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Abraham E, Hartmann H, Yoshimatsu T, Baden T, Brand M. Restoration of cone-circuit functionality in the regenerating adult zebrafish retina. Dev Cell 2024:S1534-5807(24)00440-4. [PMID: 39096897 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.07.005] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Unlike humans, teleosts like zebrafish exhibit robust retinal regeneration after injury from endogenous stem cells. However, it is unclear if regenerating cone photoreceptors regain physiological function and integrate correctly into post-synaptic circuits. We used two-photon calcium imaging of living adult retina to examine photoreceptor responses before and after light-induced lesions. To assess functional recovery of cones and downstream outer retinal circuits, we exploited color opponency; UV cones exhibit intrinsic Off-response to blue light, but On-response to green light, which depends on feedback signals from outer retinal circuits. Accordingly, we assessed the presence and quality of Off- vs. On-responses and found that regenerated UV cones regain both Off-responses to short-wavelength and On-responses to long-wavelength light within 3 months after lesion. Therefore, physiological circuit functionality is restored in regenerated cone photoreceptors, suggesting that inducing endogenous regeneration is a promising strategy for human retinal repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Abraham
- CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, CMCB, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hella Hartmann
- CMCB - Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Takeshi Yoshimatsu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Michael Brand
- CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, CMCB, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany; CMCB - Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany; PoL - Excellence Cluster Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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2
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Hoshal BD, Holmes CM, Bojanek K, Salisbury J, Berry MJ, Marre O, Palmer SE. Stimulus invariant aspects of the retinal code drive discriminability of natural scenes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.08.552526. [PMID: 37609259 PMCID: PMC10441377 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.08.552526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Everything that the brain sees must first be encoded by the retina, which maintains a reliable representation of the visual world in many different, complex natural scenes while also adapting to stimulus changes. This study quantifies whether and how the brain selectively encodes stimulus features about scene identity in complex naturalistic environments. While a wealth of previous work has dug into the static and dynamic features of the population code in retinal ganglion cells, less is known about how populations form both flexible and reliable encoding in natural moving scenes. We record from the larval salamander retina responding to five different natural movies, over many repeats, and use these data to characterize the population code in terms of single-cell fluctuations in rate and pairwise couplings between cells. Decomposing the population code into independent and cell-cell interactions reveals how broad scene structure is encoded in the retinal output. while the single-cell activity adapts to different stimuli, the population structure captured in the sparse, strong couplings is consistent across natural movies as well as synthetic stimuli. We show that these interactions contribute to encoding scene identity. We also demonstrate that this structure likely arises in part from shared bipolar cell input as well as from gap junctions between retinal ganglion cells and amacrine cells.
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3
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Waalkes MR, Leathery M, Peck M, Barr A, Cunill A, Hageter J, Horstick EJ. Light wavelength modulates search behavior performance in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16533. [PMID: 39019915 PMCID: PMC11255219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67262-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual systems have evolved to discriminate between different wavelengths of light. The ability to perceive color, or specific light wavelengths, is important as color conveys crucial information about both biotic and abiotic features in the environment. Indeed, different wavelengths of light can drive distinct patterns of activity in the vertebrate brain, yet what remains incompletely understood is whether distinct wavelengths can invoke etiologically relevant behavioral changes. To address how specific wavelengths in the visible spectrum modulate behavioral performance, we use larval zebrafish and a stereotypic light-search behavior. Prior work has shown that the cessation of light triggers a transitional light-search behavior, which we use to interrogate wavelength-dependent behavioral modulation. Using 8 narrow spectrum light sources in the visible range, we demonstrate that all wavelengths induce motor parameters consistent with search behavior, yet the magnitude of search behavior is spectrum sensitive and the underlying motor parameters are modulated in distinct patterns across short, medium, and long wavelengths. However, our data also establishes that not all motor features of search are impacted by wavelength. To define how wavelength modulates search performance, we performed additional assays with alternative wavelengths, dual wavelengths, and variable intensity. Last, we also tested blind larvae to resolve which components of wavelength dependent behavioral changes potentially include signaling from non-retinal photoreception. These findings have important implications as organisms can be exposed to varying wavelengths in laboratory and natural settings and therefore impose unique behavioral outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Waalkes
- Department of Biology Morgantown, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Maegan Leathery
- Department of Biology Morgantown, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Madeline Peck
- Department of Biology Morgantown, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Allison Barr
- Department of Biology Morgantown, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Alexander Cunill
- Department of Biology Morgantown, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - John Hageter
- Department of Biology Morgantown, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Eric J Horstick
- Department of Biology Morgantown, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience Morgantown, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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4
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Hellevik AM, Mardoum P, Hahn J, Kölsch Y, D'Orazi FD, Suzuki SC, Godinho L, Lawrence O, Rieke F, Shekhar K, Sanes JR, Baier H, Baden T, Wong RO, Yoshimatsu T. Ancient origin of the rod bipolar cell pathway in the vertebrate retina. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1165-1179. [PMID: 38627529 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02404-w] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
Vertebrates rely on rod photoreceptors for vision in low-light conditions. The specialized downstream circuit for rod signalling, called the primary rod pathway, is well characterized in mammals, but circuitry for rod signalling in non-mammals is largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that the mammalian primary rod pathway is conserved in zebrafish, which diverged from extant mammals ~400 million years ago. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified two bipolar cell types in zebrafish that are related to mammalian rod bipolar cell (RBCs), the only bipolar type that directly carries rod signals from the outer to the inner retina in the primary rod pathway. By combining electrophysiology, histology and ultrastructural reconstruction of the zebrafish RBCs, we found that, similar to mammalian RBCs, both zebrafish RBC types connect with all rods in their dendritic territory and provide output largely onto amacrine cells. The wiring pattern of the amacrine cells postsynaptic to one RBC type is strikingly similar to that of mammalian RBCs and their amacrine partners, suggesting that the cell types and circuit design of the primary rod pathway emerged before the divergence of teleost fish and mammals. The second RBC type, which forms separate pathways, was either lost in mammals or emerged in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayana M Hellevik
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Philip Mardoum
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joshua Hahn
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute; Vision Sciences Graduate Program; California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California Berkley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Yvonne Kölsch
- Department Genes - Circuits - Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Florence D D'Orazi
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sachihiro C Suzuki
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Leanne Godinho
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Owen Lawrence
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Fred Rieke
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Vision Science Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karthik Shekhar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute; Vision Sciences Graduate Program; California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California Berkley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joshua R Sanes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Herwig Baier
- Department Genes - Circuits - Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rachel O Wong
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Takeshi Yoshimatsu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
- BioRTC, Yobe State University, Damatsuru, Yobe, Nigeria.
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5
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Baden T. The vertebrate retina: a window into the evolution of computation in the brain. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2024; 57:None. [PMID: 38899158 PMCID: PMC11183302 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2024.101391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Animal brains are probably the most complex computational machines on our planet, and like everything in biology, they are the product of evolution. Advances in developmental and palaeobiology have been expanding our general understanding of how nervous systems can change at a molecular and structural level. However, how these changes translate into altered function - that is, into 'computation' - remains comparatively sparsely explored. What, concretely, does it mean for neuronal computation when neurons change their morphology and connectivity, when new neurons appear or old ones disappear, or when transmitter systems are slowly modified over many generations? And how does evolution use these many possible knobs and dials to constantly tune computation to give rise to the amazing diversity in animal behaviours we see today? Addressing these major gaps of understanding benefits from choosing a suitable model system. Here, I present the vertebrate retina as one perhaps unusually promising candidate. The retina is ancient and displays highly conserved core organisational principles across the entire vertebrate lineage, alongside a myriad of adjustments across extant species that were shaped by the history of their visual ecology. Moreover, the computational logic of the retina is readily interrogated experimentally, and our existing understanding of retinal circuits in a handful of species can serve as an anchor when exploring the visual circuit adaptations across the entire vertebrate tree of life, from fish deep in the aphotic zone of the oceans to eagles soaring high up in the sky.
