Science
Scientists identify human-specific gene that slows immune cell maturation in the brain
A study reveals that a duplicated gene unique to humans regulates the developmental pace of microglia, aligning them with the brain's long-term maturation process.
The short version
- Researchers discovered that human microglia, the brain's primary immune cells, take four to eight years to mature, compared to just three weeks in mice.
- The human-specific gene SRGAP2 was found to be nearly 10 times more abundant in microglia than in neurons, serving as a key driver of this prolonged development.
- This genetic mechanism is believed to help synchronize the development of microglia with neurons, potentially explaining the unique cognitive capabilities of the human brain.
Key facts
- A study published in the journal Neuron showed that human microglia require four to eight years to reach maturity.[ScienceDaily]
- Human-specific copies of the gene SRGAP2, which are duplicated only in humans, are approximately 10 times more abundant in microglia than in neurons.[ScienceDaily]
- The research, led by Carlos Diaz-Salazar and Franck Polleux at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute, found that SRGAP2 regulates and dramatically slows down the developmental timeline of human microglia.[ScienceDaily]
- Microglia represent 5 to 10 percent of brain cells and play an active role in shaping developing brain circuits by influencing which synapses are kept or pruned.[ScienceDaily]
What remains uncertain
- Researchers still need to determine the exact biological mechanisms by which the SRGAP2 gene promotes neoteny across different types of brain cells.[ScienceDaily]
- The potential implications of these human-specific microglial traits on the development or treatment of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders remain to be fully understood.[ScienceDaily]
Sources
- Scientists find a human-only gene that may help explain our brainpowerScienceDaily - Health