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Kolesnikova TO, Demin KA, Costa FV, de Abreu MS, Kalueff AV. Zebrafish models for studying cognitive enhancers. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105797. [PMID: 38971515 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive decline is commonly seen both in normal aging and in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Various experimental animal models represent a valuable tool to study brain cognitive processes and their deficits. Equally important is the search for novel drugs to treat cognitive deficits and improve cognitions. Complementing rodent and clinical findings, studies utilizing zebrafish (Danio rerio) are rapidly gaining popularity in translational cognitive research and neuroactive drug screening. Here, we discuss the value of zebrafish models and assays for screening nootropic (cognitive enhancer) drugs and the discovery of novel nootropics. We also discuss the existing challenges, and outline future directions of research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Fabiano V Costa
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; West Caspian University, Baku, Azerbaijan.
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Suzhou Key Laboratory on Neurobiology and Cell Signaling, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.
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2
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Eriksson ANM, Dubiel J, Alcaraz AJ, Doering JA, Wiseman S. Far from Their Origins: A Transcriptomic Investigation on How 2,4-Di-tert-butyl-6-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl) Phenol Affects Rainbow Trout Alevins. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 38923588 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVSs) are a group of widely used chemicals added to a variety of consumer (e.g., plastics) and industrial (e.g., metal coating) goods. Although detected globally as an environmentally persistent pollutant, BUVSs have received relatively little toxicological attention and only recently have been acknowledged to affect development and the endocrine system in vivo. In our previous study, altered behavior, indicative of potential neurotoxicity, was observed among rainbow trout alevins (day 14 posthatching) that were microinjected as embryos with a single environmentally relevant dose of 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl) phenol (UV-327). In the present follow-up study, we performed whole-transcriptome profiling (RNA sequencing) of newly hatched alevins from the same batch. The primary aim was to identify biomarkers related to behavior and neurology. Dose-specifically, 1 to 176 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. In the group presenting altered behavior (273.4 ng g-1), 176 DEGs were identified, yet only a fraction was related to neurological functions, including water, calcium, and potassium homeostasis; acetylcholine transmission and signaling; as well insulin and energy metabolism. The second objective was to estimate the transcriptomic point of departure (tPOD) and assess if point estimate(s) are protective of altered behavior. A tPOD was established at 35 to 94 ng UV-327 g-1 egg, making this tPOD protective of behavioral alterations. Holistically, these transcriptomic alterations provide a foundation for future research on how BUVSs can influence rainbow trout alevin development, while providing support to the hypothesis that UV-327 can influence neurogenesis and subsequent behavioral endpoints. The exact structural and functional changes caused by embryonic exposure to UV-327 remain enigmatic and will require extensive investigation before being deciphered and understood toxicologically. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-12. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas N M Eriksson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Justin Dubiel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alper James Alcaraz
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jon A Doering
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Steve Wiseman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
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3
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Henry J, Bai Y, Kreuder F, Mawdsley D, Kaslin J, Wlodkowic D. Methods: A bioinformatic protocol for rapid analysis of zebrafish embryo photo-motory responses (PMR) in neurotoxicity testing. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 277:109833. [PMID: 38218564 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Chemobehavioural phenotyping presents unique opportunities for analyzing neurotoxicants and discovering behavior-modifying neuroceuticals in small aquatic model organisms such as zebrafish (Danio rerio). A recently popularized approach in this field involves the utilization of zebrafish embryos for a photo-motor response (PMR) bioassay. The PMR bioassay entails stimulating zebrafish embryos between 24 and 36 h post fertilization (hpf) with a high-intensity light stimulus, inducing a transient increase in the frequency of photo-induced embryo body flexions. These flexions can be computationally analyzed to derive behavioral signatures, enabling the categorization of neuromodulating chemicals. Despite the significant advantages of the PMR bioassay, its widespread implementation is hindered by lack of well described and straightforward high-throughput bioinformatic analysis of behavioral data. In this methods article, we present an easily implementable bioinformatics protocol specifically designed for rapid behavioral analysis of large cohorts of zebrafish specimens in PMR bioassays. We also address common pitfalls encountered during PMR analysis, discuss its limitations, and propose future directions for developing next-generation biometric analysis techniques in chemobehavioural assays utilizing zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Henry
- The Neurotoxicology Laboratory, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Yutao Bai
- The Neurotoxicology Laboratory, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Florian Kreuder
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - David Mawdsley
- Defence Science and Technology Group, Fishermans Bend, VIC 3207, Australia
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Donald Wlodkowic
- The Neurotoxicology Laboratory, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
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4
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Sakata S, Ono F. Allosteric inhibition of muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by a neuromuscular blocking agent pancuronium. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292262. [PMID: 37824562 PMCID: PMC10569638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle relaxants are indispensable for surgical anesthesia. Early studies suggested that a classical non-depolarizing muscle relaxant pancuronium competitively binds to the ligand binding site to block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Our group recently showed that nAChR which has two distinct subunit combinations are expressed in zebrafish muscles, αβδε and αβδ, for which potencies of pancuronium are different. Taking advantage of the distinct potencies, we generated chimeras between two types of nAChRs and found that the extracellular ACh binding site is not associated with the pancuronium sensitivity. Furthermore, application of either 2 μM or 100 μM ACh in native αβδε or αβδ subunits yielded similar IC50 of pancuronium. These data suggest that pancuronium allosterically inhibits the activity of zebrafish nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhei Sakata
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Division of Life Sciences, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Fumihito Ono
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Division of Life Sciences, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
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5
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Jeninga AJ, Wallace Z, Victoria S, Harrahy E, King-Heiden TC. Chronic Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Imidacloprid Impact Survival and Ecologically Relevant Behaviors of Fathead Minnow Larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:2184-2192. [PMID: 37401861 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Imidacloprid (IM) has emerged as a contaminant of concern in several areas within the United States due to its frequent detection in aquatic ecosystems and its pseudo-persistence, which pose potential risks to nontarget species. We evaluated the sublethal toxicity of IM to fathead minnow larvae following chronic exposure beginning just after fertilization. Our in silico analysis and in vivo bioassays suggest that IM has a low binding affinity for the vertebrate nicotinate acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), as expected. However, chronic exposure to ≥0.16 µg IM/L reduced survival by 10%, and exposure to ≥18 µg IM/L reduced survival by approximately 20%-40%. Surviving fish exposed to ≥0.16 µg IM/L showed reduced growth, altered embryonic motor activity, and premature hatching. Furthermore, a significant proportion of fish exposed to ≥0.16 µg IM/L were slower to respond to vibrational stimuli and slower to swim away, indicating that chronic exposure to IM has the potential to impair the ability of larvae to escape predation. The adverse health effects we observed indicate that chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of IM may elicit sublethal responses that culminate in a significant increase in mortality during early life stages, ultimately translating to reduced recruitment in wild fish populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2184-2192. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya J Jeninga
- Department of Biology, River Studies Center, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Zion Wallace
- Department of Biology, River Studies Center, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Shayla Victoria
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
| | - Elisabeth Harrahy
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tisha C King-Heiden
