Research article summary (published 28 Aug 2006):

Sexually dimorphic expression of the genes encoding ribosomal proteins L17 and L37 in the song control nuclei of juvenile zebra finches.

Full Abstract

Studies evaluating the role of steroid hormones in sexual differentiation of the zebra finch song system have produced complicated and at times paradoxical results, and indicate that additional factors may be critical. Therefore, in a previous study we initiated a screen for differential gene expression in the telencephalon of developing male and female zebra finches. The use of cDNA microarrays and real-time quantitative PCR revealed increased expression of the genes encoding ribosomal proteins L17 and L37 (RPL17 and RPL37) in the male forebrain as a whole. Preliminary in situ hybridization data then indicated enhanced expression of both these genes in song control regions. Two experiments in the present study quantified the mRNA expression. The first utilized 25-day-old male and female zebra finches. The second compared a separate set of juveniles to adults of both sexes to both re-confirm enhanced expression in juvenile males and to determine whether it is limited to developing animals. In Experiment 1, males exhibited increased expression of both RPL17 and RPL37 compared to females in Area X, the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA), and the ventral ventricular zone (VVZ), which may provide neurons to Area X. Experiment 2 replicated the sexually dimorphic expression of these genes at post-hatching day 25, and documented that the sex differences are eliminated or greatly reduced in adults. The results are consistent with the idea that these ribosomal proteins may influence sexual differentiation of Area X and RA, potentially regulating the genesis and/or survival of neurons.

Author information

Author/s: Tang, Yu Ping (YP); Wade, Juli (J);

Affiliation: Michigan State University, Department of Psychology, 108 Giltner Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1101, USA.

Grants: K02-MH65907 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; R01-MH55488 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Brain research (Brain Res), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Dec; vol 1126 (issue 1) : pp 102-8

Dates: Created 2006/12/18; Completed 2007/03/06; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 16938280, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aging - physiology Animals Brain - anatomy & histology; growth & development; metabolism Cell Differentiation - physiology DNA, Complementary - analysis; genetics Female Finches - anatomy & histology; growth & development; metabolism Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - genetics Male

Neurons - cytology; metabolism RNA, Messenger - analysis; genetics Ribosomal Proteins - genetics Sex Characteristics Sex Differentiation - genetics Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology Stem Cells - cytology; metabolism Telencephalon - anatomy & histology; growth & development; metabolism Vocalization, Animal - physiology

Associated Chemicals: DNA, Complementary (0) ; RNA, Messenger (0) ; Ribosomal Proteins (0) ; ribosomal protein L17 (0) ; Rpl37a protein, Gallus gallus (125580-46-3)

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