Differential regulation in the avian song control circuit of an mRNA predicting a highly conserved protein related to protein kinase C and the bcr oncogene.
An RNA identified by differential cDNA cloning (HAT-2) is highly enriched in canary forebrain in areas associated with the control of complex learned behaviors and higher perceptual processes. The nucleotide sequence predicts a protein that is 96% identical to the product of the n-chimaerin gene isolated from human brain and contains two identifiable domains suggesting a novel role in signal transduction processes. One domain is similar to the sequence in protein kinase C which mediates diacylglycerol binding and regulation. The second domain is similar to a portion of BCR, a GTPase-activating protein encoded by the breakpoint cluster region gene. In male canaries examined during the song season, HAT-2 RNA shows variable expression within the song control circuit, and is notably less abundant in the three nuclei which concentrate androgens (HVC, RA and L-MAN). A fundamental function in the vertebrate forebrain and a possible role in the regulation of neural plasticity are suggested by the conserved structure and pattern of expression of this gene in the brain.
George
J M
JM
Laboratory of Animal Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021.
Clayton
D F
DF
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D002171:Canaries / Q000502:physiology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020690:GTPase-Activating Proteins; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009857:Oncogenes; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D011061:Poly A / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000235:genetics*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051562:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcr; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
D020690:GTPase-Activating Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D011506:Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011061:Poly A; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051562:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcr; D011493:Protein Kinase C