Castles made of sand: The genomics of complex behavior

摘要/摘要 提出的合作研究的目标是了解不同的社会行为 被编码在基因组中，并连接到大脑中。使用一种新的天然脊椎动物系统 将关键行为追溯到它们的基因组根源。具体地说，我们将学习与生俱来的‘弓’ (生殖巢)东非马拉维湖的雄性慈鱼建造的巢。这 行为是雄性和雄性之间社会和生殖互动的重要组成部分 女性。在目标1中，我们将量化弓箭行为的要素，将挖坑与挖坑进行比较。 堡垒叶蝉种类及其杂交一代。AIM 2将绘制招募的大脑区域图 通过可视化“即刻早期”基因的表达来影响雄性弓箭行为 反映神经活动。这些大脑局部区域的转录差异将会是 通过等位基因特异性表达分析对构建碗的F1杂交雄性进行量化 物种特定行为的阶段性序列。目标3将确定基因组的区域 通过对肥大的F2代基因组进行重新测序来解释鲍尔行为的差异 挖坑或建造城堡的个人。我们的综合方法旨在解决 在标准近交系模式中目前不可能或充其量也就是很难研究的问题 有机体。我们的策略确定了神经回路调节的遗传控制本质 远缘脊椎动物的行为将为人类行为多样性提供一个自然模型。

Summary/Abstract The goal of the proposed collaborative research is to understand how distinct social behaviors are encoded in the genome and wired in the brain. Using a novel natural vertebrate system we will trace key behaviors to their genomic roots. Specifically, we will study innate 'bower' (reproductive nest) construction by male cichlid fishes from Lake Malawi, East Africa. This behavior is an essential part of social and reproductive interactions between males and females. In Aim 1, we will quantify the elements of bower behavior, comparing pit-digging vs. castle-building cichlid species and their F1 hybrids. Aim 2 will map brain regions recruited during male bower behavior by visualizing the expression of "immediate early" genes that reflect neural activity. Transcriptional divergence in these focal brain regions will then be quantified by allele-specific expression analysis in F1 hybrid males, who construct bowers in a phased sequence of species-specific behaviors. Aim 3 will identify regions of the genome responsible for differences in bower behavior by re-sequencing the genomes of bulked F2 individuals who either dig pits or build castles. Our integrative approach is designed to solve problems that are currently impossible, or at best difficult to study in standard inbred model organisms. Our strategy to identify the genetic control of neural circuits regulating essential behaviors in outbred vertebrates will provide a natural model of human behavioral diversity.