Despite sharing over 98% of their DNA with chimpanzees, humans possess advanced cognitive and emotional abilities. A new study suggests that rapid changes in gene regulation, rather than mutations in protein-coding genes, may explain this leap. Researchers used a novel analytical method to identify two key regulatory “saltations” unique to humans that influence memory, learning, social behavior, and emotional depth.
These findings indicate that human intelligence emerged through sudden rewiring of how genes are turned on and off, rather than gradual mutation. The study focused on gene regulation, not just mutations, as the key to human evolution.
The researchers analyzed the genetic material of four hominid species, including humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas. They identified two regulatory “saltations” that distinguish humans from other apes. These saltations affect genes related to memory, emotion, learning, social behavior, and emotional depth.
The study’s findings suggest that human intelligence evolved through sudden changes in gene control, which enabled the development of complex cognitive abilities. These include long-term memory, cochlea development, learning, exploration behavior, social behavior, and regulation of sleep and happiness.
The researchers’ method, known as cis-regulatory element frequency (CREF) matrix analysis, allows for the identification of these regulatory “saltations” in the genetic material of humans and other species. This study provides a new perspective on human evolution and offers a quantitative paradigm for studying gene regulation.
According to the study’s authors, the divergence rate between the genomes of humans and chimpanzees is as little as 1.23%, indicating that their phenotypic differences may be attributed to gene regulation rather than mutations in protein-coding genes.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/genetics-intelligence-evolution-28950