Epigenetic gene expression dynamics induced by singing in a critical period of vocal learning

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Event Abstract Back to Event Epigenetic gene expression dynamics induced by singing in a critical period of vocal learning Kazuhiro Wada1*, Masahiko Kobayashi1 and Wan-Chun Liu2 1 Hokkaido Universituy, Department of Biological Sciences, Japan 2 The Rockefeller University, United States A complex animal behavior is not only genetically developed but also is affected with influence of environmental factors. Regulation of gene expression in the brain is controlled by species-specific genome information modified under epigenetic influences. Epigenetic molecular mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, involve in regulation of gene expression in neuronal cells of the brain. Songbirds learn species-specific song pattern from a tutor during the critical period of vocal learning. For vocal learning and production, songbirds possess specific neural pathways called song system including vocal motor pathway (VMP) and anterior forebrain pathway (AFP). The VMP is critical for vocal production and the AFP is necessary for vocal learning. These pathways consist of a set of brain areas called song nuclei. In these song nuclei, many genes are known to be induced by singing. Several researches showed that some of these singing-induced genes are differentially regulated during the critical period of vocal learning, especially in the forebrain nucleus RA. We found an epigenetic change of one of these immediate-early genes, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) that interacts with endocytosis-related proteins and facilitates the removal of AMPA receptors from the plasma membran. The DNA methylation in the upstream genome region of Arc was differentially regulated through the critical period in zebra finch, a closed-ended learner. This data suggests that epigenetic mechanisms involve in regulation of induction of singing-induced genes in the critical period. To further clarify the relationship between gene expression and epigenetics, we examined expression patterns of epigenetics-related genes, histone H3 variants (H3.3) and Growth arrest and DNA-damage inducible gene 45 (Gadd45) families. Both H3.3B and Gadd45b genes were up-regulated in song nuclei of both VMP and AFP by singing. The induction of gene expressions was differentially regulated during the critical period of song learning in zebra finch. To clarify whether these regulations depend on age or sensorimotor learning itself, we examined gene expression of these two genes after seasonally singing in the canary, an open-ended learner, which has ability to re-learn new songs even after sexually matured as adult. As the result, gene induction of H3.3B and Gadd45b was higher in RA of the canaries singing variable and plastic songs than the birds singing crystallized songs. These data suggest that histone H3.3B and Gadd45b may control duration of the critical period by epigenetic regulation for several gene expressions that are related with vocal learning. Keywords: critical period, DNA Methylation, epigenetics, Immediate early Gene, sensory motor learning, Song learning, songbird, vocalization Conference: Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology, College Park. Maryland USA, United States, 5 Aug - 10 Aug, 2012. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (see alternatives below as well) Topic: Genes and Behavior Citation: Wada K, Kobayashi M and Liu W (2012). Epigenetic gene expression dynamics induced by singing in a critical period of vocal learning. Conference Abstract: Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnbeh.2012.27.00099 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 23 Apr 2012; Published Online: 07 Jul 2012. * Correspondence: Dr. Kazuhiro Wada, Hokkaido Universituy, Department of Biological Sciences, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0810, Japan, wada@sci.hokudai.ac.jp Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Kazuhiro Wada Masahiko Kobayashi Wan-Chun Liu Google Kazuhiro Wada Masahiko Kobayashi Wan-Chun Liu Google Scholar Kazuhiro Wada Masahiko Kobayashi Wan-Chun Liu PubMed Kazuhiro Wada Masahiko Kobayashi Wan-Chun Liu Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.