So, I found this this strange press release in my RSS feed. Here's the important bit:

Gene sequencing revealed a mutation specific to humans that triggers a change in the splicing pattern of the neuropsin gene, creating a new splicing site and a longer protein. Introducing this mutation into chimpanzee DNA resulted in the creation of type II neuropsin. "Hence, the human-specific mutation is not only necessary but also sufficient in creating the novel splice form," the authors state.

The full article is titled Human-Specific Mutation Leads to the Origin of a Novel Splice Form of Neuropsin (KLK8), a Gene Involved in Learning and Memory, and it is in a journal called Human Mutation. There seems something really stilted in the English in the press release, and the claims feel way too grandiose, but I figure if there is a 1% chance this is accurate I'll throw up a post. Those of you with neuro chops will probably sniff out the crap earlier then I....

Labels: Human Evolution