Coexistence of calcitonin gene-related peptide and choline acetyltransferase in eel efferent neurons

The Cholinergic Lateral Line Efferent Synapse: Structural, Functional and Molecular Similarities With Those of the Cochlea

Vertebrate hair cell (HC) systems are innervated by efferent fibers that modulate their response to external stimuli. In mammals, the best studied efferent-HC synapse, the cholinergic medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent system, makes direct synaptic contacts with HCs. The net effect of MOC activity is to hyperpolarize HCs through the activation of α9α10 nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) and the subsequent activation of Ca²⁺-dependent SK2 potassium channels. A serious obstacle in research on many mammalian sensory systems in their native context is that their constituent neurons are difficult to access even in newborn animals, hampering circuit observation, mapping, or controlled manipulation. By contrast, fishes and amphibians have a superficial and accessible mechanosensory system, the lateral line (LL), which circumvents many of these problems. LL responsiveness is modulated by efferent neurons which aid to distinguish between external and self-generated stimuli. One component of the LL efferent system is cholinergic and its activation inhibits LL afferent activity, similar to what has been described for MOC efferents. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a powerful model system for studying human hearing and balance disorders, since LL HC are structurally and functionally analogous to cochlear HCs, but are optically and pharmacologically accessible within an intact specimen. Complementing mammalian studies, zebrafish have been used to gain significant insights into many facets of HC biology, including mechanotransduction and synaptic physiology as well as mechanisms of both hereditary and acquired HC dysfunction. With the rise of the zebrafish LL as a model in which to study auditory system function and disease, there has been an increased interest in studying its efferent system and evaluate the similarity between mammalian and piscine efferent synapses. Advances derived from studies in zebrafish include understanding the effect of the LL efferent system on HC and afferent activity, and revealing that an α9-containing nAChR, functionally coupled to SK channels, operates at the LL efferent synapse. In this review, we discuss the tools and findings of these recent investigations into zebrafish efferent-HC synapse, their commonalities with the mammalian counterpart and discuss several emerging areas for future studies.

Gustatory and general visceral centers and their connections in the brain of adult zebrafish: a carbocyanine dye tract-tracing study

The central connections of the gustatory/general visceral system of the adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) were examined by means of carbocyanine dye tracing. Main primary gustatory centers (facial and vagal lobes) received sensory projections from the facial and vagal nerves, respectively. The vagal nerve also projects to the commissural nucleus of Cajal, a general visceral sensory center. These primary centers mainly project on a prominent secondary gustatory and general visceral nucleus (SGN/V) located in the isthmic region. Secondary projections on the SGN/V were topographically organized, those of the facial lobe mainly ending medially to those of the vagal lobe, and those from the commissural nucleus ventrolaterally. Descending facial lobe projections to the medial funicular nucleus were also noted. Ascending fibers originating from the SGN/V mainly projected to the posterior thalamic nucleus and the lateral hypothalamus (lateral torus, lateral recess nucleus, hypothalamic inferior lobe diffuse nucleus) and an intermediate cell- and fiber-rich region termed here the tertiary gustatory nucleus proper, but not to a nucleus formerly considered as the zebrafish tertiary gustatory nucleus. The posterior thalamic nucleus, tertiary gustatory nucleus proper, and nucleus of the lateral recess gave rise to descending projections to the SGN/V and the vagal lobe. The connectivity between diencephalic gustatory centers and the telencephalon was also investigated. The present results showed that the gustatory connections of the adult zebrafish are rather similar to those reported in other cyprinids, excepting the tertiary gustatory nucleus. Similarities between the gustatory systems of zebrafish and other fishes are also discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:333-362, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Catecholaminergic connectivity to the inner ear, central auditory, and vocal motor circuitry in the plainfin midshipman fish porichthys notatus

Although the neuroanatomical distribution of catecholaminergic (CA) neurons has been well documented across all vertebrate classes, few studies have examined CA connectivity to physiologically and anatomically identified neural circuitry that controls behavior. The goal of this study was to characterize CA distribution in the brain and inner ear of the plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) with particular emphasis on their relationship with anatomically labeled circuitry that both produces and encodes social acoustic signals in this species. Neurobiotin labeling of the main auditory end organ, the saccule, combined with tyrosine hydroxylase immunofluorescence (TH-ir) revealed a strong CA innervation of both the peripheral and central auditory system. Diencephalic TH-ir neurons in the periventricular posterior tuberculum, known to be dopaminergic, send ascending projections to the ventral telencephalon and prominent descending projections to vocal-acoustic integration sites, notably the hindbrain octavolateralis efferent nucleus, as well as onto the base of hair cells in the saccule via nerve VIII. Neurobiotin backfills of the vocal nerve in combination with TH-ir revealed CA terminals on all components of the vocal pattern generator, which appears to largely originate from local TH-ir neurons but may include input from diencephalic projections as well. This study provides strong neuroanatomical evidence that catecholamines are important modulators of both auditory and vocal circuitry and acoustic-driven social behavior in midshipman fish. This demonstration of TH-ir terminals in the main end organ of hearing in a nonmammalian vertebrate suggests a conserved and important anatomical and functional role for dopamine in normal audition.

