0 ± 4 7%; n = 6; p < 0 05; ANOVA) is unlikely to affect propagati

0 ± 4.7%; n = 6; p < 0.05; ANOVA) is unlikely to affect propagation because it is already highly reliable ( Khaliq

and Raman, 2005 and Monsivais et al., 2005). Thus, although there are fewer spikelets with the injection of Islow-20%Q or by 2 Hz synaptic stimulation, each spikelet is likely to have a greater chance for propagation. To directly determine whether increased activity and accompanying changes in the CpS waveform affect axonal propagation of spikelets, we stimulated CFs and ABT-888 mouse recorded simultaneously from the soma and axon (Figure 8A). The axonal recording sites were approximately 200 μm from the soma, which is distal to the spike initiation site (Clark et al., 2005). Consistent with Selleckchem GDC-0068 the measures from somatic CpSs, the first spike successfully propagated regardless of the stimulation frequency. Increasing the stimulation frequency from 0.05 to 2 Hz resulted in fewer somatic spikes that were, on average, more efficiently propagated down to the axonal recording site. After determining whether somatic spikelets successfully propagated to the axonal recording site (see Experimental Procedures), we calculated the cumulative propagation probability of “x” number of spikelets regardless of position within the CpS. In recordings shown in Figure 8B, the cumulative probability of having at least two or three spikes successfully propagate

down the axon is 0.5 and 0, respectively, although the somatic recording always has three spikelets. At 2 Hz, the cumulative probability of at least two spikelets propagating increases to 1, equal to the propagation probability for one spikelet and matching the number of somatic spikelets. On average, the propagation probability of at least two and at least three spikelets increased from 0.61 ± 0.1 and 0.24 ± 0.06 at 0.05 Hz to 0.87 ± 0.05 and 0.52 ± 0.14 at 2 Hz, respectively (Figure 8C; n = 10 dual somatic and axonal recordings;

p < 0.05). Thus we conclude that desynchronization of MVR enhances the information transfer by CpSs. We show that stimulation others of CFs across physiological frequencies results in desynchronization of vesicle fusion as summarized in Figure 9. Synchronized univesicular release (UVR; Figure 9A1) results in a low synaptic glutamate concentration transient (Figure 9B1) that likely mediates CpSs that resemble simple spikes (Figure 9C1). Multivesicular release (MVR; Figure 9A2) leads to a high synaptic glutamate concentration that is prolonged (Figure 9B2) and CpSs with several spikelets on top of an afterdepolarization (Figure 9C2). Increased activity desynchronizes MVR (desync. MVR; Figure 9A3) with reduced but prolonged synaptic glutamate transients (Figure 9B3) that decrease the number of spikelets within each CpS (Figure 9C3) but enhances axonal propagation. This desynchronization disrupts the timing of MVR at individual active zones and occurs concomitantly with vesicle depletion.

The fitted sigmoid curves were used to compare distributions with

The fitted sigmoid curves were used to compare distributions with a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The learning rates were estimated from the slopes of the sigmoid curves. Tanespimycin ic50 The duration of the learning impairment after SCH23390 was measured as the sum of the duration of postinjection blocks showing slower learning curves and

smaller learning rates than baseline blocks. Electrode penetration sites were determined using MRI scans obtained before surgery. The recording chamber was positioned stereotaxically over the left lateral PFC of each animal overlying the principal sulcus (i.e., the dorsolateral and ventrolateral portions of the PFC were equally accessible). The location of the principal sulcus could also be mapped out neurophysiologically (absence of cells and low-amplitude LFP signals). Electrophysiological signals were recorded simultaneously from 7–15 dura-puncturing tungsten microelectrodes (FHC Instruments), located 1 or 2 mm away from the

infusion cannula. Electrodes were lowered each day either independently or in pairs and were advanced using custom-made screw-driven minimicrodrives mounted on a plastic grid (Crist Instruments) with spacing of 1 mm between adjacent locations. Neuronal activity was amplified, filtered, and stored using an integrated multichannel recording EGFR inhibitor system (Plexon Neurotechnology Research Systems). To minimize any sampling bias of neuronal activity, we did not prescreen activity for any visual responsiveness. Electrodes and cannula were advanced until the activity of neurons was isolated well from several electrodes, and then data collection almost began.

