Cellular repertoires of the song motor pathway of songbirds
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Lonchura striata
PROVIDER: GSE150486 | GEO | 2020/05/14
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:How evolutionary changes in genes and neurons encode species variation in complex motor behaviors are largely unknown. Here, we develop genetic tools that permit a neural circuit comparison between the model speciesDrosophila melanogasterand the closely-related speciesD. yakuba, who has undergone a lineage-specific loss of sine song, one of the two major types of male courtship song inDrosophila. Neuroanatomical comparison of song patterning neurons called TN1 across the phylogeny demonstrates a link between the loss of sine song and a reduction both in the number of TN1 neurons and the neurites serving the sine circuit connectivity. Optogenetic activation confirms that TN1 neurons inD. yakubahave lost the ability to drive sine song, while maintaining the ability to drive the singing wing posture. Single-cell transcriptomic comparison shows thatD. yakubaspecifically lacks a cell type corresponding to TN1A neurons, the TN1 subtype that is essential for sine song. Genetic and developmental manipulation reveals a functional divergence of the sex determination genedoublesexinD. yakubato reduce TN1 number by promoting apoptosis. Our work illustrates the contribution of motor patterning circuits and cell type changes in behavioral evolution, and uncovers the evolutionary lability of sex determination genes to reconfigure the cellular makeup of neural circuits.
2024-04-03 | GSE262732 | GEO
Project description:Like human speech, birdsong is a complex vocal behavior that is acquired by sensorimotor learning based on coordination of auditory input and vocal output to mimic memorized tutor song. Here we investigate neural circuits for vocal learning and production in deafened songbirds to elucidate how sensory-input regulate genetic and epigenetic property of vocal development and its associated gene expression dynamics. Compared with audition-intact birds, in deafened zebra finches, the vocal development is delayed but song crystallization is observed at more than three times later, producing individually different but structured vocal patterns. In contrast to the distinct difference of vocal ontogeny between audition (+) and (-), unexpectedly, developmental regulation of gene expression dynamics is strictly conserved with age-locked trend in vocal motor circuit in both intact and deafened birds, indicating sensory-input independent robustness of developmental gene expression dynamics in the motor circuit for sensorimotor learning. This discrepancy between outward vocal phenotype and inward gene expression dynamics provides new insight into neural regulation at closing of the critical period for vocal learning by two different forms: auditory inputs-dependent M-bM-^@M-^XactiveM-bM-^@M-^Y crystallization and gene expression dynamics-mediated M-bM-^@M-^XpassiveM-bM-^@M-^Y crystallization. We collected brain samples from intact and early-deafened birds (deafened at day-post hatch 17-23) under silent and dark condition. Song nuclei in vocal motor circuit, HVC and RA tissue samples (juvenile; n = 3, young; n = 3, old; n = 3 of intact and early-deafened birds for HVC and RA) were laser-microdissected from total 24 birds (intact; n = 12, early-deafened; n = 12). Each sample was hybridized to a single array, totaling 36 arrays. Birds were selected per slide such that early-deafened birds were paired with intact birds. To minimize possible interslide bias or batch effects, intact and early-deafened bird samples matching with brain area and age conditions were hybridized side by side on same array glass.
2014-03-21 | E-GEOD-56075 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Like human speech, birdsong is a complex vocal behavior that is acquired by sensorimotor learning based on coordination of auditory input and vocal output to mimic memorized tutor song. Here we investigate neural circuits for vocal learning and production in deafened songbirds to elucidate how sensory-input regulate genetic and epigenetic property of vocal development and its associated gene expression dynamics. Compared with audition-intact birds, in deafened zebra finches, the vocal development is delayed but song crystallization is observed at more than three times later, producing individually different but structured vocal patterns. In contrast to the distinct difference of vocal ontogeny between audition (+) and (-), unexpectedly, developmental regulation of gene expression dynamics is strictly conserved with age-locked trend in vocal motor circuit in both intact and deafened birds, indicating sensory-input independent robustness of developmental gene expression dynamics in the motor circuit for sensorimotor learning. This discrepancy between outward vocal phenotype and inward gene expression dynamics provides new insight into neural regulation at closing of the critical period for vocal learning by two different forms: auditory inputs-dependent ‘active’ crystallization and gene expression dynamics-mediated ‘passive’ crystallization.
2014-03-21 | GSE56075 | GEO
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of courtship song stimulated females in Drosophila melanogaster comparing females exposed to conspecific song to those exposed to either white-noise (control) or heterospecific song (D. simulans)
2011-11-22 | GSE31190 | GEO
Project description:In this data set, we compared the expression data of song nuclei HVC, visual cortex entopallium, and the molecular layer of the cerebellum dissected from females and males of 3 songbird species (S. canaria, U. cyanocephalus, P. bicolor) to identify sex-specific stimulated gene expression. Testosterone-treated male and female canaries were also included in order to study whether testosterone effect on transcriptomes is sex-specific. Finally, testosterone-treated female canaries were compared with a rare group of spontaneously singing female canaries to study whether testosterone stimulation would be different from natural stimulation.
