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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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Ricarte M, Tagkalidou N, Bellot M, Bedrossiantz J, Prats E, Gomez-Canela C, Garcia-Reyero N, Raldúa D. Short- and Long-Term Neurobehavioral Effects of Developmental Exposure to Valproic Acid in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7688. [PMID: 39062930 PMCID: PMC11277053 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147688] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, anxiety, hyperactivity, and interest restricted to specific subjects. In addition to the genetic factors, multiple environmental factors have been related to the development of ASD. Animal models can serve as crucial tools for understanding the complexity of ASD. In this study, a chemical model of ASD has been developed in zebrafish by exposing embryos to valproic acid (VPA) from 4 to 48 h post-fertilization, rearing them to the adult stage in fish water. For the first time, an integrative approach combining behavioral analysis and neurotransmitters profile has been used for determining the effects of early-life exposure to VPA both in the larval and adult stages. Larvae from VPA-treated embryos showed hyperactivity and decreased visual and vibrational escape responses, as well as an altered neurotransmitters profile, with increased glutamate and decreased acetylcholine and norepinephrine levels. Adults from VPA-treated embryos exhibited impaired social behavior characterized by larger shoal sizes and a decreased interest for their conspecifics. A neurotransmitter analysis revealed a significant decrease in dopamine and GABA levels in the brain. These results support the potential predictive validity of this model for ASD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Ricarte
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (M.R.); (N.T.); (J.B.)
- Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain; (M.B.); (C.G.-C.)
| | - Niki Tagkalidou
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (M.R.); (N.T.); (J.B.)
| | - Marina Bellot
- Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain; (M.B.); (C.G.-C.)
| | - Juliette Bedrossiantz
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (M.R.); (N.T.); (J.B.)
| | - Eva Prats
- Research and Development Center (CID-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Cristian Gomez-Canela
- Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08017 Barcelona, Spain; (M.B.); (C.G.-C.)
| | - Natalia Garcia-Reyero
- Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing & Biotechnology (IGBB), Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA;
| | - Demetrio Raldúa
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (M.R.); (N.T.); (J.B.)
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Tal T, Myhre O, Fritsche E, Rüegg J, Craenen K, Aiello-Holden K, Agrillo C, Babin PJ, Escher BI, Dirven H, Hellsten K, Dolva K, Hessel E, Heusinkveld HJ, Hadzhiev Y, Hurem S, Jagiello K, Judzinska B, Klüver N, Knoll-Gellida A, Kühne BA, Leist M, Lislien M, Lyche JL, Müller F, Colbourne JK, Neuhaus W, Pallocca G, Seeger B, Scharkin I, Scholz S, Spjuth O, Torres-Ruiz M, Bartmann K. New approach methods to assess developmental and adult neurotoxicity for regulatory use: a PARC work package 5 project. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1359507. [PMID: 38742231 PMCID: PMC11089904 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1359507] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In the European regulatory context, rodent in vivo studies are the predominant source of neurotoxicity information. Although they form a cornerstone of neurotoxicological assessments, they are costly and the topic of ethical debate. While the public expects chemicals and products to be safe for the developing and mature nervous systems, considerable numbers of chemicals in commerce have not, or only to a limited extent, been assessed for their potential to cause neurotoxicity. As such, there is a societal push toward the replacement of animal models with in vitro or alternative methods. New approach methods (NAMs) can contribute to the regulatory knowledge base, increase chemical safety, and modernize chemical hazard and risk assessment. Provided they reach an acceptable level of regulatory relevance and reliability, NAMs may be considered as replacements for specific in vivo studies. The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) addresses challenges to the development and implementation of NAMs in chemical risk assessment. In collaboration with regulatory agencies, Project 5.2.1e (Neurotoxicity) aims to develop and evaluate NAMs for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) and adult neurotoxicity (ANT) and to understand the applicability domain of specific NAMs for the detection of endocrine disruption and epigenetic perturbation. To speed up assay time and reduce costs, we identify early indicators of later-onset effects. Ultimately, we will assemble second-generation developmental neurotoxicity and first-generation adult neurotoxicity test batteries, both of which aim to provide regulatory hazard and risk assessors and industry stakeholders with robust, speedy, lower-cost, and informative next-generation hazard and risk assessment tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Tal
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Chemicals in the Environment Research Section, Leipzig, Germany
- University of Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Oddvar Myhre
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health – NIPH, Department of Chemical Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Uppsala University, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kai Craenen
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Caroline Agrillo
- Uppsala University, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrick J. Babin
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Maladies Rares: Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), Pessac, France
| | - Beate I. Escher
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Chemicals in the Environment Research Section, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health – NIPH, Department of Chemical Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Kristine Dolva
- University of Oslo, Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Olso, Norway
| | - Ellen Hessel
- Dutch Nation Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Harm J. Heusinkveld