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6
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Franke K, Cai C, Ponder K, Fu J, Sokoloski S, Berens P, Tolias AS. Asymmetric distribution of color-opponent response types across mouse visual cortex supports superior color vision in the sky. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.01.543054. [PMID: 37333280 PMCID: PMC10274736 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.01.543054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Color is an important visual feature that informs behavior, and the retinal basis for color vision has been studied across various vertebrate species. While many studies have investigated how color information is processed in visual brain areas of primate species, we have limited understanding of how it is organized beyond the retina in other species, including most dichromatic mammals. In this study, we systematically characterized how color is represented in the primary visual cortex (V1) of mice. Using large-scale neuronal recordings and a luminance and color noise stimulus, we found that more than a third of neurons in mouse V1 are color-opponent in their receptive field center, while the receptive field surround predominantly captures luminance contrast. Furthermore, we found that color-opponency is especially pronounced in posterior V1 that encodes the sky, matching the statistics of natural scenes experienced by mice. Using unsupervised clustering, we demonstrate that the asymmetry in color representations across cortex can be explained by an uneven distribution of green-On/UV-Off color-opponent response types that are represented in the upper visual field. Finally, a simple model with natural scene-inspired parametric stimuli shows that green-On/UV-Off color-opponent response types may enhance the detection of "predatory"-like dark UV-objects in noisy daylight scenes. The results from this study highlight the relevance of color processing in the mouse visual system and contribute to our understanding of how color information is organized in the visual hierarchy across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Franke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, US
- Stanford Bio-X, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, US
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, US
- Department of Neuroscience & Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chenchen Cai
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience, International Max Planck Research School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kayla Ponder
- Department of Neuroscience & Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jiakun Fu
- Department of Neuroscience & Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sacha Sokoloski
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for AI in Brain Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Berens
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for AI in Brain Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas S Tolias
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, US
- Stanford Bio-X, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, US
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, US
- Department of Neuroscience & Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, US
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7
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Mitchell LJ, Phelan A, Cortesi F, Marshall NJ, Chung WS, Osorio DC, Cheney KL. Ultraviolet vision in anemonefish improves colour discrimination. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247425. [PMID: 38586934 PMCID: PMC11057877 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
In many animals, ultraviolet (UV) vision guides navigation, foraging, and communication, but few studies have addressed the contribution of UV signals to colour vision, or measured UV discrimination thresholds using behavioural experiments. Here, we tested UV colour vision in an anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) using a five-channel (RGB-V-UV) LED display. We first determined that the maximal sensitivity of the A. ocellaris UV cone was ∼386 nm using microspectrophotometry. Three additional cone spectral sensitivities had maxima at ∼497, 515 and ∼535 nm. We then behaviourally measured colour discrimination thresholds by training anemonefish to distinguish a coloured target pixel from grey distractor pixels of varying intensity. Thresholds were calculated for nine sets of colours with and without UV signals. Using a tetrachromatic vision model, we found that anemonefish were better (i.e. discrimination thresholds were lower) at discriminating colours when target pixels had higher UV chromatic contrast. These colours caused a greater stimulation of the UV cone relative to other cone types. These findings imply that a UV component of colour signals and cues improves their detectability, which likely increases the prominence of anemonefish body patterns for communication and the silhouette of zooplankton prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie J. Mitchell
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Amelia Phelan
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Fabio Cortesi
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - N. Justin Marshall
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Wen-sung Chung
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel C. Osorio
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Karen L. Cheney
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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8
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Ozubko JD, Campbell M, Verhayden A, Demetri B, Brady M, Sivashankar Y, Brunec I. Hippocampal Signal Complexity and Rate-of-Change Predict Navigational Performance: Evidence from a Two-Week VR Training Program. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.27.587026. [PMID: 38585763 PMCID: PMC10996673 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.27.587026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The hippocampus is believed to be an important region for spatial navigation, helping to represent the environment and plan routes. Evidence from rodents has suggested that the hippocampus processes information in a graded manner along its long-axis, with anterior regions encoding coarse information and posterior regions encoding fine-grained information. Brunec et al. (2018) demonstrated similar patterns in humans in a navigation paradigm, showing that the anterior-posterior gradient in representational granularity and the rate of signal change exist in the human hippocampus. However, the stability of these signals and their relationship to navigational performance remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a two-week training program where participants learned to navigate through a novel city environment. We investigated inter-voxel similarity (IVS) and temporal auto-correlation hippocampal signals, measures of representational granularity and signal change, respectively. Specifically, we investigated how these signals were influenced by navigational ability (i.e., stronger vs. weaker spatial learners), training session, and navigational dynamics. Our results revealed that stronger learners exhibited a clear anterior-posterior distinction in IVS in the right hippocampus, while weaker learners showed less pronounced distinctions. Additionally, lower general IVS levels in the hippocampus were linked to better early learning. Successful navigation was characterized by faster signal change, particularly in the anterior hippocampus, whereas failed navigation lacked the anterior-posterior distinction in signal change. These findings suggest that signal complexity and signal change in the hippocampus are important factors for successful navigation, with IVS representing information organization and auto-correlation reflecting moment-to-moment updating. These findings support the idea that efficient organization of scales of representation in an environment may be necessary for efficient navigation itself. Understanding the dynamics of these neural signals provides insights into the mechanisms underlying navigational learning in humans.
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9
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de Malmazet D, Kühn NK, Li C, Farrow K. Retinal origin of orientation but not direction selective maps in the superior colliculus. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1222-1233.e7. [PMID: 38417446 PMCID: PMC10980837 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Neurons in the mouse superior colliculus ("colliculus") are arranged in ordered spatial maps. While orientation-selective (OS) neurons form a concentric map aligned to the center of vision, direction-selective (DS) neurons are arranged in patches with changing preferences across the visual field. It remains unclear whether these maps are a consequence of feedforward input from the retina or local computations in the colliculus. To determine whether these maps originate in the retina, we mapped the local and global distribution of OS and DS retinal ganglion cell axon boutons using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging. We found that OS boutons formed patches that matched the distribution of OS neurons within the colliculus. DS boutons displayed fewer regional specializations, better reflecting the organization of DS neurons in the retina. Both eyes convey similar orientation but different DS inputs to the colliculus, as shown in recordings from retinal explants. These data demonstrate that orientation and direction maps within the colliculus are independent, where orientation maps are likely inherited from the retina, but direction maps require additional computations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel de Malmazet
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Leuven 3001, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven 3000, Belgium; MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Norma K Kühn
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Leuven 3001, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven 3000, Belgium; VIB, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Chen Li
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Leuven 3001, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Karl Farrow
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Leuven 3001, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven 3000, Belgium; VIB, Leuven 3001, Belgium; imec, Leuven 3001, Belgium.
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10
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Khan B, Lazarte IP, Jaesiri OM, Zhao P, Semmelhack JL. Protocol for using UV stimuli to evoke prey capture strikes in head-fixed zebrafish larvae. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102780. [PMID: 38117657 PMCID: PMC10772384 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hunting in larval zebrafish begins with eye convergence and orienting turns, proceeds to approach swims, and ends with the strike, where larvae consume the prey. Here, we describe a protocol to present UV stimuli to zebrafish, which greatly increases the occurrence of hunting initiation and strikes. We also describe how we record and analyze strike behavior in head-fixed larvae. Our goals are to increase the robustness of prey capture and to allow other labs to implement the strike behavioral assay. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Khan et al. (2023).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswadeep Khan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China.
| | - Ivan P Lazarte
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - On-Mongkol Jaesiri
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Peixiong Zhao
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Julie L Semmelhack
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China; Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China.
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11
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Baden T. Ancestral photoreceptor diversity as the basis of visual behaviour. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:374-386. [PMID: 38253752 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02291-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Animal colour vision is based on comparing signals from different photoreceptors. It is generally assumed that processing different spectral types of photoreceptor mainly serves colour vision. Here I propose instead that photoreceptors are parallel feature channels that differentially support visual-motor programmes like motion vision behaviours, prey capture and predator evasion. Colour vision may have emerged as a secondary benefit of these circuits, which originally helped aquatic vertebrates to visually navigate and segment their underwater world. Specifically, I suggest that ancestral vertebrate vision was built around three main systems, including a high-resolution general purpose greyscale system based on ancestral red cones and rods to mediate visual body stabilization and navigation, a high-sensitivity specialized foreground system based on ancestral ultraviolet cones to mediate threat detection and prey capture, and a net-suppressive system based on ancestral green and blue cones for regulating red/rod and ultraviolet circuits. This ancestral strategy probably still underpins vision today, and different vertebrate lineages have since adapted their original photoreceptor circuits to suit their diverse visual ecologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Baden
- University of Sussex, Sussex Neuroscience, Sussex Center for Sensory Neuroscience and Computation, Brighton, UK.
