Genomic Comparisons of Humans and Chimpanzees

Abstract

The genome consists of the entire DNA present in the nucleus of the fertilized embryo, which is then duplicated in every cell in the body. A draft sequence of the chimpanzee genome is now available, providing opportunities to better understand genetic contributions to human evolution, development, and disease. Sequence differences from the human genome were confirmed to be ∼1% in areas that can be precisely aligned, representing ∼35 million single base-pair differences. Some 45 million nucleotides of insertions and deletions unique to each lineage were also discovered, making the actual difference between the two genomes ∼4%. We discuss the opportunities and challenges that arise from this information and the need for comparison with additional species, as well as population genetic studies. Finally, we present a few examples of interesting findings resulting from genome-wide analyses, candidate gene studies, and combined approaches, emphasizing the pros and cons of each approach.

Uniquely human evolution of sialic acid genetics and biology

“…Since we reported these genetic differences between humans and NHHs (28), many others have been found (101,102). Any explanation of human evolution and the human condition must take into account all the available data.…”

“…Any explanation of human evolution and the human condition must take into account all the available data. Indeed, there are many approaches to anthropogeny (explaining the origin of humans) (101,102), including studies of the fossil and archaeological record since our last common ancestors with other primates; exploring the impact of the environment (biological, physical, and cultural) on humans and other animals; comparisons of the ontogeny of each species; and, of course, species comparisons. All these approaches must be combined in a transdisciplinary manner if we are eventually to explain human origins and human uniqueness.…”

The Impact of 'Anthropotechnology' on Human Evolution

“…This fits in with the growing appreciation in biological science that species-specific changes may be more easily conferred through changes of regulatory RNA molecules, which could affect many targets on the route from genotype to phenotype (Varki & Nelson 2007).…”

Whole-genome sequencing and intensive analysis of the undomesticated soybean ( Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.) genome

“…The whole-genomic difference between wild and cultivated soybeans is similar to that between human and chimpanzee genomes, which has been reported to be ∼4% (36). However, humans and chimpanzees have a single-nucleotide sequence difference of ≈1% (35 million SNPs in 2.4 Gb) (36). It was found that G. soja and G. max had a single-nucleotide difference of 0.31% and the portion of genomic structural variation resulting from deletion events in G. soja was relatively high (3.45%).…”