Polyglutamine Length Co-Evolution in Neural Proteins

The study investigated the co-evolution of polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat lengths in neural proteins among primates, focusing on their role in neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric domains. It found significant length variability and co-evolution in functionally related and interacting protein clusters, suggesting a coordinated regulatory system. PolyQ repeats were overrepresented in neural protein clusters related to behavior and autism spectrum disorders, indicating their role in the pathophysiology of the nervous system. The study highlighted the evolutionary significance of polyQ repeats, particularly in psychological and psychiatric functions, and their impact on primate cognitive and behavioral evolution. Researchers analyzed 225 polyQ proteins and identified patterns of co-evolution, suggesting that polyQ length variation played a significant role in modulating protein interaction strength and stability, contributing to molecular co-adaptation and organismal fitness.