Human-specific ARHGAP11B increases size and folding of primate neocortex in the fetal marmoset

• DOI: 10.1126/science.abb2401
• Publication Date: 2020-06-18T23:12:23Z
• Authors: Michael Heide; Christiane Haffner; Ayako Murayama; Yoko Kurotaki; Haruka Shinohara; Hideyuki Okano; Erika Sasaki; Wieland B. Huttner
• Keywords: Neocortex; Folding (DSP implementation)

Neocortex in the fetal brain Along path of human evolution, gene duplication and divergence produced a protein, ARHGAP11B, that is found humans but not nonhuman primates or other mammals. Heide et al. analyzed effects ARHGAP11B expression, under control its own human-specific promoter, marmoset (see Perspective by Dehay Kennedy). In early weeks growth, drove greater elaboration neural progenitors neocortex than evident normal marmoset. expression may be one cause more robust characterizes brain. Science , this issue p. 546 ; see also 506