From each electrode, we simultaneously recorded spiking activity and the LFP. Both signals were referenced to ground. The spike signal (passband 154–8.8 kHz) was threshold triggered to separate neuronal spikes from background noise, and individual spike waveforms were stored at 40 kHz. LFPs (passband 0.7–300 Hz) were recorded continuously with a sampling rate of 1 kHz. Postinjection blocks were classified as washout when learning was unimpaired (not different from baseline). We note that this was not dependent on a literal washout of the drug or a recovery of neural activity to the baseline state. The dopamine D1-like receptor antagonist SCH23390 was purchased from Sigma/RBI and dissolved in commercially available sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) at 10 μg/μl under strict sterile conditions and stored at −20°C. The pH was corrected to be around 6.0. For control experiments, we used commercially available sterile saline (pH 5.5). The day of the recording, an aliquot of SCH23390 was thawed. A plastic tube (Tygon microbore) was chemically sterilized and connected to a sterile cannula that had been previously attached to a microdrive on the recording grid. Cannulas were Hamilton needles (30 GA, inner diameter 0.16 mm and outer diameter 0.31 mm) with bevels of 45°.

1B, mean = 5200) Variability in the level

of infection o

1B, mean = 5200). Variability in the level

of infection obtained between individual animals may have affected the capacity of the vaccine trial described here to achieve statistical significance between some of the different treatment groups. In the study undertaken by Flisser et al. [4] pigs were given eggs isolated from gravid T. solium segments such that individual animals received directly comparable challenge infections. In the trial of TSOL45-1A where statistically significant protection was achieved [4] the twelve control animals harboured between 6 and 127 cysts, representing a range varying by a factor of 21 from lowest to highest. In Peru where the trial described here was undertaken, greatest success has been achieved in experimental CH5424802 in vivo infections in pigs by giving whole gravid proglottids rather than isolated eggs, however a disadvantage of the method is the necessity to use different adult worms OSI-744 order to supply the proglottids and individual animals also receiving different proglottids

[28]. In the experiment described here, this led to a variation in the levels of infection in controls by a factor of 174 between the lowest and highest values (22–3831 cysts). In this case, it is difficult to interpret whether the TSOL45-1A vaccinated animals that had 25 and 63 cysts were either non-protected or >98% protected depending on whether they received the lower or higher infective dose delivered to the control animals. Nevertheless TSOL16 appeared to be a more effective immunogen than TSOL45-1A in this experiment, with TSOL16-vaccinated animals being both statistically significantly protected in comparison to controls as well as having statistically significant fewer cysts than the TSOL45-1A vaccinates (P < 0.05). The oncosphere antigens of cestode parasites are typically problematic L-NAME HCl to express in E. coli [19], [29] and [30] and GST or MBP fusion proteins have been used as immunogens because these have advantages in regard to expression level and solubility compared to the non-fused or HIS-tagged antigens. Here we used

a vaccination strategy incorporating both GST and MBP fusion proteins of the same antigen in an attempt to boost immune responses to the parasite-derived portion of the recombinant antigens. The first two immunizations given to the pigs each contained the oncosphere antigens fused to GST. The third immunizations each contained the antigens fused to MBP, the aim being to boost immune responses to the parasite-encoded portions of TSOL16, TSOL45-1A or TSOL45-1B rather than to the GST fusion partner. Previous studies have shown that a substantial portion of the antibody response in pigs [17] and sheep [31] and [32] is raised against the highly immunogenic GST fusion partner. Responses to both TSOL16 and TSOL45-1A were substantially greater after the third immunization compared with responses after the second ( Fig. 1).

By screening the Zuker collection of EMS-mutagenized Drosophila (

By screening the Zuker collection of EMS-mutagenized Drosophila ( Koundakjian et al., buy INK1197 2004), we identified a mutant, xport1, which displayed an abnormal electroretinogram (ERG) compared to wild-type ( Figure 1A). The xport1 mutant had a transient response during prolonged light stimulation, which was indistinguishable in amplitude

and time course from the transient receptor potential (trp) phenotype observed in the trp343 null mutant. Photoreceptor cells that lack TRP protein are unable to sustain a steady-state current, via TRPL, due to reduced Ca2+ influx. More specifically, low levels of Ca2+ result in a failure of Ca2+ and PKC dependent inhibition of PLC. Consequently, uncontrolled PLC activity depletes its Doxorubicin substrate (microvillar PIP2) leading to premature closure of TRPL channels ( Gu et al., 2005 and Hardie et al., 2001). Consistent with the transient light response, xport1 displayed a severe reduction in TRP protein levels compared to wild-type ( Figure 1B). Interestingly, Rh1 protein levels were also severely reduced in the xport1 mutant ( Figure 1C). The mutation in xport1 is recessive, as the heterozygotes were normal for both TRP and Rh1 protein ( Figures 1B and 1C). Therefore, xport is required for the proper expression of both TRP

