Protein degradation rate helps explain why humans develop more slowly than mice
Researchers have discovered that human proteins degrade more slowly than those in mice, which may explain why humans develop at a significantly slower pace. This study highlights the role of protein degradation in the cellular 'segmentation clock' that governs embryonic development.
Why it matters
Understanding the molecular basis of developmental timing provides insights into evolutionary biology and the fundamental differences between species.
by Carla Manzanas, European Molecular Biology Laboratory
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Researchers at EMBL measured the protein degradation rate of around 4,000 proteins in human and mouse cells. Credit: Daniela Velasco/EMBL Humans develop at a slower rate than other mammalian species, like mice, but scientists are still trying to understand the molecular basis of these differences. Now, researchers from the Ebisuya Group at EMBL Barcelona and PoL-TU Dresden and from the Savitski Team at EMBL Heidelberg show that across 4,000 proteins shared between humans and mice, there is a clear tendency for protein degradation in humans to be slower than in mice.
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