Interspecific diversity in the neuronal composition of the mammalian cortex arises from heterochrony in neurogenesis

ABSTRACT: Mammals share a laminar cerebral cortex, with excitatory neuron subtypes organized in distinct layers. Although this framework is conserved, subtype balance varies markedly between species due to largely unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that species-specific neuronal composition arises from non-uniform scaling of the temporal dynamics of neurogenesis. Comparative histology of eight mammalian species reveals a significant, rat-specific expansion of the deep layer in the somatosensory cortex. This feature of the rat cortex results from a specific extension of the early neurogenetic phase of deep-layer neuron production before transitioning to the upper layer, as confirmed by neuronal birthdating and single-cell transcriptomics. The duration of deep-layer neuron production is regulated by a

SUBMITTER: Yuki, Y. Yamauchi 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44318-026-00806-Z | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other