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12
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Hemingson CR, Cowman PF, Bellwood DR. Analysing biological colour patterns from digital images: An introduction to the current toolbox. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11045. [PMID: 38500859 PMCID: PMC10945235 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the numerous roles that colouration serves in the natural world has remained a central focus in many evolutionary and ecological studies. However, to accurately characterise and then compare colours or patterns among individuals or species has been historically challenging. In recent years, there have been a myriad of new resources developed that allow researchers to characterise biological colours and patterns, specifically from digital imagery. However, each resource has its own strengths and weaknesses, answers a specific question and requires a detailed understanding of how it functions to be used properly. These nuances can make navigating this emerging field rather difficult. Herein, we evaluate several new techniques for analysing biological colouration, with a specific focus on digital images. First, we introduce fundamental background knowledge about light and perception to be considered when designing and implementing a study of colouration. We then show how numerous modifications can be made to images to ensure consistent formatting prior to analysis. After, we describe many of the new image analysis approaches and their respective functions, highlighting the type of research questions that they can address. We demonstrate how these various techniques can be brought together to examine novel research questions and test specific hypotheses. Finally, we outline potential future directions in colour pattern studies. Our goal is to provide a starting point and pathway for researchers wanting to study biological colour patterns from digital imagery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Hemingson
- The Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem FunctionsJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Peter F. Cowman
- Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum TropicsTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - David R. Bellwood
- The Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem FunctionsJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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13
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Cornean J, Molina-Obando S, Gür B, Bast A, Ramos-Traslosheros G, Chojetzki J, Lörsch L, Ioannidou M, Taneja R, Schnaitmann C, Silies M. Heterogeneity of synaptic connectivity in the fly visual system. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1570. [PMID: 38383614 PMCID: PMC10882054 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45971-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual systems are homogeneous structures, where repeating columnar units retinotopically cover the visual field. Each of these columns contain many of the same neuron types that are distinguished by anatomic, genetic and - generally - by functional properties. However, there are exceptions to this rule. In the 800 columns of the Drosophila eye, there is an anatomically and genetically identifiable cell type with variable functional properties, Tm9. Since anatomical connectivity shapes functional neuronal properties, we identified the presynaptic inputs of several hundred Tm9s across both optic lobes using the full adult female fly brain (FAFB) electron microscopic dataset and FlyWire connectome. Our work shows that Tm9 has three major and many sparsely distributed inputs. This differs from the presynaptic connectivity of other Tm neurons, which have only one major, and more stereotypic inputs than Tm9. Genetic synapse labeling showed that the heterogeneous wiring exists across individuals. Together, our data argue that the visual system uses heterogeneous, distributed circuit properties to achieve robust visual processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Cornean
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Molina-Obando
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Burak Gür
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Annika Bast
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Giordano Ramos-Traslosheros
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jonas Chojetzki
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lena Lörsch
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Ioannidou
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rachita Taneja
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christopher Schnaitmann
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marion Silies
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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14
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Zeil J. Views from 'crabworld': the spatial distribution of light in a tropical mudflat. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2023; 209:859-876. [PMID: 37460846 PMCID: PMC10643439 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-023-01653-7] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Natural scene analysis has been extensively used to understand how the invariant structure of the visual environment may have shaped biological image processing strategies. This paper deals with four crucial, but hitherto largely neglected aspects of natural scenes: (1) the viewpoint of specific animals; (2) the fact that image statistics are not independent of the position within the visual field; (3) the influence of the direction of illumination on luminance, spectral and polarization contrast in a scene; and (4) the biologically relevant information content of natural scenes. To address these issues, I recorded the spatial distribution of light in a tropical mudflat with a spectrographic imager equipped with a polarizing filter in an attempt to describe quantitatively the visual environment of fiddler crabs. The environment viewed by the crabs has a distinct structure. Depending on the position of the sun, the luminance, the spectral composition, and the polarization characteristics of horizontal light distribution are not uniform. This is true for both skylight and for reflections from the mudflat surface. The high-contrast feature of the line of horizon dominates the vertical distribution of light and is a discontinuity in terms of luminance, spectral distribution and of image statistics. On a clear day, skylight intensity increases towards the horizon due to multiple scattering, and its spectral composition increasingly resembles that of sunlight. Sky-substratum contrast is highest at short wavelengths. I discuss the consequences of this extreme example of the topography of vision for extracting biologically relevant information from natural scenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Zeil
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, P.O. Box 475, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
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15
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Hellevik AM, Mardoum P, Hahn J, Kölsch Y, D’Orazi FD, Suzuki SC, Godinho L, Lawrence O, Rieke F, Shekhar K, Sanes JR, Baier H, Baden T, Wong RO, Yoshimatsu T. Ancient origin of the rod bipolar cell pathway in the vertebrate retina. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.12.557433. [PMID: 37771914 PMCID: PMC10525478 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrates rely on rod photoreceptors for vision in low-light conditions1. Mammals have a specialized downstream circuit for rod signaling called the primary rod pathway, which comprises specific cell types and wiring patterns that are thought to be unique to this lineage2-6. Thus, it has been long assumed that the primary rod pathway evolved in mammals3,5-7. Here, we challenge this view by demonstrating that the mammalian primary rod pathway is conserved in zebrafish, which diverged from extant mammals ~400 million years ago. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we identified two bipolar cell (BC) types in zebrafish that are related to mammalian rod BCs (RBCs) of the primary rod pathway. By combining electrophysiology, histology, and ultrastructural reconstruction of the zebrafish RBCs, we found that, like mammalian RBCs8, both zebrafish RBC types connect with all rods and red-cones in their dendritic territory, and provide output largely onto amacrine cells. The wiring pattern of the amacrine cells post-synaptic to one RBC type is strikingly similar to that of mammalian RBCs. This suggests that the cell types and circuit design of the primary rod pathway may have emerged before the divergence of teleost fish and amniotes (mammals, bird, reptiles). The second RBC type in zebrafish, which forms separate pathways from the first RBC type, is either lost in mammals or emerged in fish to serve yet unknown roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayana M Hellevik
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Philip Mardoum
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Joshua Hahn
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute; Vision Sciences Graduate Program; California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California Berkley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yvonne Kölsch
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Department Genes – Circuits – Behavior, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Florence D D’Orazi
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sachihiro C. Suzuki
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Leanne Godinho
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technische Universität München, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Owen Lawrence
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Fred Rieke
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Vision Science Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Karthik Shekhar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute; Vision Sciences Graduate Program; California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California Berkley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Joshua R Sanes
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Herwig Baier
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Department Genes – Circuits – Behavior, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Rachel O Wong
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Takeshi Yoshimatsu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
- BioRTC, Yobe State University, Damatsuru, Yobe 620101, Nigeria
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16
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Lu K, Liang XF, Tang SL, Wu J, Zhang L, Wang Y, Chai F. Role of short-wave-sensitive 1 (sws1) in cone development and first feeding in larval zebrafish. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2023; 49:801-813. [PMID: 37495865 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-023-01213-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Color vision is mediated by the expression of different major visual pigment proteins (opsins) on retinal photoreceptors. Vertebrates have four classes of cone opsins that are most sensitive to different wavelengths of light: short wavelength sensitive 1 (SWS1), short wavelength sensitive 2 (SWS2), medium wavelength sensitive (RH2), and long wavelength sensitive (LWS). UV wavelengths play important roles in foraging and communication. However, direct evidence provide links between sws1 and first feeding is lacking. Here, CRISPR/Cas9 technology was performed to generate mutant zebrafish lines with sws1 deletion. sws1 mutant zebrafish larvae exhibited decreased sws1, rh2-2, and lws1 expression, and increased rod gene (rho and gnat1) expression. Furthermore, the sws1-deficient larvae exhibited significantly reduced food intake, and the orexigenic genes npy and agrp signaling were upregulated at 6 days postfertilization (dpf). The transcription expression of sws1 and rh2-3 genes decreased in sws1-/- adults compared to wild type. Surprisingly, the results of feeding at the adult stage were not the same with larvae. sws1 deficiency did not affect food intake and appetite gene expression at adult stages. These results reveal a role for sws1 in normal cone development and first feeding in larval zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Lu
