An opposing molecular gradient axis underlies primate cortical organization

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Huang, Zhi; Yang, Qianqian; Li, Shenglong; Zhu, Xiaojia; Wang, He; Lin, Jixuan; Zhan, Yafeng; Wu, Yan; Wang, Zefang; Majka, Piotr; Qu, Haichao; Atapour, Nafiseh; Yang, Tao; Lin, Youning; Cui, Luman; Yao, Yong-Gang; Liang, Zhifeng; Liu, Zhen; Li, Chao; Wei, Wu; Zhou, Yi; Ma, Shaojie; Shen, Zhiming; Wei, Xiaoyu; Xu, Xun; Liu, Shiping; Li, Chengyu; Poo, Muming; Liu, Longqi; Rosa, Marcello G. P.; Sun, Yidi; Hao, Shijie; Liu, Cirong
• 署名单位: Chinese Academy of Sciences; Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS; South China University of Technology; Lin Gang Laboratory; ShanghaiTech University; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming Institute of Zoology, CAS; Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS; Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS; Polish Academy of Sciences; Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences; Monash University; Monash University; Shanghai Center for Brain Science & Brain-Inspired Technology
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.aea2673
• 发表日期: 2026-04-16
• 页码: eaea2673
• 关键词: auditory-cortex; visual-cortex; brain; pattern; atlas; areas; connections; activation; definition; maturation

摘要

The principles organizing cellular diversity and connectivity in primate brains remain elusive. By integrating spatial transcriptomics, magnetic resonance imaging, and retrograde labeling in marmosets, we identified two opposing molecular gradients that undergo postnatal refinement, emanating from allocortices and primary sensory cortices, respectively. These gradients reconcile conflicting hypotheses on cortical expansion and characterize distinct cortical areas. Cortical gradients align with thalamic gene expression and thalamocortical projection patterns. At gradient intersections, the default mode network and frontal pole exhibited similar molecular features in humans and marmosets, despite species-specific differences in functional connectivity. Comparative analysis of gradient-related genes showed that marmoset and human auditory cortices are highly similar but differ from those of macaques, potentially reflecting complex vocalization. Together, these opposing gradients represent a fundamental organizing principle of the primate cortex.