Since the human brain depends on many different genes and proteins working together, the researchers were interested in identifying proteins that interact with TBR1. They discovered that TBR1 directly interacts with FOXP2, an important protein in speech and language disorders, and that pathogenic mutations affecting either of these proteins abolish the mutual interaction. 'Think of it as a social network for proteins', says Dr. Deriziotis, 'There were initial clues that TBR1 might be "friends" with FOXP2. This was intriguing because FOXP2 is one of the few proteins to have been clearly implicated in speech and language disorders. The common molecular pathway we found is very interesting.'
According to senior author Simon Fisher, Professor of Language and Genetics at Radboud University and director at the MPI: 'It is very exciting to uncover these fascinating molecular links between different disorders that affect language. By coupling data from genome screening with functional analysis in the lab, we are starting to build up a picture of the neurogenetic pathways that contribute to fundamental human traits.'
