A tiny noncoding gene governs the development of the entire human brain
A tiny noncoding gene consisting of only a few nucleotides acts as a master architect for the human brain, controlling the development of hundreds of neuron-specific genes during gestation.
The RNU2-2 gene is a minuscule noncoding segment that dictates the development of the entire human brain by governing the spliceosome. Despite its small size, mutations in this gene represent the most common cause of recessive neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting thousands of people. It functions as a critical switch around week 12 of pregnancy, managing the splicing of over 700 genes essential for neural differentiation.
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