The studies, focusing on sexual differentiation of the song system in zebra finches, will elucidate genes and their products important for nervous system, muscle and behavioral development. Only males sing, and the brain areas and muscles that control song are larger than in females. In many vertebrates, development of these types of dimorphisms is regulated by gonadal steroids. In zebra finches, differentiation can be altered with estrogen treatment, but recent data suggest that the forebrain song control regions differentiate independent of gonadal secretions. Therefore, a screen will be conducted for genes expressed in a sexually dimorphic pattern in the telencephalon during development of morphology and singing behavior. Then, genes/proteins regulating cytoarchitecture and/or specific functions (e.g., learning) will be investigated in more detail. Using this strategy, female-specific transcripts for neurocalcin were discovered. Experiments will clarify their role and that of calcium regulation in neural development. Other studies target the role of the estrogen-sensitive protein, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in development of the song control nuclei and regions involved in song perception. These studies will clarify the importance of learning and the brain regions that are active during song perception in females (detailed information is already available for males), and will then test the hypothesis that BDNF modulates development of these telencephalic structures and song-related functions in both sexes. Finally, it will be determined whether mechanisms regulating development in the forebrain apply to the motor nucleus and vocal organ muscles, and whether sexual differentiation at this level is normally mediated by gonadal steroids, similar to other dimorphic model systems. The candidate for this Independent Scientist Award is an associate professor at Michigan State University, and her teaching load and service obligations are substantial. The award would provide her time to (1) enhance her training in molecular techniques (those proposed in collaboration with other scientists, and new ones useful for future experiments); (2) broaden her anatomical expertise; (3) contribute to the proposed studies more directly, which will increase the rate of progress; and (4) enhance collaborations and visibility of her growing neuroendocrine group, as well as training of students and postdocs, by establishing a seminar series with leaders in her field.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
5K02MH065907-05
Application #
7250267
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-2 (01))
Program Officer
Simmons, Janine M
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2007-07-01
Budget End
2008-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$123,080
Indirect Cost
Name
Michigan State University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
193247145
City
East Lansing
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48824
Svec, L A; Licht, K M; Wade, J (2009) Pair bonding in the female zebra finch: a potential role for the nucleus taeniae. Neuroscience 160:275-83
Svec, Lace A; Lookingland, Keith J; Wade, Juli (2009) Estradiol and song affect female zebra finch behavior independent of dopamine in the striatum. Physiol Behav 98:386-92
Svec, Lace A; Wade, Juli (2009) Estradiol induces region-specific inhibition of ZENK but does not affect the behavioral preference for tutored song in adult female zebra finches. Behav Brain Res 199:298-306
Tomaszycki, Michelle L; Peabody, Camilla; Replogle, Kirstin et al. (2009) Sexual differentiation of the zebra finch song system: potential roles for sex chromosome genes. BMC Neurosci 10:24
Tang, Yu Ping; Wade, Juli (2009) Effects of estradiol on incorporation of new cells in the developing zebra finch song system: potential relationship to expression of ribosomal proteins L17 and L37. Dev Neurobiol 69:462-75
Neal, Jennifer K; Wade, Juli (2007) Effects of season, testosterone and female exposure on c-fos expression in the preoptic area and amygdala of male green anoles. Brain Res 1166:124-31
Neal, Jennifer K; Wade, Juli (2007) Androgen receptor expression and morphology of forebrain and neuromuscular systems in male green anoles displaying individual differences in sexual behavior. Horm Behav 52:228-36
Holmes, Melissa M; Bartrem, Casey L; Wade, Juli (2007) Androgen dependent seasonal changes in muscle fiber type in the dewlap neuromuscular system of green anoles. Physiol Behav 91:601-8
Burke, Matthew R; Adkins-Regan, Elizabeth; Wade, Juli (2007) Laterality in syrinx muscle morphology of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Physiol Behav 90:682-6
Neal, Jennifer K; Wade, Juli (2007) Courtship and copulation in the adult male green anole: effects of season, hormone and female contact on reproductive behavior and morphology. Behav Brain Res 177:177-85

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