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Kozol RA, Canavan A, Tolentino B, Keene AC, Kowalko JE, Duboué ER. Evolution of a central dopamine circuit underlies adaptation of light-evoked sensorimotor response in the blind cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.25.605141. [PMID: 39091880 PMCID: PMC11291158 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.25.605141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Adaptive behaviors emerge in novel environments through functional changes in neural circuits. While relationships between circuit function and behavior have been well studied, how evolution shapes those circuits and leads to behavioral adpation is poorly understood. The Mexican cavefish , Astyanax mexicanus , provides a unique genetically amendable model system, equipped with above ground eyed surface fish and multiple evolutionarily divergent populations of blind cavefish that have evolved in complete darkness. These differences in environment and vision provide an opprotunity to examine how a neural circuit is functionally influenced by the presence of light. Here, we examine differences in the detection, and behavioral response induced by non visual light reception. Both populations exhibit photokinetic behavior, with surface fish becoming hyperactive following sudden darkness and cavefish becoming hyperactive following sudden illumination. To define these photokinetic neural circuits, we integrated whole brain functional imaging with our Astyanax brain atlas for surface and cavefish responding to light changes. We identified the caudal posterior tuberculum as the central modulator for both light or dark stimulated photokinesis. To unconver how spatiotemporal neuronal activity differed between surface fish and cavefish, we used stable pan-neuronal GCaMP Astyanax transgenics to show that a subpopulation of darkness sensitve neurons in surface fish are now light senstive in cavefish. Further functional analysis revealed that this integrative switch is dependent on dopmane signaling, suggesting a key role for dopamine and a highly conserved dopamine circuit in modulating the evolution of a circuit driving an essential behavior. Together, these data shed light into how neural circuits evolved to adapte to novel settings, and reveal the power of Astyanax as a model to elucidate mechanistic ingiths underlying sensory adaptation. Abstract Figure
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Lloyd E, Privat M, Sumbre G, Duboué ER, Keene AC. A protocol for whole-brain Ca 2+ imaging in Astyanax mexicanus, a model of comparative evolution. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102517. [PMID: 37742184 PMCID: PMC10520939 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102517] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In this protocol, we describe a comparative approach to study the evolution of brain function in the Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus. We developed surface fish and two independent populations of cavefish with pan-neuronal expression of the Ca2+ sensor GCaMP6s. We describe a methodology to prepare samples and image activity across the optic tectum and olfactory bulb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA.
| | - Martin Privat
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75005 Paris, France
| | - German Sumbre
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Erik R Duboué
- Harriet Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA.
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Sifuentes-Romero I, Aviles AM, Carter JL, Chan-Pong A, Clarke A, Crotty P, Engstrom D, Meka P, Perez A, Perez R, Phelan C, Sharrard T, Smirnova MI, Wade AJ, Kowalko JE. Trait Loss in Evolution: What Cavefish Have Taught Us about Mechanisms Underlying Eye Regression. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:393-406. [PMID: 37218721 PMCID: PMC10445413 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad032] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Reduction or complete loss of traits is a common occurrence throughout evolutionary history. In spite of this, numerous questions remain about why and how trait loss has occurred. Cave animals are an excellent system in which these questions can be answered, as multiple traits, including eyes and pigmentation, have been repeatedly reduced or lost across populations of cave species. This review focuses on how the blind Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, has been used as a model system for examining the developmental, genetic, and evolutionary mechanisms that underlie eye regression in cave animals. We focus on multiple aspects of how eye regression evolved in A. mexicanus, including the developmental and genetic pathways that contribute to eye regression, the effects of the evolution of eye regression on other traits that have also evolved in A. mexicanus, and the evolutionary forces contributing to eye regression. We also discuss what is known about the repeated evolution of eye regression, both across populations of A. mexicanus cavefish and across cave animals more generally. Finally, we offer perspectives on how cavefish can be used in the future to further elucidate mechanisms underlying trait loss using tools and resources that have recently become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itzel Sifuentes-Romero
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Ari M Aviles
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Joseph L Carter
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Allen Chan-Pong
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Anik Clarke
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Patrick Crotty
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - David Engstrom
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Pranav Meka
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Alexandra Perez
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Riley Perez
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Christine Phelan
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Taylor Sharrard
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Maria I Smirnova
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
- Stiles–Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Amanda J Wade
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
| | - Johanna E Kowalko
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter FL 33458, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
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Baier F, Reinhard K, Tong V, Murmann J, Farrow K, Hoekstra HE. The neural basis of defensive behaviour evolution in Peromyscus mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.04.547734. [PMID: 37461474 PMCID: PMC10350006 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.04.547734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Evading imminent predator threat is critical for survival. Effective defensive strategies can vary, even between closely related species. However, the neural basis of such species-specific behaviours is still poorly understood. Here we find that two sister species of deer mice (genus Peromyscus) show different responses to the same looming stimulus: P. maniculatus, which occupy densely vegetated habitats, predominantly dart to escape, while the open field specialist, P. polionotus, pause their movement. This difference arises from species-specific escape thresholds, is largely context-independent, and can be triggered by both visual and auditory threat stimuli. Using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiological recordings, we find that although visual threat activates the superior colliculus in both species, the role of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) in driving behaviour differs. While dPAG activity scales with running speed and involves both excitatory and inhibitory neurons in P. maniculatus, the dPAG is largely silent in P. polionotus, even when darting is triggered. Moreover, optogenetic activation of excitatory dPAG neurons reliably elicits darting behaviour in P. maniculatus but not P. polionotus. Together, we trace the evolution of species-specific escape thresholds to a central circuit node, downstream of peripheral sensory neurons, localizing an ecologically relevant behavioural difference to a specific region of the complex mammalian brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Baier
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Center for Brain Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Present address: Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Katja Reinhard
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Present address: Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Trieste, Italy
| | - Victoria Tong
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Center for Brain Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julie Murmann
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Leuven, Belgium
- Present address: Institute of Science & Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Karl Farrow
- Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- imec, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hopi E. Hoekstra
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Center for Brain Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Rohner N. The cavefish Astyanax mexicanus. Nat Methods 2023; 20:948-950. [PMID: 37434002 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01916-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rohner
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA.
