Scientists from the Shanghai University of Neuroscience discovered a gene GluR4 that increases the interactions between neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex and multiplies electric signals created in the area. It appears that the expression level of the gene is associated with social status of individual mice.

In order to confirm the theory, the scientists crated transgenic mice that express high level of GluR4 gene in neurons of these regions of the cortex and compared them with the mice of original strain. In order to determine which of the two mouse lines is higher in the hierarchical ladder, scientists conducted a simple test.They allowed the mice of these two strains to meet in a narrow passage way leading to food and looked what mice could grab more food. The results of the experiments confidently showed that mice with over-expressed GluR4 protein reached the food much faster. After a more detailed analysis of brain tissue, the researchers noticed also that the cells of the medial prefrontal cortex of the mutant mice have a higher ability to transmit the signals.

In addition, the opposite effect was achieved after mice were transfected with the gene R4Ct, which suppresses the transmission of neural signals. These mice became less successful in reaching the food.

If one looks at this finding from human perspective, it becomes clear that our leadership capabilities depend, in part, on the expression level of the gene. Would it be useful to screen people for the level of expression of this gene before offering them jobs that require leadership abilities?