- Department of Biology, River Studies Center, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Reynaga DD, Cano M, Belluzzi JD, Leslie FM. Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke extract increases nicotine withdrawal symptoms in adult and adolescent male rats. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:11324. [PMID: 38389812 PMCID: PMC10880785 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.11324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to determine whether non-nicotine constituents of cigarette smoke contribute to nicotine dependence in adolescent and adult male Sprague Dawley rats. For 10 days animals were given three times daily intravenous injections of nicotine (1.5 mg/kg/day) or cigarette smoke extract (CSE) containing an equivalent dose of nicotine. Both spontaneous and mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal were then measured. Chronic treatment with CSE induced significantly greater somatic and affective withdrawal signs than nicotine in both adolescents and adults. Mecamylamine-precipitated somatic signs were similar at both ages. In contrast, animals spontaneously withdrawn from chronic drug treatment exhibited significant age differences: whereas adolescents chronically treated with nicotine did not show somatic signs, those treated with CSE showed similar physical withdrawal to those of adults. Mecamylamine did not precipitate anxiety-like behavior at either age. However, both adolescents and adults showed significant anxiety in a light-dark box test 18 h after spontaneous withdrawal. Anxiety-like behavior was still evident in an open field test 1 month after termination of drug treatment, with adolescents showing significantly greater affective symptoms than adults. Our findings indicate that non-nicotine constituents of cigarette smoke do contribute to dependence in both adolescents and adults and emphasize the importance of including smoke constituents with nicotine in animal models of tobacco dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy D Reynaga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Michelle Cano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - James D Belluzzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Frances M Leslie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Świątkowski W, Budzyńska B, Maciąg M, Świątkowska A, Tylżanowski P, Rahnama-Hezavah M, Stachurski P, Chałas R. Nicotine and Cytisine Embryotoxicity in the Experimental Zebrafish Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12094. [PMID: 37569468 PMCID: PMC10419251 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is one of the most serious health problems. Potentially lethal effects of nicotine for adults can occur with as little as 30 to 60 mg, although severe symptoms can arise with lower doses. Furthermore, the route of administration also influences the toxicity. Cytisine is one of the most popular medications in nicotinism treatment. Like nicotine, cytisine is a plant alkaloid, signaling through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Our study evaluated the effects of cytisine in nicotine-induced embryotoxic effects using zebrafish larvae. We examined the teratogenicity of nicotine and cytisine alone or in combination. Nicotine increased mortality and delayed hatching of zebrafish larvae in a dose-dependent manner. Cytisine did not affect mortality in a wide range of concentrations, and hatching delay was observed only at the highest concentrations, above 2 mM. Administering compounds together partially reduced the adverse teratogenic effect induced by nicotine alone. The protective effect of cytisine against the nicotine effect, observed in zebrafish, will contribute to future studies or treatments related to nicotine addiction or prenatal nicotine exposure in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Świątkowski
- Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Barbara Budzyńska
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (B.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Monika Maciąg
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (B.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Agnieszka Świątkowska
- Department of Jaw Orthopaedics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Przemko Tylżanowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Piotr Stachurski
- Department of Developmental Dentistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Renata Chałas
- Department of Oral Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
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Farías-Cea A, Leal C, Hödar-Salazar M, Esparza E, Martínez-Duran L, Fuentes I, Iturriaga-Vásquez P. Behavioral Study of 3- and 5-Halocytisine Derivatives in Zebrafish Using the Novel Tank Diving Test (NTT). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10635. [PMID: 37445811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety is a serious mental disorder, and recent statistics have determined that 35.12% of the global population had an anxiety disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mechanism associated with anxiolytic effects is related to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, principally acting on the α4β2 nAChR subtype. nAChRs are present in different animal models, including murine and teleosteos ones. Zebrafish has become an ideal animal model due to its high human genetic similarities (70%), giving it high versatility in different areas of study, among them in behavioral studies related to anxiety. The novel tank diving test (NTT) is one of the many paradigms used for studies on new drugs related to their anxiolytic effect. In this work, an adult zebrafish was used to determine the behavioral effects of 3- and 5-halocytisine derivatives, using the NTT at different doses. Our results show that substitution at position 3 by chlorine or bromine decreases the time spent by the fish at the bottom compared to the control. However, the 3-chloro derivative at higher doses increases the bottom dwelling time. In contrast, substitution at the 5 position increases bottom dwelling at all concentrations showing no anxiolytic effects in this model. Unexpected results were observed with the 5-chlorocytisine derivative, which at a concentration of 10 mg/L produced a significant decrease in bottom dwelling and showed high times of freezing. In conclusion, the 3-chloro and 3-bromo derivatives show an anxiolytic effect, the 3-chlorocytisine derivative being more potent than the 3-bromo derivative, with the lowest time at the bottom of the tank at 1mg/L. On the other hand, chlorine, and bromine at position 5 produce an opposite effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Farías-Cea
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Molecular y Química Medicinal, Departamento de Ciencias Química y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Leal
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Molecular y Química Medicinal, Departamento de Ciencias Química y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Martín Hödar-Salazar
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Molecular y Química Medicinal, Departamento de Ciencias Química y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias mención Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Erica Esparza
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Molecular y Química Medicinal, Departamento de Ciencias Química y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias mención Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Luis Martínez-Duran
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Molecular y Química Medicinal, Departamento de Ciencias Química y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias mención Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Irma Fuentes
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4810101, Chile
| | - Patricio Iturriaga-Vásquez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Molecular y Química Medicinal, Departamento de Ciencias Química y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
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Victoria S, Hein M, Harrahy E, King-Heiden TC. Potency matters: Impacts of embryonic exposure to nAChR agonists thiamethoxam and nicotine on hatching success, growth, and neurobehavior in larval zebrafish. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2022; 85:767-782. [PMID: 35650526 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2022.2081641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Thiamethoxam (TM) is a neonicotinoid insecticide that acts as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist. While designed to specifically target invertebrate nAChRs, recent studies have reported adverse effects of neonicotinoid exposure in early life-stage fish. This study examined the health and neurobehavioral impacts of chronic exposure to various concentrations of TM or nicotine (NIC) in early life zebrafish (Danio rerio) in conjunction with in-silico molecular docking to compare their ligand-receptor interactions with vertebrate nAChR. Chronic exposure to both reduced survival by approximately 20% (163 µg TM/l) and 25-100% (≥0.49 µg NIC/l). Hatching and growth were impaired following exposure to ≥0.21 µg TM/l or 4.9 µg NIC/l. Both TM and NIC produced morphological and behavioral indicators of neurotoxicity, with more potent effects following NIC exposure. NIC impaired embryonic motor activity by 40% (49 µg NIC/l), while both TM and NIC significantly altered predator escape response in larvae, specifically the latency and the initial burst movement of the response were impacted. Molecular docking predicted variations in the type and strength of interactions that occur between NIC or TM and vertebrate nAChR. These findings demonstrate that chronic exposure to TM might impact general health and neurobehavior of early-stage zebrafish. Our data support hypotheses that TM presents low affinity for vertebrate nAChR but may still pose an adverse risk to larval fish growth and neurobehavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayla Victoria
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Megan Hein
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Elisabeth Harrahy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, MN, USA
| | - Tisha C King-Heiden
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA
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Zebrafish Larvae Behavior Models as a Tool for Drug Screenings and Pre-Clinical Trials: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126647. [PMID: 35743088 PMCID: PMC9223633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
To discover new molecules or review the biological activity and toxicity of therapeutic substances, drug development, and research relies on robust biological systems to obtain reliable results. Phenotype-based screenings can transpose the organism’s compensatory pathways by adopting multi-target strategies for treating complex diseases, and zebrafish emerged as an important model for biomedical research and drug screenings. Zebrafish’s clear correlation between neuro-anatomical and physiological features and behavior is very similar to that verified in mammals, enabling the construction of reliable and relevant experimental models for neurological disorders research. Zebrafish presents highly conserved physiological pathways that are found in higher vertebrates, including mammals, along with a robust behavioral repertoire. Moreover, it is very sensitive to pharmacological/environmental manipulations, and these behavioral phenotypes are detected in both larvae and adults. These advantages align with the 3Rs concept and qualify the zebrafish as a powerful tool for drug screenings and pre-clinical trials. This review highlights important behavioral domains studied in zebrafish larvae and their neurotransmitter systems and summarizes currently used techniques to evaluate and quantify zebrafish larvae behavior in laboratory studies.
