Cell type specializations of the vocal-motor cortex in songbirds
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Taeniopygia guttata
PROVIDER: GSE233643 | GEO | 2023/06/10
REPOSITORIES: GEO
Similar Datasets
Project description:Production of learned vocalizations requires precise selection and accurate sequencing of appropriate vocal-motor actions. The basal ganglia are essential for the selection and sequencing of motor actions, but the cellular specializations and circuit mechanisms governing accurate sequencing of vocalizations are unknown. Here, we use single-nucleus RNA sequencing and genetic manipulations to map basal ganglia cell types and circuits involved in the production of songbird vocal sequences. We identify cell-type specializations in direct-like and indirect-like basal ganglia pathways, including evolutionary expansion of striatal and arkypallidal cell-types that could facilitate vocal sequencing. We also reversibly reduced the expression of FoxP2 with a viral knockdown. For birds in which FoxP2 was knocked down, striatal neurons exhibited decreased expression of Drd1 and showed an increased ratio of Drd2/Drd1 expression. These findings identify key evolutionary specializations and circuits essential for selection and sequencing of vocal-motor actions necessary for vocal communication.
2021-05-19 | GSE136086 | GEO
Project description:Like human speech, birdsong is a complex vocal behavior that is acquired by sensorimotor learning based on coordination of auditory input and vocal output to mimic memorized tutor song. Here we investigate neural circuits for vocal learning and production in deafened songbirds to elucidate how sensory-input regulate genetic and epigenetic property of vocal development and its associated gene expression dynamics. Compared with audition-intact birds, in deafened zebra finches, the vocal development is delayed but song crystallization is observed at more than three times later, producing individually different but structured vocal patterns. In contrast to the distinct difference of vocal ontogeny between audition (+) and (-), unexpectedly, developmental regulation of gene expression dynamics is strictly conserved with age-locked trend in vocal motor circuit in both intact and deafened birds, indicating sensory-input independent robustness of developmental gene expression dynamics in the motor circuit for sensorimotor learning. This discrepancy between outward vocal phenotype and inward gene expression dynamics provides new insight into neural regulation at closing of the critical period for vocal learning by two different forms: auditory inputs-dependent M-bM-^@M-^XactiveM-bM-^@M-^Y crystallization and gene expression dynamics-mediated M-bM-^@M-^XpassiveM-bM-^@M-^Y crystallization. We collected brain samples from intact and early-deafened birds (deafened at day-post hatch 17-23) under silent and dark condition. Song nuclei in vocal motor circuit, HVC and RA tissue samples (juvenile; n = 3, young; n = 3, old; n = 3 of intact and early-deafened birds for HVC and RA) were laser-microdissected from total 24 birds (intact; n = 12, early-deafened; n = 12). Each sample was hybridized to a single array, totaling 36 arrays. Birds were selected per slide such that early-deafened birds were paired with intact birds. To minimize possible interslide bias or batch effects, intact and early-deafened bird samples matching with brain area and age conditions were hybridized side by side on same array glass.
2014-03-21 | E-GEOD-56075 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:To determine what kind of genes are involved in vocal learning ability, we performed microarray experiments using 3 vocal learning species (zebra finch, budgerigar, Anna's hummingbird) and 2 non-vocal learning species(ring dive, and Japanese quail) from the bird group. All of the animals are male adults. They were isolated over night and had 1hour light exposure at morning. Birds who did not sing were used in this experiment. We used 2-3 animals each species. We used the 12th motor neuron for both vocal learners and non-vocal learners. We used the Supra Spinal motor neuron (ssp) as control area for both groups.
