Octopus intelligence has a similarity to the human brain behind it
1Octopus intelligence has a similarity to the human brain behind it
With their previous research, scientists have revealed that octopuses are smarter than the average invertebrate. But a new discovery has uncovered one of the reasons; a specific molecular similarity to the human brain.
Both the human genome and the octopus genome contain numerous 'skipping genes' or transposons that can replicate themselves or move around the genome. While not all of them are active, these transposons are viewed as raw material for evolutionary processes.
In the part of the octopus brain where it performs its cognitive abilities, transposons belonging to the 'Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements' family were discovered.
Transposons found in the brain of octopuses are located in a similar spot in the human brain, the study revealed.
Giovanna Ponte, a biologist at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn research institute in Italy, said: “When I saw under the microscope a very strong signal of activity of this element in the vertical lobe, in the structure of the brain, where the learning and cognitive abilities of octopuses are located, I literally jumped into a chair. Because this point is the same place where the hippocampus (the memory center of the brain) is located in humans,” he said.
TRANSPOSONS ARE ACTIVE IN LEARNING
Recent research has revealed how transposons belonging to the 'Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements' family are carefully arranged in the human brain, while proving that they are linked to thinking, learning and memory. The research also says that transposons are most active in the hippocampus, where learning processes are partially controlled.
By finding these jumping genes in the same spot in the brains of two octopus species - the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the California octopus (Octopus bimaculoides) - the researchers think they may have found an important reason behind the high intelligence displayed by these marine creatures.
While it is known that transposons use molecular copy-paste and cut-paste mechanisms, the study shows that there is more than is known here. So transposons have a direct relationship with the complexity of the nervous system, including the brain.