This research provides a comprehensive single-nucleus RNA-sequencing atlas tracing the development of the mammalian cerebellum across human, mouse, and opossum lineages. By analyzing roughly 400,000 cells, the authors established a universal classification system that tracks cellular growth from early neurogenesis through adulthood. The study reveals that while core genetic programs for most cell types have remained stable for over 160 million years, significant shifts occurred in human Purkinje cell dynamics and subtype expansion. Furthermore, the data highlights lineage-specific gene repurposing, where orthologous genes gained or lost expression in particular species. These findings offer a detailed molecular resource for understanding the evolutionary innovations and conserved mechanisms that govern the complex architecture of the mammalian brain.

References:

• Sepp M, Leiss K, Murat F, et al. Cellular development and evolution of the mammalian cerebellum[J]. Nature, 2024, 625(7996): 788-796.