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Kemmler CL, Moran HR, Murray BF, Scoresby A, Klem JR, Eckert RL, Lepovsky E, Bertho S, Nieuwenhuize S, Burger S, D'Agati G, Betz C, Puller AC, Felker A, Ditrychova K, Bötschi S, Affolter M, Rohner N, Lovely CB, Kwan KM, Burger A, Mosimann C. Next-generation plasmids for transgenesis in zebrafish and beyond. Development 2023; 150:dev201531. [PMID: 36975217 PMCID: PMC10263156 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Transgenesis is an essential technique for any genetic model. Tol2-based transgenesis paired with Gateway-compatible vector collections has transformed zebrafish transgenesis with an accessible modular system. Here, we establish several next-generation transgenesis tools for zebrafish and other species to expand and enhance transgenic applications. To facilitate gene regulatory element testing, we generated Gateway middle entry vectors harboring the small mouse beta-globin minimal promoter coupled to several fluorophores, CreERT2 and Gal4. To extend the color spectrum for transgenic applications, we established middle entry vectors encoding the bright, blue-fluorescent protein mCerulean and mApple as an alternative red fluorophore. We present a series of p2A peptide-based 3' vectors with different fluorophores and subcellular localizations to co-label cells expressing proteins of interest. Finally, we established Tol2 destination vectors carrying the zebrafish exorh promoter driving different fluorophores as a pineal gland-specific transgenesis marker that is active before hatching and through adulthood. exorh-based reporters and transgenesis markers also drive specific pineal gland expression in the eye-less cavefish (Astyanax). Together, our vectors provide versatile reagents for transgenesis applications in zebrafish, cavefish and other models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie L. Kemmler
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Hannah R. Moran
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Brooke F. Murray
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Aaron Scoresby
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - John R. Klem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Rachel L. Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lepovsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Sylvain Bertho
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Susan Nieuwenhuize
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sibylle Burger
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca D'Agati
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Charles Betz
- Growth & Development, Biozentrum, Spitalstrasse 41, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ann-Christin Puller
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Felker
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Ditrychova
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Seraina Bötschi
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Affolter
- Growth & Development, Biozentrum, Spitalstrasse 41, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Rohner
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - C. Ben Lovely
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Kristen M. Kwan
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Alexa Burger
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Christian Mosimann
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Starkey J, Hageter J, Kozol R, Emmerich K, Mumm JS, Dubou ER, Horstick EJ. Thalamic neurons drive distinct forms of motor asymmetry that are conserved in teleost and dependent on visual evolution. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.20.533538. [PMID: 36993391 PMCID: PMC10055245 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.20.533538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Brain laterality is a prominent feature in Bilateria, where neural functions are favored in a single brain hemisphere. These hemispheric specializations are thought to improve behavioral performance and are commonly observed as sensory or motor asymmetries, such as handedness in humans. Despite its prevalence, our understanding of the neural and molecular substrates instructing functional lateralization is limited. Moreover, how functional lateralization is selected for or modulated throughout evolution is poorly understood. While comparative approaches offer a powerful tool for addressing this question, a major obstacle has been the lack of a conserved asymmetric behavior in genetically tractable organisms. Previously, we described a robust motor asymmetry in larval zebrafish. Following the loss of illumination, individuals show a persistent turning bias that is associated with search pattern behavior with underlying functional lateralization in the thalamus. This behavior permits a simple yet robust assay that can be used to address fundamental principles underlying lateralization in the brain across taxa. Here, we take a comparative approach and show that motor asymmetry is conserved across diverse larval teleost species, which have diverged over the past 200 million years. Using a combination of transgenic tools, ablation, and enucleation, we show that teleosts exhibit two distinct forms of motor asymmetry, vision-dependent and - independent. These asymmetries are directionally uncorrelated, yet dependent on the same subset of thalamic neurons. Lastly, we leverage Astyanax sighted and blind morphs, which show that fish with evolutionarily derived blindness lack both retinal-dependent and -independent motor asymmetries, while their sighted surface conspecifics retained both forms. Our data implicate that overlapping sensory systems and neuronal substrates drive functional lateralization in a vertebrate brain that are likely targets for selective modulation during evolution.
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