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The genome of a songbird

ABSTRACT: This study was part of a larger study on the zebra finch genome (Warren et al 2010. Nature). Here we present a summary of the specific experiment on singing-regulated gene expression. To evaluate the genomic landscape of learned vocal communication, we profiled gene expression in the zebra finch song nucleus, Area X, with custom Agilent oligoarrays for up to seven hours following initiation of singing. We developed algorithms to identify singing-regulated transcripts related to time spent singing, and discovered over 800 transcripts in Area X that are significantly regulated by singing. These included known increases of the egr1 and c-fos transcription factors, and a decrease in the FoxP2 transcription factor, a gene associated with spoken language development. We clusted the singing-regulated genes in Area X into 20 temporal dynamic expression patterns, which include rapidly up-regulated and transient, rapidly up-regulated and sustained, slowly up-regulated and sustained, a late upregulated response, and equally diverse clusters of down-regulated patterns. Using promotor motif search algorithms, we found significant over-representation of transcription factor binding sites in the promoters of genes within specific clusters. These binding sites included those of transcription factors known to be activated by neural activity and plasticity, such as CREB, SRF, AP-1, NFKB1, CFOS, EGR1, and MEF2.

ORGANISM(S): Taeniopygia guttata

PROVIDER: GSE19900 | GEO | 2010/01/16

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA122047

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Studies of transcriptional networks in multi-cellular organisms usually focus on isolated cells and typically assume that the discovered gene networks represent those present in connected cells within a complex organ like the brain. However, similar cell types connected in diverse anatomical networks could differentially influence transcriptional networks. Here, we used laser capture microdissection, expression arrays, genome mapping, and computational inference to explore behaviorally regulated gene networks in the brains of awake, behaving songbirds producing a skilled motor behavior, singing. We found that at baseline, in the absence of singing, a large proportion of genes (17%, >3000) are differentially expressed in the different brain regions of the neural circuit that controls singing. These genes predominantly code for cell communication and connectivity proteins, and non-coding RNAs. Remarkably, the act of singing was associated with differential regulation of ~10% of the coding and non-coding genome. However, less than 1% of genes were singing-regulated in most brain regions and these were largely immediate early genes (IEGs), which peaked early, including the inducible transcription factors EGR1 and FOS. The remaining vast majority of behaviorally regulated gene expression was specific to one or a subset of brain regions, which peaked later. Promoters of the baseline, common, and diverse singing regulated gene clusters were enriched for different combinations of post-translationally activated transcription factors, like CREB, SRF, MEF2, MZF, and the IEG transcription factors. The results suggest that diverse cell-to-cell interactions and differential combinatorial binding of a small group of transcription factors may influence regional diversity of gene networks in seemingly similar cell types. Thus, in highly integrated neural circuits of intact behaving animals, transcriptional network diversity appears to be the rule, rather than the exception. Gene expression in Area X, HVC, LMAN, and Ra was measured before singing (0) or after singing for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7hours. Four-Six independent experiments were performed at each of the 9 timepoints.

Project description:DNA methylation is tightly linked with gene expression regulation and has long been regarded a stable epigenetic mark in postmitotic cells. However, it recently became clear that postnatal brains appear to show stimulus-induced de novo CpG methylation or active demethylation related to neuronal plasticity. Due to striking homologies between the brains of birds and mammals, songbirds, especially the zebra finch, propose an attractive model for investigating the genome-wide DNA methylation profile and DNA methylation reconfiguration during brain development. In order to obtain a first genome-wide compendium of genes under putative DNA methylation control, we performed MethyCap-seq experiments on two recently cultured zebra finch cell lines, G266 and ZFTMA, also upon AZA-induced demethylation. First, the MethylCap-seq methodology in zebra finch was validated by comparison with RRBS generated data. Subsequently, quantitative analysis identified 30,700 significantly demethylated loci upon AZA-treatment. Further examination revealed enrichment of these regions in exons and promoters. To assess the influence of methylation on gene expression, RNA-seq experiments were performed. Comparison of the RNA-seq and MethylCap-seq results showed that at least 357 of the 3,457 AZA-upregulated genes are putatively regulated by methylation in the promoter region, for which a pathway analysis showed obvious enrichment for neurological networks. The ZF exon-arrays analysis validated the RNA-seq expression result for 75% and 62%, of the down and up-regulated genes, respectively. A subset of genes was validated also using qPCR and CpG pyrosequencing. To our knowledge, this study provides the first genome-wide DNA methylation map of the zebra finch genome as well as a comprehensive set of genes of which transcription is under putative methylation control Within the overall project, we performed a set of microarrays to validate RNAseq data (Series accession number GSE61060) . DMSO- and AZA-treated zebra finch cell lines, i.e. G266 and ZFTMA. ChipInspector carries out significance analysis on the single probe level. Normalized probe set level data not provided for individual Sample records. Processed data is available on Series record.

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The genome of a songbird

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