and Rh1. To identify the xport locus, we first narrowed the cytogenetic location by deficiency mapping to 92B3-92C1 on the third chromosome, corresponding to 26 loci spanning 145 kb of DNA ( Figures 1B, 1C, and see Figure S2A available online). We identified a C to T substitution at nucleotide position 145 within the coding region of CG4468, causing a premature stop codon at glutamine49 ( Figure S2A, arrow). To confirm Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II that CG4468 was the xport locus, we restored wild-type function by introducing a wild-type copy of CG4468 into the genome of the xport1 mutant. TRP and Rh1 protein expression were restored to wild-type levels in the rescue line ( Figures

1B and 1C). These data confirm that CG4468 is, indeed, the xport locus. In addition, we found that eye-specific expression of three independent CG4468 RNAi transgenes leads to a severe reduction in TRP by western blot analysis ( Figure S1A). We analyzed electrical responses to light in the xport1 mutants by whole cell voltage-clamp recordings of dissociated ommatidia. In wild-type photoreceptors, brief flashes elicited rapid macroscopic inward currents mediated by TRP and TRPL channels ( Figure 1D). In xport1 mutants, response amplitudes were ∼20-fold reduced ( Figure 1E), consistent with a severe reduction in TRP and Rh1. Sensitivity was restored to wild-type levels in xport1 flies expressing the wild-type xport cDNA rescue construct ( Figure 1D). If TRP channel expression was completely eliminated in the xport1 mutants, then we would predict that the residual response in xport1 would be eliminated in a trpl302;xport1 double mutant.

These mechanistic insights lay the foundation for the generation

These mechanistic insights lay the foundation for the generation and engineering of safe and highly efficacious Aβ antibodies for DNA Synthesis inhibitor the removal of existing plaque in Alzheimer’s patients. This is an important goal since biochemical and neuroimaging data demonstrate the presence of extensive plaque deposition in AD patients some 10 years prior to first memory complaint (Jack et al., 2010; Morris and Price, 2001; Price et al., 2009)

and indeed by the time of diagnosis, plaque deposition is already reported to be at or near maximal levels. Multiple colonies of PDAPP mice were utilized for the current studies. PDAPP line 1683 heterozygous for the APPV717F transgene was maintained on a mixed outbred background as previously described (Johnson-Wood et al., 1997). The phenotype of the PDAPP line 1683 colony began to change wherein plaque deposition initiated at later ages, and there was a dramatic increase in the variability of deposited Aβ in middle-aged mice (8–14 months old). A new PDAPP colony (line 6042) was established through an inbreeding exercise wherein mice were

inbred from selected litters that maintained decreased variability in both soluble and insoluble Aβ. The plaque deposition phenotype of the inbred PDAPP line 6042 was similar to the originally described PDAPP colony (Games et al., 1995). All experiments were performed in accordance with the Institutional Animal Care and Methisazone Use Guidelines for Eli Lilly. Frozen brain tissue of an AD Y-27632 order patient was embedded in M-1 Embedding Matrix at −20°C, sectioned to 20 μm, mounted on poly-D-lysine-coated cover glass (15 mm), and placed in 24-well tissue culture plates. Sixty four consecutive sections were positioned in the same order

as sectioned and were incubated with or without antibodies (10 μg/ml, 500 μl, 1 hr, room temperature). The control IgG utilized in the experiment was balanced with the 3D6 effector function (i.e., IgG2b); experiments performed with control IgG1 or IgG2a result in very similar values (data not shown). Primary murine microglia (8 × 105 cells, 500 μl) were then added to sections and incubated for 24 hr at 37°C. Each section with antibody treatment was followed by an untreated sister section. At the end of incubation, media were removed and tissue sections and cells were homogenized with 5.2 M guanidine buffer (300 μl), diluted 10× and 100× with PBS buffer containing 0.5 M guanidine, 0.05% Tween20 and 0.25% casein, and Aβ1-42 concentration quantified by ELISA. To account for differences in the amount of deposited Aβ in different sections, we normalized each unknown treatment by the untreated sister section. Data were directly plotted in GraphPad Prism and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Newman-Keuls posttest.

