Gene expression dynamics in the guppy brain: unraveling the neural mechanisms underlying social decision making and mate choice

Abstract

Studying the spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression in the brain is fundamental to understand the evolution of social behavior and the molecular processes that regulate functioning of neural activity. Using a spatiotemporal approach will tell us exactly where the gene is expressing in the brain and help us analyze expression patterns in some specific behaviorally relevant regions of the brain, called the Social-Decision Making Network (SDMN), that governs stimulus evaluation and behavior. We used Poecilia reticulata to study how the expression of candidate genes changes in the brain when the females are exposed to a social stimulus (a female), versus a mating stimulus (attractive male) across the SDMN. We evaluated the expression and localization of these genes by in situ hybridization (ISH). The results revealed that there are not only clear differences between the nuclei of the SDMN, but also between treatments and times of exposure. This is evidence of changes in gene expression patterns associated with each context studied.