RNA-binding protein family diversification correlates with neural complexity across metazoan evolution

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) control post-transcriptional gene expression with critical roles in nervous system function. Here, we ask whether RBP family diversity tracks with neural complexity across animal evolution. Comparing six species ranging from a simple worm to humans, we find that the number of distinct RBP domain families increases progressively with neuron number-a relationship specific to RBPs and not seen for kinases or G-protein-coupled receptors. Transcription factors show a different pattern, reaching a ceiling in vertebrates while RBP families continue expanding. We further show that the disordered structural regions of RBPs grow longer in more complex organisms, whereas liquid-liquid phase separation propensity remains broadly conserved. Finally, the lengthening of messenger RNA regulatory tails parallels RBP diversification, suggesting co-evolution of post-transcriptional regulatory capacity. These findings establish RBP family diversification as a distinctive molecular signature of animal neural complexity.