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Project description:Transcriptional profiling of courtship song stimulated females in Drosophila melanogaster comparing females exposed to conspecific song to those exposed to either white-noise (control) or heterospecific song (D. simulans) Three condition experiment, D. melanogaster (mel_song) song stimulated vs. Control (no_song) and vs. D. simulans (sim_song) stimulated females. Biological replicates: 7 for D_mel_song, 4 for no_song, 3 for D_sim_song. One replicate per array. Each sample contains 120 pooled female heads, collected from three independent experiments. Technical replication: two arrays with reverse labeling for each contrast.
2011-11-22 | E-GEOD-31190 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Similarities between speech and birdsong make songbirds advantageous for investigating the neurogenetics of learned vocal communication; a complex phenotype likely supported by ensembles of interacting genes in cortico-basal ganglia pathways of both species. To date, only FoxP2 has been identified as critical to both speech and birdsong. We performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis on microarray data from singing zebra finches to discover gene ensembles regulated during vocal behavior. We found ~2,000 singing- regulated genes comprising 3 co-expression groups unique to area X, the basal ganglia subregion dedicated to learned vocal-motor behavior. These contained known targets of human FOXP2 and potential avian targets. We validated novel biological pathways for vocalization. Our findings show that higher-order gene co-expression patterns, rather than expression levels, molecularly distinguish area X from the ventral striato-pallidum during singing. The previously unknown structure of singing-driven networks enables prioritization of molecular interactors that likely bear on human motor disorders, especially those affecting speech. Gene expression was measured in 2 basal ganglia sub-regions (area X & ventral striato-pallidum (VSP)) of 27 adult male zebra finches that sang different amounts of song over a 2hr period in the morning. 18 birds were allowed to sing freely, 9 birds were discouraged from singing by the presence of an investigator and those that sang fewer than 10 song motifs were considered “non-singers”.
2012-01-04 | E-GEOD-34819 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Sensorimotor reflex circuits engage distinct neuronal subtypes, defined by precise connectivity, to transform sensation into compensatory behavior. Whether and how motor partner populations shape the subtype fate and connectivity of their pre-motor counterparts remains controversial. Here, we discovered that motor partners are dispensable for proper connectivity across an entire vestibular reflex circuit that stabilizes gaze. We first measured activity following vestibular sensation in pre-motor projection neurons after constitutive loss of their extraocular motor neuron partners.We observed normal responses and topography consistent with unchanged functional connectivity between sensory neurons and projection neurons. Next, we show that projection neurons remain anatomically and molecularly poised to connect appropriately with their motor partners. Lastly, we show that the transcriptional signatures of projection neuron subtypes develop independently of motor partners. Our findings comprehensively overturn a long-standing model: that connectivity in the circuit for gaze stabilization is retrogradely determined by motor partner-derived signals. By defining the contribution of motor neurons to canonical sensorimotor circuit assembly, our work speaks to comparable processes in spinal circuits and advances our understanding of general principles of neural development.
2024-01-27 | GSE254345 | GEO
Project description:Abstract: Juvenile zebra finches learn to sing by imitating songs of adult males early in life. The development of the song control circuit and the song learning and maturation processes are highly intertwined, involving gene expression, neurogenesis, circuit formation, synaptic modification, and sensory-motor learning, which eventually lead to a mature song. To better understand the genetic mechanisms underlying these events, we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to profile genome-wide transcriptomes in the HVC, a brain nucleus controlling song behavior, in juvenile and adult zebra finches. We found that gene expression programs related to axon guidance, RNA metabolism, lipid metabolism, and ATP synthesis were enriched in the HVC relative to the rest of the brain in juveniles. As juveniles matured into adults, massive gene expression changes occurred in the HVC. Gene expression shifted from amino acid metabolism, laminin interaction, cell proliferation, and mitochondrial protein translation to synaptic functions; genes associated with G protein coupled-receptors, GTPase signaling, ion channels, and inhibitory transmission increased expression. Unexpectedly, a group of genes known for their functions in the immune system was also developmentally regulated in the HVC. These data will serve as a rich resource for further analysis of development and function of a neural circuit that controls vocal behavior.
2020-01-01 | GSE140470 | GEO
Project description:Experience-dependent gene expression reshapes neural circuits, permitting learning of knowledge and skills. However, the diversity of plasticity-related transcriptional responses across neurons underlying learning remains poorly understood. Here, we analyzed single-nucleus transcriptomes of L2/3 glutamatergic neurons of the primary motor cortex after motor skill training or home-cage control in water-restricted mice.
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