2012-05-30 | E-GEOD-33667 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Like human speech, birdsong is a complex vocal behavior that is acquired by sensorimotor learning based on coordination of auditory input and vocal output to mimic memorized tutor song. Here we investigate neural circuits for vocal learning and production in deafened songbirds to elucidate how sensory-input regulate genetic and epigenetic property of vocal development and its associated gene expression dynamics. Compared with audition-intact birds, in deafened zebra finches, the vocal development is delayed but song crystallization is observed at more than three times later, producing individually different but structured vocal patterns. In contrast to the distinct difference of vocal ontogeny between audition (+) and (-), unexpectedly, developmental regulation of gene expression dynamics is strictly conserved with age-locked trend in vocal motor circuit in both intact and deafened birds, indicating sensory-input independent robustness of developmental gene expression dynamics in the motor circuit for sensorimotor learning. This discrepancy between outward vocal phenotype and inward gene expression dynamics provides new insight into neural regulation at closing of the critical period for vocal learning by two different forms: auditory inputs-dependent ‘active’ crystallization and gene expression dynamics-mediated ‘passive’ crystallization.
2014-03-21 | GSE56075 | GEO
Project description:Similarities between speech and birdsong make songbirds advantageous for investigating the neurogenetics of learned vocal communication; a complex phenotype likely supported by ensembles of interacting genes in cortico-basal ganglia pathways of both species. To date, only FoxP2 has been identified as critical to both speech and birdsong. We performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis on microarray data from singing zebra finches to discover gene ensembles regulated during vocal behavior. We found ~2,000 singing- regulated genes comprising 3 co-expression groups unique to area X, the basal ganglia subregion dedicated to learned vocal-motor behavior. These contained known targets of human FOXP2 and potential avian targets. We validated novel biological pathways for vocalization. Our findings show that higher-order gene co-expression patterns, rather than expression levels, molecularly distinguish area X from the ventral striato-pallidum during singing. The previously unknown structure of singing-driven networks enables prioritization of molecular interactors that likely bear on human motor disorders, especially those affecting speech. Gene expression was measured in 2 basal ganglia sub-regions (area X & ventral striato-pallidum (VSP)) of 27 adult male zebra finches that sang different amounts of song over a 2hr period in the morning. 18 birds were allowed to sing freely, 9 birds were discouraged from singing by the presence of an investigator and those that sang fewer than 10 song motifs were considered “non-singers”.
2012-01-04 | E-GEOD-34819 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description: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 interactions (e.g., cadherin/catenin-mediated adherens junctions, collagen-mediated focal adhesions, and semaphorin-neuropilin/plexin axon guidance pathways); 2) cell excitability (e.g., potassium channel subfamilies, cholinergic and serotonergic receptors, neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors); 3) signal transduction (e.g., calcium regulatory proteins, regulators of G-protein-related signaling); 4) cell proliferation/death, migration and differentiation (e.g., TGF-beta/BMP and p53 pathways); and 5) regulation of gene expression (candidate retinoid and steroid targets, modulators of chromatin/nucleolar organization). The overall direction of regulation suggest that processes related to cell stability are enhanced, whereas proliferation, growth and plasticity are largely suppressed in adult HVC, consistent with the observation that song in this songbird species is mostly stable in adulthood. Conclusions/Significance: Our study represents one of the most comprehensive molecular genetic characterizations of a brain nucleus involved in a complex learned behavior in a vertebrate. The data indicate numerous targets for pharmacological and genetic manipulations of the song system, and provide novel insights into mechanisms that might play a role in the regulation of song behavior and/or vocal learning. Comparison of HVC and shelf regions from adult male zebra finches, 6 biological replicates per group. Each sample was hybridized against the SoNG universal reference RNA pool.
