Evolutionary analysis of the lncRNA repertory in the human developing cerebral cortex (Gallus gallus Raw sequence reads)

Using systems biology approaches and comparative transcriptomics, we comprehensively annotate the cortical transcriptome of humans, macaques, mice, and chickens; and classify human cortical lncRNAs into evolutionary groups as a function of the predicted minimal age. Those lncRNAs evolutionary groups showed differences in expression strength, splicing efficiency, transposable element content, genomic distribution, and transcription factors binding to their promoters. Furthermore, we find that older lncRNAs showed preferential expression in germinative zones and cortical inhibitory neurons; while younger lncRNAs showed preferential expression in cortical excitatory neurons, formed human-specific gene co-expression modules, and were dysregulated in autism spectrum disorder.