Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds
Abstract The accurate and reliable performance of learned vocalizations (e.g., speech and birdsong) modulates the efficacy of communication in humans and songbirds. Consequently, it is critical to understand the factors that regulate the performance of learned vocalizations. Across taxa, neural circ...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Communications Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07520-2 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832594457724190720 |
|---|---|
| author | Xinghaoyun Wan Angela S. Wang Daria-Salina Storch Vivian Y. Li Jon T. Sakata |
| author_facet | Xinghaoyun Wan Angela S. Wang Daria-Salina Storch Vivian Y. Li Jon T. Sakata |
| author_sort | Xinghaoyun Wan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The accurate and reliable performance of learned vocalizations (e.g., speech and birdsong) modulates the efficacy of communication in humans and songbirds. Consequently, it is critical to understand the factors that regulate the performance of learned vocalizations. Across taxa, neural circuits underlying motor learning and control are replete with perineuronal nets (PNNs), and we analyzed how PNNs in vocal motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned song in zebra finches. We report that developmental increases in PNN expression in vocal circuitry are associated with developmental increases in song stereotypy. We also document that enzymatically degrading PNNs in the motor nucleus HVC acutely altered song structure (changes in syllable sequencing and production). Collectively, our data reveal a causal contribution of PNNs to the performance of learned behaviors and, given the parallels in the regulation of birdsong and speech, suggest that PNNs in motor circuitry could modulate speech performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0f4f7e85a4a04ab09022f549d891875a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2399-3642 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0f4f7e85a4a04ab09022f549d891875a2025-01-19T12:35:34ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422025-01-018111110.1038/s42003-025-07520-2Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirdsXinghaoyun Wan0Angela S. Wang1Daria-Salina Storch2Vivian Y. Li3Jon T. Sakata4Department of Biology, McGill UniversityDepartment of Biology, McGill UniversityDepartment of Biology, McGill UniversityDepartment of Biology, McGill UniversityDepartment of Biology, McGill UniversityAbstract The accurate and reliable performance of learned vocalizations (e.g., speech and birdsong) modulates the efficacy of communication in humans and songbirds. Consequently, it is critical to understand the factors that regulate the performance of learned vocalizations. Across taxa, neural circuits underlying motor learning and control are replete with perineuronal nets (PNNs), and we analyzed how PNNs in vocal motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned song in zebra finches. We report that developmental increases in PNN expression in vocal circuitry are associated with developmental increases in song stereotypy. We also document that enzymatically degrading PNNs in the motor nucleus HVC acutely altered song structure (changes in syllable sequencing and production). Collectively, our data reveal a causal contribution of PNNs to the performance of learned behaviors and, given the parallels in the regulation of birdsong and speech, suggest that PNNs in motor circuitry could modulate speech performance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07520-2 |
| spellingShingle | Xinghaoyun Wan Angela S. Wang Daria-Salina Storch Vivian Y. Li Jon T. Sakata Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds Communications Biology |
| title | Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds |
| title_full | Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds |
| title_fullStr | Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds |
| title_short | Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds |
| title_sort | perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07520-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xinghaoyunwan perineuronalnetsinmotorcircuitryregulatetheperformanceoflearnedvocalizationsinsongbirds AT angelaswang perineuronalnetsinmotorcircuitryregulatetheperformanceoflearnedvocalizationsinsongbirds AT dariasalinastorch perineuronalnetsinmotorcircuitryregulatetheperformanceoflearnedvocalizationsinsongbirds AT vivianyli perineuronalnetsinmotorcircuitryregulatetheperformanceoflearnedvocalizationsinsongbirds AT jontsakata perineuronalnetsinmotorcircuitryregulatetheperformanceoflearnedvocalizationsinsongbirds |