Fig. 3: The extent of differential methylation is highest among genes associated with the voice.
From: Differential DNA methylation of vocal and facial anatomy genes in modern humans
a Within each lineage, the fraction of differentially methylated CpGs was computed as the number of derived CpGs per 100 kb centered around the middle of each DMR. DMRs were ranked according to the fraction of derived CpG positions in their vicinity. DMRs in genes associated with the voice are marked with red lines. In AMHs, DMRs in voice-affecting genes tend to be ranked significantly higher. Although known voice-associated genes comprise less than 2% of the genome, three of the top five AMH-derived DMRs, and all top five skeleton-related AMH-derived DMRs are in genes known to associate with the voice. In archaic-derived DMRs and in simulated DMRs, voice-associated genes do not show higher ranking compared to the rest of the DMGs. t-test P-values are shown for each group. b The fraction of differentially methylated CpGs along the five chromosomes containing ACAN, SOX9, COL2A1, XYLT1, and NFIX. In each of these chromosomes, the most extensive changes are found within these genes. All five genes control facial projection and the development of the larynx.
