Networks of Cultured iPSC-Derived Neurons Reveal the Human Synaptic Activity-Regulated Adaptive Gene Program

Publication date: 3 January 2017
Source:Cell Reports, Volume 18, Issue 1
Author(s): Priit Pruunsild, C. Peter Bengtson, Hilmar Bading
Long-term adaptive responses in the brain, such as learning and memory, require synaptic activity-regulated gene expression, which has been thoroughly investigated in rodents. Using human iPSC-derived neuronal networks, we show that the human and the mouse synaptic activity-induced transcriptional programs share many genes and both require Ca²⁺-regulated synapse-to-nucleus signaling. Species-specific differences include the noncoding RNA genes BRE-AS1 and LINC00473 and the protein-coding gene ZNF331, which are absent in the mouse genome, as well as several human genes whose orthologs are either not induced by activity or are induced with different kinetics in mice. These results indicate that lineage-specific gain of genes and DNA regulatory elements affects the synaptic activity-regulated gene program, providing a mechanism driving the evolution of human cognitive abilities.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Using comparative analysis of synaptic activity-responsive gene expression programs in human and mouse neuronal networks, Pruunsild et al. uncover differences that are due to lineage-specific acquisition of genes and DNA regulatory elements. Such genetic alterations and the resulting changes in activity-driven transcription may be relevant for the evolution of human cognitive abilities.


from #AlexandrosSfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2iAsWj4
via IFTTT