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xu-Fang Liang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Shu-Lin Tang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jiaqi Wu
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuye Wang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Farui Chai
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430070, China
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17
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Seifert M, Roberts PA, Kafetzis G, Osorio D, Baden T. Birds multiplex spectral and temporal visual information via retinal On- and Off-channels. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5308. [PMID: 37652912 PMCID: PMC10471707 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41032-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrate vision, early retinal circuits divide incoming visual information into functionally opposite elementary signals: On and Off, transient and sustained, chromatic and achromatic. Together these signals can yield an efficient representation of the scene for transmission to the brain via the optic nerve. However, this long-standing interpretation of retinal function is based on mammals, and it is unclear whether this functional arrangement is common to all vertebrates. Here we show that male poultry chicks use a fundamentally different strategy to communicate information from the eye to the brain. Rather than using functionally opposite pairs of retinal output channels, chicks encode the polarity, timing, and spectral composition of visual stimuli in a highly correlated manner: fast achromatic information is encoded by Off-circuits, and slow chromatic information overwhelmingly by On-circuits. Moreover, most retinal output channels combine On- and Off-circuits to simultaneously encode, or multiplex, both achromatic and chromatic information. Our results from birds conform to evidence from fish, amphibians, and reptiles which retain the full ancestral complement of four spectral types of cone photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Seifert
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
| | - Paul A Roberts
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Daniel Osorio
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
| | - Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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18
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Khan B, Jaesiri OM, Lazarte IP, Li Y, Tian G, Zhao P, Zhao Y, Ho VD, Semmelhack JL. Zebrafish larvae use stimulus intensity and contrast to estimate distance to prey. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3179-3191.e4. [PMID: 37437573 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to determine the distance to objects is an important feature of most visual systems, but little is known about the neuronal mechanisms for distance estimation. Larval zebrafish execute different visual behaviors depending on distance; at medium distances, they converge their eyes and approach, but when the prey is close enough, they execute a strike and suck the prey into their mouths. To study distance estimation, we developed a head-fixed strike assay. We found that we could evoke strike behavior in head-fixed larvae and quantify head movements to classify the behavior as a strike. Strikes were dependent on distance to prey, allowing us to use them to study distance estimation. Light intensity is rapidly attenuated as it travels through water, so we hypothesized that larvae could use intensity as a distance cue. We found that increasing stimulus intensity could cause larvae to strike at prey that would normally be out of range, and decreasing the intensity could lower the strike rate even for very proximal stimuli. In addition, stimulus contrast is a key parameter, and this could allow larvae to estimate distance over the range of natural illumination. Finally, we presented prey in the binocular vs. monocular visual field and found that monocular prey did evoke strikes, although the binocular input produced more. These results suggest that strike behavior is optimally evoked by bright UV dots in the binocular zone with minimal UV background light and provide a foundation to study the neuronal mechanisms of distance estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswadeep Khan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - On-Mongkol Jaesiri
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ivan P Lazarte
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Gilbert Building, 371 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Guangnan Tian
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Peixiong Zhao
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yicheng Zhao
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Viet Duc Ho
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Julie L Semmelhack
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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19
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Cai LT, Krishna VS, Hladnik TC, Guilbeault NC, Vijayakumar C, Arunachalam M, Juntti SA, Arrenberg AB, Thiele TR, Cooper EA. Spatiotemporal visual statistics of aquatic environments in the natural habitats of zebrafish. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12028. [PMID: 37491571 PMCID: PMC10368656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36099-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal sensory systems are tightly adapted to the demands of their environment. In the visual domain, research has shown that many species have circuits and systems that exploit statistical regularities in natural visual signals. The zebrafish is a popular model animal in visual neuroscience, but relatively little quantitative data is available about the visual properties of the aquatic habitats where zebrafish reside, as compared to terrestrial environments. Improving our understanding of the visual demands of the aquatic habitats of zebrafish can enhance the insights about sensory neuroscience yielded by this model system. We analyzed a video dataset of zebrafish habitats captured by a stationary camera and compared this dataset to videos of terrestrial scenes in the same geographic area. Our analysis of the spatiotemporal structure in these videos suggests that zebrafish habitats are characterized by low visual contrast and strong motion when compared to terrestrial environments. Similar to terrestrial environments, zebrafish habitats tended to be dominated by dark contrasts, particularly in the lower visual field. We discuss how these properties of the visual environment can inform the study of zebrafish visual behavior and neural processing and, by extension, can inform our understanding of the vertebrate brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanya T Cai
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Venkatesh S Krishna
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada
| | - Tim C Hladnik
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre for Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicholas C Guilbeault
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Chinnian Vijayakumar
- Department of Zoology, Department of Zoology, St. Andrew's College, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Muthukumarasamy Arunachalam
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India
- Centre for Inland Fishes and Conservation, St. Andrew's College, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Scott A Juntti
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Aristides B Arrenberg
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tod R Thiele
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada.
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Emily A Cooper
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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20
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Christenson MP, Díez ÁS, Heath SL, Saavedra-Weisenhaus M, Adachi A, Abbott LF, Behnia R. Hue selectivity from recurrent circuitry in Drosophila. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.12.548573. [PMID: 37502934 PMCID: PMC10369983 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.12.548573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
A universal principle of sensory perception is the progressive transformation of sensory information from broad non-specific signals to stimulus-selective signals that form the basis of perception. To perceive color, our brains must transform the wavelengths of light reflected off objects into the derived quantities of brightness, saturation and hue. Neurons responding selectively to hue have been reported in primate cortex, but it is unknown how their narrow tuning in color space is produced by upstream circuit mechanisms. To enable circuit level analysis of color perception, we here report the discovery of neurons in the Drosophila optic lobe with hue selective properties. Using the connectivity graph of the fly brain, we construct a connectomics-constrained circuit model that accounts for this hue selectivity. Unexpectedly, our model predicts that recurrent connections in the circuit are critical for hue selectivity. Experiments using genetic manipulations to perturb recurrence in adult flies confirms this prediction. Our findings reveal the circuit basis for hue selectivity in color vision.
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21
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Xia J, Gu L, Pan Q. The landscape of basic gene therapy approaches in inherited retinal dystrophies. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 3:1193595. [PMID: 38983091 PMCID: PMC11182181 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1193595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The study of gene therapies has been of particular interest in recent decades due to their promising potential to slow or even rescue the degeneration of the retina in inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). Here, we review the current approaches to gene therapy trials on IRDs, including the selection of animal models, therapeutic window, vectors and dosages. Mice are typically the first choice of animal models and recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) of serotype 8 is the most common vector for loss-of-function IRDs. Furthermore, the therapeutic window should be considered to ensure efficacy before retinal degeneration occurs if possible, and dosages must be tailored to each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qing Pan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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22
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Wang Y, Yin N, Yang R, Faiola F. Pollution effects on retinal health: A review on current methodologies and findings. Toxicol Ind Health 2023; 39:336-344. [PMID: 37160417 DOI: 10.1177/07482337231174072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In our daily life, we are exposed to numerous industrial chemicals that may be harmful to the retina, which is a delicate and sensitive part of our eyes. This could lead to irreversible changes and cause retinal diseases or blindness. Current retinal environmental health studies primarily utilize animal models, isolated mammalian retinas, animal- or human-derived retinal cells, and retinal organoids, to address both pre- and postnatal exposure. However, as there is limited toxicological information available for specific populations, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-induced models could be effective tools to supplement such data. In order to obtain more comprehensive and reliable toxicological information, we need more appropriate models, novel evaluation methods, and computational technologies to develop portable equipment. This review mainly focused on current toxicology models with particular emphasis on retinal organoids, and it looks forward to future models, analytical methods, and equipment that can efficiently and accurately evaluate retinal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nuoya Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Renjun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Francesco Faiola
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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23
