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Casa Noticias Noticias de 2012 Un nuevo gen cerebral ha nacido, según un estudio
Un nuevo gen cerebral ha nacido, según un estudio
Los científicos han dado un paso adelante para ayudar a resolver uno de los misterios más
grandes de la vida: ¿qué nos hace humanos?

Un equipo internacional de investigadores ha descubierto un nuevo gen que ayuda a explicar

cómo los humanos evolucionaron de los simios.

Los científicos dicen que el gen, llamado miR -941, parece haber jugado un papel crucial en el
desarrollo del cerebro humano y puede arrojar luz sobre cómo aprendimos a usar las
herramientas y el lenguaje.

Los investigadores dicen que es la primera vez que se ha demostrado que un nuevo gen,
llevado solo por humanos y no por monos, tiene una función específica dentro del cuerpo
humano.

Hallazgo único
A team at the University of Edinburgh compared the human genome to 11 other species of
mammals, including chimpanzees, gorillas, mouse and rat, to find the differences between
them.

The results, published in Nature Communications, showed that the gene - miR-941 - is unique
to humans.

The researchers say that it emerged between six and one million years ago, after humans had
evolved from apes.

The gene is highly active in two areas of the brain that control our decision making and
language abilities.

The study suggests it could have a role in the advanced brain functions that make us human.

Startling results
It is known that most differences between species occur as a result of changes to existing
genes, or the duplication and deletion of genes.
But scientists say this gene emerged fully functional out of non-coding genetic material,
previously termed “junk DNA”, in a startlingly brief interval of evolutionary time.

Until now, it has been remarkably difficult to see this process in action.

Researcher Dr Martin Taylor, who led the study at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular
Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said the results were fascinating.

This new molecule sprang from nowhere at a time when our species was undergoing dramatic
changes: living longer, walking upright, learning how to use tools and how to communicate.
We’re now hopeful that we will find more new genes that help show what makes us human.
Dr Martin Taylor
Programme leader, Biomedical Systems Analysis
The team worked with scientists in China and Germany. The study was funded by the National
Natural Science Foundation of China and the Medical Research Council.

Related Links
Dr Martin Taylor – staff profile

Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine

Nature Communications

Medicine – undergraduate study

Medicine – postgraduate study

This article was published on Mar 29, 2016

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