Song-induced phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein in the songbird brain

We have investigated the participation of cAMP response element-binding pro tein (CREB) in the response of the songbird brain to a natural auditory sti mulus, a conspecific song. The cells in the two song control nuclei, the hi gher vocal center (HVC) and area X of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), were intensely stained with an anti-CREB monoclonal antibody. Double-labeli ng studies showed that CREB immunoreactivity was detected only in area X-pr ojecting neurons in the HVC. The cloned CREB cDNA from zebra finches (zCREB ) is highly homologous to mammalian delta CREB. Phosphorylation of zCREB at Ser(119) in area X-projecting HVC neurons was induced by hearing tape-reco rded conspecific songs of zebra finches, but not by birdsongs of another sp ecies or white noise. These results raise the possibility that zCREB plays a crucial role in the sensory process of song learning.