Nest of origin predicts adult neuron addition rates in the vocal control system of the zebra finch

Neurogenesis and neuronal replacement in adulthood represent dramatic forms of plasticity that might serve as a substrate for behavioral flexibility. In songbirds, neurons are continually replaced in HVC (used as a proper name), a pre-motor region necessary for the production of learned vocalizations. There are large individual differences in HVC neuron addition. Some of this variation is probably due to individual differences in adult experience; however, it is also possible that heritability or experience early in development constrains the levels of adult neuron addition. As a step toward addressing the latter two possibilities, we explored the extent to which nest of origin predicts rates of HVC neuron addition in adult male zebra finches. One month after injections of [(3)H]-thymidine to mark dividing cells, neuron addition in HVC was found to co-vary among birds that had been nest mates, even when they were housed in different cages as adults. We also tested whether nest mate co-variation might be due to shared adult auditory experience by measuring neuron addition in nest mate pairs after one member was deafened. There were significant differences in neuron addition between hearing and deaf birds but nest mate relationships persisted. These results suggest that variation in genotype and/or early pre- or postnatal experience can account for a large fraction of adult variation in rates of neuron addition. These results also suggest that a major constraint on neurogenesis and the capacity to adjust rates of neuron addition in response to adult auditory experience is established early in development.

Calretinin immunoreactivity in the brain of the zebrafish,Danio rerio: Distribution and comparison with some neuropeptides and neurotransmitter-synthesizing enzymes. II. Midbrain, hindbrain, and rostral spinal cord

The distribution of calretinin (CR) in the brainstem and rostral spinal cord of the adult zebrafish was studied by using immunocytochemical techniques. For analysis of some brainstem nuclei and regions, CR distribution was compared with that of complementary markers (choline acetyltransferase, glutamic acid decarboxylase, tyrosine hydroxylase, neuropeptide Y). The results reveal that CR is a marker of various neuronal populations distributed throughout the brainstem, including numerous cells in the optic tectum, torus semicircularis, secondary gustatory nucleus, reticular formation, somatomotor column, gustatory lobes, octavolateral area, and inferior olive, as well as of characteristic tracts of fibers and neuropil. These results indicate that CR may prove useful for characterizing a number of neuronal subpopulations in zebrafish. Comparison of the distribution of CR observed in the brainstem of zebrafish with that reported in an advanced teleost (the gray mullet) revealed a number of similarities, and also some interesting differences. Our results indicate that many brainstem neuronal populations have maintained the CR phenotype in widely divergent teleost lines, so CR studies may prove very useful for comparative analysis.

Cholinergic elements in the zebrafish central nervous system: Histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis

Recently, the zebrafish has been extensively used for studying the development of the central nervous system (CNS). However, the zebrafish CNS has been poorly analyzed in the adult. The cholinergic/cholinoceptive system of the zebrafish CNS was analyzed by using choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemistry and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry in the brain, retina, and spinal cord. AChE labeling was more abundant and more widely distributed than ChAT immunoreactivity. In the telencephalon, ChAT-immunoreactive (ChAT-ir) cells were absent, whereas AChE-positive neurons were observed in both the olfactory bulb and the telencephalic hemispheres. The diencephalon was the region with the lowest density of AChE-positive cells, mainly located in the pretectum, whereas ChAT-ir cells were exclusively located in the preoptic region. ChAT-ir cells were restricted to the periventricular stratum of the optic tectum, but AChE-positive neurons were observed throughout the whole extension of the lamination except in the marginal stratum. Although ChAT immunoreactivity was restricted to the rostral tegmental, oculomotor, and trochlear nuclei within the mesencephalic tegmentum, a widespread distribution of AChE reactivity was observed in this region. The isthmic region showed abundant AChE-positive and ChAT-ir cells in the isthmic, secondary gustatory and superior reticular nucleus and in the nucleus lateralis valvulae. ChAT immunoreactivity was absent in the cerebellum, although AChE staining was observed in Purkinje and granule cells. The medulla oblongata showed a widespread distribution of AChE-positive cells in all main subdivisions, including the octavolateral area, reticular formation, and motor nuclei of the cranial nerves. ChAT-ir elements in this area were restricted to the descending octaval nucleus, the octaval efferent nucleus and the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves. Additionally, spinal cord motoneurons appeared positive to both markers. Substantial differences in the ChAT and AChE distribution between zebrafish and other fish species were observed, which could be important because zebrafish is widely used as a genetic or developmental animal model.