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Abu Bakar N, Wan Ibrahim WN, Zulkiflli AR, Saleh Hodin NA, Kim TY, Ling YS, Md Ajat MM, Shaari K, Shohaimi S, Nasruddin NS, Mohd Faudzi SM, Kim CH. Embryonic mercury exposure in zebrafish: Alteration of metabolites and gene expression, related to visual and behavioral impairments. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 256:114862. [PMID: 37004432 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The widespread presence of mercury, a heavy metal found in the environment and used in numerous industries and domestic, raises concerns about its potential impact on human health. Nevertheless, the adverse effects of this environmental toxicant at low concentrations are often underestimated. There are emerging studies showing that accumulation of mercury in the eye may contribute to visual impairment and a comorbidity between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) trait and visual impairment. However, the underlying mechanism of visual impairment in humans and rodents is challenging. In response to this issue, zebrafish larvae with a cone-dominated retinal visual system were exposed to 100 nM mercury chloride (HgCl2), according to our previous study, followed by light-dark stimulation, a social assay, and color preference to examine the functionality of the visual system in relation to ASD-like behavior. Exposure of embryos to HgCl2 from gastrulation to hatching increased locomotor activity in the dark, reduced shoaling and exploratory behavior, and impaired color preference. Defects in microridges as the first barrier may serve as primary tools for HgCl2 toxicity affecting vision. Depletion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid, arachidonic acid (ARA), alpha-linoleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), stearic acid, L-phenylalanine, isoleucine, L-lysine, and N-acetylputrescine, along with the increase of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), sphingosine-1-phosphate, and citrulline assayed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) suggest that these metabolites serve as biomarkers of retinal impairments that affect vision and behavior. Although suppression of adsl, shank3a, tsc1b, and nrxn1a gene expression was observed, among these tsc1b showed more positive correlation with ASD. Collectively, these results contribute new insights into the possible mechanism of mercury toxicity give rise to visual, cognitive, and social deficits in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Abu Bakar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wan Norhamidah Wan Ibrahim
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Rahman Zulkiflli
- Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nur Atikah Saleh Hodin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tae-Yoon Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Yee Soon Ling
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Mokrish Md Ajat
- Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Malaysia
| | - Khozirah Shaari
- Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shamarina Shohaimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurrul Shaqinah Nasruddin
- Centre for Craniofacial Diagnostics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Munirah Mohd Faudzi
- Natural Medicines and Product Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
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24
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Quint WH, van Buuren R, Kokke NCCJ, Meester-Smoor MA, Willemsen R, Broersma R, Iglesias AI, Lucassen M, Klaver CCW. Exposure to cyan or red light inhibits the axial growth of zebrafish eyes. Exp Eye Res 2023; 230:109437. [PMID: 36924981 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common type of refractive error and is characterized by a mismatch between the optical power and ocular axial length. Light, and more specifically the spectral composition of light, has been known to influence myopic axial growth. In this pilot study, we exposed zebrafish to illuminations that vary in spectral composition and screened for changes in axial length. The illumination spectra included narrow band ultra-violet A (UVA) (peak wavelength 369 nm), violet (425 nm), cyan (483 nm), green/yellow (557 nm), and red (633 nm) light, as well as broad band white light (2700 K and 6500 K), dim white light and broad spectrum (day) light. We found that rearing zebrafish in cyan or red light leads to a reduction of the ocular axial length. The results of this pilot study may contribute to new perspectives on the role of light and lighting as an intervention strategy for myopia control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim H Quint
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Renee van Buuren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nina C C J Kokke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Magda A Meester-Smoor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rémy Broersma
- Signify Research, Signify, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Adriana I Iglesias
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Caroline C W Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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25
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Wang X, Roberts PA, Yoshimatsu T, Lagnado L, Baden T. Amacrine cells differentially balance zebrafish color circuits in the central and peripheral retina. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112055. [PMID: 36757846 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate inner retina is driven by photoreceptors whose outputs are already pre-processed; in zebrafish, outer retinal circuits split "color" from "grayscale" information across four cone-photoreceptor types. It remains unclear how the inner retina processes incoming spectral information while also combining cone signals to shape grayscale functions. We address this question by imaging the light-driven responses of amacrine cells (ACs) and bipolar cells (BCs) in larval zebrafish in the presence and pharmacological absence of inner retinal inhibition. We find that ACs enhance opponency in some bipolar cells while at the same time suppressing pre-existing opponency in others, so that, depending on the retinal region, the net change in the number of color-opponent units is essentially zero. To achieve this "dynamic balance," ACs counteract intrinsic color opponency of BCs via the On channel. Consistent with these observations, Off-stratifying ACs are exclusively achromatic, while all color-opponent ACs stratify in the On sublamina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Paul A Roberts
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Takeshi Yoshimatsu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Leon Lagnado
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK; Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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26
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Kugler E, Bravo I, Durmishi X, Marcotti S, Beqiri S, Carrington A, Stramer B, Mattar P, MacDonald RB. GliaMorph: a modular image analysis toolkit to quantify Müller glial cell morphology. Development 2023; 150:dev201008. [PMID: 36625162 PMCID: PMC10110500 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201008] [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: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cell morphology is crucial for all cell functions. This is particularly true for glial cells as they rely on complex shape to contact and support neurons. However, methods to quantify complex glial cell shape accurately and reproducibly are lacking. To address this, we developed the image analysis pipeline 'GliaMorph'. GliaMorph is a modular analysis toolkit developed to perform (1) image pre-processing, (2) semi-automatic region-of-interest selection, (3) apicobasal texture analysis, (4) glia segmentation, and (5) cell feature quantification. Müller glia (MG) have a stereotypic shape linked to their maturation and physiological status. Here, we characterized MG on three levels: (1) global image-level, (2) apicobasal texture, and (3) regional apicobasal vertical-to-horizontal alignment. Using GliaMorph, we quantified MG development on a global and single-cell level, showing increased feature elaboration and subcellular morphological rearrangement in the zebrafish retina. As proof of principle, we analysed expression changes in a mouse glaucoma model, identifying subcellular protein localization changes in MG. Together, these data demonstrate that GliaMorph enables an in-depth understanding of MG morphology in the developing and diseased retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kugler
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Isabel Bravo
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Xhuljana Durmishi
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Stefania Marcotti
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Sara Beqiri
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Alicia Carrington
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Brian Stramer
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Pierre Mattar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Ryan B. MacDonald
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
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27
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Zhu SI, Goodhill GJ. From perception to behavior: The neural circuits underlying prey hunting in larval zebrafish. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1087993. [PMID: 36817645 PMCID: PMC9928868 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1087993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A key challenge for neural systems is to extract relevant information from the environment and make appropriate behavioral responses. The larval zebrafish offers an exciting opportunity for studying these sensing processes and sensory-motor transformations. Prey hunting is an instinctual behavior of zebrafish that requires the brain to extract and combine different attributes of the sensory input and form appropriate motor outputs. Due to its small size and transparency the larval zebrafish brain allows optical recording of whole-brain activity to reveal the neural mechanisms involved in prey hunting and capture. In this review we discuss how the larval zebrafish brain processes visual information to identify and locate prey, the neural circuits governing the generation of motor commands in response to prey, how hunting behavior can be modulated by internal states and experience, and some outstanding questions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu I. Zhu
- Departments of Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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28
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Park JS, Wei X. Size variations in synaptic terminals among different types of photoreceptors and across the zebrafish retina. Exp Eye Res 2023; 227:109377. [PMID: 36587757 PMCID: PMC9918681 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptor synaptic terminals are responsible for transmitting visual information to downstream neurons. In vertebrate retinas, photoreceptor synaptic terminals are of different sizes and structures. The molecular mechanisms that underlie photoreceptor synaptic development are not clearly understood. Here, we have systematically examined the size variations in the synaptic terminals of cone and rod photoreceptors in the adult zebrafish retina. We reveal that the average cone pedicle sizes expand in the order of UV, blue, green, and red cones, echoing the increasing maximally sensitive wavelengths of the opsins expressed in the corresponding cone types. In addition, rod spherules are smaller than all cone pedicles. The terminals of each photoreceptor type also display distinct regional variations across the retina and between males and females. These findings establish the basis for using the zebrafish retina to study the molecular mechanisms that regulate the sizes and structures of photoreceptor terminals for proper visual functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Su Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, 15213, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiangyun Wei
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, 15213, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, 15213, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, 15213, Pennsylvania, USA.