2012-03-15 | E-GEOD-36270 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The evolution of the six-layered neocortex is often credited with an increased capacity for complex behaviors and cognition in humans and other mammals. However, birds, despite lacking a laminated neocortex, display complex and non-instinctual behaviors including vocal learning, tool use, and problem-solving1,2. The evolution of brain circuits and cell-types supporting advanced behavioral repertoires remains poorly understood. Here in songbirds, we use single-cell RNA-sequencing to characterize the molecular identities of cells in the song motor pathway, a pallial circuit with function and connectivity that has been likened to the mammalian neocortex1,2. We find that each song region contains different glutamatergic excitatory projection neurons but similar sets of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons, similar to patterns of neuronal diversity in mammals and reptiles3,4. Song motor pathway glutamatergic neurons have gene expression patterns similar to those described in neocortical projection neurons, but at the level of transcription factor expression, display stronger similarity to neurons in the ventral pallium. We observed multiple GABAergic neuron classes that are conserved across amniotes, yet the most abundant class strongly resembles a cell-class that in mammals is not found in the neocortex but is present in non-neocortical pallial regions3,4. Thus, although pallial song-control regions contain neurons with similar molecular profiles to neocortical neurons, these pallial areas have a regional identity distinct from neocortex, indicating that complex behaviors such as vocal learning have evolved through the use of different brain circuits under similar functional constraints.
2021-02-12 | GSE153665 | GEO
Project description:Similarities between speech and birdsong make songbirds advantageous for investigating the neurogenetics of learned vocal communication; a complex phenotype likely supported by ensembles of interacting genes in cortico-basal ganglia pathways of both species. To date, only FoxP2 has been identified as critical to both speech and birdsong. We performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis on microarray data from singing zebra finches to discover gene ensembles regulated during vocal behavior. We found ~2,000 singing- regulated genes comprising 3 co-expression groups unique to area X, the basal ganglia subregion dedicated to learned vocal-motor behavior. These contained known targets of human FOXP2 and potential avian targets. We validated novel biological pathways for vocalization. Our findings show that higher-order gene co-expression patterns, rather than expression levels, molecularly distinguish area X from the ventral striato-pallidum during singing. The previously unknown structure of singing-driven networks enables prioritization of molecular interactors that likely bear on human motor disorders, especially those affecting speech.
2012-01-04 | GSE34819 | GEO
Project description:Sensorimotor reflex circuits engage distinct neuronal subtypes, defined by precise connectivity, to transform sensation into compensatory behavior. Whether and how motor partner populations shape the subtype fate and connectivity of their pre-motor counterparts remains controversial. Here, we discovered that motor partners are dispensable for proper connectivity across an entire vestibular reflex circuit that stabilizes gaze. We first measured activity following vestibular sensation in pre-motor projection neurons after constitutive loss of their extraocular motor neuron partners.We observed normal responses and topography consistent with unchanged functional connectivity between sensory neurons and projection neurons. Next, we show that projection neurons remain anatomically and molecularly poised to connect appropriately with their motor partners. Lastly, we show that the transcriptional signatures of projection neuron subtypes develop independently of motor partners. Our findings comprehensively overturn a long-standing model: that connectivity in the circuit for gaze stabilization is retrogradely determined by motor partner-derived signals. By defining the contribution of motor neurons to canonical sensorimotor circuit assembly, our work speaks to comparable processes in spinal circuits and advances our understanding of general principles of neural development.
2024-01-27 | GSE254345 | GEO
Project description:Human speech is one of the few examples of vocal learning among mammals, yet ~half of avian species exhibit this ability. Its genetic basis is unknown beyond a shared requirement for FoxP2 in both humans and zebra finches. Here we manipulated FoxP2 isoforms in Area X during a critical period for song development, delineating, for the first time, unique contributions of each to vocal learning. We used weighted gene coexpression network analysis of RNA-seq data to construct transcriptional profiles and found gene modules correlated to singing, learning, or vocal variability. The juvenile song modules were preserved adults, whereas the learning modules were not. The learning modules were preserved in the striatopallidum adjacent to Area X whereas the song modules were not. The confluence of learning and singing coexpression in juvenile, but not adult, Area X may underscore molecular processes that drive vocal learning in zebra finches and, by analogy, humans.
2018-01-25 | GSE96843 | GEO