CCNB1IP1 regulatory evolution underlies gradual increases in cortical size and folding in primates
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Neocortex expansion has a concerted relationship with folding, underlying evolution of human cognitive functions. However, molecular mechanisms underlying this significant evolutionary process remains unknown. Here, using tree shrew as an outgroup of primates, we identify a new regulator CCNB1IP1, which acquired its expression before the emergence of primates. Following the evolution of cis-regulatory elements, the CCNB1IP1 expression has steadily increased over the course of primate brain evolution, mirroring the gradual increase of neocortex. Mechanistically, we elucidated that CCNB1IP1 expression can cause an increase in neural progenitors through shortening G1 phase. Consistently, the CCNB1IP1 knock-in mouse model exhibited traits associated with enhanced learning and memory abilities. Together, our study reveals how changes in CCNB1IP1 expression may have contributed to the gradual evolution in primate brain.
Source: Nature Genetics
Institutions: Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, The First Hospital of Kunming, University of California, Santa Barbara
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,690
Funders: National Science Foundation, Kunming Science and Technology Bureau, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Human Genome Research Institute
OpenAlex ID: W7214729554