MiR-9 and miR-140-5p target FoxP2 and are regulated as a function of the social context of singing behavior in zebra finches.

ABSTRACT: Mutations in the FOXP2 gene cause speech and language impairments, accompanied by structural and functional abnormalities in brain regions underlying speech-related sensory-motor processing, including the striatum and cerebellum. The sequence and expression patterns of FOXP2 are highly conserved among higher vertebrates. In the zebra finch brain, FoxP2 is expressed in Area X, a striatal nucleus required for vocal learning, and reduced FoxP2 expression impairs dendritic development and vocal learning. The FoxP2 gene encodes a transcription factor that controls the expression of many downstream genes. However, how FOXP2 gene expression is regulated is not clearly understood. miRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by targeting the 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs, leadi

SUBMITTER: Shi Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3797373 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature