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Bing J, Sun J, Zhao R, Sun L, Xi C, Liu J, Zhang X, Zeng S. The effects of Wnt, BMP, and Notch signaling pathways on cell proliferation and neural differentiation in a song control nucleus (HVC) of Lonchura striata. Dev Neurobiol 2023; 83:157-166. [PMID: 37433016 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
There is obvious sexual dimorphism in the song control system of songbirds. In the higher vocal center (HVC), cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation contribute to the net addition of neurons. However, the mechanism underlying these changes is unclear. Given that Wnt, Bmp, and Notch pathways are involved in cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation, no reports are available to study the role of the three pathways in the song control system. To address the issue, we studied cell proliferation in the ventricle zone overlying the developing HVC and neural differentiation within the HVC of Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata) at posthatching day 15 when HVC progenitor cells are generated on a large scale and differentiate into neurons, after Wnt and Bmp pathways were activated by using a pharmacological agonist (LiCl) or Bmp4, respectively, and the Notch pathway was inhibited by an inhibitor (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester), DAPT). The results indicated that both cell proliferation and neural differentiation toward HVC neurons increased significantly after activation of the Wnt signaling pathway or inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway. Although cell proliferation was increased, neural differentiation was inhibited after treatment with Bmp4. There was obvious synergetic enhancement in the number of proliferating cells after the coregulation of two or three signaling pathways. In addition, synergetic enhancement was also found in the Wnt and Notch pathways in neural differentiation toward neurons within HVC. These results suggest that the three signaling pathways are involved in cell proliferation and neural differentiation of HVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Bing
- Beijing, Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Beijing, Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Beijing, Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Beijing, Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Xi
- Beijing, Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Beijing, Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Hainan, Institute of Science and Technology, Haikou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Shaoju Zeng
- Beijing, Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Functional genomic tools for emerging model species. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:1104-1115. [PMID: 35914975 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Most studies in the field of ecology and evolution aiming to connect genotype to phenotype rarely validate identified loci using functional tools. Recent developments in RNA interference (RNAi) and clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas genome editing have dramatically increased the feasibility of functional validation. However, these methods come with specific challenges when applied to emerging model organisms, including limited spatial control of gene silencing, low knock-in efficiencies, and low throughput of functional validation. Moreover, many functional studies to date do not recapitulate ecologically relevant variation, and this limits their scope for deeper insights into evolutionary processes. We therefore argue that increased use of gene editing by allelic replacement through homology-directed repair (HDR) would greatly benefit the field of ecology and evolution.
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Sex differences and similarities in the neural circuit regulating song and other reproductive behaviors in songbirds. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:258-269. [PMID: 32735803 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the 1970s, Nottebohm and Arnold reported marked male-biased sex differences in the volume of three song control nuclei in songbirds. Subsequently a series of studies on several songbird species suggested that there is a positive correlation between the degree to which there is a sex difference in the volume of these song control nuclei and in song behavior. This correlation has been questioned in recent years. Furthermore, it has become clear that the song circuit is fully integrated into a more comprehensive neural circuit that regulates multiple courtship and reproductive behaviors including song. Sex differences in songbirds should be evaluated in the context of the full complement of behaviors produced by both sexes in relation to reproduction and based on the entire circuit in order to understand the functional significance of variation between males and females in brain and behavior. Variation in brain and behavior exhibited among living songbird species provides an excellent opportunity to understand the functional significance of sex differences related to social behaviors.
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Beach LQ, Tang YP, Kerver H, Wade J. Inhibition of TrkB limits development of the zebra finch song system. Brain Res 2016; 1642:467-477. [PMID: 27086969 PMCID: PMC4899271 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Large sexual dimorphisms exist in the zebra finch song system. Masculinization may be mediated by both estradiol and expression of one or more Z-genes (males: ZZ; females: ZW). Roles of the Z-gene tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in HVC in masculinizing both HVC and one of its targets the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA), were tested using siRNA administration in juvenile males at two ages (post-hatching days 15-17 or 25-27). Birds were euthanized 10 days later. Potential interactions or additive effects with estradiol were evaluated by treating males with the estrogen synthesis inhibitor fadrozole. Females treated with estradiol were also exposed to the siRNA at the later age. Local inhibition of TrkB in males of both ages reduced the volume of HVC, an effect due to a change in cell number and not cell size. In the older males, in which the treatment spanned the period when the projection from HVC to RA grows, TrkB inhibition reduced the volume of RA and the relative number of cells within it. TrkB siRNA in HVC decreased the volume of and soma size in the RA of females, and the projection from HVC to RA in both sexes. Estradiol in females masculinized various aspects of the song system, and its effect in masculinizing the volume of RA was decreased by TrkB inhibition. However, effects of fadrozole in males were limited. The data indicate that TrkB is involved in masculinizing the song system, but for most measures it probably does not work in concert with E2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Qi Beach
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824-1101
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824-1101
| | - Yu Ping Tang
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824-1101
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824-1101
| | - Halie Kerver
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824-1101
| | - Juli Wade
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824-1101
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824-1101
- Department of Integrative Biology Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA 48824-1101
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Wade J. Genetic regulation of sex differences in songbirds and lizards. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 371:20150112. [PMID: 26833833 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in the morphology of neural and peripheral structures related to reproduction often parallel the frequency of particular behaviours displayed by males and females. In a variety of model organisms, these sex differences are organized in development by gonadal steroids, which also act in adulthood to modulate behavioural expression and in some cases to generate parallel anatomical changes on a seasonal basis. Data collected from diverse species, however, suggest that changes in hormone availability are not sufficient to explain sex and seasonal differences in structure and function. This paper pulls together some of this literature from songbirds and lizards and considers the information in the broader context of taking a comparative approach to investigating genetic mechanisms associated with behavioural neuroendocrinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juli Wade
- Departments of Psychology and Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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