The superior olivary complex of the hamster has multiple periods of cholinergic neuron development

Cholinergic neurons of the superior olivary complex share a common embryological and phylogenetic origin with brainstem motor neurons and serve as the major descending efferent pathway either to the cochlea as part of the olivocochlear system or to the cochlear nucleus. In this study, we investigated the developmental expression patterns of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and its co-localization with calcitonin gene-related peptide within the superior olivary complex and neighboring brainstem motor nuclei. At embryonic day 12, neurons in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body were first to express ChAT. The temporal expression pattern of both ChAT mRNA and immunoreactivity in this periolivary region mimicked motor neurons in the facial and trigeminal motor nuclei. Just before birth, shell neurons surrounding the lateral superior olive expressed ChAT. Neither ChAT-positive periolivary neurons nor shell neurons co-expressed calcitonin gene-related peptide during development or in the adult. Immediately following birth, intrinsic neurons within the lateral superior olive expressed ChAT but not calcitonin gene-related peptide. However, a transient increase in the number of ChAT-positive neurons in the lateral superior olive coincided with the onset of the calcitonin gene-related peptide co-expression within these neurons. We conclude that ChAT expression appears first in periolivary regions containing medial olivocochlear neurons, precedes the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the superior olivary complex, and is co-expressed with calcitonin gene-related peptide within the lateral superior olive containing lateral olivocochlear neurons. These data suggest that the lateral olivocochlear system co-expresses ChAT and calcitonin gene-related peptide, whereas the medial olivocochlear system does not.

Distribution of choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive structures in the lamprey brain

The distribution of cholinergic neurons and fibers was studied immunohistochemically in the brain of two species of lampreys (Petromyzon marinus and Lampetra fluviatilis), by using an antiserum against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). The results obtained in both species were similar, but there appeared some interspecies differences. In the forebrain, cholinergic cells were present in the striatum, preoptic region, paraventricular nucleus, pineal and parapineal organs, habenula, and pretectum. The cranial nerve motoneurons (III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, and X), the first and second spino-occipital nerves (so), and the ventral horn of the spinal cord showed a strong ChAT immunoreactivity. Additional cholinergic neurons were observed: the mesencephalic M5 nucleus of Schober, two different cell populations in the isthmic region, the efferent component of the eighth nerve, putative preganglionic parasympathetic cells, cells in the solitary tract nucleus, and the rhombencephalic reticular formation. Cholinergic fibers were widely distributed in the brain. Comparison with previous studies in other vertebrates suggests that major cholinergic pathways, like tectal innervation from the isthmic region, are also present in lampreys. Of particular interest was the prominent projection to the neurohypophysis from cholinergic neurons in the preoptic region and paraventricular nucleus. Present data were analyzed within the segmental paradigm, as was previously done in other vertebrates. Our results reveal that the organization of many cholinergic systems in the lamprey as, for example, in the striatal, preoptic, and isthmic regions, comprises features of the anamniote brain that remain common to all living amniotes studied so far, thus being conservative to a surprisingly high degree. Therefore, the distribution of ChAT-immunoreactive structures in the lamprey brain is, in general, comparable to that previously described in other vertebrate species.

Distribution of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity in the brain of the adult trout and tract-tracing observations on the connections of the nuclei of the isthmus

The distribution of cholinergic neurons and fibers was studied in the brain and rostral spinal cord of the brown trout and rainbow trout by using an antiserum against the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Cholinergic neurons were observed in the ventral telencephalon, preoptic region, habenula, thalamus, hypothalamus, magnocellular superficial pretectal nucleus, optic tectum, isthmus, cranial nerve motor nuclei, and spinal cord. In addition, new cholinergic groups were detected in the vascular organ of the lamina terminalis, the parvocellular and magnocellular parts of the preoptic nucleus, the anterior tuberal nucleus, and a mesencephalic tegmental nucleus. The presence of ChAT in the magnocellular neurosecretory system of trout suggests that acetylcholine is involved in control of hormone release by neurosecretory terminals. In order to characterize the several cholinergic nuclei observed in the isthmus of trout, their projections were studied by application of 1,1;-dioctadecyl-3,3,3;, 3;-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) to selected structures of the brain. The secondary gustatory nucleus projected mainly to the lateral hypothalamic lobes, whereas the nucleus isthmi projected to the optic tectum and parvocellular superficial pretectal nucleus, as previously described in other teleost groups. In addition, other isthmic cholinergic nuclei of trout may be homologs of the mesopontine system of mammals. We conclude that the cholinergic systems of teleosts show many primitive features that have been preserved during evolution, together with characteristics exclusive to the group.

