Research article summary (published 18 Jan 2007):

Enriched expression and developmental regulation of the middle-weight neurofilament (NF-M) gene in song control nuclei of the zebra finch.

Full Abstract

Songbirds evolved a complex set of dimorphic telencephalic nuclei that are essential for the learning and production of song. These nuclei, which together make up the oscine song control system, present several neurochemical properties that distinguish them from the rest of the telencephalon. Here we show that the expression of the gene encoding the middle-weight neurofilament (NF-M), an important component of the neuronal cytoskeleton and a useful tool for studying the cytarchitectonic organization of mammalian cortical areas, is highly enriched in large neurons within pallial song control nuclei (nucleus HVC, robustus nucleus of the arcopallium, and lateral magnocellular nucleus of the nidopallium) of male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). We also show that this transcript is highly expressed in large neurons in the medulla, pons, midbrain, and thalamus. Moreover, we demonstrate that NF-M expression in song control nuclei changes during postembryonic development, peaking during an early phase of the song-learning period that coincides with the maturation of the song system. We did not observe changes in NF-M expression in auditory areas or in song control nuclei in the contexts of hearing song or singing, although these contexts result in marked induction of the transcription factor ZENK. This observation suggests that NF-M might not be under the regulatory control of ZENK in auditory areas or in song control nuclei. Overall, our data indicate that NF-M is a neurochemical marker for pallial song control nuclei and provide suggestive evidence of an involvement of NF-M in the development and/or maturation of the oscine song control system. Copyright 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Author information

Author/s: Velho, Tarciso A F (TA); Lovell, Peter (P); Mello, Claudio V (CV);

Affiliation: Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, USA.

Grants: DC02853 (Agency:NIDCD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

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

Journal: The Journal of comparative neurology (J Comp Neurol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jan; vol 500 (issue 3) : pp 477-97

Dates: Created 2006/12/04; Completed 2007/02/01; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 17120287, 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.

Animals Auditory Pathways - cytology; growth & development; metabolism Biological Markers - metabolism Brain - cytology; growth & development; metabolism Cell Differentiation - physiology Cytoskeleton - metabolism; ultrastructure Early Growth Response Protein 1 - metabolism Female

Finches - anatomy & histology; genetics; growth & development Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - genetics Learning - physiology Male Neurofilament Proteins - genetics Neurons - cytology; metabolism Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology Vocalization, Animal - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Biological Markers (0) ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 (0) ; Egr1 protein, mouse (0) ; Neurofilament Proteins (0) ; neurofilament protein M (111365-29-8)

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