title: Decoding human gene expression signatures in the brain.
abstract: The evolution of higher cognitive functions in humans is thought to be due, at least in part, to the molecular evolution of gene expression patterns specific to the human brain. In this article, we explore recent and past findings using comparative genomics in human and non-human primate brain to identify these novel human patterns. We suggest additional directions and lines of experimentation that should be taken to improve our understanding of these changes on the human lineage. Finally, we attempt to put into context these genomic changes with biological phenotypes and diseases in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience; UT Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, TX USA.
authors.forename: Guang-Zhong
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Genevieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Konopka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D051959:ELAV Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000067777:ELAV-Like Protein 2; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D011323:Primates; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012326:RNA Splicing; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D051959:ELAV Proteins; D000067777:ELAV-Like Protein 2; C086811:ELAVL2 protein, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012313:RNA
keywords: brain; coexpression; evolution; gene expression; genomics; nervous system