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29
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Sainsbury TTJ, Diana G, Meyer MP. Topographically Localized Modulation of Tectal Cell Spatial Tuning by Complex Natural Scenes. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0223-22.2022. [PMID: 36543538 PMCID: PMC9833049 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0223-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The tuning properties of neurons in the visual system can be contextually modulated by the statistics of the area surrounding their receptive field (RF), particularly when the surround contains natural features. However, stimuli presented in specific egocentric locations may have greater behavioral relevance, raising the possibility that the extent of contextual modulation may vary with position in visual space. To explore this possibility, we utilized the small size and optical transparency of the larval zebrafish to describe the form and spatial arrangement of contextually modulated cells throughout an entire tectal hemisphere. We found that the spatial tuning of tectal neurons to a prey-like stimulus sharpens when the stimulus is presented against a background with the statistics of complex natural scenes, relative to a featureless background. These neurons are confined to a spatially restricted region of the tectum and have receptive fields centered within a region of visual space in which the presence of prey preferentially triggers hunting behavior. Our results suggest that contextual modulation of tectal neurons by complex backgrounds may facilitate prey-localization in cluttered visual environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas T J Sainsbury
- The Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, SE1 1UL
| | - Giovanni Diana
- The Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, SE1 1UL
- Insitut Pasteur, University of Paris, Paris, France, 75015
- Sampled Analytics, Arcueil, France, 94110
| | - Martin P Meyer
- The Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, SE1 1UL
- Lundbeck Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2100
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30
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Luo W, Zhang S, Wang T, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Chen P, Guo Z, Xiong Y, Xu Z, Jiang J, Yang S, Yang S, Du Z. The background adaptation of the skin color in the loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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31
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Qiu L, Wei S, Yang Y, Zhang R, Ru S, Zhang X. Mechanism of bisphenol S exposure on color sensitivity of zebrafish larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120670. [PMID: 36395908 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120670] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Color vision, initiated from cone cells, is vitally essential for identifying environmental information in vertebrate. Although the retinotoxicity of bisphenol S (BPS) has been reported, data on the influence of BPS treatment on cone cells are scarce. In the present study, transgenic zebrafish (Danio rerio) labeling red and ultraviolet (UV) cones were exposed to BPS (0, 1, 10, and 100 μg/L) during the early stages of retinal development, to elucidate the mechanism underlying its retinal cone toxicity of BPS. The results showed that 10 and 100 μg/L BPS induced oxidative DNA damage, structural damage (decreased number of ribbon synapses), mosaic patterning disorder, and altered expression of genes involved in the phototransduction pathway in red and UV cones. Furthermore, BPS exposure also caused abnormal development of key neurons (retinal ganglion cells, optic nerve, and hypothalamus), responsible for transmitting the light-electrical signal to brain, and thereby resulted in inhibition of light-electrical signal transduction, finally diminishing the spectral sensitivity of zebrafish larvae to long- and short-type light signal at 5 day post fertilization. This study highlights the cone-toxicity of environmental relevant concentrations of BPS, and clarifies the mechanism of color vision impairment induced by BPS at the cellular level, updating the understanding of visual behavior driven by environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Qiu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
| | - Shuhui Wei
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yixin Yang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Shaoguo Ru
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xiaona Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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32
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Hernández-Bejarano M, Gestri G, Monfries C, Tucker L, Dragomir EI, Bianco IH, Bovolenta P, Wilson SW, Cavodeassi F. Foxd1-dependent induction of a temporal retinal character is required for visual function. Development 2022; 149:285946. [PMID: 36520654 PMCID: PMC9845753 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Appropriate patterning of the retina during embryonic development is assumed to underlie the establishment of spatially localised specialisations that mediate the perception of specific visual features. For example, in zebrafish, an area involved in high acuity vision (HAA) is thought to be present in the ventro-temporal retina. Here, we show that the interplay of the transcription factor Rx3 with Fibroblast Growth Factor and Hedgehog signals initiates and restricts foxd1 expression to the prospective temporal retina, initiating naso-temporal regionalisation of the retina. Abrogation of Foxd1 results in the loss of temporal and expansion of nasal retinal character, and consequent absence of the HAA. These structural defects correlate with severe visual defects, as assessed in optokinetic and optomotor response assays. In contrast, optokinetic responses are unaffected in the opposite condition, in which nasal retinal character is lost at the expense of expanded temporal character. Our study indicates that the establishment of temporal retinal character during early retinal development is required for the specification of the HAA, and suggests a prominent role of the temporal retina in controlling specific visual functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gaia Gestri
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK,Authors for correspondence (; )
| | - Clinton Monfries
- St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Lisa Tucker
- St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Elena I. Dragomir
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Isaac H. Bianco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK,Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Paola Bovolenta
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid 28049, Spain,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Nicolás Cabrera 1, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Stephen W. Wilson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Florencia Cavodeassi
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid 28049, Spain,St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK,Authors for correspondence (; )
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33
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He L, He Y, Ma L, Huang T. A theoretical model reveals specialized synaptic depressions and temporal frequency tuning in retinal parallel channels. Front Comput Neurosci 2022; 16:1034446. [DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2022.1034446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Outer Plexiform Layer of a retina, a cone pedicle provides synaptic inputs for multiple cone bipolar cell (CBC) subtypes so that each subtype formats a parallelized processing channel to filter visual features from the environment. Due to the diversity of short-term depressions among cone-CBC contacts, these channels have different temporal frequency tunings. Here, we propose a theoretical model based on the hierarchy Linear-Nonlinear-Synapse framework to link the synaptic depression and the neural activities of the cone-CBC circuit. The model successfully captures various frequency tunings of subtype-specialized channels and infers synaptic depression recovery time constants inside circuits. Furthermore, the model can predict frequency-tuning behaviors based on synaptic activities. With the prediction of region-specialized UV cone parallel channels, we suggest the acute zone in the zebrafish retina supports detecting light-off events at high temporal frequencies.
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34
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Christenson MP, Mousavi SN, Oriol E, Heath SL, Behnia R. Exploiting colour space geometry for visual stimulus design across animals. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210280. [PMID: 36058250 PMCID: PMC9441238 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colour vision represents a vital aspect of perception that ultimately enables a wide variety of species to thrive in the natural world. However, unified methods for constructing chromatic visual stimuli in a laboratory setting are lacking. Here, we present stimulus design methods and an accompanying programming package to efficiently probe the colour space of any species in which the photoreceptor spectral sensitivities are known. Our hardware-agnostic approach incorporates photoreceptor models within the framework of the principle of univariance. This enables experimenters to identify the most effective way to combine multiple light sources to create desired distributions of light, and thus easily construct relevant stimuli for mapping the colour space of an organism. We include methodology to handle uncertainty of photoreceptor spectral sensitivity as well as to optimally reconstruct hyperspectral images given recent hardware advances. Our methods support broad applications in colour vision science and provide a framework for uniform stimulus designs across experimental systems. This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding colour vision: molecular, physiological, neuronal and behavioural studies in arthropods'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias P Christenson
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - S Navid Mousavi
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Elie Oriol
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Sarah L Heath
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Rudy Behnia
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.,Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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35
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A binocular perception deficit characterizes prey pursuit in developing mice. iScience 2022; 25:105368. [PMID: 36339264 PMCID: PMC9626674 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Integration of binocular information at the cellular level has long been studied in the mouse model to uncover the fundamental developmental mechanisms underlying mammalian vision. However, we lack an understanding of the corresponding ontogeny of visual behavior in mice that relies on binocular integration. To address this major outstanding question, we quantified the natural visually guided behavior of postnatal day 21 (P21) and adult mice using a live prey capture assay and a computerized-spontaneous perception of objects task (C-SPOT). We found a robust and specific binocular visual field processing deficit in P21 mice as compared to adults that corresponded to a selective increase in c-Fos expression in the anterior superior colliculus (SC) of the juveniles after C-SPOT. These data link a specific binocular perception deficit in developing mice to activity changes in the SC.
