The Genetic Basis of Vocal Learning

项目摘要 人类和其他动物通过模仿更多的行为来学习许多复杂的和社会性的行为。 有经验的人在他们的环境中。声乐模仿是最引人注目、最容易的模仿之一 这种类型的学习的可量化的例子，但这种复杂特征的遗传基础仍然很差 明白本研究的目的是通过以下方法来确定声音模仿能力的遗传基础： 在发声学习物种中建立第一个诱变筛选，并建立独立的遗传工具， 通过使用生殖系基因开发新的转基因模型来测试所鉴定的基因的功能 瞄准技术。人类是唯一的灵长类动物，也是少数哺乳动物之一， 进化出了模仿声音的能力除了人类，鸣禽，特别是斑胸草雀， 是最好的研究声乐学习物种，他们提供了唯一的实用平台，系统地 来识别参与这种重要社会行为的基因。就像说话一样，斑胸草雀的歌声是一种文化上的 通过模仿学习的行为。此外，功能，遗传和分子相似性强调， 利用斑胸草雀来鉴定声音模仿所必需的基因。我们假设一个前锋 遗传显性筛选，然后是详细的遗传作图和操作， 这项建议将确定这种多基因性状的趋同和趋异遗传特征。建立 正向遗传筛选和验证斑胸草雀基因功能的遗传工具将提供一个 一种新颖，全面，广泛影响的方法，试图了解声乐的遗传基础 和社会沟通。

PROJECT SUMMARY People and other animals learn many of their complex and socially oriented behaviors by imitating more experienced individuals in their environment. Vocal imitation is one of the more striking and readily quantifiable examples of this type of learning, but the genetic basis of this complex trait is still poorly understood. The goal of this research is to determine the genetic basis of vocal imitation abilities by establishing the first mutagenesis screen in a vocal learning species and the genetic tools for independently testing the function of the identified genes by developing novel transgenic models using germline gene targeting technologies. Humans are the only primate and one of only a handful of mammalian species to have evolved the facility for vocal imitation. Aside from humans, songbirds, and in particular zebra finches, are the best studied vocal learning species and they provide the only practical platform for systematically identifying the genes involved in this important social behavior. Like speech, zebra finch song is a culturally transmitted behavior learned via imitation. Moreover, functional, genetic and molecular parallels underscore the use of zebra finch for identifying genes essential for vocal imitation. We hypothesize that a forward genetic dominant screen, followed by the detailed genetic mapping and manipulations developed through this proposal, will identify convergent and divergent genetic signatures for this polygenic trait. Establishing a forward genetic screen and the genetic tools for verifying gene function in zebra finches will provide a novel, comprehensive, and broadly impactful approach for trying to understand the genetic basis of vocal and social communication.