K(T(n)) is the selector matrix that selects the corresponding ele

K(T(n)) is the selector matrix that selects the corresponding element in z(n) for the target T(n). At each trial, K(T(n)) z(n) represents BAY 73-4506 molecular weight the hand movement direction. The variable R(n) represents the rotation that was imposed; thus, y(n), computed

as the difference between R and z, represents the error in the visuomotor mapping (i.e., cursor error). The visuomotor mapping / states of the learner are updated by a generalization function B of size k by 1 that determines how much errors in one target direction affects mapping estimations in neighboring directions. In addition, the visuomotor mapping / states of the learner slowly forget at a rate determined by the scalar

A. To limit the number of ZD1839 supplier parameters in the simulations, we grouped targets in bins with 5° width. Thus, k = 16, including all training and probe targets. According to recently published estimations (Tanaka et al., 2009), we interpolated that B, a function of target-to-target angular difference, decreased its gain linearly from 0.09 to 0 within 9 target bins (i.e., a 45° directional window) and that A had a value of 0.98. The motor performance prediction by adaptation alone was simulated deterministically using these parameter values. We computed minimum sample sizes on assumed effect sizes for savings based on previously reported data (Zarahn et al., 2008). For an independent samples t test using a two-tailed alpha of 0.05 and power of 0.8, and assuming an effect size d = 1.9375

(computed based on previously reported group means and standard deviation; time constant = 0.47 for savings and 0.16 for naive, with SD = 0.16), the minimum first sample size is six subjects per group. The authors would like to thank Joern Diedrichsen, Sarah Hemminger, Valeria Della-Maggiore, Sophia Ryan, Reza Shadmehr, Lior Shmuelof, and Gregory Wayne for useful comments on the manuscript and Robert Sainburg for sharing experiment-control software. The study was supported by NIH grant R01NS052804 (J.W.K.) and funding from the Orentreich Foundation (J.W.K.). “
“Dopamine (DA) transmission by ventral midbrain neurons plays fundamental roles in voluntary motor function, habit learning, and motivation, while degeneration or dysregulation of these neurons is associated with Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenic psychosis, and drug addiction. How can a small number of neurons (300,000–600,000 in human, ∼45,000 in rat; German and Manaye, 1993) be responsible for so much? A study in this issue of Neuron provides the latest chapter in the study of what is turning out to be a complex set of personalities within this group of neurons ( Lammel et al., 2011).

, 2002), and subsequently identified as an active zone protein an

, 2002), and subsequently identified as an active zone protein and renamed CAST (Ohtsuka et al., 2002) or ERC (Wang et al., 2002). The field agreed on the original ELKS name for the protein, although the CAST and ERC names are still used occasionally. ELKS consist largely of predicted coiled-coil sequences with no apparent domain structure. The mammalian genome contains two ELKS genes encoding structurally similar proteins, whereas C. elegans expresses a single ELKS gene highly homologous to mammalian ELKS. Mammalian ELKS genes contain alternative N-terminal promoters and alternatively spliced C-terminal sequences,

with a shorter C-terminal sequence that is primarily expressed in brain and a longer C-terminal sequence that is primarily expressed in peripheral tissues ( Wang et al., 2002 and Kaeser et al., 2009). In contrast to other organisms, Drosophila expresses an ELKS fusion protein called “bruchpilot” (German for buy GDC-0941 “crash pilot”) that consists of an N-terminal ELKS-related domain and a C-terminal plectin-related domain ( Wagh et al., 2006). As documented by its repeated rediscovery, ELKS likely functions in several cellular processes, Docetaxel and engages in multiple protein-protein interactions (Figure 2). It binds to Rab6 in a GTP-dependent

manner, implicating it in membrane traffic involving the trans-Golgi complex (Monier et al., 2002). Its active zone localization was discovered by virtue of its binding to the RIM PDZ domains (Wang et al., 2002). The C terminus of ELKS probably also binds to other PDZ domain proteins, as described

for syntenin-1 (Ko et al., 2006), and ELKS furthermore directly binds to α-liprins (Ko et al., 2003a; see discussion above). Although initial overexpression and peptide injection experiments suggested a major function for ELKS2 in neurotransmitter release (Takao-Rikitsu et al., 2004), deletion of ELKS in C. elegans and of ELKS2 in mice did not impair neurotransmitter release ( Deken et al., 2005 and Kaeser et al., Cell press 2009). Interestingly, however, ELKS was required in C. elegans for the ability of the α-liprin gain-of-function mutation to suppress the syd-1 mutation ( Dai et al., 2006; see discussion above). This result shows that at least for synapse formation and function under basal conditions, the synaptic function of ELKS is dispensible. Moreover, although acute or constitutive deletion of ELKS2 in mice did not produce a decrease in neurotransmitter release, they caused an increase in the readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles ( Kaeser et al., 2009). In contrast, constitutive deletion of ELKS1 caused embryonic lethality in mice, suggesting that the protein is essential for survival in a nonneuronal function (P.S. Kaeser and T.C.S., unpublished data). At first glance, ELKS appears to have a more important function in Drosophila where deletion of bruchpilot produces a loss of the t bars characteristic of Drosophila synapses ( Wagh et al., 2006).

Identification of chicken Eimeria species is of utmost importance

Identification of chicken Eimeria species is of utmost importance for effective control of clinical and subclinical coccidiosis. Conventional parasitological techniques are time consuming and require expertise, which is increasingly expensive and scarce. Computational identification on the basis of oocyst morphology (COCCIMORPH) provides a valuable diagnostic tool but failed to correctly identify many species in practical field application. The use of molecular biological techniques to Gemcitabine discriminate between different species of poultry coccidia has been limited to date but the provision of protocols supporting their cost-effective,

robust and straightforward application with an easy to interpret output can improve this website uptake in developed and developing regions. As the cost of PCR equipment and reagents continues to drop, it is feasible that the protocols described here will be developed and integrated into

routine poultry management and veterinary surveillance. Authors are thankful to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi and the Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar for providing necessary facilities. The financial assistance provided by DFID and BBSRC, UK in the form of CIDLID project BB/H009337 (Anticoccidial vaccine development: the importance of genetic diversity and delivery strategy) and the Libyan Government for the PhD studentship awarded to A. Moftah is duly acknowledged. This manuscript has been assigned the reference PPB_00587 by the RVC. “
“Protozoa of the family Sarcocystidae are etiologic agents of disease in various animal species, including cattle

(Gentile et al., 2012 and Weston et al., 2012), sheep and goats (Moreno et al., 2012), dogs (Garosi et al., 2010), cats (Falzone et al., 2008) and humans (Hide et al., 2009). Horses are also potential hosts, particularly for Neospora spp., Sarcocystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause severe disorders or remain latent ( Arias et al., 2012, Garcia-Bocanegra many et al., 2012 and Villalobos et al., 2012). In horses, these agents occasionally cause reproductive problems, especially N. huguesi, however, it is uncertain whether N. caninum also has such effects ( Dubey and Schares, 2011) due to cross-reactivity in methods of serodiagnosis ( Gondim et al., 2009) that impairs species specification by serological techniques. Neurological disorders, such as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), are mainly caused by S. neurona ( Dubey et al., 2001b), with some cases attributed to N. huguesi ( Wobeser et al., 2009). Despite its lack of association with lesion development in horses, T. gondii was included in this study due to its importance in public health, and previous studies have revealed its seroprevalence in horses worldwide ( Boughattas et al., 2011 and Karatepe et al., 2010), including places where humans consume equine meat ( Pomares et al., 2011).

, 2005) Whether cilia orient in migrating neurons or glia, or ot

, 2005). Whether cilia orient in migrating neurons or glia, or otherwise contribute to the guidance of neural cells, is unexplored. Shh is a this website chemoattractant for migrating neurons and axons (Angot et al., 2008, Bourikas et al., 2005 and Charron et al., 2003). This activity of Shh requires the putative Hh coreceptor Boc (Okada et al., 2006) and does not appear to utilize the canonical Shh pathway, instead activating Src family kinases to regulate growth cone turning (Yam et al., 2009). Despite these unusual features, Shh chemoattractant signaling is Smo dependant (Charron et al., 2003 and Yam et al.,

