Cross-species single-cell transcriptomics reveals neuronal similarities and heterogeneity in amniote pallium
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The amniote pallium, a vital component of the forebrain, exhibits considerable evolutionary divergence across species and mediates diverse functions, including sensory processing, memory formation, and learning. However, the relationships among pallial subregions in different species remain poorly characterized, particularly regarding the identification of homologous neurons and their transcriptional signatures. In this study, we utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing to examine over 130 000 nuclei from the macaque (Macaca fascicularis) neocortex, complemented by datasets from humans (Homo sapiens), mice (Mus musculus), zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii), and lizards (Pogona vitticeps), enabling comprehensive cross-species comparison. Results revealed transcriptomic conservation and species-specific distinctions within the amniote pallium. Notable similarities were observed among cell subtypes, particularly within PVALB+ inhibitory neurons, which exhibited species-preferred subtypes. Furthermore, correlations between pallial subregions and several transcription factor candidates were identified, including RARB, DLX2, STAT6, NR3C1, and THRB, with potential regulatory roles in gene expression in mammalian pallial neurons compared to their avian and reptilian counterparts. These results highlight the conserved nature of inhibitory neurons, remarkable regional divergence of excitatory neurons, and species-specific gene expression and regulation in amniote pallial neurons. Collectively, these findings provide valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics of the amniote pallium.
Source: 动物学研究
Authors: Huang Fu-Bao-Qian, 华南理工大学生物科学与工程学院, 广东 广州 510006, 中国, Liao Kuo, Sun Yu-Nong, Li Zi-Hao, Zhang Yan-Ru, Liao Ping-Fang, Jiang Si-Yuan, Zhu Zhi-Yong, Chen Duo-Yuan, Lei Ying, Liu Shi-Ping, Lin You-Ning, Zhuang Zhen-Kun, 杭州华大生命科学研究院, 浙江 杭州 310030, 中国, 中国科学院大学生命科学学院, 北京 100049, 中国, 深圳华大生命科学研究院, 广东 深圳 518083, 中国
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4403320994