Expression analysis of cadherins in the songbird brain: Relationship to vocal system development

Abstract

Songbirds learn their songs as juveniles. The brains of songbirds have a series of nuclei and neural circuits called the song system, which is indispensable for vocal learning and production. In the present study we analyzed the expression patterns of cell adhesion molecules, cadherins, in the Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica) to investigate their potential involvement in song nuclei and neural circuit formation. We found that cadherin-6B was expressed in many song nuclei of the juvenile and adult brain, while R-cadherin was complementarily expressed in surrounding areas. On the other hand, cadherin-7 was expressed in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) in the sensory learning stage, and its expression was downregulated during the sensorimotor learning stage. This downregulation of cadherin-7 was sexually dimorphic, suggesting its involvement in song development. Other cadherins, including cadherin-9, -10, and -12, showed different song-nuclei-related expression profiles. These patterns of song nuclei related expression suggest the possibility that cadherins are involved in the formation and maintenance of the song nuclei or neural pathways of the song system.