Human Accelerated Region 1 (HAR1): A Genomic Segment Linked to Human Brain Evolution
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apollinaire
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Summary
Human Accelerated Region 1 (HAR1) is a segment of the human genome located on chromosome 20 that has undergone rapid evolution in humans compared to other primates. It consists of two overlapping long non-coding RNA genes, HAR1A and HAR1B, with HAR1A being expressed in specific brain cells (Cajal–Retzius cells) during development alongside the protein reelin. The article provides technical details about HAR1's genomic location, structure, and its significance as a human accelerated region that may contribute to human brain evolution.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledHuman Accelerated Region 1 (Highly Accelerated Region 1, HAR1) is a segment of the human genome found on the long arm of chromosome 20.
It is a human accelerated region. It is located within a pair of overlapping long non-coding RNA genes, HAR1A (HAR1F) and HAR1B (HAR1R).
HAR1A is expressed in Cajal–Retzius cells, contemporaneously with the protein reelin.
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