Aspect Human Genetics

Language and speech gene regulates neural wiring, scientists find

[Date: 2011-07-28]

New research shows that the Foxp2 gene, which is known for its involvement in speech and language in humans, helps control the brain's neural wiring. Presented in the journal PLoS Genetics, the study was funded in part by a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship grant under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The findings help elucidate how the gene directs particular features of the development of the nervous system, helping bridge the gap between genes and complex aspects of brain function. The study, carried out by researchers from France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, found that Foxp2 acts by tuning the expression levels of other genes. The researchers used genome-wide techniques to identify the major targets of Foxp2. Doing so helped them gain a better understanding of the roles it plays in biological pathways during the processes that generate, shape and reshape the nervous system. Just a decade ago, researchers found that mutations of the human gene triggered a rare form of speech and language disorder. So for the next 10 years, many investigations were launched into the human gene and corresponding versions found in other species. Scientists discovered, for instance, that the mutation influences vocal imitation in songbirds. For the purposes of their study, the team, headed by the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics' Drs Sonja C. Vernes and Simon E. Fisher, probed the gene's role as a genetic dimmer switch, turning up or down the amount of product produced by other genes. Their screening of embryonic brain tissue led them to pinpoint a number of new targets regulated by Foxp2. 'We followed up our genomics data with functional experiments, showing that Foxp2 impacts on neurite outgrowth in primary neurons and in neuronal cell models,' the authors write. 'Our data indicate that Foxp2 modulates neuronal network formation, by directly and indirectly regulating mRNAs involved in the development and plasticity of neuronal connections.' 'Studies like this are crucial for building bridges between genes and complex aspects of brain function,' comments Dr Fisher, who also heads a newly established Language and Genetics Department at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Netherlands. 'The current study provides the most thorough characterisation of Foxp2 target pathways to date. It offers a number of compelling new candidate genes that could be investigated in people with language problems.

US Ct of Appeals decision on BRCA patents case ...

Genome Web.com news (7/29) reports on the US Court of Appeals decision reversing the earlier decision in the case challenging Myriad's BRCA patents, saying that isolated DNA is patent eligible under US law. (1)The ruling follows a lawsuit brought by a group of patients and scientists represented by the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and calls into question the validity of patents now held on approximately 4,000 human genes.(2) While not traditionally on point for health care lawyers, friend-of-the-court briefs filed in support of the challenge to the patents on the BRCA genes in the above submitted case by entities such as American Medical Association, the March of Dimes and the American Society for Human Genetics show aspects of the broader impact and role that such patent case questions may bring about. So, while not necessarily relevant to BRCA case itself, it may be of interest to mention that the Court news of June 7 indicated that 14 federal district courts have been selected to participate in a 10-year pilot project designed to enhance expertise in patent cases among U.S. district judges. The pilot, mandated by Pub. L. No. 111-349, begins in most selected courts in July. Included among the 14 courts are the Eastern District of New York and Southern District of New York.

Fifty years of human genetics, a festschrift and liber amicorum to celebrate the life and work of George Robert Fraser

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