Publication
Title
Evaluating the predictive value of doublecortin as a marker for adult neurogenesis in canaries (**Serinus canaria**)
Author
Abstract
Doublecortin (DCX) is an important microtubule-associated protein involved in the migration of young neurons into the cortical layers of the brain during early human development. The continued expression of DCX in brain areas with protracted neuron recruitment has promoted this endogenous protein as a popular indirect tool to monitor adult neurogenesis in a variety of species. However, little is known about its possible involvement in other cellular processes and a thorough validation of DCX as a quantitative measure for neurogenesis is generally lacking. Here we investigated the relationship between DCX expression and neuron recruitment in the brains of adult canaries (Serinus canaria), a species well-known for its adult neurogenesis. We examined the age and functional state of DCX-labeled cells using mitotic and neuron-specific markers, retrograde tracings and immediate early gene co-localizations. Although DCX expression was high in brain areas implicated in adult neurogenesis, DCX-expressing neurons were also abundant in regions that do not recruit new neurons. Moreover, DCX expression was observed in adult, active neurons, differentiated projection neurons, and birth-dated neurons of up to one year of age. Season and testosterone treatment affected DCX expression in two song control nuclei, HVC and Area X, but did not correlate with known patterns of neuron recruitment. Together, these results demonstrate that DCX expression is not exclusive to young migrating neurons, and does not predict neuron recruitment equally throughout the canary brain. Therefore, DCX labeling needs careful validation for each brain region separately in each species analyzed when used to quantify adult neurogenesis.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The journal of comparative neurology. - Philadelphia, Pa, 1911, currens
Publication
Philadelphia, Pa : 2014
ISSN
0021-9967 [print]
1096-9861 [online]
DOI
10.1002/CNE.23476
Volume/pages
522 :6 (2014) , p. 1299-1315
ISI
000332756900007
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 26.11.2013
Last edited 10.11.2024
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