Wolfgang Enard Plenary:
Molecular evolution of FOXP2, a gene involved in speech and language

Language is a uniquely human trait likely to represent a prerequisite 
for the development of human culture. It has become clear in recent 
years that aspects of speech and language development are likely to be 
influenced by genetic factors. Furthermore, the ability to develop 
articulate speech relies on capabilities, such as fine motoric control 
of the larynx and mouth, which are absent in chimpanzees and other great 
apes. Recently, FOXP2, the first gene of relevance for the human ability 
to develop language, has been described. A point mutation in FOXP2 
cosegregates with a disorder in a large family in which half of the 
members have severe articulation difficulties, accompanied by linguistic 
and grammatical impairment. In addition, this gene is directly disrupted 
by a translocation in an unrelated individual who has a similar 
disorder. Thus, two functional copies of FOXP2 appear to be required for 
acquisition of normal spoken language. In order to investigate the 
evolution of FOXP2, we sequenced the cDNAs that encode the FOXP2 protein 
in chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, rhesus macaque and mouse, and 
compared them to the human cDNA. In addition, we investigated the 
intraspecific variation of the FOXP2 gene in humans. The results 
strongly suggest that FOXP2 has been the target of selection during 
recent human evolution.