Neural FoxP2 and FoxP1 expression in the budgerigar, an avian species with adult vocal learning.

ABSTRACT: Vocal learning underlies acquisition of both language in humans and vocal signals in some avian taxa. These bird groups and humans exhibit convergent developmental phases and associated brain pathways for vocal communication. The transcription factor FoxP2 plays critical roles in vocal learning in humans and songbirds. Another member of the forkhead box gene family, FoxP1 also shows high expression in brain areas involved in vocal learning and production. Here, we investigate FoxP2 and FoxP1 mRNA and protein in adult male budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), a parrot species that exhibits vocal learning as both juveniles and adults. To examine these molecules in adult vocal learners, we compared their expression patterns in the budgerigar striatal nucleus involved in vocal learning, magn

SUBMITTER: Hara E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4351178 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature