expression heterogeneity was greater within hemispheres than between homologous contralateral BAs. Hierarchical clustering revealed interactions between core language areas (Broca's, Wernicke's, Geschwind's) and auditory/motor regions. Functional connectivity strength correlated with protein expression similarity, particularly in symmetric BA4 (primary motor cortex). Excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) neuronal markers (GRIA1/GRIA4) showed a left-positive, right-negative correlation with connectivity, suggesting hemispheric differences in synaptic regulation. Glioma patients exhibited right-hemispheric compensation, with gray matter volume in Wernicke's homolog correlating with linguistic function.
Conclusion:
Our findings support the hypothesis of a homophilic mixing effect between protein expression similarity and connectome architecture, and help explain brain rearrangement in glioma patients.
Key Points:
Protein expression differs more within hemispheres than across homologous regions, with distinct signatures in language-related brain areas. Functional connectivity strength correlates with protein expression similarity, showing left-right asymmetry in excitatory/inhibitory synaptic regulation (GRIA1/GRIA4). Right-hemispheric homologs compensate for left-hemispheric language-area damage in glioma patients, linking molecular profiles to functional reorganization.
More Related Videos
10:36High Resolution Quantitative Synaptic Proteome Profiling of Mouse Brain Regions After Auditory Discrimination Learning
Published on: December 15, 2016
07:52Multiscale Investigations of Cortical Processing by Integrating Laminar Polytrodes and Optogenetics with Micro Electrocorticography in Rodents
Published on: May 23, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
Proteomics
Proteomics is the study of proteomes' function. It involves the large-scale systematic study of the proteome to denote the protein complement expressed by a genome. Scientist Mark Wilkins coined the term...
Language and Cognition