Diversity of microRNAs in human and chimpanzee brain.
We used massively parallel sequencing to compare the microRNA (miRNA) content of human and chimpanzee brains, and we identified 447 new miRNA genes. Many of the new miRNAs are not conserved beyond primates, indicating their recent origin, and some miRNAs seem species specific, whereas others are expanded in one species through duplication events. These data suggest that evolution of miRNAs is an ongoing process and that along with ancient, highly conserved miRNAs, there are a number of emerging miRNAs.
Berezikov
Eugene
E
Hubrecht Laboratory-KNAW, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Thuemmler
Fritz
F
van Laake
Linda W
LW
Kondova
Ivanela
I
Bontrop
Ronald
R
Cuppen
Edwin
E
Plasterk
Ronald H A
RH
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity
D035683:MicroRNAs