A scientific study has proven that chimpanzees could have had a brain similar to a human brain if a virus hadn't interfered with their evolutionary path.
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A study published in the journal "Science Advances" has revealed new data on the evolution of the human brain, highlighting unexpected factors that may have contributed to the emergence of differences between humans and chimpanzees.
Humans and chimpanzees are known to be genetically very similar, with differences between them not exceeding about 1.2% of their DNA. Despite this small percentage, the location and nature of these differences can play a significant role in determining their biological characteristics.
In this context, scientists have noticed a specific gene called "LINC00662," which is active in humans in the early stages of brain development and helps nerve cells mature and form their extensions, including dendrites and axons that allow neurons to exchange information.
Although this gene is also present in chimpanzees, it is not active in them, possibly due to the presence of an ancient virus. This may partially explain some of the differences in nerve cell development between the two species.
A hypothesis to explain this phenomenon emerged when scientists discovered traces of an endogenous retrovirus known as PTERV1 near this gene. It is possible that the virus influenced gene activity in chimpanzee ancestors millions of years ago, impacting brain development.
The researchers tested this hypothesis using miniature models of brain tissue, and the experiments showed that disabling the gene "LINC00662" hinders the normal maturation of nerve cells and the formation of the extensions necessary for transmitting signals between them.
However, this hypothesis remains far from conclusive. It cannot be definitively stated that the presence of a similar virus in the genome of human ancestors millions of years ago would have disrupted the gene itself or altered the course of brain development. Nor can we predict what form the brain would have taken or what intellectual and behavioral abilities humans might have possessed in that scenario, as these traits depend on complex interactions between DNA regions and numerous other genes.
The study highlights once again the role that viruses may play in the evolution of organisms, as traces of ancient viral infections in DNA can contribute to the emergence of biological differences between species.
It should be noted that the effects of the "PTERV1" virus are not limited to chimpanzees, but are also found in other species of African great apes, while humans do not carry known traces of this virus in their genome.
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