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Victoria S, Duffy S, Harrahy E, King-Heiden T. Embryonic Exposure to Thiamethoxam Reduces Survival and Alters Neurobehavior of Fathead Minnows. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1276-1285. [PMID: 35099087 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Thiamethoxam is a commonly used neonicotinoid insecticide that acts as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist. Although vertebrates are less sensitive to neonicotinoid insecticides than invertebrates, some neonicotinoids have been shown to cause neurobehavioral changes in larval fishes. In the present study, we examine the neurobehavioral toxicity of acute and chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of thiamethoxam in fathead minnows at two different life stages. Whereas acute exposure of embryos to thiamethoxam does not appear to stimulate spontaneous contractions within 1 min, chronic exposure of embryos to 1.57 µg or more thiamethoxam/L caused increased mortality as well as a subtle increase in spontaneous contraction frequency (SCF), which was negatively correlated with early hatching success. Chronic exposure of embryos to 155 µg thiamethoxam/L impaired predator escape response, and chronic exposure to 0.02-14.61 µg thiamethoxam/L impaired foraging efficiency of some fish. Fathead minnows exposed to thiamethoxam beginning post hatch did not experience changes to measured health or neurobehavioral indicators. Taken together, our findings indicate that embryonic life stages are more sensitive to thiamethoxam exposure than later larval life stages. Because early exposure to thiamethoxam can cause deficits in predatory escape behaviors and may impair foraging success, further study of the potential direct and nondirect impacts of thiamethoxam on wild fish populations is warranted. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1276-1285. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayla Victoria
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sara Duffy
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Elisabeth Harrahy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tisha King-Heiden
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Alijevic O, Jaka O, Alzualde A, Maradze D, Xia W, Frentzel S, Gifford AN, Peitsch MC, Hoeng J, Koshibu K. Differentiating the Neuropharmacological Properties of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor-Activating Alkaloids. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:668065. [PMID: 35392565 PMCID: PMC8980233 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.668065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkaloids that target nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are of great interest because of the critical role they play in mood and anxiety. However, understanding of the neuropharmacological effects of nicotinic alkaloids, such as cotinine and anatabine, is very limited. In this study, we investigated the neuropharmacological effects of three naturally occurring alkaloids-nicotine, cotinine, and anatabine-in vitro and in vivo. A single injection of nicotine induced anxiolytic-like behavioral features in mice by using the SmartCube® behavioral profiling system, while cotinine and anatabine had no detectable effect. The results were corroborated by using the zebrafish novel tank test (NTT), which showed a profound anxiolytic-like effect induced by multiple doses of nicotine after a single 20-min treatment. When the regulation of dopamine and norepinephrine release-the neurotransmitter systems relevant for anxiety-were examined in vitro, we found that nicotine stimulated the release of both norepinephrine and dopamine, while cotinine and anatabine mainly stimulated the dopamine release. The molecular targets of nicotine were confirmed to be nAChRs with its most potent activities against α4β2 and α6/3β2β3 subtypes in vitro. Anatabine was a weaker agonist for these receptors than nicotine. Cotinine was the least potent nAChR compound, only being able to activate α4β2 and α6/3β2β3 subtypes at high doses and no detectable activities against α3β4 and α7 subtypes at the concentrations tested. The observed effects were unlikely due to the off-target effect, because these alkaloids did not bind or regulate >160 other molecular targets in vitro. Thus, the present results suggest that natural nicotinic alkaloids can induce an anxiolytic-like behavior in nonclinical animal models, potency of which may depend on the activation of various nAChRs and regulation of various neurotransmitter systems. Further investigations would help understand their effects on humans, because non-clinical studies should not be taken as a direct indication for human behavior and nicotine is not risk free.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Alijevic
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Diana Maradze
- Gifford Bioscience Ltd., The BioHub Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Wenhao Xia
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris International Research Laboratories Pte. Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stefan Frentzel
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Andrew N Gifford
- Gifford Bioscience Ltd., The BioHub Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Julia Hoeng
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Kyoko Koshibu
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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13
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Zhang L, Yao LN, Liu W, Chen AQ, He SM, Wei ML, Fan ZX, Ren DL. N-acetylcholine receptors regulate cytokines expression and neutrophils recruitment via MAPK/ERK signaling in zebrafish. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 128:104328. [PMID: 34883109 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
N-acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are mainly distributed in the postsynaptic membrane and have been widely studied for their control of muscle contraction by regulating neural action potentials. However, the influences of AChRs on immune responses and potential mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we used the advantages of live imaging of zebrafish to explore the regulation process of AChRs on inflammatory responses. Pharmacologically activating of the receptor, we found that the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines il-1β, il-6, tnf-α and il-8 was significantly up-regulated and neutrophil migration to injury sites was also significantly increased. However, these phenomena were reversed under antagonism of the receptor activity. Results showed that interfering with nAChRs functions did not significantly affect zebrafish motion behavior. Results also showed that activation and antagonism of nAChRs function could regulate the phosphorylation of ERK protein respectively. We further demonstrated that ERK participated in the regulation of AChRs in cytokines expression and neutrophils migration in zebrafish. This study preliminarily revealed the roles of AChRs in inflammatory processes and their potential mechanism, providing additional evidence of peripheral immune regulation by cholinergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Li-Na Yao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - An-Qi Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Shi-Min He
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Mei-Li Wei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Fan
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Da-Long Ren
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
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14
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Ponzoni L, Melzi G, Marabini L, Martini A, Petrillo G, Teh MT, Torres-Perez JV, Morara S, Gotti C, Braida D, Brennan CH, Sala M. Conservation of mechanisms regulating emotional-like responses on spontaneous nicotine withdrawal in zebrafish and mammals. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110334. [PMID: 33905756 PMCID: PMC8380689 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine withdrawal syndrome is a major clinical problem. Animal models with sufficient predictive validity to support translation of pre-clinical findings to clinical research are lacking. AIMS We evaluated the behavioural and neurochemical alterations in zebrafish induced by short- and long-term nicotine withdrawal. METHODS Zebrafish were exposed to 1 mg/L nicotine for 2 weeks. Dependence was determined using behavioural analysis following mecamylamine-induced withdrawal, and brain nicotinic receptor binding studies. Separate groups of nicotine-exposed and control fish were assessed for anxiety-like behaviours, anhedonia and memory deficits following 2-60 days spontaneous withdrawal. Gene expression analysis using whole brain samples from nicotine-treated and control fish was performed at 7 and 60 days after the last drug exposure. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in pretectum was also analysed. RESULTS Mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal nicotine-exposed fish showed increased anxiety-like behaviour as evidenced by increased freezing and decreased exploration. 3H-Epibatidine labeled heteromeric nicotinic acethylcholine receptors (nAChR) significantly increased after 2 weeks of nicotine exposure while 125I-αBungarotoxin labeled homomeric nAChR remained unchanged. Spontaneous nicotine withdrawal elicited anxiety-like behaviour (increased bottom dwelling), reduced motivation in terms of no preference for the enriched side in a place preference test starting from Day 7 after withdrawal and a progressive decrease of memory attention (lowering discrimination index). Behavioural differences were associated with brain gene expression changes: nicotine withdrawn animals showed decreased expression of chrna 4 and chrna7 after 60 days, and of htr2a from 7 to 60 days.The expression of c-Fos was significantly increased at 7 days. Finally, Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity increased in dorsal parvocellular pretectal nucleus, but not in periventricular nucleus of posterior tuberculum nor in optic tectum, at 60 days after withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that nicotine withdrawal induced anxiety-like behaviour, cognitive alterations, gene expression changes and increase in pretectal TH expression, similar to those observed in humans and rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gloria Melzi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Marabini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Muy-Teck Teh
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, England, UK
| | - Jose V Torres-Perez
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Daniela Braida
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine
| | - Caroline H Brennan
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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15
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Xie J, Li M, Ye W, Shan J, Zhao X, Duan Y, Liu Y, Unger BH, Cheng Y, Zhang W, Wu N, Xia XQ. Sinomenine Hydrochloride Ameliorates Fish Foodborne Enteritis via α7nAchR-Mediated Anti-Inflammatory Effect Whilst Altering Microbiota Composition. Front Immunol 2021; 12:766845. [PMID: 34887862 PMCID: PMC8650311 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.766845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Foodborne intestinal inflammation is a major health and welfare issue in aquaculture. To prevent enteritis, various additives have been incorporated into the fish diet. Considering anti-inflammatory immune regulation, an effective natural compound could potentially treat or prevent intestinal inflammation. Our previous study has revealed galantamine’s effect on soybean induced enteritis (SBMIE) and has highlighted the possible role of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in the fish gut. To further activate the intestinal cholinergic related anti-inflammatory function, α7nAchR signaling was considered. In this study, sinomenine, a typical agonist of α7nAChR in mammals, was tested to treat fish foodborne enteritis via its potential anti-inflammation effect using the zebrafish foodborne enteritis model. After sinomenine’s dietary inclusion, results suggested that there was an alleviation of intestinal inflammation at a pathological level. This outcome was demonstrated through the improved morphology of intestinal villi. At a molecular level, SN suppressed inflammatory cytokines’ expression (especially for tnf-α) and upregulated anti-inflammation-related functions (indicated by expression of il-10, il-22, and foxp3a). To systematically understand sinomenine’s intestinal effect on SBMIE, transcriptomic analysis was done on the SBMIE adult fish model. DEGs (sinomenine vs soybean meal groups) were enriched in GO terms related to the negative regulation of lymphocyte/leukocyte activation and alpha-beta T cell proliferation, as well as the regulation of lymphocyte migration. The KEGG pathways for glycolysis and insulin signaling indicated metabolic adjustments of α7nAchR mediated anti-inflammatory effect. To demonstrate the immune cells’ response, in the SBMIE larva model, inflammatory gatherings of neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes caused by soybean meal could be relieved significantly with the inclusion of sinomenine. This was consistent within the sinomenine group as CD4+ or Foxp3+ lymphocytes were found with a higher proportion at the base of mucosal folds, which may suggest the Treg population. Echoing, the sinomenine group’s 16s sequencing result, there were fewer enteritis-related TM7, Sphingomonas and Shigella, but more Cetobacterium, which were related to glucose metabolism. Our findings indicate that sinomenine hydrochloride could be important in the prevention of fish foodborne enteritis at both immune and microbiota levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayuan Xie