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36
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Krueger LA, Morris AC. Eyes on CHARGE syndrome: Roles of CHD7 in ocular development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:994412. [PMID: 36172288 PMCID: PMC9512043 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.994412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate visual system involves complex morphogenetic interactions of cells derived from multiple embryonic lineages. Disruptions in this process are associated with structural birth defects such as microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma (collectively referred to as MAC), and inherited retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and allied dystrophies. MAC and retinal degeneration are also observed in systemic congenital malformation syndromes. One important example is CHARGE syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by coloboma, heart defects, choanal atresia, growth retardation, genital abnormalities, and ear abnormalities. Mutations in the gene encoding Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 (CHD7) cause the majority of CHARGE syndrome cases. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms that connect loss of CHD7 to the ocular complications observed in CHARGE syndrome have not been identified. In this review, we provide a general overview of ocular development and congenital disorders affecting the eye. This is followed by a comprehensive description of CHARGE syndrome, including discussion of the spectrum of ocular defects that have been described in this disorder. In addition, we discuss the current knowledge of CHD7 function and focus on its contributions to the development of ocular structures. Finally, we discuss outstanding gaps in our knowledge of the role of CHD7 in eye formation, and propose avenues of investigation to further our understanding of how CHD7 activity regulates ocular and retinal development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann C. Morris
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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37
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Hehr CL, Halabi R, McFarlane S. Spatial regulation of amacrine cell genesis by Semaphorin 3f. Dev Biol 2022; 491:66-81. [PMID: 36058267 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.08.008] [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: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The axonal projections of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of the eye are topographically organized so that spatial information from visual images is preserved. This retinotopic organization is established during development by secreted morphogens that pattern domains of transcription factor expression within naso-temporal and dorso-ventral quadrants of the embryonic eye. Poorly understood are the downstream signaling molecules that generate the topographically organized retinal cells and circuits. The secreted signaling molecule Semaphorin 3fa (Sema3fa) belongs to the Sema family of molecules that provide positional information to developing cells. Here, we test a role for Sema3fa in cell genesis of the temporal zebrafish retina. METHODS We compare retinal cell genesis in wild type and sema3fa CRISPR zebrafish mutants by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS We find that mRNAs for sema3fa and known receptors, neuropilin2b (nrp2b) and plexina1a (plxna1a), are expressed by progenitors of the temporal, but not nasal zebrafish embryonic retina. In the sema3faca304/ca304 embryo, initially the domains of expression for atoh7 and neurod4, transcription factors necessary for the specification of RGCs and amacrine cells, respectively, are disrupted. Yet, post-embryonically only amacrine cells of the temporal retina are reduced in numbers, with both GABAergic and glycinergic subtypes affected. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that Sema3fa acts early on embryonic temporal progenitors to control in a spatially-dependent manner the production of amacrine cells, possibly to allow the establishment of neural circuits with domain-specific functions. We propose that spatially restricted extrinsic signals in the neural retina control cell genesis in a domain-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Lynn Hehr
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rami Halabi
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah McFarlane
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Abu Bakar N, Wan Ibrahim WN, Che Abdullah CA, Ramlan NF, Shaari K, Shohaimi S, Mediani A, Nasruddin NS, Kim CH, Mohd Faudzi SM. Embryonic Arsenic Exposure Triggers Long-Term Behavioral Impairment with Metabolite Alterations in Zebrafish. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10090493. [PMID: 36136458 PMCID: PMC9502072 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is a ubiquitous heavy metal in the environment. Exposure to this toxin at low concentrations is unremarkable in developing organisms. Nevertheless, understanding the underlying mechanism of its long-term adverse effects remains a challenge. In this study, embryos were initially exposed to As2O3 from gastrulation to hatching under semi-static conditions. Results showed dose-dependent increased mortality, with exposure to 30-40 µM As2O3 significantly reducing tail-coiling and heart rate at early larval stages. Surviving larvae after 30 µM As2O3 exposure showed deficits in motor behavior without impairment of anxiety-like responses at 6 dpf and a slight impairment in color preference behavior at 11 dpf, which was later evident in adulthood. As2O3 also altered locomotor function, with a loss of directional and color preference in adult zebrafish, which correlated with changes in transcriptional regulation of adsl, shank3a, and tsc1b genes. During these processes, As2O3 mainly induced metabolic changes in lipids, particularly arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, prostaglandin, and sphinganine-1-phosphate in the post-hatching period of zebrafish. Overall, this study provides new insight into the potential mechanism of arsenic toxicity leading to long-term learning impairment in zebrafish and may benefit future risk assessments of other environmental toxins of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraini Abu Bakar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Wan Norhamidah Wan Ibrahim
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
- The Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Farhana Ramlan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Khozirah Shaari
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Shamarina Shohaimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Ahmed Mediani
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Malaysia
| | - Nurrul Shaqinah Nasruddin
- Centre for Craniofacial Diagnostics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
- Correspondence: (C.-H.K.); (S.M.M.F.)
| | - Siti Munirah Mohd Faudzi
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (C.-H.K.); (S.M.M.F.)
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Nilsson DE, Smolka J, Bok M. The vertical light-gradient and its potential impact on animal distribution and behavior. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.951328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The visual environment provides vital cues allowing animals to assess habitat quality, weather conditions or measure time of day. Together with other sensory cues and physiological conditions, the visual environment sets behavioral states that make the animal more prone to engage in some behaviors, and less in others. This master-control of behavior serves a fundamental and essential role in determining the distribution and behavior of all animals. Although it is obvious that visual information contains vital input for setting behavioral states, the precise nature of these visual cues remains unknown. Here we use a recently described method to quantify the distribution of light reaching animals’ eyes in different environments. The method records the vertical gradient (as a function of elevation angle) of intensity, spatial structure and spectral balance. Comparison of measurements from different types of environments, weather conditions, times of day, and seasons reveal that these aspects can be readily discriminated from one another. The vertical gradients of radiance, spatial structure (contrast) and color are thus reliable indicators that are likely to have a strong impact on animal behavior and spatial distribution.
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40
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Ali MA, Bollmann JH. Motion vision: Course control in the developing visual system. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R520-R523. [PMID: 35671725 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
As we move around, the image pattern on our retina is constantly changing. Nervous systems have evolved to detect such global 'optic flow' patterns. A new study reveals how optic flow is encoded in the larval zebrafish brain and could be used for the estimation of self-motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mir Ahsan Ali
- Institute of Biology I, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johann H Bollmann
- Institute of Biology I, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Bernstein Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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41
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Ecological decision-making: From circuit elements to emerging principles. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 74:102551. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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42
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Tang SL, Liang XF, Li L, Wu J, Lu K. Genome-wide identification and expression patterns of opsin genes during larval development in Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi). Gene X 2022; 825:146434. [PMID: 35304240 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision is important for fish to forage food and fishes express opsin genes to receive visual signals. Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) larvae prey on other fish species larvae at firstfeeding but donoteat any zooplankton, the expression of opsin genes in S. chuatsilarvae is unknown. In this study, we conducted a whole-genome analysis and demonstrated that S. chuatsihave5cone opsin genes (sws1, sws2Aα, sws2Aβ, rh2and lws)and 2 rod opsin genes (rh1and rh1-exorh). The syntenicanalysisshowedthe flanking genes ofall opsin genes were conserved during fish evolution, but the ancestorof S. chuatsimightlost some opsin gene copies duringtheevolution.The phylogeneticanalysisshowed sws1of S. chuatsiwas closest to those of Lates calcariferwhich had a truncated sws1gene; the sws2Aα, sws2Aβ,lws,rh2,rh1 andrh1-exorh of S. chuatsihad a closer relationship with those of Percomorpha fishes.Importantly, results of in situhybridization showed the sws1 opsingene,which is related to forage zooplankton,had extremely low levelexpression in retinaat early stages.Surprisingly, the rh2 opsin gene had a high level expression at firstfeeding stage. The sws2Aα, sws2Aβand lwshad a little expression at early stages but the lwsshowed a increasing trend with larval development, rh1 opsin gene expression appeared at15 dph. In thisstudy, we found a specialpattern of visual opsin genes expression in S. chuatsi, it might influence the larval first feeding and feeding habit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Lin Tang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xu-Fang Liang
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Ling Li
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jiaqi Wu
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ke Lu
- College of Fisheries, Chinese Perch Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070, China
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43
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Diurnal changes in the efficiency of information transmission at a sensory synapse. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2613. [PMID: 35551183 PMCID: PMC9098879 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30202-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulators adapt sensory circuits to changes in the external world or the animal’s internal state and synapses are key control sites for such plasticity. Less clear is how neuromodulation alters the amount of information transmitted through the circuit. We investigated this question in the context of the diurnal regulation of visual processing in the retina of zebrafish, focusing on ribbon synapses of bipolar cells. We demonstrate that contrast-sensitivity peaks in the afternoon accompanied by a four-fold increase in the average Shannon information transmitted from an active zone. This increase reflects higher synaptic gain, lower spontaneous “noise” and reduced variability of evoked responses. Simultaneously, an increase in the probability of multivesicular events with larger information content increases the efficiency of transmission (bits per vesicle) by factors of 1.5-2.7. This study demonstrates the multiplicity of mechanisms by which a neuromodulator can adjust the synaptic transfer of sensory information. Neuromodulators can adjust how sensory signals are processed. In this study, the authors demonstrate how time of day affects the way information is transmitted in the zebrafish retina.
