Chinese scientists find ancient gene regulates human brain fold evolution
A team of Chinese researchers published findings in Nature Genetics revealing how an ancient gene controls the development of brain wrinkles and grooves.
Study challenges traditional genetic views
The research team led by Shi Lei from the Kunming Institute of Zoology questioned the idea that new genes drive primate brain expansion. They proposed instead that highly conserved ancient genes reshape expression levels through regulatory changes. Transcriptomic data from mice, tree shrews, marmosets, macaques and humans supported this alternative possibility.
Ancient gene found in early primates
Scientists identified the ancient gene CCNB1IP1 as being expressed in tree shrew brains long before primates emerged. This expression occurred at relatively low levels compared to later species. The discovery suggests these genes played a key role in human brain evolution by regulating fold development.
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