Comparative transcriptomics reveals human-specific cortical features

The cognitive abilities of humans are distinctive among primates, but their molecular and cellular substrates are poorly understood. We used comparative single-nucleus transcriptomics to analyze samples of the middle temporal gyrus (MTG) from adult humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, rhesus macaques, and common marmosets to understand human-specific features of the neocortex. Human, chimpanzee, and gorilla MTG showed highly similar cell-type composition and laminar organization as well as a large shift in proportions of deep-layer intratelencephalic-projecting neurons compared with macaque and marmoset MTG. Microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes had more-divergent expression across species compared with…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: EF-2021785, U01MH114819, 2021785
• NA
  Nancy and Buster Alvord Endowment
• NA
  National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
• NO
  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

  Awards: 024.004.012, 17126
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: R01MH113005, R01LM012736, NS092988, U19MH114830, U01MH114819, U01MH114812, HG011641, U19MH114821
• G
  Genentech
• NI
  National Institute of Mental Health

  Awards: R01MH113005, U19MH114830, U01MH114812, U19MH114821
• DO
  Division of Emerging Frontiers