Gene manipulation to test links between genome, brain and behavior in developing songbirds: a test case

London, Sarah E.

doi:10.1242/jeb.206516

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 67 publications

(73 reference statements)

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“…For example, the sensorimotor learning of birdsong during development involves comparing one's current vocal performance to a sensory representation of a "target" song; as such, the development of an accurate imitation of a tutor's song requires learning an accurate sensory representation of the tutor's song (14,16,20,22). Because studies in mammals highlight the importance of NE acting within sensory processing areas to sensory learning and plasticity (37,(42)(43)(44)65), we investigated how infusions of NE into the NCM, an auditory processing area implicated in song learning (16,23,66), affects the fidelity of song learning and imitation. We report that coupling NE infusions into NCM with limited song tutoring increases the accuracy of song learning: juvenile zebra finches that received NE infusions in NCM produced adult songs that were significantly more similar to the tutor song than did juveniles that received control infusions during song tutoring.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Norepinephrine in the avian auditory cortex enhances developmental song learning

Sakata

2021

Journal of Neurophysiology

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Sensory learning during critical periods in development has lasting effects on behavior. Neuromodulators like dopamine and norepinephrine (NE) have been implicated in various forms of sensory learning, but little is known about their contribution to sensory learning during critical periods. Songbirds like the zebra finch communicate with each other using vocal signals (e.g., songs) that are learned during a critical period in development, and the first crucial step in song learning is memorizing the sound of an adult conspecific's (tutor's) song. Here we analyzed the extent to which NE modulates the auditory learning of a tutor's song and the fidelity of song imitation. Specifically, we paired infusions of NE or vehicle into the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) with brief epochs of song tutoring. We analyzed the effect of NE in juvenile zebra finches that had or had not previously been exposed to song. Regardless of previous exposure to song, juveniles that received NE infusions into NCM during song tutoring produced songs that were more acoustically similar to the tutor song and that incorporated more elements of the tutor song than juveniles with control infusions. These data support the notion that NE can regulate the formation of sensory memories that shape the development of vocal behaviors that are used throughout an organism's life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Norepinephrine in the avian auditory cortex enhances developmental song learning

Sakata

2021

Journal of Neurophysiology

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“…Overall, our experimental results show that viral-mediated transgenesis is a promising method for testing the function of candidate genes in this system. This approach has already proved essential in the functional testing of genes related to behavior [5,8,9] and in the dissection of neural circuits [10] in other organisms. treatment) significantly differed from saline-injected controls.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

“…To fully characterize how a gene contributes to behavior, it is necessary to consider not just sequence differences, but also regulatory and epigenetic influences. Therefore, to demonstrate and fully characterize a causal relationship between a gene and behavior, it is crucial to have a method for manipulating gene expression at a specific time and location [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Minimally invasive brain injections for viral-mediated transgenesis: New tools for behavioral genetics in sticklebacks

James

Bell

2021

PLoS ONE

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Behavioral genetics in non-model organisms is currently gated by technological limitations. However, with the growing availability of genome editing and functional genomic tools, complex behavioral traits such as social behavior can now be explored in diverse organisms. Here we present a minimally invasive neurosurgical procedure for a classic behavioral, ecological and evolutionary system: threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Direct brain injection enables viral-mediated transgenesis and pharmaceutical delivery which bypasses the blood-brain barrier. This method is flexible, fast, and amenable to statistically powerful within-subject experimental designs, making it well-suited for use in genetically diverse animals such as those collected from natural populations. Developing this minimally invasive neurosurgical protocol required 1) refining the anesthesia process, 2) building a custom surgical rig, and 3) determining the normal recovery pattern allowing us to clearly identify warning signs of failure to thrive. Our custom-built surgical rig (publicly available) and optimized anesthetization methods resulted in high (90%) survival rates and quick behavioral recovery. Using this method, we detected changes in aggression from the overexpression of either of two different genes, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and monoamine oxidase (MAOA), in outbred animals in less than one month. We successfully used multiple promoters to drive expression, allowing for tailored expression profiles through time. In addition, we demonstrate that widely available mammalian plasmids work with this method, lowering the barrier of entry to the technique. By using repeated measures of behavior on the same fish before and after transfection, we were able to drastically reduce the necessary sample size needed to detect significant changes in behavior, making this a viable approach for examining genetic mechanisms underlying complex social behaviors.

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“… Ahmadiantehrani and London, 2017 ) and adult poultry (reviewed in Woodcock et al, 2017 ), means that this bird may also be used as both a basic and an applied (i.e., biomedical) model for development and for human health and disease (e.g. Han and Park, 2018 ; London, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurogenomic insights into the behavioral and vocal development of the zebra finch

Hauber

Louder

Griffith

2021

eLife

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The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a socially monogamous and colonial opportunistic breeder with pronounced sexual differences in singing and plumage coloration. Its natural history has led to it becoming a model species for research into sex differences in vocal communication, as well as behavioral, neural and genomic theories of imitative auditory learning. As scientists tap into the genetic and behavioral diversity of both wild and captive lineages, the zebra finch will continue to inform research into culture, learning and social bonding, as well as adaptability to a changing climate.

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Gene manipulation to test links between genome, brain and behavior in developing songbirds: a test case

Cited by 8 publications

References 67 publications

Norepinephrine in the avian auditory cortex enhances developmental song learning

Norepinephrine in the avian auditory cortex enhances developmental song learning

Minimally invasive brain injections for viral-mediated transgenesis: New tools for behavioral genetics in sticklebacks

Neurogenomic insights into the behavioral and vocal development of the zebra finch

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