Molecular Investigations of the Structure and Development of the Brain of Carnivores

Abstract

The brains of higher mammals such as carnivores and primates contain developed structures that are not found in the brains of mice. Revealing the physiological importance, developmental mechanisms, and evolution of these structures using carnivores and primates would greatly contribute to our understanding of the human brain and its diseases. Although the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the brains of carnivores and primates have been intensively investigated, molecular investigations are still limited. Recently, genetic techniques that can be applied to carnivores and primates have been explored, and molecules whose expression patterns were related to their developed brain structures were reported. To investigate the functional importance of these molecules, rapid and efficient genetic manipulation methods were established. Here we review recent advances in molecular investigations of the development and evolution of the brains of higher mammals, mainly focusing on the ferret (Mustela putorius furo).