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Li
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
| | - Weidong Ye
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junwei Shan
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
| | - Xuyang Zhao
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
| | - You Duan
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhang Liu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
| | | | - Yingyin Cheng
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Wanting Zhang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Qin Xia
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
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16
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Havermans A, Zwart EP, Cremers HWJM, van Schijndel MDM, Constant RS, Mešković M, Worutowicz LX, Pennings JLA, Talhout R, van der Ven LTM, Heusinkveld HJ. Exploring Neurobehaviour in Zebrafish Embryos as a Screening Model for Addictiveness of Substances. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9100250. [PMID: 34678946 PMCID: PMC8539716 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9100250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide and is highly addictive. Nicotine is the main addictive compound in tobacco, but less is known about other components and additives that may contribute to tobacco addiction. The zebrafish embryo (ZFE) has been shown to be a good model to study the toxic effects of chemicals on the neurological system and thus may be a promising model to study behavioral markers of nicotine effects, which may be predictive for addictiveness. We aimed to develop a testing protocol to study nicotine tolerance in ZFE using a locomotion test with light-dark transitions as behavioral trigger. Behavioral experiments were conducted using three exposure paradigms: (1) Acute exposure to determine nicotine’s effect and potency. (2) Pre-treatment with nicotine dose range followed by a single dose of nicotine, to determine which pre-treatment dose is sufficient to affect the potency of acute nicotine. (3) Pre-treatment with a single dose combined with acute exposure to a dose range to confirm the hypothesized decreased potency of the acute nicotine exposure. These exposure paradigms showed that (1) acute nicotine exposure decreased ZFE activity in response to dark conditions in a dose-dependent fashion; (2) pre-treatment with increasing concentrations dose-dependently reversed the effect of acute nicotine exposure; and (3) a fixed pre-treatment dose of nicotine induced a decreased potency of the acute nicotine exposure. This effect supported the induction of tolerance to nicotine by the pre-treatment, likely through neuroadaptation. The interpretation of these effects, particularly in view of prediction of dependence and addictiveness, and suitability of the ZFE model to test for such effects of other compounds than nicotine, are discussed.
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17
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Effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-activating alkaloids on anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish. J Nat Med 2021; 75:926-941. [PMID: 34264421 PMCID: PMC8397634 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-021-01544-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alkaloids are a structurally complex group of natural products that have a diverse range of biological activities and significant therapeutic applications. In this study, we examined the acute, anxiolytic-like effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-activating alkaloids with reported neuropharmacological effects but whose effects on anxiety are less well understood. Because α4β2 nAChRs can regulate anxiety, we first demonstrated the functional activities of alkaloids on these receptors in vitro. Their effects on anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish were then examined using the zebrafish novel tank test (NTT). The NTT is a relatively high-throughput behavioral paradigm that takes advantage of the natural tendency of fish to dive down when stressed or anxious. We report for the first time that cotinine, anatabine, and methylanatabine may suppress this anxiety-driven zebrafish behavior after a single 20-min treatment. Effective concentrations of these alkaloids were well above the concentrations naturally found in plants and the concentrations needed to induce anxiolytic-like effect by nicotine. These alkaloids showed good receptor interactions at the α4β2 nAChR agonist site as demonstrated by in vitro binding and in silico docking model, although somewhat weaker than that for nicotine. Minimal or no significant effect of other compounds may have been due to low bioavailability of these compounds in the brain, which is supported by the in silico prediction of blood–brain barrier permeability. Taken together, our findings indicate that nicotine, although not risk-free, is the most potent anxiolytic-like alkaloid tested in this study, and other natural alkaloids may regulate anxiety as well. ![]()
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18
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Hawkey AB, Hoeng J, Peitsch MC, Levin ED, Koshibu K. Subchronic effects of plant alkaloids on anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 207:173223. [PMID: 34197843 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish provide a valuable emerging complementary model for neurobehavioral research. They offer a powerful way to screen for the potential therapeutic effects of neuroactive drugs. A variety of behavioral tests for zebrafish have been developed and validated for assessing neurobehavioral function. The novel tank diving test is a straightforward, reproducible way of measuring anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish. When introduced into a novel tank, zebrafish normally dive to the bottom of the tank and then gradually explore the higher levels of the water column as time progresses. Buspirone is an effective anxiolytic drug in humans, which has been found, with acute administration, to reduce this anxiety-like response in zebrafish. The current study used the zebrafish model to evaluate the potential anxiolytic effects of alkaloids, commonly found in Solanaceae plants, with known neuropharmacology relevant to mood regulation. In line with previous findings, acute treatment with anxiolytic positive controls buspirone and the plant alkaloid nicotine reduced the anxiety-like diving response in the zebrafish novel tank diving test. Further, both buspirone and nicotine continued to produce anxiolytic-like effects in zebrafish after 5 days of exposure. In the same treatment paradigm, the effects of five other alkaloids-cotinine, anatabine, anabasine, harmane, and norharmane-were investigated. Cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine, also caused anxiolytic-like effects, albeit at a dose higher than the effective dose of nicotine. Nicotine's anxiolytic-like effect was not shared by the other nicotinic alkaloids, anabasine and anatabine, or by the naturally present monoamine oxidase inhibitors harmane and norharmane. We conclude that nicotine uniquely induces anxiolytic-like effects after acute and subchronic treatment in zebrafish. The zebrafish model with the novel tank diving test could be a useful complement to rodent models for screening candidate compounds for anxiolytic effects in nonclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Hawkey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Julia Hoeng
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel C Peitsch
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Edward D Levin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Kyoko Koshibu
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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19
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Jaka O, Iturria I, van der Toorn M, Hurtado de Mendoza J, Latino DARS, Alzualde A, Peitsch MC, Hoeng J, Koshibu K. Effects of Natural Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors on Anxiety-Like Behavior in Zebrafish. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:669370. [PMID: 34079463 PMCID: PMC8165606 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.669370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoamine oxidases (MAO) are a valuable class of mitochondrial enzymes with a critical role in neuromodulation. In this study, we investigated the effect of natural MAO inhibitors on novel environment-induced anxiety by using the zebrafish novel tank test (NTT). Because zebrafish spend more time at the bottom of the tank when they are anxious, anxiolytic compounds increase the time zebrafish spend at the top of the tank and vice versa. Using this paradigm, we found that harmane, norharmane, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) induce anxiolytic-like effects in zebrafish, causing them to spend more time at the top of the test tank and less time at the bottom. 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-naphtoquinone (TMN) induced an interesting mix of both anxiolytic- and anxiogenic-like effects during the first and second halves of the test, respectively. TIQ was unique in having no observable effect on general movement. Similarly, a reference MAO inhibitor clorgyline—but not pargyline—increased the time spent at the top in a concentration-dependent manner. We also demonstrated that the brain bioavailability of these compounds are high based on the ex vivo bioavailability assay and in silico prediction models, which support the notion that the observed effects on anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish were most likely due to the direct effect of these compounds in the brain. This study is the first investigation to demonstrate the anxiolytic-like effects of MAO inhibitors on novel environment-induced anxiety in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oihane Jaka
- Biobide, Gipuzkoa Scientific and Technological Park, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Iñaki Iturria
- Biobide, Gipuzkoa Scientific and Technological Park, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Marco van der Toorn
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Diogo A R S Latino
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Ainhoa Alzualde
- Biobide, Gipuzkoa Scientific and Technological Park, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Manuel C Peitsch
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Hoeng
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Kyoko Koshibu
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Quai Jeanrenaud 5, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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20
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de Abreu MS, Giacomini ACVV, Demin KA, Galstyan DS, Zabegalov KN, Kolesnikova TO, Amstislavskaya TG, Strekalova T, Petersen EV, Kalueff AV. Unconventional anxiety pharmacology in zebrafish: Drugs beyond traditional anxiogenic and anxiolytic spectra. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 207:173205. [PMID: 33991579 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is the most prevalent brain disorder and a common cause of human disability. Animal models are critical for understanding anxiety pathogenesis and its pharmacotherapy. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is increasingly utilized as a powerful model organism in anxiety research and anxiolytic drug screening. High similarity between human, rodent and zebrafish molecular targets implies shared signaling pathways involved in anxiety pathogenesis. However, mounting evidence shows that zebrafish behavior can be modulated by drugs beyond conventional anxiolytics or anxiogenics. Furthermore, these effects may differ from human and/or rodent responses, as such 'unconventional' drugs may affect zebrafish behavior despite having no such profiles (or exerting opposite effects) in humans or rodents. Here, we discuss the effects of several putative unconventional anxiotropic drugs (aspirin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), nicotine, naloxone and naltrexone) and their potential mechanisms of action in zebrafish. Emphasizing the growing utility of zebrafish models in CNS drug discovery, such unconventional anxiety pharmacology may provide important, evolutionarily relevant insights into complex regulation of anxiety in biological systems. Albeit seemingly complicating direct translation from zebrafish into clinical phenotypes, this knowledge may instead foster the development of novel CNS drugs, eventually facilitating innovative treatment of patients based on novel 'unconventional' targets identified in fish models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil; Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA.
