Cited by 30Animal Vocal Communication and BehaviorMemory and Neural MechanismsNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Epigenetic regulation of transcriptional plasticity associated with developmental song learning

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Kelly, Theresa K., Ahmadiantehrani, Somayeh, Blattler, Adam, London, Sarah E.·2018·Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Abstract

Ethologists discovered over 100 years ago that some lifelong behavioural patterns were acquired exclusively during restricted developmental phases called critical periods (CPs). Developmental song learning in zebra finches is one of the most striking examples of a CP for complex learned behaviour. After post-hatch day 65, whether or not a juvenile male can memorize the song of a ‘tutor' depends on his experiences in the month prior. If he experienced a tutor, he can no longer learn, but if he has been isolated from hearing a tutor the learning period is extended. We aimed to identify how tutor experience alters the brain and controls the ability to learn. Epigenetic landscapes are modulated by experience and are able to regulate the transcription of sets of genes, thereby affecting cellular function. Thus, we hypothesized that tutor experiences determine the epigenetic landscape in the auditory forebrain, a region required for tutor song memorization. Using ChIPseq, RNAseq and molecular biology, we provide evidence that naturalistic experiences associated with the ability to learn can induce epigenetic changes, and propose transcriptional plasticity as a mediator of CP learning potential.

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  1. [3]Immelmann K. 1969. Song development in the zebra finch and other estrilid finches. In Bird vocalizations (ed. Hinde R.), pp. 61–74. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Kelly, T. K., Ahmadiantehrani, S., Blattler, A., & London, S. E.
Affiliations
  • Active Motif (United States) (US)
  • University of Chicago (US)
Corresponding author
London, Sarah E.
Venue
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Published
2018-05-02
Volume
285
Issue
1878
Pages
20180160
ISSN
  • 0080-4649 (ISSN-L)
  • 0962-8452
  • 1471-2954
OpenAlex
W2803010152
Cited by
30
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9
FWCI
4.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Whitehall Foundation (13-08-71)
  • University of Chicago
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology › Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords
critical period, epigenetic regulation, transcriptional plasticity, zebra finch, tutor song, auditory forebrain, learned behavior, song memorization
MeSH terms
Animals, Learning, Male, Music, Transcription, Genetic, Vocalization, Animal, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Songbirds, Epigenesis, Genetic, Finches

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