The zebra finch song system consists of sexually dimorphic nuclei. Early estrogen treatment masculinizes telencephalic song nuclei in genetic females, but blocking estrogen does not demasculinize these nuclei in genetic males. Studies have suggested that the existence of a genetic factor intrinsic to the brain underlies the masculine pattern of song system organization. Recently, a sex difference has been seen in transcriptional levels of 17 alpha hydroxylase (CYP 17), the enzyme that makes androgen, in the telencephalon of developing zebra finches. It is hypothesized that GYP 17 expression extends through the steroid sensitive period of song system development, and is distributed near the song nuclei. This will be investigated using in situ hybridization. It is hypothesized that the different levels of CYP17 mRNA reflect sex differences in protein-mediated transcriptional regulation. DNA sequence from the promoter region of the CYP 17 gene will be determined by screening a cDNA library, performing 5? RACE, and screening a zebra finch genomic library. This represents a first step in identifying the factors that differentially regulate CYP 17 transcription in the telencephalon of developing male and female zebra finch. They will also indicate potential regulatory mechanisms for androgen synthesis in other species, including humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31MH065114-01
Application #
6446584
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-7 (20))
Program Officer
Goldschmidts, Walter L
Project Start
2002-04-01
Project End
Budget Start
2002-04-01
Budget End
2003-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$23,090
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
119132785
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
London, Sarah E; Schlinger, Barney A (2007) Steroidogenic enzymes along the ventricular proliferative zone in the developing songbird brain. J Comp Neurol 502:507-21
Schlinger, Barney A; London, Sarah E (2006) Neurosteroids and the songbird model system. J Exp Zool A Comp Exp Biol 305:743-8
London, Sarah E; Monks, D Ashley; Wade, Juli et al. (2006) Widespread capacity for steroid synthesis in the avian brain and song system. Endocrinology 147:5975-87
London, Sarah E; Boulter, Jim; Schlinger, Barney A (2003) Cloning of the zebra finch androgen synthetic enzyme CYP17: a study of its neural expression throughout posthatch development. J Comp Neurol 467:496-508