Scientists have determined that octopus is smarter than ordinary invertebrates, but a new discovery shows one of the reasons: a specific molecular analogy to the human brain.
Both the human genome and the octopus genome contain a large number of "jump genes" or transposons , which are able to self-replicate or move in the genome. Although they are not all active, these transposons are considered as raw materials for evolutionary processes. In a new study, transposons belonging to the LINE (Long Spread Nuclear Elements) family have been found in a new study that processes cognitive abilities in the octopus brain—similar to where they were found in the human brain. ”
When I saw a very strong signal of activity in this element in the vertical leaves under a microscope, I literally jumped into the chair, the structure of the brain octopus is the center of learning and cognitive ability, just like the human hippocampus ,” said Giovanna Ponte, a biologist at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Institute in Italy. They are thought to be related to learning and memory—partially because they are most active in the hippocampus, where the learning process is controlled. By finding these jumping genes at the same location in the brains of two octopus species ( common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and California octopus (Octopus bimaculoides), the researchers believe they may have found the key reason behind the high intelligence of these octopus marine organisms .
Although transposons are known to use molecular copy-paste and cut-paste mechanisms, the study shows that more things happen here—this is directly related to the complexity of nervous system , including the brain. “Discovering an element of the LINE family, active in the brains of both octopus, is important because it increases support for the idea that these elements have specific functions beyond copy and paste,” said Remo Sanges, a computer genomicist from the Institute of Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studio Avanzati in Italy.
In addition, researchers think we can see an example of convergent evolution of : when similar traits develop independently in completely unrelated species and provide the same adaptability, in this case, this is excellent cognitive ability. "The brain of the octopus is functionally similar to that of the mammalian brain in many characteristics," said Graziano Fiorito, a biologist at Stazione Zoology Anton Dohrn. The LINE element represents a very interesting candidate to study to improve our understanding of intelligent evolution. "The study has been published in BMC Biology.