Distribution of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of a chondrostean, the siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri)

All studies to date of cholinergic systems of bony fishes have been done in teleosts. To gain further insight into the evolution of the cholinergic systems of bony fishes, we have studied the brain of a chondrostean fish, the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri, Brandt), by using an antibody against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). This study showed the presence of ChAT-immunoreactive (ChAT-ir) neurons in the preoptic region (parvocellular and magnocellular preoptic nuclei and suprachiasmatic nucleus), the periventricular and tuberal hypothalamus, the saccus vasculosus, the dorsal thalamus, and the habenula. The mesencephalic tegmentum contained ChAT-ir cells in the torus semicircularis and torus lateralis. The isthmus contained several cholinergic populations: the nucleus isthmi, the lateral nucleus of the valvula, the secondary visceral nucleus, and the dorsal tegmental nucleus. The motor neurons of the cranial nerves and the spinal motor column were strongly immunoreactive. The medial (sensory) trigeminal nucleus also contained a ChAT-ir neuronal population. The distribution of ChAT-ir neurons in the sturgeon brain showed some notable differences with that observed in teleosts, such as the absence of cholinergic cells in the telencephalon and the optic tectum. Several brain regions were richly innervated by ChAT-ir fibers, particularly the telencephalon, optic tectum, thalamus, posterior tubercle, and interpeduncular nucleus. The hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract, the tract of the saccus vasculosus, the fasciculus retroflexus, and an isthmo-mesencephalo-thalamic tract were the most conspicuous cholinergic bundles. Comparative analysis of these results suggests that teleosts have conserved most traits of the cholinergic system of the sturgeon, having acquired new cholinergic populations during evolution.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide suppresses hair cell responses to mechanical stimulation in the Xenopus lateral line organ

The presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the efferent fibers of virtually every hair cell organ studied suggests it may serve some fundamental but heretofore unknown role in control of hair cell function. We examined the effects of CGRP on spontaneous and stimulus-evoked discharge patterns in an in vitro preparation of the lateral line organ of Xenopus laevis. Discharge patterns were determined by sinusoidally displacing the cupula with a glass micropipette driven with a piezoelectric device while recording afferent fiber activity. All afferent fibers had characteristic frequencies of 16-32 Hz. Responses synchronized to cupular displacements as small as 20 nm. CGRP suppressed responses of the lateral line organ to displacement while increasing spontaneous discharge rate. In the presence of CGRP, stimulus-response curves were shifted 10 dB toward higher displacement levels. The suppression of stimulus-evoked responses suggests a function for CGRP as an efferent neurotransmitter that is similar to that of cholinergic efferent transmission in other hair cell organs. The 10 dB shift toward larger displacements makes it comparable in magnitude with the effects of electrical stimulation of efferents in the mammalian cochlea. This suggests a significant role for CGRP in efferent modulation of the output of this mechanosensory organ.

Distribution of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity in the brain of an elasmobranch, the lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula)

