What Makes Humans Unique is Answered by a Gene

The human and ape ancestry has often been a topic of discussion. There are a lot of genetic similarities shared by the two species. But there are some grey areas and unknowns.

A team of international researchers have discovered a new gene that helps explain how humans evolved from chimpanzees. They have recognized a gene named miR-941 that plays a crucial role in human brain development and explains how humans adapted themselves to use of tools and development of language.

For the first time the study has highlighted a gene present only in humans and plays a specific function within human bodies.

The study was conducted by the researchers at the University of Edinburgh. They compared the human genome to 11 other species of mammals. The mammals included chimpanzees, gorillas, mouse and rat, to find the differences among all of them.

The comparison threw light on gene miR-941, which is unique to humans. The researchers say that it emerged between six and one million years ago, after humans had evolved from apes.

It was noticed that the gene played a very active role in two parts of the brain that were responsible for decision making and language abilities. The study suggests it could have a role in the advanced brain functions that make us human.

Most differences in species occur as a result of changes to existing genes, or the duplication and deletion of genes.

It was reported that this gene emerged fully functional, out of non-coding genetic material, previously termed "junk DNA," in a startlingly brief interval of evolutionary time. Until now, it has been remarkably difficult to see this process in action.

According to the researcher Dr Martin Taylor, "The results were significant." Taylor led the study at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

He said: "As a species, humans are wonderfully inventive -- we are socially and technologically evolving all the time. But this research shows that we are innovating at a genetic level too. This new molecule sprang from nowhere at a time when our species was undergoing dramatic changes: living longer, walking upright, learning how to use tools and how to communicate. We're now hopeful that we will find more new genes that help show what makes us human."

The results are published in Nature Communications.