A theory of the origin of cerebral asymmetry: Epigenetic variation superimposed on a fixed right-shift

Abstract

A theory of the genetic basis of cerebral asymmetry is outlined according to which (1) a single right-shift factor in all human individuals interacts with (2) epigenetic variation that is apparently random, transmissible between parent and child, but with a half-life extending over a small number of generations. The right-shift factor arose late (150 to 200 thousand years ago [KYA]) in hominid evolution as a mutation in the X copy of a gene pair (Protocadherin11XY) in a region of homology between the X and Y chromosomes created by a duplication 6MYA at the chimpanzee hominid separation. The epigenetic imprint originates in the process now known as “meiotic suppression of unpaired chromosomes” (MSUC); it reflects random pairing of partly homologous X and Y chromosome regions in male meiosis, and confers species-specific diversity of cerebral structure on the human population.

Keywords:

• Asymmetry
• Dominance
• X and Y chromosomes
• Xq21.3
• MSUC
• Handedness
• Language
• Sapiens
• Speciation