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44
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Baden T, Nilsson DE. Is our retina really upside down? Curr Biol 2022; 32:R300-R303. [PMID: 35413251 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In the vertebrate eye, photoreceptors are covered beneath a thick sheet of neural retina and face away from the light. This seemingly awkward arrangement has led to the popular notion that our retinas are upside down, implying a deep design flaw. Baden and Nilsson argue that, from an evolutionary perspective, an inverted design actually offers many notable benefits that might have never been exploited if things had started off the other way round.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK; Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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45
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Hammer J, Röppenack P, Yousuf S, Schnabel C, Weber A, Zöller D, Koch E, Hans S, Brand M. Visual Function is Gradually Restored During Retina Regeneration in Adult Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:831322. [PMID: 35178408 PMCID: PMC8844564 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.831322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In comparison to mammals, zebrafish are able to regenerate many organs and tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS). Within the CNS-derived neural retina, light lesions result in a loss of photoreceptors and the subsequent activation of Müller glia, the retinal stem cells. Müller glia-derived progenitors differentiate and eventually restore the anatomical tissue architecture within 4 weeks. However, little is known about how light lesions impair vision functionally, as well as how and to what extent visual function is restored during the course of regeneration, in particular in adult animals. Here, we applied quantitative behavioral assays to assess restoration of visual function during homeostasis and regeneration in adult zebrafish. We developed a novel vision-dependent social preference test, and show that vision is massively impaired early after lesion, but is restored to pre-lesion levels within 7 days after lesion. Furthermore, we employed a quantitative optokinetic response assay with different degrees of difficulty, similar to vision tests in humans. We found that vision for easy conditions with high contrast and low level of detail, as well as color vision, was restored around 7–10 days post lesion. Vision under more demanding conditions, with low contrast and high level of detail, was regained only later from 14 days post lesion onwards. Taken together, we conclude that vision based on contrast sensitivity, spatial resolution and the perception of colors is restored after light lesion in adult zebrafish in a gradual manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Hammer
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Paul Röppenack
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sarah Yousuf
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Schnabel
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anke Weber
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniela Zöller
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Edmund Koch
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Hans
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Brand
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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46
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Janiak FK, Bartel P, Bale MR, Yoshimatsu T, Komulainen E, Zhou M, Staras K, Prieto-Godino LL, Euler T, Maravall M, Baden T. Non-telecentric two-photon microscopy for 3D random access mesoscale imaging. Nat Commun 2022; 13:544. [PMID: 35087041 PMCID: PMC8795402 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28192-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffraction-limited two-photon microscopy permits minimally invasive optical monitoring of neuronal activity. However, most conventional two-photon microscopes impose significant constraints on the size of the imaging field-of-view and the specific shape of the effective excitation volume, thus limiting the scope of biological questions that can be addressed and the information obtainable. Here, employing a non-telecentric optical design, we present a low-cost, easily implemented and flexible solution to address these limitations, offering a several-fold expanded three-dimensional field of view. Moreover, rapid laser-focus control via an electrically tunable lens allows near-simultaneous imaging of remote regions separated in three dimensions and permits the bending of imaging planes to follow natural curvatures in biological structures. Crucially, our core design is readily implemented (and reversed) within a matter of hours, making it highly suitable as a base platform for further development. We demonstrate the application of our system for imaging neuronal activity in a variety of examples in zebrafish, mice and fruit flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F K Janiak
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
| | - P Bartel
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - M R Bale
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - T Yoshimatsu
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - E Komulainen
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - M Zhou
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - K Staras
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | | | - T Euler
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - M Maravall
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - T Baden
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Henning M, Ramos-Traslosheros G, Gür B, Silies M. Populations of local direction-selective cells encode global motion patterns generated by self-motion. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabi7112. [PMID: 35044821 PMCID: PMC8769539 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi7112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Self-motion generates visual patterns on the eye that are important for navigation. These optic flow patterns are encoded by the population of local direction–selective cells in the mouse retina, whereas in flies, local direction–selective T4/T5 cells are thought to be uniformly tuned. How complex global motion patterns can be computed downstream is unclear. We show that the population of T4/T5 cells in Drosophila encodes global motion patterns. Whereas the mouse retina encodes four types of optic flow, the fly visual system encodes six. This matches the larger number of degrees of freedom and the increased complexity of translational and rotational motion patterns during flight. The four uniformly tuned T4/T5 subtypes described previously represent a local subset of the population. Thus, a population code for global motion patterns appears to be a general coding principle of visual systems that matches local motion responses to modes of the animal’s movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Henning
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany
- Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB) and International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences at the University of Göttingen, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Giordano Ramos-Traslosheros
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany
- Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB) and International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences at the University of Göttingen, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Burak Gür
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany
- Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB) and International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences at the University of Göttingen, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Marion Silies
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany
- Corresponding author.
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48
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Zhang LQ, Cottaris NP, Brainard DH. An image reconstruction framework for characterizing initial visual encoding. eLife 2022; 11:e71132. [PMID: 35037622 PMCID: PMC8846596 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed an image-computable observer model of the initial visual encoding that operates on natural image input, based on the framework of Bayesian image reconstruction from the excitations of the retinal cone mosaic. Our model extends previous work on ideal observer analysis and evaluation of performance beyond psychophysical discrimination, takes into account the statistical regularities of the visual environment, and provides a unifying framework for answering a wide range of questions regarding the visual front end. Using the error in the reconstructions as a metric, we analyzed variations of the number of different photoreceptor types on human retina as an optimal design problem. In addition, the reconstructions allow both visualization and quantification of information loss due to physiological optics and cone mosaic sampling, and how these vary with eccentricity. Furthermore, in simulations of color deficiencies and interferometric experiments, we found that the reconstructed images provide a reasonable proxy for modeling subjects' percepts. Lastly, we used the reconstruction-based observer for the analysis of psychophysical threshold, and found notable interactions between spatial frequency and chromatic direction in the resulting spatial contrast sensitivity function. Our method is widely applicable to experiments and applications in which the initial visual encoding plays an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Qi Zhang
- Department of Psychology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Nicolas P Cottaris
- Department of Psychology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - David H Brainard
- Department of Psychology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
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49
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Masek M, Zang J, Mateos JM, Garbelli M, Ziegler U, Neuhauss SCF, Bachmann-Gagescu R. Studying the morphology, composition and function of the photoreceptor primary cilium in zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 175:97-128. [PMID: 36967148 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Vision is one of our dominant senses and its loss has a profound impact on the life quality of affected individuals. Highly specialized neurons in the retina called photoreceptors convert photons into neuronal responses. This conversion of photons is mediated by light sensitive opsin proteins, which are found in the outer segments of the photoreceptors. These outer segments are highly specialized primary cilia, explaining why retinal dystrophy is a key feature of ciliopathies, a group of diseases resulting from abnormal and dysfunctional cilia. Therefore, research on ciliopathies often includes the analysis of the retina with special focus on the photoreceptor and its outer segment. In the last decade, the zebrafish has emerged as an excellent model organism to study human diseases, in particular with respect to the retina. The cone-rich retina of zebrafish resembles the fovea of the human macula and thus represents an excellent model to study human retinal diseases. Here we give detailed guidance on how to analyze the morphological and ultra-structural integrity of photoreceptors in the zebrafish using various histological and imaging techniques. We further describe how to conduct functional analysis of the retina by electroretinography and how to prepare isolated outer segment fractions for different -omic approaches. These different methods allow a comprehensive analysis of photoreceptors, helping to enhance our understanding of the molecular and structural basis of ciliary function in health and of the consequences of its dysfunction in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Masek
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jingjing Zang
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - José M Mateos
- Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Garbelli
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Ziegler
- Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruxandra Bachmann-Gagescu
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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50
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Bartel P, Yoshimatsu T, Janiak FK, Baden T. Spectral inference reveals principal cone-integration rules of the zebrafish inner retina. Curr Biol 2021; 31:5214-5226.e4. [PMID: 34653362 PMCID: PMC8669161 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Retinal bipolar cells integrate cone signals at dendritic and axonal sites. The axonal route, involving amacrine cells, remains largely uncharted. However, because cone types differ in their spectral sensitivities, insights into bipolar cells' cone integration might be gained based on their spectral tunings. We therefore recorded in vivo responses of bipolar cell presynaptic terminals in larval zebrafish to widefield but spectrally resolved flashes of light and mapped the results onto spectral responses of the four cones. This "spectral circuit mapping" allowed explaining ∼95% of the spectral and temporal variance of bipolar cell responses in a simple linear model, thereby revealing several notable integration rules of the inner retina. Bipolar cells were dominated by red-cone inputs, often alongside equal sign inputs from blue and green cones. In contrast, UV-cone inputs were uncorrelated with those of the remaining cones. This led to a new axis of spectral opponency where red-, green-, and blue-cone "Off" circuits connect to "natively-On" UV-cone circuits in the outermost fraction of the inner plexiform layer-much as how key color opponent circuits are established in mammals. Beyond this, and despite substantial temporal diversity that was not present in the cones, bipolar cell spectral tunings were surprisingly simple. They either approximately resembled both opponent and non-opponent spectral motifs already present in the cones or exhibited a stereotyped non-opponent broadband response. In this way, bipolar cells not only preserved the efficient spectral representations in the cones but also diversified them to set up a total of six dominant spectral motifs, which included three axes of spectral opponency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Bartel
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, BN1 9QG Brighton, UK
| | - Takeshi Yoshimatsu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, BN1 9QG Brighton, UK
| | - Filip K Janiak
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, BN1 9QG Brighton, UK
| | - Tom Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Biology Road, BN1 9QG Brighton, UK; Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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