Navigation Links
Neuron cell stickiness may hold key to evolution of the human brain

The stickiness of human neurons may have been a key factor in why the human brain evolved beyond the brains of our primate relatives. In a study comparing the genomes of humans, chimpanzees, mice and other vertebrates, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and Joint Genome Institute (JGI) found a strikingly high degree of genetic differences in DNA sequences that appear to regulate genes involved in nerve cell adhesion molecules.

Cell adhesion controls many aspects of brain development including growth and structure, and enables neurons to connect with other neurons and supportive proteins. Differences in the molecular connections of human neurons compared to the neurons of chimps, mice and other animals, could help explain why the human brain is capable of far more complex cognitive functions.

In a paper published in the Nov 3, 2006 issue of the journal Science, a team of researchers led by Edward Rubin, MD, director of both JGI and Berkeley Lab's Genomics Division, report on a comparative genomics study of conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs) - sequences of DNA shared by many different organisms that do not code for proteins but play an important role in regulating gene expression. In their Science paper, the researchers identified 992 CNSs whose sequences were specifically modified in humans and enriched near genes involved in neuronal cell adhesion. This is the first genome-wide unbiased study to detect clear evidence of human-specific evolution in brain-related sequences. After further comparisons, the researchers concluded these CNSs "may have contributed to the uniquely human features of brain development and function."

The paper is entitled Accelerated evolution of conserved noncoding sequences in the human genome. Co-authoring the paper with Rubin were Shyam Prabhakar and James Noonan of Berkeley Lab, and Svante Pääbo of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthr
'"/>

Source:DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory


Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Neuronal traffic jam marks early Alzheimers disease
2. Molecular Partners Required For Appropriate Neuronal Gene Repression
3. Neurons generated in the adult brain learn to respond to novel stimuli
4. Neurons find their place in the developing nervous system with the help of a sticky molecule
5. Neuronal cell cultures kept on the straight and narrow
6. Neurons grown from embryonic stem cells restore function in paralyzed rats
7. What controls stickiness of smart chromosomal glue
8. Molecular biology fills gaps in knowledge of bat evolution
9. Same mutation aided evolution in many fish species, Stanford study finds
10. Researchers trace evolution to relatively simple genetic changes
11. Family trees of ancient bacteria reveal evolutionary moves
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Neuron cell stickiness may hold key evolution the human brain

(Date:5/16/2013)... closer to a fast food restaurant had a higher ... away from fast food, according to researchers at The ... association was particularly strong among those with a lower ... the American Journal of Public Health indicates ... food restaurant, and among lower-income African-Americans, the density, or ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... The relationship between the heritable risk for ... clear. Schizophrenia is commonly associated with cognitive impairments ... that reduced IQ may be linked to the ... ability may precede the onset of schizophrenia symptoms. ... relatives of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. , In ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... bone marrow in the liver, the spleen or ... that a specific type of immune cell facilitates such ... is essential for the function of the immune system. ... liver and the spleen. Later the process is delegated ... as the sole source of blood cells for the ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Body mass index of low income African-Americans linked to proximity of fast food restaurants 2Body mass index of low income African-Americans linked to proximity of fast food restaurants 3Genetic risk for schizophrenia is connected to reduced IQ 2Herpes infections: Natural killer cells activate hematopoiesis 2
... Barbara E. Corkey, PhD, Vice Chair of Research in ... Medicine, and director of the Obesity Research Center at ... prestigious 2011 Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement Award. The ... Scientific Sessions in San Diego, California. The ...
... the idea that predators can keep packs of prey healthy ... chance disease will wipe out the whole herd, but could ... susceptible to other predators or even parasites? Biologists at the ... whose defenses against a predator make it a good target ...
... A new advance by UCLA biochemists has brought ... delay the onset of Alzheimer,s disease and prevent the ... report that they have designed molecular inhibitors that target ... prevent them from forming amyloid fibers, the elongated chains ...
Cached Biology News:Scientists uncover an unhealthy herds hypothesis 2Breaking the chain: 'Molecular cap' blocks processes that lead to Alzheimer's, HIV 2Breaking the chain: 'Molecular cap' blocks processes that lead to Alzheimer's, HIV 3Breaking the chain: 'Molecular cap' blocks processes that lead to Alzheimer's, HIV 4
(Date:5/17/2013)... Rust removal is one of home maintenance's ... could be damaged. To help rust contractors make it less ... rust remover it called Rusterizer. It announced that ... discount. , My Cleaning Products explained that rust could damage ... staining them. The first one, it said, happens when ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... Oven Industries, Inc. has been an industry leader ... since 1964. Expertly designed, the proportional-integral-derivative PID temperature ... As one of the most commonly used ... feedback system, which helps minimize errors. With three-term control, ... process, using a control element, like a valve or ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... , May 16, 2013  HealthSparq, a trusted ... the nation,s largest regional health plans, will debut ... Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute 2013 conference on June ... results showing how health insurance companies across the ... consumer and marketplace demands for increased healthcare transparency. ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... , May 16, 2013 ... research report is available in its ... Competitor Analysis: Therapeutic Proteins – ... http://www.reportlinker.com/p01171947/Competitor-Analysis-Therapeutic-Proteins-–-Biosimilars-Biobetters--Biosuperiors.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Biopharmaceutical   ... The new Competitive Intelligence ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Organic-Based Rust Remover Cuts Down Price by 10%, My Cleaning Products Details Mechanics How to Get the Discount 2New PID Temperature Controllers Announced by Oven Industries Inc. 2HealthSparq to Reveal New Healthcare Transparency Benchmark Study at AHIP Institute 2013 2HealthSparq to Reveal New Healthcare Transparency Benchmark Study at AHIP Institute 2013 3Competitor Analysis: Therapeutic Proteins - Biosimilars, Biobetters & Biosuperiors 2Competitor Analysis: Therapeutic Proteins - Biosimilars, Biobetters & Biosuperiors 3Competitor Analysis: Therapeutic Proteins - Biosimilars, Biobetters & Biosuperiors 4Competitor Analysis: Therapeutic Proteins - Biosimilars, Biobetters & Biosuperiors 5Competitor Analysis: Therapeutic Proteins - Biosimilars, Biobetters & Biosuperiors 6Competitor Analysis: Therapeutic Proteins - Biosimilars, Biobetters & Biosuperiors 7Competitor Analysis: Therapeutic Proteins - Biosimilars, Biobetters & Biosuperiors 8
... , ANNAPOLIS, Md. , Jan. 26 ... , President and CEO of PharmAthene, regarding the Commission on ... Report Card: , Today,s Report Card by the Commission on ... sends a dire warning that America still remains vulnerable to ...
... ... Region. Includes Every Article Published in the BioProcess International Print Edition. ... New ... global publication dedicated to the business and applied technologies of biopharmaceutical development, announced ...
... , LEIDEN, The Netherlands ... enables unique public-private collaborations that are extremely,valuable for pharmaceutical research ... Midterm Review (MTR) of the Top Institute, which was published ... Veerman concludes that,TI Pharma is well on its way ...
Cached Biology Technology:BioProcess International Launches Monthly Asia-Pacific eNewsletter 2Veerman Committee Argues for Continuation of TI Pharma 2