A high density of X-linked genes for general cognitive ability: a run-away process shaping human evolution?

Zechner, Ulrich; Wilda, Monika; Kehrer‐Sawatzki, Hildegard; Vogel, Walther; Fundele, Rainald; Hameister, Horst

doi:10.1016/s0168-9525(01)02446-5

Cited by 252 publications

(195 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…32 Approximately, out of 282 human MR genes, 16% reside on the X chromosome, whereas its content represent only 3.37 -4% of all known and predicted genes (a four-fold overrepresentation). In line with these estimates is another OMIM-based analysis study reported by Zechner et al 37 The authors reported a 7.2-fold X-chromosome bias for MR genes, whereas genes causing common morphological phenotypes (polydactyly, cleft palate, facial dysplasia, skeletal dysplasia and growth retardation) have, on average, only a 2.4-fold X-chromosome bias. However, in view of some recent epidemiological and molecular data, this apparent biased distribution will probably not resist prospective studies that integrate recent estimates downwards of XLMR prevalence 12,13 and contribution of submicroscopic rearrangements in MR conditions, as well as evaluation of the potential number of autosomal dominant and recessive MR genes, which are much more difficult to delineate because of the scarcity of affected families.…”

Section: Monogenic Causes Involved In Mental Retardation Disorderssupporting

confidence: 56%

Genetics and pathophysiology of mental retardation

et al. 2006

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Mental retardation (MR) is defined as an overall intelligence quotient lower than 70, associated with functional deficit in adaptive behavior, such as daily-living skills, social skills and communication. Affecting 1-3% of the population and resulting from extraordinary heterogeneous environmental, chromosomal and monogenic causes, MR represents one of the most difficult challenges faced today by clinician and geneticists. Detailed analysis of the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database and literature searches revealed more than a thousand entries for MR, and more than 290 genes involved in clinical phenotypes or syndromes, metabolic or neurological disorders characterized by MR. We estimate that many more MR genes remain to be identified. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview on the remarkable progress achieved over the last decade in delineating genetic causes of MR, and to highlight the emerging biological and cellular processes and pathways underlying pathogeneses of human cognitive disorders.

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Section: Monogenic Causes Involved In Mental Retardation Disorderssupporting

confidence: 56%

Genetics and pathophysiology of mental retardation

et al. 2006

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“…The X chromosome is also enriched in intelligence-related genes, mutations in which result in various X-linked mental retardation syndromes (Zechner et al, 2001). This bias was hypothesized to be the result of sexual selection, with smarter males being selected by females, either because of their superior ability to care for young or because intelligence, being an expensive trait (like peacocks' tails), is an indicator of superior genes (reviewed in Graves et al, 2002).…”

Section: Y1y2y3y4y5mentioning

confidence: 99%

The origin and evolution of vertebrate sex chromosomes and dosage compensation

2011

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In mammals, birds, snakes and many lizards and fish, sex is determined genetically (either male XY heterogamy or female ZW heterogamy), whereas in alligators, and in many reptiles and turtles, the temperature at which eggs are incubated determines sex. Evidently, different sex-determining systems (and sex chromosome pairs) have evolved independently in different vertebrate lineages. Homology shared by Xs and Ys (and Zs and Ws) within species demonstrates that differentiated sex chromosomes were once homologous, and that the sex-specific non-recombining Y (or W) was progressively degraded. Consequently, genes are left in single copy in the heterogametic sex, which results in an imbalance of the dosage of genes on the sex chromosomes between the sexes, and also relative to the autosomes. Dosage compensation has evolved in diverse species to compensate for these dose differences, with the stringency of compensation apparently differing greatly between lineages, perhaps reflecting the concentration of genes on the original autosome pair that required dosage compensation. We discuss the organization and evolution of amniote sex chromosomes, and hypothesize that dosage insensitivity might predispose an autosome to evolving function as a sex chromosome.

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“…In humans, determining the role of a candidate gene requires associating different gene variants with individual differences in the function of interest (Plomin et al, 2008). While virtually no candidate genes currently exist for higher level perception, given that a number of specific genes are known to affect neural and cognitive function (Zechner et al, 2001), and that the genetics of color vision has been fairly well mapped out (Nathans et al, 1986a b), such candidate genes may be within reach.…”

Section: Genetic/environmental Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to use individual differences to isolate functional organization, biology, and utility of visual functions; with illustrative proposals for stereopsis

Wilmer¹

2008

Spatial Vis

111

110

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This paper is a call for greater use of individual differences in the basic science of visual perception. Individual differences yield insights into visual perception's functional organization, underlying biological/environmental mechanisms, and utility. I first explain the general approach advocated and where it comes from. Second, I describe five principles central to learning about the nature of visual perception through individual differences. Third, I elaborate on the use of individual differences to gain insights into the three areas mentioned above (function, biology/environment, utility), in each case describing the approach advocated, presenting model examples from the literature, and laying out illustrative research proposals for the case of stereopsis.

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A high density of X-linked genes for general cognitive ability: a run-away process shaping human evolution?

Cited by 252 publications

References 26 publications

Genetics and pathophysiology of mental retardation

Genetics and pathophysiology of mental retardation

The origin and evolution of vertebrate sex chromosomes and dosage compensation

How to use individual differences to isolate functional organization, biology, and utility of visual functions; with illustrative proposals for stereopsis

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