| | - Ana C V V Giacomini
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - David S Galstyan
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Granov Scientific Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Konstantin N Zabegalov
- Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University, Sochi, Russia
| | - Tatyana O Kolesnikova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; School of Chemistry, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University, Sochi, Russia
| | - Tamara G Amstislavskaya
- Scientific Research Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov 1st Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia; Department of Preventive Medicine, Maastricht Medical Center Annadal, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Elena V Petersen
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; School of Chemistry, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University, Sochi, Russia.
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21
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Capillo G, Zaccone G, Cupello C, Fernandes JMO, Viswanath K, Kuciel M, Zuwala K, Guerrera MC, Aragona M, Icardo JM, Lauriano ER. Expression of acetylcholine, its contribution to regulation of immune function and O 2 sensing and phylogenetic interpretations of the African butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi (Osteoglossiformes, Pantodontidae). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 111:189-200. [PMID: 33588082 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (Ach) is the main neurotransmitter in the neuronal cholinergic system and also works as a signaling molecule in non-neuronal cells and tissues. The diversity of signaling pathways mediated by Ach provides a basis for understanding the biology of the cholinergic epithelial cells and immune cells in the gill of the species studied. NECs in the gill were not found surprisingly, but specialized cells showing the morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of eosinophils were located in the gill filaments and respiratory lamellae. Much remains unknown about the interaction between the nerves and eosinophils that modulate both the release of acetylcholine and its nicotinic and muscarinic receptors including the role of acetylcholine in the mechanisms of O2 chemosensing. In this study we report for the first time the expression of Ach in the pavement cells of the gill lamellae in fish, the mast cells associated with eosinophils and nerve interaction for both immune cell types, in the gill of the extant butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi. Multiple roles have been hypothesized for Ach and alpha nAChR in the gills. Among these there are the possible involvement of the pavement cells of the gill lamellae as O2 chemosensitive cells, the interaction of Ach positive mast cells with eosinophils and interaction of eosinophils with nerve terminals. This could be related to the use of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and the alpha 2 subunit of the acetylcholine nicotinic receptor (alpha 2 nAChR). These data demonstrate the presence of Ach multiple sites of neuronal and non-neuronal release and reception within the gill and its ancestral signaling that arose during the evolutionary history of this conservative fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy.
| | - Camila Cupello
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia-IBRAG, Universidade de Estado Do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Sao Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Kiron Viswanath
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, 8026, Bodø, Norway
| | - Michal Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 15, 30-501, Cracow, Poland
| | - Krystyna Zuwala
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Jose Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Poligono de Cazona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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22
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Müller TE, Fontana BD, Bertoncello KT, Franscescon F, Mezzomo NJ, Canzian J, Stefanello FV, Parker MO, Gerlai R, Rosemberg DB. Understanding the neurobiological effects of drug abuse: Lessons from zebrafish models. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 100:109873. [PMID: 31981718 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Drug abuse and brain disorders related to drug comsumption are public health problems with harmful individual and social consequences. The identification of therapeutic targets and precise pharmacological treatments to these neuropsychiatric conditions associated with drug abuse are urgently needed. Understanding the link between neurobiological mechanisms and behavior is a key aspect of elucidating drug abuse-related targets. Due to various molecular, biochemical, pharmacological, and physiological features, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been considered a suitable vertebrate for modeling complex processes involved in drug abuse responses. In this review, we discuss how the zebrafish has been successfully used for modeling neurobehavioral phenotypes related to drug abuse and review the effects of opioids, cannabinoids, alcohol, nicotine, and psychedelic drugs on the central nervous system (CNS). Moreover, we summarize recent advances in zebrafish-based studies and outline potential advantages and limitations of the existing zebrafish models to explore the neurochemical bases of drug abuse and addiction. Finally, we discuss how the use of zebrafish models may present fruitful approaches to provide valuable clinically translatable data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talise E Müller
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.
| | - Barbara D Fontana
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Old St Michael's Building, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Kanandra T Bertoncello
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Francini Franscescon
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Nathana J Mezzomo
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Julia Canzian
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Flavia V Stefanello
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Matthew O Parker
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Old St Michael's Building, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.
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23
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García-González J, Brock AJ, Parker MO, Riley RJ, Joliffe D, Sudwarts A, Teh MT, Busch-Nentwich EM, Stemple DL, Martineau AR, Kaprio J, Palviainen T, Kuan V, Walton RT, Brennan CH. Identification of slit3 as a locus affecting nicotine preference in zebrafish and human smoking behaviour. eLife 2020; 9:e51295. [PMID: 32209227 PMCID: PMC7096180 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To facilitate smoking genetics research we determined whether a screen of mutagenized zebrafish for nicotine preference could predict loci affecting smoking behaviour. From 30 screened F3 sibling groups, where each was derived from an individual ethyl-nitrosurea mutagenized F0 fish, two showed increased or decreased nicotine preference. Out of 25 inactivating mutations carried by the F3 fish, one in the slit3 gene segregated with increased nicotine preference in heterozygous individuals. Focussed SNP analysis of the human SLIT3 locus in cohorts from UK (n=863) and Finland (n=1715) identified two variants associated with cigarette consumption and likelihood of cessation. Characterisation of slit3 mutant larvae and adult fish revealed decreased sensitivity to the dopaminergic and serotonergic antagonist amisulpride, known to affect startle reflex that is correlated with addiction in humans, and increased htr1aa mRNA expression in mutant larvae. No effect on neuronal pathfinding was detected. These findings reveal a role for SLIT3 in development of pathways affecting responses to nicotine in zebrafish and smoking in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit García-González
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Alistair J Brock
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Matthew O Parker
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of PortsmouthPortsmouthUnited Kingdom
| | - Riva J Riley
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - David Joliffe
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ari Sudwarts
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Muy-Teck Teh
- Centre for Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth M Busch-Nentwich
- Wellcome Trust Sanger InstituteCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Adrian R Martineau
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, HiLIFEHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | | | - Valerie Kuan
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Robert T Walton
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Caroline H Brennan
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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24
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Holden LL, Truong L, Simonich MT, Tanguay RL. Assessing the hazard of E-Cigarette flavor mixtures using zebrafish. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 136:110945. [PMID: 31712102 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Since 2007, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) sales in the U.S. have surpassed those of tobacco cigarettes. This is due, in part, to manufacturer's claims that they are a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes. However, formaldehyde, acrolein, and diacetyl have been detected in e-cigarettes and public knowledge of e-cigarette composition and ingredient bioactivity is conspicuously lacking. We evaluated the toxicity of nine e-cigarette flavor mixtures and their constituents in the developmental zebrafish, an excellent whole animal biosensor of chemical hazard. Seven of the nine flavors (78%) elicited adverse developmental responses at 1% by volume. The number of toxic endpoints varied greatly between flavors. Two flavors, Grape and Bubble Gum, had similar chemical compositions, but different toxicity profiles. We hypothesized that the toxicity was driven by a constituent present only in the Bubble Gum flavor, cinnamaldehyde. To replicate this toxicity, we built our own defined mixture. The addition of varying concentrations of cinnamaldehyde suggested that it drove the toxicity of these mixtures and that e-cigarette hazard can be flavor dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Holden
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, And the Environmental Health Sciences Center at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Lisa Truong
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, And the Environmental Health Sciences Center at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Michael T Simonich
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, And the Environmental Health Sciences Center at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Robert L Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, And the Environmental Health Sciences Center at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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25
