人类大脑进化研究的转基因猴模型
A transgenic monkey model for the study of human brain evolution
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摘要: 科学家们长期以来一直很好奇,人类为什么会拥有较高认知能力的“大”脑。然而,关于人类大脑仍然有许多未知,特别是其潜在的遗传机制。我们构建了携带一个关键的人类大脑发育基因MCPH1(原发性小头畸形基因)拷贝的转基因恒河猴模型,在转基因猴中检测到认知能力的变化,转基因猴携带的人类特异遗传变异可能导致类似于人类大脑发育的幼态持续(neoteny)现象,这是人类进化过程中出现的一个显著特征。Abstract: Why humans have large brains with higher cognitive abilities is a question long asked by scientists. However, much remains unknown, especially the underlying genetic mechanisms. With the use of a transgenic monkey model, we showed that human-specific sequence changes of a key brain development gene (primary microcephaly1, MCPH1) could result in detectable molecular and cognitive changes resembling human neoteny, a notable characteristic developed during human evolution.