Researchers find mobile human brain gene derived from ancient transposon

Researchers have discovered that a human brain gene called BC200 retains the ability to jump to different locations within the genome, ScienceDaily and ScienceDaily Biology reported. The gene plays a key functional role in brain cells while simultaneously maintaining its mobile characteristics. [1][2]

According to ScienceDaily Biology, BC200 evolved millions of years ago from a transposon, which is a mobile segment of DNA that can replicate and insert itself into new genomic positions. Unlike most human genes derived from transposons, BC200 never lost its capacity for mobility, and scientists have observed it embedded within other areas of the human genome. [2]

The progressive development and structural complexity of neural architecture occurred over millions of years across vertebrate species. Neural structures evolved to support complex brain functions and diverse sizes observed in modern organisms. [4]