Shaping the human brain: evolutionary cis-regulatory plasticity drives changes in synaptic activity-controlled adaptive gene expression. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pruunsild, Priit; Bading, Hilmar
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in neurobiology. Volume 59(2019)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Neurobiology -- Periodicals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.04.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-4388

Abstract

Highlights: Gene repertoire of the transcriptomic response to activity depends on species. Cis -regulatory plasticity sculpts species-dependent regulation by activity. Species-specific development and cell type distinctions affect activity-regulation. Abstract : Neuronal activity-induced gene expression programs involved in synaptic structure- and plasticity-related functions are similar in mice and humans, yet bear distinct features. These include gains or losses of activity-responsiveness of certain genes and differences in gene induction profiles. Here, we discuss a possible origin of dissimilarities in activity-regulated transcription between species. We highlight that while synapse-to-nucleus signalling pathways are evolutionarily conserved, cis -regulatory plasticity has been driving species-specific remodelling of the activity-controlled enhancer landscape, thereby affecting gene regulation. In particular, evolutionary rearrangements of transcription factor binding site placements together with potential species-dependent developmental stage- and/or cell type-specific epigenetic and other trans -acting mechanisms are most likely at least in part accountable for between-species diversity in activity-regulated transcription. It is conceivable that cis -regulatory plasticity may have equipped the synaptic activity-driven adaptive gene program in human neurons with unique, species-specific qualities.