Transcriptional architecture of the primate neocortex

Genome-wide transcriptional profiling allows characterization of the molecular underpinnings of neocortical organization, including cortical areal specialization, laminar cell type diversity and functional anatomy. Microarray analysis of individual cortical layers across sensorimotor and association cortices in rhesus macaque demonstrated robust and specific laminar and areal molecular signatures driven by differential expression of genes associated with specialized neuronal function. Gene expression corresponding with laminar architecture was generally similar across cortical areas, although genes with robust areal patterning were often highly laminar as well, and these patterns were more highly conserved between macaque and human as compared to mouse. Layer 4 of primate primary visual cortex displayed a distinct molecular signature compared to other cortical regions, a specialization not observed in mouse. Overall, transcriptome-based relationships were strongest between proximal layers in a cortical area, and between neighboring areas along the rostrocaudal axis, reflecting in vivo cortical spatial topography and therefore a developmental imprint.

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Bernard A, Lubbers LS, Tanis KQ, Luo R, Podtelezhnikov AA, Finney EM, McWhorter MM, Serikawa K, Lemon T, Morgan R, Copeland C, Smith K, Cullen V, Davis-Turak J, Lee CK, Sunkin SM, Loboda AP, Levine DM, Stone DJ, Hawrylycz MJ, Roberts CJ, Jones AR, Geschwind DH, Lein ES