During the evolution of primates their brain size, and specifically the size of their cerebral cortex where the higher cognitive functions are located, expanded. Stem cells in the human brain go through a higher number of cell divisions and thus produce a higher number of neurons then do stem cells in the brains of apes. The research presented in this video investigates which evolutionary changes in the genome caused this increase in cell division. WIELAND HUTTNER describes how the research group isolated the relevant human-specific stem cells and, using a new method devised by the group, studied which genes were particularly highly expressed in those cells. The gene with the highest specificity of expression, AHRGAP11B, was introduced in mouse embryos. The results indicate that this gene is indeed responsible for an increase in cell division. Furthermore, in about half of the mouse embryos, the brain started to fold – a feature that is particularly prominent in species with enlarged brains.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21036/LTPUB10360
Researcher
Wieland B. Huttner is Director at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden and Honorary Professor of Neurobiology at Technische Universität Dresden, Germany. He is also the speaker of the International Max Planck Research School IMPRS-CellDevoSys.
Having an educational background in medicine Huttner’s scientific career has been focused on how the brain works. His research interests include developmental neurobiology and the evolution of the neocortex.
Huttner is an elected member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). He also served on the German Council of Science and Humanities from 2004 until 2010.
Institution
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics: The Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), located in Dresden, was founded in 1998 and is one of more than 80 institutes of the Max Planck Society, an independent, non-profit organization in Germany. 550 curiosity-driven scientists from over 50 countries ask: How do cells form tissues? To study this pivotal process, we investigate the molecular principles underlying cellular function and tissue morphogenesis. Our basic research programs span multiple scales of magnitude, from molecular assemblies to organelles, cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. A key part of the MPI-CBG’s research strategy is to provide all researchers with state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology, assisted by experienced central scientific services and facilities. These facilities are also involved in the development and optimization of new technologies tailored to specific research projects. All PhD students at MPI-CBG are members of our International Max Planck Research School for Cell, Developmental and Systems Biology (IMPRS-CellDevoSys). Degrees are awarded in partnership with the TU Dresden, one of Germany’s excellence universities.
www.mpi-cbg.de
Original publication
Human-Specific Gene ARHGAP11B Promotes Basal Progenitor Amplification and Neocortex Expansion
Kelso Janet, Prüfer Kay, Florio Marta, Albert Mareike, Taverna Elena, Namba Takashi, Huttner Wieland B., Pääbo Svante, Naumann Ronald, Nüsslein Ina, Dahl Andreas and Lachmann Robert
Science
Published in 2015
Reading recommendations
Neurons Arise in the Basal Neuroepithelium of the Early Mammalian Telencephalon: A Major Site of Neurogenesis
Huttner Wieland B., Haubensak Wulf, Attardo Alessio and Denk Winfried
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Published in 2004
OSVZ Progenitors of Human and Ferret Neocortex are Epithelial-like and Expand by Integrin Signaling
others, Corbeil Denis, Fietz Simone A., Kelava Iva, Vogt Johannes, Wilsch-Bräuninger Michaela, Stenzel Denise, Fish Jennifer L., Riehn Axel, Distler Wolfgang and Nitsch Robert
Nature Neuroscience
Published in 2010
Human-Specific Gene ARHGAP11B Promotes Basal Progenitor Amplification and Neocortex Expansion
Kelso Janet, Prüfer Kay, Florio Marta, Albert Mareike, Taverna Elena, Namba Takashi, Huttner Wieland B., Pääbo Svante, Naumann Ronald, Nüsslein Ina, Dahl Andreas and Lachmann Robert
Science
Published in 2015
Differences and Similarities Between Human and Chimpanzee Neural Progenitors During Cerebral Cortex Development
others, Mora-Bermúdez Felipe, Badsha Farhath, Kanton Sabina, Camp J Gray, Vernot Benjamin, Köhler Kathrin, Voigt Birger, Okita Keisuke, Maricic Tomislav and He Zhisong
Elife
Published in 2016
A Single Splice Site Mutation in Human-specific ARHGAP11B Causes Basal Progenitor Amplification
Florio Marta, Namba Takashi, Huttner Wieland B., Pääbo Svante and Hiller Michael
Science Advances
Published in 2016
Evolution of the Neocortex: A Perspective from Developmental Biology
Rakic Pasko
Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Published in 2009
Development and Evolution of the Human Neocortex
Lui Jan H., Hansen David V. and Kriegstein Arnold R.
Cell
Published in 2011
Emerging Roles of Neural Stem Cells in Cerebral Cortex Development and Evolution
Borrell Víctor and Reillo Isabel
Developmental neurobiology
Published in 2012
Neural Progenitors, Neurogenesis and the Evolution of the Neocortex
Florio Marta and Huttner Wieland B.
Development
Published in 2014
The Outer Subventricular Zone and Primate-specific Cortical Complexification
Dehay Colette, Kennedy Henry and Kosik Kenneth S.
Neuron
Published in 2015
The Cell Biology of Neurogenesis: Toward an Understanding of the Development and Evolution of the Neocortex
Taverna Elena, Huttner Wieland B. and Götz Magdalena
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
Published in 2014
Genomic Divergence and Brain Evolution: How Regulatory DNA Influences Development of the Cerebral Cortex
Silver Debra L.
Bioessays
Published in 2016
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