The Function of Transcription Factors Isl1 and Dlx2 in Striatal Development and Pair Bond Formation of Monogamous Convict Cichlids

Monogamy is defined as a phenomenon in which a pair bond is formed between a single male and a single female while polygamy is a mating system that involves an animal having more than a single mate. Organisms contain a reward system that is essential in upholding monogamy as it motivates the organism to keep partaking in pair-bond activities. An important neurotransmitter that works to down regulate this reward pathway by inhibition of excitatory neurons is GABA. GABAergic neurons originate from an embryonic brain structure called the ventral telencephalon which later matures into the striatum. Isl1 and Dlx2 are both transcription factors that contribute to the proper development of the ventral telencephalon, specifically striatonigral patterning. We hypothesize that the model monogamous fish, Convict cichlid will have a smaller dlx2 domain than the typical polygamous zebrafish and that manipulation of either of these two transcription factors will affect brain development with knockout of dlx2 decreasing the number of GABA neurons and knockout of Isl1 inhibiting size of the striatum.