Birdsong "Transcriptomics": Neurochemical Specializations of the Oscine Song System

ABSTRACT: Background: Vocal learning is a rare and complex behavioral trait that serves as a basis for the acquisition of human spoken language. In songbirds, vocal learning and production depend on a set of specialized brain nuclei known as the song system. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using high-throughput functional genomics we have identified, 200 novel molecular markers of adult zebra finch HVC Vocal, a key node of the song system. These markers clearly differentiate HVC from the general pallial region to which HVC belongs, and thus represent molecular specializations of this song nucleus. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that several major neuronal cell functions and specific biochemical pathways are the targets of transcriptional regulation in HVC, including: 1) cell-cell and cell-substrate

ORGANISM(S): Taeniopygia guttata

SUBMITTER: Kirstin Replogle 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-36270 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress