Sex- and age-related differences in ribosomal proteins L17 and L37, as well as androgen receptor protein, in the song control system of zebra finches

• Published in: Neuroscience Vol. 171; no. 4; pp. 1131 - 1140
• Main Authors: Tang, Y.P, Wade, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 29.12.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aging - physiology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - cytology; Brain - growth & development; Brain - metabolism; Cell Count; Female; Finches - growth & development; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Male; Neurology; Neurons - metabolism; Receptors, Androgen - metabolism; Ribosomal Proteins - metabolism; Sex Characteristics; sexual differentiation; songbird; steroid hormone; Taeniopygia guttata; testosterone; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vocalization, Animal - physiology; PBS; testosterone; DAB; lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium; sexual differentiation; songbird; robust nucleus of the arcopallium; RA; AR; steroid hormone; androgen receptor; ribosomal protein 37; phosphate buffered saline; ribosomal protein 17; diaminobenzidene; RPL37; lMAN; RPL17; Androgen; Steroid hormone; Zebra; Sex; Protein; Testosterone; Vertebrata; Song; Mammalia; Androgen receptor; Testicular hormone; Perissodactyla; Sex steroid hormone; Sexual differentiation; Ungulata; Age
• ISSN: 0306-4522; 1873-7544
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.10.014

Abstract The zebra finch song system is sexually dimorphic—only males sing, and the morphology of forebrain regions controlling the learning and production of this song is greatly enhanced in males compared to females. Masculinization appears to involve effects of steroid hormones as well as other factors, perhaps including the expression of sex chromosome genes (males: ZZ, females: ZW). The present study investigated three proteins—two encoded by Z-linked genes, ribosomal proteins L17 and L37 (RPL17 and RPL37), including their co-localization with androgen receptor (AR), from post-hatching day 25 to adulthood. Extensive co-expression of AR with the ribosomal proteins was detected in the three song nuclei investigated (HVC, robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA), and Area X) across these ages. In general, more cells expressed each of these proteins in males compared to females, and the sex differences increased as animals matured. Specific patterns differed across regions and between RPL17 and RPL37, which suggest potential roles of one or both of these proteins in the incorporation and/or differentiation of song system cells.