Molecular evolution of FOXP2, a gene involved in speech and language.

Journal article

Language is a uniquely human trait likely to have been a prerequisite for the development of human culture. The ability to develop articulate speech relies on capabilities, such as fine control of the larynx and mouth, that are absent in chimpanzees and other great apes. FOXP2 is the first gene relevant to the human ability to develop language. A point mutation in FOXP2 co-segregates with a disorder in a family in which half of the members have severe articulation difficulties accompanied by ...

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Authors: Enard, W; Przeworski, M; Fisher, S; Lai, C; Wiebe, V

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Nature
• Volume: 418
• Issue: 6900
• Pages: 869-872
• Publication date: 2002-08-01
• DOI: 10.1038/nature01025
• EISSN: 1476-4687
• ISSN: 0028-0836
• Language: English
• Keywords: Humans; Amino Acid Substitution; Language; Animals; Primates; Genetic Variation; Alleles; Speech Disorders; Selection, Genetic; Molecular Sequence Data; Speech; Mice; Mutation; Evolution, Molecular; Transcription Factors; Cloning, Molecular; Phylogeny; Amino Acid Sequence; Conserved Sequence; Forkhead Transcription Factors