What can mice tell us about FOXP2 function?
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What can mice tell us about FOXP2 function?
Here we describe how investigations of mice that carry disruptions of Foxp2 provide insights at multiple levels: molecules, cells, circuits and behaviour. Work thus far has implicated the gene in key processes including neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, sensorimotor integration and motor-skill learning.
Where is FOXP2 expressed?
Foxp2 is expressed in several structures of the central nervous system during development, including the cerebral cortex, striatum, thalamus, cerebellum and spinal cord.
Do mice have FOXP2 gene?
The Foxp2 gene is critical for normal vocal behavior in juvenile and adult mice. This study demonstrated that after middle cerebral artery occlusion mice demonstrate profoundly impaired socially evoked USVs and suppression of the language-associated transcription factor, Forkhead box protein 2 (Foxp2).
How does the FOXP2 gene affect language development?
FOXP2-related speech and language disorder is a condition that affects the development of speech and language starting in early childhood. Affected individuals have a speech problem known as apraxia, which makes it difficult to produce sequences of sounds, syllables, and words.
What genes does FOXP2 regulate?
FOXP2 is known to regulate CNTNAP2, CTBP1, SRPX2 and SCN3A. FOXP2 downregulates CNTNAP2, a member of the neurexin family found in neurons. CNTNAP2 is associated with common forms of language impairment.
Can mice understand human speech?
Scientists watch what happens when they give mice the human version of FOXP2, a gene associated with speech and language. Mice that receive a human version of a speech and language gene display accelerated learning, according to a new study.
What is the gene FOXP2 responsible for in humans birds and mice respectively What does it mean that different species have the same gene?
In humans, mutations in FOXP2 cause the severe speech and language disorder developmental verbal dyspraxia. Studies of the gene in mice and songbirds indicate that it is necessary for vocal imitation and the related motor learning.