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Sandoval-Herrera N, Mena F, Espinoza M, Romero A. Neurotoxicity of organophosphate pesticides could reduce the ability of fish to escape predation under low doses of exposure. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10530. [PMID: 31324839 PMCID: PMC6642105 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46804-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are frequently used in ecotoxicology as they allow to study toxicant effects happening at low concentrations of exposure. However, most sublethal studies only evaluate cellular biomarkers which lack evident ecological relevance. We used a multibiomarker approach to estimate the toxic effects of ethoprophos, an organophosphate insecticide commonly used in banana plantations, on the tropical fish Astyanax aeneus (Characidae). We measured biomarkers at sub-individual (cellular) and individual (metabolism, behavior) levels and examined relationships among these responses. A sublethal exposure to ethoprophos caused a significant (54%) reduction of brain Cholinesterase (ChE) activity, reflecting the pesticide's high neurotoxicity. However, other biomarkers like oxidative stress, biotransformation reactions, and resting metabolic rate were not affected. Exposure to ethoprophos modified antipredator behaviors such as escape response and detection avoidance (light/dark preference): exposed fish escaped slower from a simulated attack and preferred brighter areas in a novel tank. The relationship between ChE activity and reaction time suggests that pesticide-induced ChE inhibition reduces escape ability in fish. Our results provide evidence that impacts of organophosphate pesticides on fish ecological fitness can occur even with short exposures at very low concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Freylan Mena
- Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances/Instituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias Tóxicas (IRET), Universidad Nacional, Campus Omar Dengo, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Mario Espinoza
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Adarli Romero
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica
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26
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Faria M, Bedrossiantz J, Prats E, Rovira Garcia X, Gómez-Canela C, Piña B, Raldúa D. Deciphering the mode of action of pollutants impairing the fish larvae escape response with the vibrational startle response assay. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 672:121-128. [PMID: 30954810 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The escape response evoked by vibrational stimuli and its habituation, essential behaviors for fish larvae survival, can be altered by neurotoxic environmental pollutants commonly found in our aquatic ecosystems. In this study we have analyzed the suitability of the Vibrational Startle Response Assay (VSRA) to obtain mechanistic information about the mode of action (MoA) of the chemicals impairing the escape response and its habituation. As a proof of concept, the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the action of two common neurotoxic pesticides, chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO) and imidacloprid, over their effects on arousal and habituation of the escape response were studied by using pharmacological antagonists of the nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, mecamylamine (MCA) and scopolamine, respectively. Furthermore, potential changes in the neurotransmitter profile were analyzed. Results revealed that whereas the effect of CPO on arousal was mainly mediated by the activation of nAChRs, its effect on habituation was mainly mediated by mAChRs. On the other hand, imidacloprid only affected larvae arousal which was found to be mediated by a cholinergic independent mechanism. No association between behavioral effects on arousal or habituation in affected larvae was found with their corresponding neurotransmitter profile. These results confirm the suitability of VSRA to provide mechanistic information about the potential MoA of neuroactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Faria
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Eva Prats
- CID-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Cristian Gómez-Canela
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Applied (Chromatography section), School of Engineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià-Universitat Ramon Llull, Via Augusta 390, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
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27
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Torrealba D, Balasch JC, Criado M, Tort L, Mackenzie S, Roher N. Functional evidence for the inflammatory reflex in teleosts: A novel α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulates the macrophage response to dsRNA. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 84:279-291. [PMID: 29501534 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The inflammatory reflex modulates the innate immune system, keeping in check the detrimental consequences of overstimulation. A key player controlling the inflammatory reflex is the alpha 7 acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). This receptor is one of the signalling molecules regulating cytokine expression in macrophages. In this study, we characterize a novel teleost α7nAChR. Protein sequence analysis shows a high degree of conservation with mammalian orthologs and trout α7nAChR has all the features and essential amino acids to form a fully functional receptor. We demonstrate that trout macrophages can bind α-bungarotoxin (α-BTX), a competitive antagonist for α7nAChRs. Moreover, nicotine stimulation produces a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokine expression after stimulation with poly(I:C). These results suggest the presence of a functional α7nAChR in the macrophage plasma membrane. Further, in vivo injection of poly(I:C) induced an increase in serum ACh levels in rainbow trout. Our results manifest for the first time the functional conservation of the inflammatory reflex in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Torrealba
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia Animal i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Joan Carles Balasch
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia Animal i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Manuel Criado
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | - Lluís Tort
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia Animal i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Simon Mackenzie
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, United Kingdom.
| | - Nerea Roher
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia Animal i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
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28
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Matera C, Dondio G, Braida D, Ponzoni L, De Amici M, Sala M, Dallanoce C. In vivo and in vitro ADMET profiling and in vivo pharmacodynamic investigations of a selective α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist with a spirocyclic Δ 2 -isoxazoline molecular skeleton. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 820:265-273. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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29
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Analysis of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (nAChR) Gene Expression in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) by In Situ Hybridization and PCR. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3768-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
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30
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Horzmann KA, Freeman JL. Zebrafish Get Connected: Investigating Neurotransmission Targets and Alterations in Chemical Toxicity. TOXICS 2016; 4:19. [PMID: 28730152 PMCID: PMC5515482 DOI: 10.3390/toxics4030019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurotransmission is the basis of neuronal communication and is critical for normal brain development, behavior, learning, and memory. Exposure to drugs and chemicals can alter neurotransmission, often through unknown pathways and mechanisms. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) model system is increasingly being used to study the brain and chemical neurotoxicity. In this review, the major neurotransmitter systems, including glutamate, GABA, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine, and glutamate are surveyed and pathways of synthesis, transport, metabolism, and action are examined. Differences between human and zebrafish neurochemical pathways are highlighted. We also review techniques for evaluating neurological function, including the measurement of neurotransmitter levels, assessment of gene expression through transcriptomic analysis, and the recording of neurobehavior. Finally examples of chemical toxicity studies evaluating alterations in neurotransmitter systems in the zebrafish model are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer L. Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
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31
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Sheets LP, Li AA, Minnema DJ, Collier RH, Creek MR, Peffer RC. A critical review of neonicotinoid insecticides for developmental neurotoxicity. Crit Rev Toxicol 2016; 46:153-90. [PMID: 26513508 PMCID: PMC4732412 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2015.1090948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive review of published and previously unpublished studies was performed to evaluate the neonicotinoid insecticides for evidence of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). These insecticides have favorable safety profiles, due to their preferential affinity for nicotinic receptor (nAChR) subtypes in insects, poor penetration of the mammalian blood-brain barrier, and low application rates. Nevertheless, examination of this issue is warranted, due to their insecticidal mode of action and potential exposure with agricultural and residential uses. This review identified in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiology studies in the literature and studies performed in rats in accordance with GLP standards and EPA guidelines with imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran, which are all the neonicotinoids currently registered in major markets. For the guideline-based studies, treatment was administered via the diet or gavage to primiparous female rats at three dose levels, plus a vehicle control (≥20/dose level), from gestation day 0 or 6 to lactation day 21. F1 males and females were evaluated using measures of motor activity, acoustic startle response, cognition, brain morphometry, and neuropathology. The principal effects in F1 animals were associated with decreased body weight (delayed sexual maturation, decreased brain weight, and morphometric measurements) and acute toxicity (decreased activity during exposure) at high doses, without neuropathology or impaired cognition. No common effects were identified among the neonicotinoids that were consistent with DNT or the neurodevelopmental effects associated with nicotine. Findings at high doses were associated with evidence of systemic toxicity, which indicates that these insecticides do not selectively affect the developing nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abby A. Li
- Exponent Health Sciences,
San Francisco,
CA,
USA
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32
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Stewart AM, Grossman L, Collier AD, Echevarria DJ, Kalueff AV. Anxiogenic-like effects of chronic nicotine exposure in zebrafish. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 139 Pt B:112-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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33
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Ahmed KT, Ali DW. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at zebrafish red and white muscle show different properties during development. Dev Neurobiol 2015; 76:916-36. [DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazi T. Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta, Edmonton; Alberta Canada
| | - Declan W. Ali
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta, Edmonton; Alberta Canada
- Department of Physiology; University of Alberta, Edmonton; Alberta Canada
- Centre for Neuroscience; University of Alberta, Edmonton; Alberta Canada
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34
