A human-specific gene in microglia.
Recent studies have shown multiple differences between humans and apes in sialic acid (Sia) biology, including Siglecs (Sia-recognizing-Ig-superfamily lectins). Comparisons with the chimpanzee genome indicate that human SIGLEC11 emerged through human-specific gene conversion by an adjacent pseudogene. Conversion involved 5 cent untranslated sequences and the Sia-recognition domain. This human protein shows reduced binding relative to the ancestral form but recognizes oligosialic acids, which are enriched in the brain. SIGLEC11 is expressed in human but not in chimpanzee brain microglia. Further studies will determine if this event was related to the evolution of Homo.
Hayakawa
Toshiyuki
T
Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Angata
Takashi
T
Lewis
Amanda L
AL
Mikkelsen
Tarjei S
TS
Varki
Nissi M
NM
Varki
Ajit
A
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D005091:Exons; D005785:Gene Conversion; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D011148:Pongo pygmaeus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011544:Pseudogenes; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000378:metabolism
D037102:Lectins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C464442:SIGLEC11 protein, human; D012794:Sialic Acids