title: Cytoskeletal genes regulating brain size.
abstract: One of the most notable trends in human evolution is the dramatic increase in brain size that has occurred in the great ape clade, culminating in humans. Of particular interest is the vast expanse of the cerebral cortex, which is believed to have resulted in our ability to perform higher cognitive functions. Recent investigations of congenital microcephaly in humans have resulted in the identification of several genes that non-redundantly and specifically influence mammalian brain size. These genes appear to affect neural progenitor cell number through microtubular organisation at the centrosome.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, Clinical Sciences Building, St James's University Hospital, Beckett St., Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, UK. j.bond@leeds.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jacquelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.forename: C Geoffrey
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002648:Child; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008831:Microcephaly / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C467202:ASPM protein, human; C405929:CDK5RAP2 protein, human; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C426025:Pde4dip protein, rat; C098130:cnn protein, Drosophila