Table 1 Genes of interest that differ in the mPOA of low- and high-singing European starlings
Gene Symbol | Gene | Function | Group difference | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Acetylcholine-related | ||||
CHAT | choline O-acetyltransferase | Catalyzes acetylcholine production | High > Low | female = 0.009, male = 0.001 |
SLC5A7 | solute carrier family 5 member 7 | High-affinity choline transporter | High > Low | female = 0.002, male = 0.012 |
CHRM4 | cholinergic receptor muscarinic 4 | Acetylcholine receptor | High > Low | female = 0.026, male < 0.001* |
Dopamine-related | ||||
SLC18A2 | Solute Carrier Family 18 Member A2 | Monoamine transporter | Low > High | female = 0.004, male = 0.003 |
DRD2 | Dopamine Receptor D2 | Dopamine receptor | High > Low | female = 0.087, male = 0.036 |
DRD5 | Dopamine Receptor D5 | Dopamine receptor | High > Low | female = 0.03, male < 0.001 |
NTSR1 | Neurotensin Receptor 1 | Neurotensin receptor | High > Low | female = 0.07, male = 0.017 |
PPP3CC | Protein Phosphatase 3 Catalytic Subunit Gamma | Downstream regulation of dopaminergic signaling | High > Low | female = 0.045 male = 0.029 |
GABA-related | ||||
GABRB3 | Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor Subunit Beta3 | GABA receptor subunit | High > Low | female = 0.012, male = 0.004 |
GABRA5 | Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor Subunit Alpha5 | GABA receptor subunit | High > Low | female = 0.066, male < 0.001* |
GABRD | Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor Subunit Delta | GABA receptor subunit | High > Low | female = 0.014, male = 0.004 |
LRRTM1 | Leucine Rich Repeat Transmembrane Neuronal 1 | Regulates presynapse assembly in GABA synapses | High > Low | female = 0.03, male = 0.029 |
Glutamate-related | ||||
GRIN1 | Glutamate Ionotropic Receptor NMDA Type Subunit 1 | Glutamate receptor subunit | High > Low | female = 0.03, male = 0.002 |
GRIK3 | Glutamate Ionotropic Receptor Kainate Type Subunit 3 | Glutamate receptor subunit | High > Low | female = 0.047, male = 0.007 |
GRIA2 | Glutamate Ionotropic Receptor AMPA Type Subunit 2 | Glutamate receptor subunit | High > Low | female = 0.011, male < 0.001 |
GRM5 | Glutamate Metabotropic Receptor 5 | Glutamate receptor | High > Low | female = 0.051, male = 0.003 |
GRIA1 | Glutamate Ionotropic Receptor AMPA Type Subunit 1 | Glutamate receptor subunit | High > Low | female = 0.011, male < 0.001 |
SHANK2 | SH3 And Multiple Ankyrin Repeat Domains 2 | Encodes scaffolding for excitatory synapse | High > Low | female = 0.011, male = 0.004 |