Epigenetic regulation of transcriptional plasticity associated with developmental song learning.

ABSTRACT: Ethologists discovered over 100 years ago that some lifelong behavioural patterns were acquired exclusively during restricted developmental phases called critical periods (CPs). Developmental song learning in zebra finches is one of the most striking examples of a CP for complex learned behaviour. After post-hatch day 65, whether or not a juvenile male can memorize the song of a 'tutor' depends on his experiences in the month prior. If he experienced a tutor, he can no longer learn, but if he has been isolated from hearing a tutor the learning period is extended. We aimed to identify how tutor experience alters the brain and controls the ability to learn. Epigenetic landscapes are modulated by experience and are able to regulate the transcription of sets of genes, thereby affecting cellula

SUBMITTER: Kelly TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5966592 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature