Unknown,Transcriptomics,Genomics,Proteomics

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Patterns of gene expression and evolution in the human developing cerebral cortex

ABSTRACT: The cerebral cortex underwent a rapid expansion and complexification during recent primate evolution, but the underlying developmental mechanisms remain essentially unknown. In order to uncover genetic networks underlying the development of the human cerebral cortex, we profiled the transcriptome of human fetal cortical domains containing language areas of Broca and Wernicke, as well as associative areas. We thus identified hundreds of genes displaying differential expression between the two areas or between distinct temporal stages. A subset of these genes was further validated by qRTPCR and in situ hybridization, revealing novel patterns of area and layer-specific expression throughout the developing cortex at midgestation, a critical period of cortical patterning. Computational genomic analyses revealed that the proportion of genes located close to evolutionarily accelerated regions was far more abundant among the genes differentially expressed between the two cortical areas examined, but not among those differentially expressed between different stages of development. In silico screening enabled to identify accelerated regions displaying increased turnover of change in transcription factor binding sites, which were enriched among those closer to genes differentially expressed between cortical areas. Overall our work points to the identification of cortical genes that display a unique combination of patterns of evolution and expression, which may constitute an important part of the genetic framework underlying human-specific neural traits and diseases. We determined gene expression patterns in cortical domains that contain areas thought to have undergone significant divergence during primate evolution, including language areas of Broca and Wernicke, as well as association areas of the frontal and parieto-temporal cortex in the right and left sides of human fetal brains at 17 and 19 gestional weeks.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Vincent Detours

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-21858 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress

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Publications

Genes expressed in specific areas of the human fetal cerebral cortex display distinct patterns of evolution.

Lambert Nelle N Lambot Marie-Alexandra MA Bilheu Angéline A Albert Valérie V Englert Yvon Y Libert Frédérick F Noel Jean-Christophe JC Sotiriou Christos C Holloway Alisha K AK Pollard Katherine S KS Detours Vincent V Vanderhaeghen Pierre P

PloS one 20110318 3

The developmental mechanisms through which the cerebral cortex increased in size and complexity during primate evolution are essentially unknown. To uncover genetic networks active in the developing cerebral cortex, we combined three-dimensional reconstruction of human fetal brains at midgestation and whole genome expression profiling. This novel approach enabled transcriptional characterization of neurons from accurately defined cortical regions containing presumptive Broca and Wernicke languag ...[more]

PMID: 21445258

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Project description:Genome-wide transcriptional profiling allows characterization of the molecular underpinnings of neocortical organization, including cortical areal specialization, laminar cell type diversity and functional anatomy. Microarray analysis of individual cortical layers across sensorimotor and association cortices in rhesus macaque demonstrated robust and specific laminar and areal molecular signatures driven by differential expression of genes associated with specialized neuronal function. Gene expression corresponding with laminar architecture was generally similar across cortical areas, although genes with robust areal patterning were often highly laminar as well, and these patterns were more highly conserved between macaque and human as compared to mouse. Layer 4 of primate primary visual cortex displayed a distinct molecular signature compared to other cortical regions, a specialization not observed in mouse. Overall, transcriptome-based relationships were strongest between proximal layers in a cortical area, and between neighboring areas along the rostrocaudal axis, reflecting in vivo cortical spatial topography and therefore a developmental imprint. Tissue from male and female monkeys (n = 2-3 animals/gender) was collected from anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG), layers 2, 3, 5, 6; orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), layers 2, 3, 5, 6; dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), layers 2-6; primary motor cortex (M1), layers 2, 3, 5, 6; primary somatosensory cortex (S1), layers 2-6; primary auditory cortex (A1), layers 2-6; primary visual cortex (V1), layers 2-6 including 4A, 4B, 4Calpha (4Ca), 4Cbeta (4Cb); secondary visual cortex (V2), layers 2-6; middle temporal area (MT), layers 2-6; temporal area (TE), layers 2-6; hippocampus, CA1, CA2, CA3, dentate gyrus (DG); and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), magnocellular, parvocellular and koniocellular divisions. Due to the limited number of samples that could be amplified concurrently, amplifications were performed in 3 batches (batches A-C, containing 102, 119 and 10 experimental samples, respectively). To control for batch effects, common RNA pool control samples were amplified and hybridized in each batch. These included LCM extracted hippocampus CA3 samples from the current study and a whole rhesus brain RNA pool (Biochain). These control samples were hybridized in 6 replicates in batch A and B and in 3 replicates in batch C (3 replicates per 96 well plate).

Dataset Information

Patterns of gene expression and evolution in the human developing cerebral cortex

Publications

Genes expressed in specific areas of the human fetal cerebral cortex display distinct patterns of evolution.

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