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Azpeleta C, Delgado MJ, Metz JR, Flik G, de Pedro N. Melatonin as an anti-stress signal: effects on an acute stress model and direct actions on interrenal tissue in goldfish. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1291153. [PMID: 38260137 PMCID: PMC10800973 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1291153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Melatonin is a key hormone in regulation of circadian rhythms, and involved in many rhythmic functions, such as feeding and locomotor activity. Melatonin reportedly counteracts stress responses in many vertebrates, including fish. However, targets for this action of melatonin and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Results This study reports potential anti-stress properties of melatonin in goldfish (Carassius auratus), with a focus on its effect on plasma cortisol, food intake, and locomotor activity, all of them involved in the responses to stress exposure. Indeed, acute injection of melatonin counteracted stress-induced hypercortisolinemia and reduced food intake. The reduced locomotor activity following melatonin treatment suggests a possible sedative role in fish. To assess whether this anti-stress effects of melatonin involve direct actions on interrenal tissue, in vitro cultures of head kidney (containing the interrenal cortisol-producing tissue) were carried out in presence of ACTH, melatonin, and luzindole, an antagonist of melatonin receptors. Melatonin in vitro reduced ACTH-stimulated cortisol release, an effect attenuated by luzindole; this suggests the presence of specific melatonin receptors in interrenal tissue. Conclusions Our data support a role for melatonin as an anti-stress signal in goldfish, and suggest that the interrenal tissue of teleosts may be a plausible target for melatonin action decreasing cortisol production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Azpeleta
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Unidad Docente de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mª Jesús Delgado
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Unidad Docente de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juriaan R Metz
- Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Gert Flik
- Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Nuria de Pedro
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Unidad Docente de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Nisembaum LG, Martin P, Lecomte F, Falcón J. Melatonin and osmoregulation in fish: A focus on Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smoltification. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12955. [PMID: 33769643 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Part of the life cycle of several fish species includes important salinity changes, as is the case for the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) or the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Salmo salar juveniles migrate downstream from their spawning sites to reach seawater, where they grow and become sexually mature. The process of preparation enabling juveniles to migrate downstream and physiologically adapt to seawater is called smoltification. Daily and seasonal variations of photoperiod and temperature play a role in defining the timing of smoltification, which may take weeks to months, depending on the river length and latitude. Smoltification is characterised by a series of biochemical, physiological and behavioural changes within the neuroendocrine axis. This review discusses the current knowledge and gaps related to the neuroendocrine mechanisms that mediate the effects of light and temperature on smoltification. Studies performed in S. salar and other salmonids, as well as in other species undergoing important salinity changes, are reviewed, and a particular emphasis is given to the pineal hormone melatonin and its possible role in osmoregulation. The daily and annual variations of plasma melatonin levels reflect corresponding changes in external photoperiod and temperature, which suggests that the hormonal time-keeper melatonin might contribute to controlling smoltification. Here, we review studies on (i) the impact of pinealectomy and/or melatonin administration on smoltification; (ii) melatonin interactions with hormones involved in osmoregulation (e.g., prolactin, growth hormone and cortisol); (iii) the presence of melatonin receptors in tissues involved in osmoregulation; and (iv) the impacts of salinity changes on melatonin receptors and circulating melatonin levels. Altogether, these studies show evidence indicating that melatonin interacts with the neuroendocrine pathways controlling smoltification, although more information is needed to clearly decipher its mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gabriela Nisembaum
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, (BIOM), Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Patrick Martin
- Conservatoire National du Saumon Sauvage, Chanteuges, France
| | - Frédéric Lecomte
- Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Direction de l'expertise sur la faune aquatique, Québec, Canada
| | - Jack Falcón
- Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), MNHN, CNRS 7208, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
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Takahashi T, Ogiwara K. Roles of melatonin in the teleost ovary: A review of the current status. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 254:110907. [PMID: 33482340 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.110907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin, the neurohormone mainly synthesized in and secreted from the pineal gland of vertebrates following a circadian rhythm, is an important factor regulating various physiological processes, including reproduction. Recent data indicate that melatonin is also synthesized in the ovary and that it acts directly at the level of the ovary to modulate ovarian physiology. In some teleosts, melatonin is reported to affect ovarian steroidogenesis. The direct action of melatonin on the ovary could be a possible factor promoting oocyte maturation in teleosts. A role for melatonin in follicle rupture during ovulation in the teleost medaka has recently emerged. In addition, melatonin is suggested to affect oocyte maturation by its antioxidant activity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these direct effects of melatonin are largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Takahashi
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
| | - Katsueki Ogiwara
