Mice were transplanted with the Foxp2 gene from someone who said more about the language development process

Scientists at the Mouse Laboratory at the Helmholtz Center in Munich have contributed greatly to understanding human language development. Using a comprehensive research method, they studied a mouse model that carried the main gene version related to human language ability.

Researchers have found that in the brains of these mice the changes are likely to be related to language development and speech ability. This analysis is part of an international research program led by the Leipzig Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. The results were published in the latest Cell Number.

Scientists at the Mouse Laboratory at the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Germany, created and analyzed a mouse sample that was included in the human Foxp2 gene. Foxp2 is known as the main language gene of humans. Since humans and chimpanzees split into two separate species, only very small genetic changes have occurred so far: these changes, according to scientists' judgment, are directly related to the possibility. language skills and ability to speak. However, so far they have not obtained any evidence at the functional level.

Helmholtz center scientists conducted comprehensive analyzes to find out which organs are affected by a gene - in this case the Foxp2 gene. 'Very rarely, a gene is responsible for only one function,' explained Professor Martin Hrabé de Angelis, director of the Mouse Laboratory. That is why it is necessary to proceed in such a comprehensive research direction: to ensure that the functions of the corresponding gene can be determined on the phenotype of the mouse.

From left to right: Valérie Gailus-Durner, Helmut Fuchs, Martin Hrabé de Angelis. (Photo: Bernd Müller)

The study conducted on Foxp2 mice was funded under the National Genome Research Network (NGFN).For each of the mice that were injected with the Foxp2 gene at the Institute, scientists tested more than 300 parameters during the analysis process, including hearing and observation, bone density, essential metabolic functions. and some nerve functions. Through testing, all these mice did not have any unusual features on their bodies. However, there is a change in exploration and decline behavior in mobility - both of which show certain changes in brain function. The Leipzig scientists conducted a more thorough examination and also made similar conclusions.

In the second step to reinforce the above conclusions, the Helmholtz scientists analyzed the heterozygous rat model in which the body lost one of the two normal copies of the Foxp2 gene. This leads to serious changes: the ability to hear and learn is reduced compared to normal healthy mice, have more fat and less muscle, eat more and consume more energy. In addition, blood indicators change.

'We can show that the Foxp2 gene has a significant effect on many organ systems,' Martin Hrabé de Angelis said. 'Our research supports colleagues' hypotheses in Leipzig, that the changes caused by this gene in the brain is an evolutionary step that allows people to take advantage of language and speech.' Furthermore, the Martin Hrabé de Angelis group's participation in Leipzig's research also showed the usefulness of the Mouse Laboratory. Only when the analysis is comprehensive and extensive, scientists realize the unexpected effects of gene defects, thereby determining the new unknown functions of the genes studied.

Refer:

Enard et al.A Humanized Version of Foxp2 Affects Cortico-Basal Ganglia Circuits in Mice.Cell, 2009;137 (5): 961 DOI: 10.1016 / j.cell.2009.03.041