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Baginskas A, Kuraitė V, Kuras A. Nicotinic potentiation of frog retinotectal transmission in tectum layer F by α3β2, α4β2, α2β4, α6β2, or α7 acetylcholine receptor subtypes. MEDICINA-LITHUANIA 2015; 51:117-25. [PMID: 25975881 DOI: 10.1016/j.medici.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to explore the effect of semi-specific antagonists and agonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the paired-pulse facilitation and nicotinic tonic and phasic potentiation of the frog retinotectal synaptic transmission. MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiments were performed in vivo on adult frogs, Rana temporaria. An individual retina ganglion cell (or its retinotectal fiber) was stimulated by current pulses delivered through multichannel stimulating electrode positioned on the retina. Responses to a discharge of a single retinal ganglion cell were recorded in the tectum by an extracellular carbon-fiber microelectrode positioned in the terminal arborization of the retinotectal fiber in the tectum layer F. The effect of the antagonists and agonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the tectal responses has been tested. RESULTS We found that the antagonists, MLA and DHβE, and agonists, RJR-2403 and choline, of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the α3β2, α4β2, α2β4, α6β2 or α7 subtypes have had no effect on the phasic and tonic potentiation of the retinotectal transmission. The paired-pulse facilitation of the retinotectal transmission was not appreciably affected by the antagonists, but the choline, agonist of the α7 subtype receptor, has significantly decreased the paired-pulse facilitation. CONCLUSIONS The tonic and phasic potentiation of the retinotectal transmission in the tectum layer F were not mediated by the receptors of α3β2, α4β2, α2β4, α6β2 or α7 subtype. The results suggest that presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the frog optic fibers are different from those of the mammalian optic fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armuntas Baginskas
- Department of Physics, Mathematics and Biophysics, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
| | - Vilija Kuraitė
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Antanas Kuras
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
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Zebrafish mutants of the neuromuscular junction: swimming in the gene pool. J Physiol Sci 2015; 65:217-21. [PMID: 25782439 PMCID: PMC4408355 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-015-0372-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This review provides an overview of zebrafish mutants with dysfunctional acetylcholine receptors or related proteins at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The NMJ, which has served as the classical model of the chemical synapse, uses acetylcholine as the neurotransmitter, and mutations of proteins involved in the signaling cascade lead to a variety of behavioral phenotypes. Mutants isolated after random chemical mutagenesis screening are summarized, and advances in the field resulting from these mutants are discussed.
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Menelaou E, Paul LT, Perera SN, Svoboda KR. Motoneuron axon pathfinding errors in zebrafish: differential effects related to concentration and timing of nicotine exposure. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2015; 284:65-78. [PMID: 25668718 PMCID: PMC4567840 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2015.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine exposure during embryonic stages of development can affect many neurodevelopmental processes. In the developing zebrafish, exposure to nicotine was reported to cause axonal pathfinding errors in the later born secondary motoneurons (SMNs). These alterations in SMN axon morphology coincided with muscle degeneration at high nicotine concentrations (15-30 μM). Previous work showed that the paralytic mutant zebrafish known as sofa potato exhibited nicotine-induced effects onto SMN axons at these high concentrations but in the absence of any muscle deficits, indicating that pathfinding errors could occur independent of muscle effects. In this study, we used varying concentrations of nicotine at different developmental windows of exposure to specifically isolate its effects onto subpopulations of motoneuron axons. We found that nicotine exposure can affect SMN axon morphology in a dose-dependent manner. At low concentrations of nicotine, SMN axons exhibited pathfinding errors, in the absence of any nicotine-induced muscle abnormalities. Moreover, the nicotine exposure paradigms used affected the 3 subpopulations of SMN axons differently, but the dorsal projecting SMN axons were primarily affected. We then identified morphologically distinct pathfinding errors that best described the nicotine-induced effects on dorsal projecting SMN axons. To test whether SMN pathfinding was potentially influenced by alterations in the early born primary motoneuron (PMN), we performed dual labeling studies, where both PMN and SMN axons were simultaneously labeled with antibodies. We show that only a subset of the SMN axon pathfinding errors coincided with abnormal PMN axonal targeting in nicotine-exposed zebrafish. We conclude that nicotine exposure can exert differential effects depending on the levels of nicotine and developmental exposure window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evdokia Menelaou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Latoya T Paul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Surangi N Perera
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53205, USA
| | - Kurt R Svoboda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53205, USA.
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Stewart AM, Ullmann JF, Norton WH, Brennan CH, Parker MO, Gerlai R, Kalueff AV. Molecular psychiatry of zebrafish. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:2-17. [PMID: 25349164 PMCID: PMC4318706 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2014.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Due to their well-characterized neural development and high genetic homology to mammals, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a powerful model organism in the field of biological psychiatry. Here, we discuss the molecular psychiatry of zebrafish, and its implications for translational neuroscience research and modeling central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In particular, we outline recent genetic and technological developments allowing for in vivo examinations, high-throughput screening and whole-brain analyses in larval and adult zebrafish. We also summarize the application of these molecular techniques to the understanding of neuropsychiatric disease, outlining the potential of zebrafish for modeling complex brain disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aggression, post-traumatic stress and substance abuse. Critically evaluating the advantages and limitations of larval and adult fish tests, we suggest that zebrafish models become a rapidly emerging new field in modern molecular psychiatry research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Michael Stewart
- ZENEREI Institute, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA
- International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA
| | - Jeremy F.P. Ullmann
- International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - William H.J. Norton
- International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA
- Department of Biology, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychiatry, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Caroline H. Brennan
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1-4NS, UK
| | - Matthew O. Parker
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1-4NS, UK
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Rd N Mississauga, Ontario L5L1C6, Canada
| | - Allan V. Kalueff
- ZENEREI Institute, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA
- International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA
- Research Institute for Marine Drugs and Nutrition, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524025, China
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Ponzoni L, Braida D, Pucci L, Andrea D, Fasoli F, Manfredi I, Papke RL, Stokes C, Cannazza G, Clementi F, Gotti C, Sala M. The cytisine derivatives, CC4 and CC26, reduce nicotine-induced conditioned place preference in zebrafish by acting on heteromeric neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:4681-93. [PMID: 24862365 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3619-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cigarette smoking is one of the most serious health problems worldwide and people trying to stop smoking have high rates of relapse. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), by combining pharmacological and behavioral assays, is a promising animal model for rapidly screening new compounds to induce smoking cessation. OBJECTIVES This study aims to identify possible acetylcholine nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) involved in mediating nicotine (NIC)-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in zebrafish and investigate the effect of the CC4 and CC26 cytisine derivatives in reducing NIC-induced CPP. METHODS CPP was evaluated using a two-compartment chamber, and the zebrafish were given CC4 (0.001-5 mg/kg), CC26 (0.001-1 mg/kg), cytisine (0.1-2.5 mg/kg), and varenicline (1-10 mg/kg) alone or with NIC (0.001 mg/kg). Swimming activity was evaluated using a square observational chamber. The affinity of the nicotinic ligands for native zebrafish brain nAChRs was evaluated by binding studies using [(3)H]-Epibatidine (Epi) and [(125)I]-αBungarotoxin (αBgtx) radioligands, and their subtype specificity was determined by means of electrophysiological assay of oocyte-expressed α4β2 and α7 subtypes. RESULTS CC4 and CC26 induced CPP with an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve similar to that of NIC. However, when co-administered with NIC, they blocked its reinforcing or slightly aversive effect. Binding and electrophysiological studies showed that this effect was due to binding to high-affinity heteromeric but not α7-containing receptors. CONCLUSIONS We have further characterized CC4 and identified a new compound (CC26) that may be active in inducing smoking cessation. Zebrafish is a very useful model for screening new compounds that can affect the rewarding properties of NIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Ponzoni
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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A single mutation in the acetylcholine receptor δ-subunit causes distinct effects in two types of neuromuscular synapses. J Neurosci 2014; 34:10211-8. [PMID: 25080583 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0426-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in AChR subunits, expressed as pentamers in neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), cause various types of congenital myasthenic syndromes. In AChR pentamers, the adult ε subunit gradually replaces the embryonic γ subunit as the animal develops. Because of this switch in subunit composition, mutations in specific subunits result in synaptic phenotypes that change with developmental age. However, a mutation in any AChR subunit is considered to affect the NMJs of all muscle fibers equally. Here, we report a zebrafish mutant of the AChR δ subunit that exhibits two distinct NMJ phenotypes specific to two muscle fiber types: slow or fast. Homozygous fish harboring a point mutation in the δ subunit form functional AChRs in slow muscles, whereas receptors in fast muscles are nonfunctional. To test the hypothesis that different subunit compositions in slow and fast muscles underlie distinct phenotypes, we examined the presence of ε/γ subunits in NMJs using specific antibodies. Both wild-type and mutant larvae lacked ε/γ subunits in slow muscle synapses. These findings in zebrafish suggest that some mutations in human congenital myasthenic syndromes may affect slow and fast muscle fibers differently.