2009), suggesting a link with the cilium. PDGF-AA directs migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (Dubois-Dalcq and Murray, 2000, Kessaris et al., 2006, Kiernan and Ffrench-Constant, 1993 and Woodruff et al., 2001), which could be mediated by primary cilia. Favoring this possibility, oligodendrocytes have primary cilia (A. Peters, personal KPT-330 research buy communication; Cenacchi et al., 1996), and the neuroepithelial cells that generate oligodendrocyte precursors are presumed to be ciliated, given that they respond to Shh (Richardson et al., 1997). Based on current knowledge, the primary cilium is unlikely to provide motive force to a migrating cell

but could potentially sense and amplify a distant guidance signal. The relationship between the primary cilium and Wnt signal transduction is an important problem that, despite considerable study, is unresolved. Canonical, β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling regulates cell fate and proliferation in the nervous system (Angers and Moon, 2009). The planar cell polarity (PCP) Wnt pathway orients sheets of cells, for example, regulating the convergent extension aminophylline cell movements that lead to neural tube closure. The PCP pathway is increasingly implicated in neuronal migration and axon guidance, in particular in the orderly development of large axon tracts (Tissir and Goffinet, 2010). This last

observation is intriguing because diffusion tensor imaging in Joubert Syndrome patients reveals that both the corticospinal tract and superior cerebellar peduncle make major mistakes in their trajectories (Poretti et al., 2007). Reports on Wnt signaling and cilia diverge from the model of Shh signaling by indicating that primary cilia suppress, rather than mediate, the canonical Wnt pathway. Mice deficient in Kif3a or Ift88 have shown upregulated signaling ( Corbit et al., 2008). Similarly, reduction of certain BBS proteins (named for their association with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, BBS, Table 2) stabilizes β-catenin in zebrafish and mammalian cells, leading to upregulated expression of canonical Wnt pathway target genes ( Gerdes et al., 2007).

These results imply

that the area X-specific song modules

These results imply

that the area X-specific song modules cannot be accounted for by higher (or lower) area X gene expression levels compared to VSP during singing. Rather, as revealed HKI-272 manufacturer here by WGCNA, the relevance of transcriptional activity in these regions to singing is determined more by region-specific coexpression relationships, which comprise “molecular microcircuitry” that arises during a specific behavior (singing) within a specific brain region (area X) supporting that behavior. In line with the idea that mere neural activity levels do not account for the song-specialized gene modules, we previously found that activation of the IEG Synaptotagmin 4 (Syt4) is not achieved by overall depolarization of neurons but rather requires the patterned activation underlying singing ( Poopatanapong et al., 2006). The new

relationships we uncovered between 3 Methyladenine gene coexpression patterns and singing are substantiated by the presence of previously identified area X singing-regulated genes in the song modules (e.g., EGR1, Jarvis and Nottebohm, 1997; FOS, Kimpo and Doupe, 1997: blue module; FOXP2, Teramitsu and White, 2006: dark green/orange modules; by convention, gene symbols are capitalized and italicized and are not meant here to denote the human form, Kaestner et al., 2000). Consistent with prior reports, EGR1 ( Jarvis and Nottebohm, 1997) and FOXP2 ( Teramitsu and White, 2006 and Teramitsu et al., 2010) were up- and downregulated by song, respectively. The lack of correlation between GAPDH and singing-related probes validates its use as a control gene in area X under these conditions ( Figure 3A). We compared our results to two prior studies that used microarrays to examine individual fold changes in gene expression in area X during singing, one of which also performed post-hoc clustering ( Warren et al., 2010 and Wada et al., 2006). Going further, we examined GS scores, MM, and kIN.X for these genes in our data. Wada et al. (2006) identified

33 genes whose expression levels differed in singing versus nonsinging birds, 31 of which were regulated in area X. Of these, 29/31 were in our network (1 was not on the array, 1 was filtered out in preprocessing; Table S2); 19/29 were in the blue song module (p = 8.9e-14, Fisher’s exact much test; Table S2). In both studies, these 19 genes were upregulated by singing, as were probes representing two genes Wada et al. (2006) found to be regulated in other song nuclei, but not area X; BDNF and SYT4 (8/8 SYT4 and 2/4 BDNF probes had positive GS.motifs.X). Compared to the rest of the network, these 29 genes (170 probes total) had greater increases in expression in singing versus nonsinging birds (p = 3.5e-27, Kruskal-Wallis) and higher GS.motifs.X (p = 3.5e-35) and GS.singing.X (p = 3.5e-32). Wada et al. (2006) divided the genes they found into groups based on peak time of expression and regulation pattern.