PCDH11Y is a gene unique to Homo males that encodes Protocadherin 11Y, a protein that guides the development of nerve cells. PCDH11X, located on the X chromosome, is common, in both sexes, to humans and our nearest relative, the chimpanzee; however, PCDH11Y, located on the Y chromosome, is unique to males.[3]

PCDH11Y
Identifiers
AliasesPCDH11Y, PCDH-PC, PCDH22, PCDHX, PCDHY, protocadherin 11 Y-linked
External IDsOMIM: 400022; GeneCards: PCDH11Y; OMA:PCDH11Y - orthologs
Orthologs
SpeciesHumanMouse
Entrez
Ensembl
UniProt
RefSeq (mRNA)

NM_001278619
NM_032971
NM_032972
NM_032973
NM_001395587

n/a

RefSeq (protein)

NP_001265548
NP_116753
NP_116754
NP_116755

n/a

Location (UCSC)Chr Y: 5 – 5.74 Mbn/a
PubMed search[2]n/a
Wikidata
View/Edit Human

In terms of human evolution, it has been estimated that pcdh11x "gene jumped" from X to Y around three million years ago; coincident with increased human brain size and the first use of tools. Furthermore, around 120,000 to 200,000 years ago, the PCDH11Y gene was able to further transform, splitting in half and reversing its position.[4]

PCDH11X/Y are cadherin family genes. They make proteins, involved in signalling, that attach to the surface of nerve cells.[4] PCDH11X and PCDH11Y, respond in different ways to Retinoic acid, a chemical involved in the development of embryos. The acid stimulates the activity of PCDH11Y but suppresses PCDH11X. This is likely one of the explanations for the differences between the brains of men and women.[3]

Psychiatrist, professor Tim Crow, also believes the gene explains lateralisation. Humans have "lateralised" brains, in which the different sides became specialised for particular jobs. For instance 90% of people will use their right hands for fiddly tasks. A chimpanzee is just as likely to use either hand. It also explains why, for right-handed people, linguistic functions are concentrated on the left side of the brain.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c GRCh38: Ensembl release 89: ENSG00000099715Ensembl, May 2017
  2. ^ "Human PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  3. ^ a b c Science and Technology: The genetics of lateralisation, The Economist, 26 April 2001
  4. ^ a b Y and Mighty. The Guardian. 18 August 2001