Mice communicate using ultrasonic calls at frequencies humans can’t hear, producing a range of vocalizations for social interactions, mating, and territorial behavior. Scientists have recently discovered a gene variant found in all humans that in mice affects their communication. This gene, NOVA1, plays a crucial role in neural development and synaptic regulation, influencing how brain cells connect and process information.
Robert Darnell, a neuroscientist at Rockefeller University in New York City, first discovered and cloned the gene in 1993 “when his team linked it to an autoimmune disorder that caused severe movement problems in people,” writes Ewen Callaway of Nature. Darnell’s research has since revealed that NOVA1 plays a crucial role in neural development by regulating RNA-binding proteins that influence synaptic plasticity — the ability of neurons to form and modify connections. The NOVA1 protein controls the expression of other brain-activated genes.
The team first theorized that the gene FOXP2, which codes for transcription factors found in early brain development, was the genetic driver for language comprehension. “People with mutations in this gene exhibit severe speech defects, including the inability to coordinate lip and mouth movements with sound,” writes Rockefeller University. This gene was also found in Neanderthals, suggesting that it arose from a common ancestor. For a while, it was believed that this gene was involved in language development, but some findings dispute its role, as studies in mice and birds suggest it may be more broadly linked to motor control rather than language-specific functions.
Darnell first suspected NOVA1’s role in language when he treated a boy who had only one functional copy of the gene and exhibited both language and movement difficulties. His research has since shown that disruptions in NOVA1 can lead to neurological impairments, affecting motor function, cognition, and potentially speech. More recently, scientists have investigated how variations in NOVA1 influence vocalization in mice, providing new insights into the genetic foundations of human language and the evolutionary changes that distinguish human speech from animal communication.
For this study, Yoko Tajima used CRISPR gene editing to modify the NOVA1 gene in mice, making it mimic the version found in humans. Mice with the altered gene exhibited more complex vocalization patterns than those with the original gene, suggesting that NOVA1 plays a role in shaping communication. Further analysis revealed changes in neural activity within brain regions associated with vocal learning and motor control, hinting at a deeper link between NOVA1 and the evolution of speech. These findings suggest that the human version of NOVA1 may have contributed to the development of more sophisticated speech abilities in our ancestors–Neanderthals and Denisovans–by influencing neural circuitry and communication behaviors.
The discovery of NOVA1’s role in vocalization adds a new layer to our understanding of the genetic foundations of human speech. While FOXP2 was once considered the primary genetic driver of language, emerging research suggests that a network of genes, including NOVA1, may have played a crucial role in shaping the neural circuits that enable complex communication. By studying how genetic modifications affect vocalization in mice, scientists are uncovering valuable clues about how human speech evolved and how certain genetic variations contribute to language-related disorders. As research continues, NOVA1 may not only provide insight into the origins of human communication but also open doors for potential therapies for speech and neurological conditions, further bridging the gap between genetics and language.