Although the distribution of cholinergic cells is remarkably similar across the vertebrate species, no data are available on more primitive species, such as cartilaginous fishes. To extend the evolutionary analysis of the cholinergic systems, we studied the distribution of cholinergic neurons in the brain and rostral spinal cord of Scyliorhinus canicula by immunocytochemistry using an antibody against the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Western blot analysis of brain extracts of dogfish, sturgeon, trout, and rat showed that this antibody recognized similar bands in the four species. Putative cholinergic neurons were observed in most brain regions, including the telencephalon, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brainstem. In the retrobulbar region and superficial dorsal pallium of the telencephalon, numerous small pallial cells were ChAT-like immunoreactive. In addition, tufted cells of the olfactory bulb and some cells in the lateral pallium showed faint immunoreactivity. In the preoptic-hypothalamic region, ChAT-immunoreactive (ChAT-ir) cells were found in the preoptic nucleus, the vascular organ of the terminal lamina, and a small population in the caudal tuber. In the epithalamus, the pineal photoreceptors were intensely positive. Many cells of the habenula were faintly ChAT-ir, but the neuropil of the interpeduncular nucleus showed intense ChAT immunoreactivity. In the pretectal region, ChAT-ir cells were observed only in the superficial pretectal nucleus. In the brainstem, the somatomotor and branchiomotor nuclei, the octavolateral efferent nucleus, and a cell group just rostral to the Edinger-Westphal (EW) nucleus contained ChAT-ir neurons. In addition, the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus, the nucleus G of the isthmus, some locus coeruleus cells, and some cell populations of the vestibular nuclei and of the electroreceptive nucleus of the octavolateral region exhibited ChAT immunoreactivity. In the reticular areas of the brainstem, the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle, many reticular neurons of the rhombencephalon, and cells of the nucleus of the lateral funiculus were immunoreactive to this antibody. In the cerebellum, Golgi cells of the granule cell layer and some cells of the cerebellar nucleus were also ChAT-ir. In the rostral spinal cord, ChAT immunoreactivity was observed in cells of the motor column, the dorsal horn, the marginal nucleus (a putative stretch-receptor organ), and in interstitial cells of the ventral funiculus. These results demonstrate for the first time that cholinergic neurons are distributed widely in the central nervous system of elasmobranchs and that their cholinergic systems have evolved several characteristics that are unique to this group.

Efferent neurons of the lateral line system and their innervation of lateral line branches in a euteleost and an osteoglossomorph

The efferent neurons of the lateral line system of the euteleost Aplocheilus lineatus and the osteoglossomorph Pantodon buchholzi, both surface feeding fish, were examined by neuronal tract tracing. Besides horse-radish peroxidase, fluorescent dextrans were used as tracers to allow simultaneus visualization of projections from different lateral line branches. Labeled efferent neurons were found in nuclei situated in the medulla ventral of ventricle IV. This position resembles the octa-volateralis efferent nucleus of previous studies. The number of labeled cells in the efferent nucleus is low in both species. Most neurons were found ipsilaterally to the application site, some along the midline and only very few contralaterally. The size of efferent cells differs distinctly between Aplocheilus, possessing small cell-bodies (length 16.5 microm), and Pantodon, which has very large efferent cells (length 47.0 micron). Efferent axon bundles course rostrally in both species, leaving the brain at the level of the anterior lateral line nerve. Only Aplocheilus has in addition lateral axon bundles leaving the brain at the level of the posterior lateral line nerve. After application of one fluorescent tracer to the lateral ramus and a different fluorescent tracer to the superficial ophtalmic ramus in a given animal, double-labeling of efferent cells hardly ever occurs. If the neuromasts I and IV of the dorsal skull of Pantodon are applied with one fluorescent tracer each, approximately 10% of centrally labeled cells are double-labeled. Considering the results of double-labeling, the concept of a differential innervation of lateral line branches is supported and discussed.

Distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in the brain of the small-spotted dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula L

The distribution of neuropeptides has been useful in comparing neuronal aggregates of elasmobranchs with those in other vertebrates. The distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity in the brain of the dogfish was examined with an antiserum to rat alpha-CGRP. Western blot analysis confirms that our antiserum recognizes a single peptide in the dogfish brain very similar to mammalian CGRP. CGRP-like immunoreactivity was located in discrete neuronal groups. CGRP-like-immunoreactive (CGRP-ir) neurons were found in the motor nuclei III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, and X of the brainstem motor column and in the octavolateral efferent neurons. In the isthmal region, two groups of CGRP-ir neurons appeared in the parabrachial region and reticular substance. Three other CGRP-ir cell groups were observed in the mesencephalon: in the ventral tegmental area, in the substantia nigra, and one widely scattered but numerous population in superficial layers of the optic tectum. In the diencephalon, CGRP-ir cells were observed in the magnocellular preoptic nucleus and the organon vasculosum hypothalami. A population of CGRP-ir cells was also observed in the entopeduncular nucleus in the impar telencephalon. CGRP-ir fibers of central origin were widely distributed in the brain, but the most conspicuous areas were found in the ventral telencephalon, the hypothalamus, the mesencephalic lateral reticular area, and the dorsolateral isthmal region. The neurointermediate lobe of the hypophysis was also richly innervated by CGRP-ir fibers. CGRP-ir sensory fibers of cranial nerves IX and X and of dorsal spinal roots formed very conspicuous terminal fields in the lobus vagi and Cajal's nucleus commissuralis and in the dorsal region of the substantia gelatinosa, respectively. Comparison of the distribution of fibers and perikarya in dogfish and other vertebrates suggests that this CGRP-ir system has been well conserved during evolution.