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Fingerprinting of psychoactive drugs in zebrafish anxiety-like behaviors. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103943. [PMID: 25079766 PMCID: PMC4117595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A major hindrance for the development of psychiatric drugs is the prediction of how treatments can alter complex behaviors in assays which have good throughput and physiological complexity. Here we report the development of a medium-throughput screen for drugs which alter anxiety-like behavior in adult zebrafish. The observed phenotypes were clustered according to shared behavioral effects. This barcoding procedure revealed conserved functions of anxiolytic, anxiogenic and psychomotor stimulating drugs and predicted effects of poorly characterized compounds on anxiety. Moreover, anxiolytic drugs all decreased, while anxiogenic drugs increased, serotonin turnover. These results underscore the power of behavioral profiling in adult zebrafish as an approach which combines throughput and physiological complexity in the pharmacological dissection of complex behaviors.
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Role of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on learning and memory in zebrafish. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:1975-85. [PMID: 24311357 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3340-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a modulatory role in cognition, and zebrafish provide a preclinical model to study learning and memory. OBJECTIVES We investigated the effect of nicotine (NIC) and some new cytisine-derived partial agonists (CC4 and CC26) on spatial memory in zebrafish using a rapid assay on T-maze task. The role of α4/α6β2 and the α7 nAChRs in NIC-induced memory enhancement was evaluated using selective nAChR antagonists. RESULTS Low and high doses of NIC, cytisine (CYT), CC4 and CC26 respectively improved and worsened the mean running time, showing an inverted U dose-response function. The effective dose (ED50) (×10⁻⁵ mg/kg) was 0.4 for CC4, 4.5 for CYT, 140 for NIC and 200 for CC26. NIC-induced cognitive enhancement was reduced by the selective nAChR subtype antagonists: methyllycaconitine (MLA) for α7, α-conotoxin (MII) for α6β2, dihydro-β-erythroidine (DhβE) for α4β2, the nonselective antagonist mecamylamine (MEC) and the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (SCOP), with DhβE being more active than MLA or MII. All the partial agonists blocked the cognitive enhancement. The improvement with the maximal active dose of each partial agonist was blocked by low doses of DhβE (0.001 mg/kg) and MII (0.01 mg/kg). MLA reduced the effects of CC26 and CC4 at doses of 0.01 and 1 mg/kg, respectively, but did not antagonize CYT-induced memory improvement at any of the tested dose. No change in swimming activity was observed. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that zebrafish make a useful model for the rapid screening of the effect of new α4β2 nAChR compounds on spatial memory.
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Cholinergic left-right asymmetry in the habenulo-interpeduncular pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:21171-6. [PMID: 24327734 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1319566110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The habenulo-interpeduncular pathway, a highly conserved cholinergic system, has emerged as a valuable model to study left-right asymmetry in the brain. In larval zebrafish, the bilaterally paired dorsal habenular nuclei (dHb) exhibit prominent left-right differences in their organization, gene expression, and connectivity, but their cholinergic nature was unclear. Through the discovery of a duplicated cholinergic gene locus, we now show that choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter homologs are preferentially expressed in the right dHb of larval zebrafish. Genes encoding the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits α2 and β4 are transcribed in the target interpeduncular nucleus (IPN), suggesting that the asymmetrical cholinergic pathway is functional. To confirm this, we activated channelrhodopsin-2 specifically in the larval dHb and performed whole-cell patch-clamp recording of IPN neurons. The response to optogenetic or electrical stimulation of the right dHb consisted of an initial fast glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic current followed by a slow-rising cholinergic current. In adult zebrafish, the dHb are divided into discrete cholinergic and peptidergic subnuclei that differ in size between the left and right sides of the brain. After exposing adults to nicotine, fos expression was activated in subregions of the IPN enriched for specific nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits. Our studies of the newly identified cholinergic gene locus resolve the neurotransmitter identity of the zebrafish habenular nuclei and reveal functional asymmetry in a major cholinergic neuromodulatory pathway of the vertebrate brain.
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Papke RL, Stokes C, Muldoon P, Imad Damaj M. Similar activity of mecamylamine stereoisomers in vitro and in vivo. Eur J Pharmacol 2013; 720:264-75. [PMID: 24161916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A previous characterization of mecamylamine stereoisomers using nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes revealed only small differences between the activity of the R and S forms of mecamylamine. However, that work was limited in the breadth of receptor subtypes tested, especially in regard to the discrimination of high and low sensitivity receptors, which differ in the ratios of alpha and beta subunits. We report new data using subunit concatamers, which produce uniform populations of high-sensitivity or low-sensitivity receptors, as well as alpha2, alpha5, and alpha6-containing receptors, which were not studied previously. Consistent with previous studies, we found that beta4-containing receptors were most sensitive to mecamylamine and that the IC50 values for the inhibition of net charge were lower than for inhibition of peak currents. No large differences were seen between the activities of the mecamylamine isomers. Additionally, a previously reported potentiation of high-sensitivity α4β2 receptors by S-mecamylamine could not be reproduced in the oocyte system, even with mutants that had greatly reduced sensitivity to mecamylamine inhibition or when the selective agonist TC-2559 was used. In vivo studies suggested that the R-isomer might be somewhat more potent than the S isomer at blocking CNS effects of nicotine. Although the potency difference was no more than a factor of two, it is consistent with lower LD50 estimates previously reported for the R isomer. Our results significantly extend knowledge of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity profile of mecamylamine and support the hypothesis that these effects are not strongly stereoisomer selective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger L Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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Kedikian X, Faillace MP, Bernabeu R. Behavioral and molecular analysis of nicotine-conditioned place preference in zebrafish. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69453. [PMID: 23894483 PMCID: PMC3722213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies using mice and rats have demonstrated that nicotine induces a conditioned place preference (CPP), with more effective results obtained by using biased procedures. Zebrafish have also been used as a model system to identify factors influencing nicotine-associated reward by using an unbiased design. Here, we report that zebrafish exhibited putative nicotine biased CPP to an initially aversive compartment (nicotine-paired group). A counterbalanced nicotine-exposed control group did not show a significant preference shift, providing evidence that the preference shift in the nicotine-paired group was not due to a reduction of aversion for this compartment. Zebrafish preference was corroborated by behavioral analysis of several indicators of drug preference, such as time spent in the drug-paired side, number of entries to the drug-paired side, and distance traveled. These results provided strong evidence that zebrafish may actually develop a preference for nicotine, although the drug was administrated in an aversive place for the fish, which was further supported by molecular studies. Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR analysis depicted a significant increase in the expression of α7 and α6 but not α4 and β2 subunits of the nicotinic receptor in nicotine-paired zebrafish brains. In contrast, zebrafish brains from the counterbalanced nicotine group showed no significant changes. Moreover, CREB phosphorylation, an indicator of neural activity, accompanied the acquisition of nicotine-CPP. Our studies offered an incremental value to the drug addiction field, because they further describe behavioral features of CPP to nicotine in zebrafish. The results suggested that zebrafish exposed to nicotine in an unfriendly environment can develop a preference for that initially aversive place, which is likely due to the rewarding effect of nicotine. Therefore, this model can be used to screen exogenous and endogenous molecules involved in nicotine-associated reward in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Kedikian
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Paula Faillace
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB)- CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ramón Bernabeu
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias (IBCN- CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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