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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Sakai K, Yamamoto Y, Ikeuchi T. Vertebrates originally possess four functional subtypes of G protein-coupled melatonin receptor. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9465. [PMID: 31263128 PMCID: PMC6602942 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45925-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin receptors (MTNRs) belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor family are considered to consist of three subtypes in vertebrates: MTNR1a, MTNR1b and MTNR1c. Additionally, MTNR1a-like genes have been identified in teleostean species as a fish-specific subtype of MTNR1a. However, similar molecules to this MTNR1a-like gene can be found in some reptiles upon searching the DNA database. We hypothesized that a vertebrate can essentially have four functional subtypes of MTNR as ohnologs. Thus, in the present study we examined the molecular phylogeny, expression patterns and pharmacological profile(s) using the teleost medaka (Oryzias latipes). The four conserved subtypes of MTNR (MTNR1a, MTNR1b, MTNR1c and MTNR1a-like) in vertebrates were classified based on synteny and phylogenetic analysis. The fourth MTNR, termed MTNR1a-like, could be classified as MTNR1d. It was observed by using RT-qPCR that expression patterns differed amongst these subtypes. Moreover, mtnr1a, mtnr1c and mtnr1a-like/mtnr1d expression was elevated during short days compared to long days in diencephalons. All the subtypes were activated by melatonin and transduced signals into the Gi pathway, to perform a cAMP-responsive reporter gene assay. It was shown that MTNR originally consisted of four subtypes: MTNR1a, MTNR1b, MTNR1c and MTNR1d. These subtypes were functional, at least in fish, although some organisms, including mammals, have lost one or two subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotowa Sakai
- Graduate School of Biosciences, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266, Tamura, Nagahama, Shiga, 526-0829, Japan
| | - Yuya Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Biosciences, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266, Tamura, Nagahama, Shiga, 526-0829, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Ikeuchi
- Graduate School of Biosciences, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266, Tamura, Nagahama, Shiga, 526-0829, Japan.
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Li J, You X, Bian C, Yu H, Coon SL, Shi Q. Molecular Evolution of Aralkylamine N-Acetyltransferase in Fish: A Genomic Survey. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 17:E51. [PMID: 26729109 PMCID: PMC4730296 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
All living organisms synchronize biological functions with environmental changes; melatonin plays a vital role in regulating daily and seasonal variations. Due to rhythmic activity of the timezyme aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), the blood level of melatonin increases at night and decreases during daytime. Whereas other vertebrates have a single form of AANAT, bony fishes possess various isoforms of aanat genes, though the reasons are still unclear. Here, we have taken advantage of multiple unpublished teleost aanat sequences to explore and expand our understanding of the molecular evolution of aanat in fish. Our results confirm that two rounds of whole-genome duplication (WGD) led to the existence of three fish isoforms of aanat, i.e., aanat1a, aanat1b, and aanat2; in addition, gene loss led to the absence of some forms from certain special fish species. Furthermore, we suggest the different roles of two aanat1s in amphibious mudskippers, and speculate that the loss of aanat1a, may be related to terrestrial vision change. Several important sites of AANAT proteins and regulatory elements of aanat genes were analyzed for structural comparison and functional forecasting, respectively, which provides insights into the molecular evolution of the differences between AANAT1 and AANAT2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Xinxin You
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Chao Bian
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- BGI-Zhenjiang Institute of Hydrobiology, Zhenjiang 212000, China.
| | - Hui Yu
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Steven L Coon
- Molecular Genomics Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Qiong Shi
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China.
- BGI-Zhenjiang Institute of Hydrobiology, Zhenjiang 212000, China.
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Hong LY, Hong WS, Zhu WB, Shi Q, You XX, Chen SX. Cloning and expression of melatonin receptors in the mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris: their role in synchronizing its semilunar spawning rhythm. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 195:138-50. [PMID: 24239555 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The mudskipper Boleophthalmus pectinirostris, a burrow-dwelling fish inhabiting intertidal mudflats, spawns only once during the spawning season around either the first or last lunar quarters. To understand the molecular mechanisms regulating this semilunar spawning rhythm, we cloned all melatonin receptor subtypes (mtnr1a1.4, mtnr1a1.7, mtnr1b, and mtnr1c). Expression of three melatonin receptor subtypes (except mtnr1c) was found in the ovaries. In contrast, the expression of all receptor subtypes was found in the diencephalon and the pituitary. In the fully-grown follicles, only mtnr1a1.7 mRNA was detected in both the isolated follicle layers and denuded oocytes. Interestingly, the transcript levels of both mtnr1a1.4 in the diencephalon and mtnr1a1.7 in the ovary displayed two cycles within one lunar month, and peaked around the first and last lunar quarters. We used 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP), a maturation-inducing hormone, as a biomarker to examine the involvement of melatonin receptors in the control of the spawning cycle. Melatonin significantly increased the plasma DHP level 1h post intraperitoneal injection. Melatonin also directly stimulated ovarian fragments in vitro to produce a significantly higher amount of DHP. Taken together, these results provided the first evidence that melatonin receptors were involved in the synchronization of the semilunar spawning rhythm in the female mudskipper by acting through the HPG axis and/or directly on ovarian tissues to stimulate the production of DHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yan Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Wan Shu Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Wen Bo Zhu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Qiong Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Marine and Fisheries Institute, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xin Xin You
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Marine and Fisheries Institute, BGI, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Shi Xi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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