RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Song-Induced Phosphorylation of cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein in the Songbird Brain JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 3973 OP 3981 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.19-10-03973.1999 VO 19 IS 10 A1 Hironobu Sakaguchi A1 Kazuhiro Wada A1 Masao Maekawa A1 Toshikazu Watsuji A1 Masatoshi Hagiwara YR 1999 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/19/10/3973.abstract AB We have investigated the participation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the response of the songbird brain to a natural auditory stimulus, a conspecific song. The cells in the two song control nuclei, the higher vocal center (HVC) and area X of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), were intensely stained with an anti-CREB monoclonal antibody. Double-labeling studies showed that CREB immunoreactivity was detected only in area X-projecting neurons in the HVC. The cloned CREB cDNA from zebra finches (zCREB) is highly homologous to mammalian δ CREB. Phosphorylation of zCREB at Ser119 in area X-projecting HVC neurons was induced by hearing tape-recorded conspecific songs of zebra finches, but not by birdsongs of another species or white noise. These results raise the possibility that zCREB plays a crucial role in the sensory process of song learning.