Castles made of sand: The genomics of complex behavior

总结/摘要 拟议的合作研究的目标是了解不同的社会行为 都被编码在基因组中并连接在大脑中。使用一种新的自然脊椎动物系统， 将追踪关键行为的基因根源。具体来说，我们将研究先天的'bower' （生殖巢）建设的男性慈鲷鱼从马拉维湖，东非。这 行为是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，我们将量化凉亭行为的要素，比较挖坑与 城堡建设慈鲷物种及其F1杂交。Aim 2将绘制招募的大脑区域 通过观察“立即早期”基因的表达， 反映神经活动这些大脑区域的转录差异将被 通过等位基因特异性表达分析在F1杂种雄性中定量， 物种特异性行为的阶段性序列。目标3将确定基因组的区域 通过对大量F2代的基因组进行重新测序， 那些要么挖坑要么建城堡的人我们的综合方法旨在解决 这些问题目前不可能，或者充其量难以在标准近交模型中研究 有机体我们的战略，以确定遗传控制的神经回路调节至关重要的 远交脊椎动物的行为将提供人类行为多样性的自然模型。

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.