- Dutch Nation Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Yavor Hadzhiev
- University of Birmingham, Centre for Environmental Research and Justice, Birmingham, UK
| | - Selma Hurem
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ås, Norway
| | - Karolina Jagiello
- University of Gdansk, Laboratory of Environmental Chemoinformatics, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Beata Judzinska
- University of Gdansk, Laboratory of Environmental Chemoinformatics, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Nils Klüver
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Chemicals in the Environment Research Section, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Knoll-Gellida
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Maladies Rares: Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), Pessac, France
| | - Britta A. Kühne
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Institute for Food Quality and Food Safety, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- University of Konstanz, In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine/CAAT-Europe, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Malene Lislien
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health – NIPH, Department of Chemical Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan L. Lyche
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ås, Norway
| | - Ferenc Müller
- University of Birmingham, Centre for Environmental Research and Justice, Birmingham, UK
| | - John K. Colbourne
- University of Birmingham, Centre for Environmental Research and Justice, Birmingham, UK
| | - Winfried Neuhaus
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center Health and Bioresources, Vienna, Austria
- Danube Private University, Faculty of Dentistry and Medicine, Department of Medicine, Krems, Austria
| | - Giorgia Pallocca
- University of Konstanz, In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine/CAAT-Europe, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Bettina Seeger
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Institute for Food Quality and Food Safety, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ilka Scharkin
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Scholz
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Chemicals in the Environment Research Section, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ola Spjuth
- Uppsala University and Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Monica Torres-Ruiz
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Environmental Toxicology Unit, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Kristina Bartmann
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Bhandiwad AA, Gupta T, Subedi A, Heigh V, Holmes GA, Burgess HA. Brain Imaging and Registration in Larval Zebrafish. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2707:141-153. [PMID: 37668910 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3401-1_9] [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] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Registration of larval zebrafish brain scans to a common reference brain enables comparison of transgene and gene expression patterns, neuroanatomy, and morphometry. Here we describe methods for staining and mounting larval zebrafish to facilitate whole-brain fluorescence imaging. Following image acquisition, we provide a template for aligning brain images to a reference atlas using nonlinear registration with the ANTs software package.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin A Bhandiwad
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tripti Gupta
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Abhignya Subedi
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Victoria Heigh
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - George A Holmes
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Harold A Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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5
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Lamiré LA, Haesemeyer M, Engert F, Granato M, Randlett O. Functional and pharmacological analyses of visual habituation learning in larval zebrafish. eLife 2023; 12:RP84926. [PMID: 38108818 PMCID: PMC10727501 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84926] [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] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Habituation allows animals to learn to ignore persistent but inconsequential stimuli. Despite being the most basic form of learning, a consensus model on the underlying mechanisms has yet to emerge. To probe relevant mechanisms, we took advantage of a visual habituation paradigm in larval zebrafish, where larvae reduce their reactions to abrupt global dimming (a dark flash). We used Ca2+ imaging during repeated dark flashes and identified 12 functional classes of neurons that differ based on their rate of adaptation, stimulus response shape, and anatomical location. While most classes of neurons depressed their responses to repeated stimuli, we identified populations that did not adapt or that potentiated their response. These neurons were distributed across brain areas, consistent with a distributed learning process. Using a small-molecule screening approach, we confirmed that habituation manifests from multiple distinct molecular mechanisms, and we have implicated molecular pathways in habituation, including melatonin, oestrogen, and GABA signalling. However, by combining anatomical analyses and pharmacological manipulations with Ca2+ imaging, we failed to identify a simple relationship between pharmacology, altered activity patterns, and habituation behaviour. Collectively, our work indicates that habituation occurs via a complex and distributed plasticity processes that cannot be captured by a simple model. Therefore, untangling the mechanisms of habituation will likely require dedicated approaches aimed at sub-component mechanisms underlying this multidimensional learning process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Anne Lamiré
- Laboratoire MeLiS, UCBL - CNRS UMR5284 - Inserm U1314, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Faculté de Médecine et de PharmacieLyonFrance
| | - Martin Haesemeyer
- The Ohio State University, Department of NeuroscienceColumbusUnited States
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Center for Brain Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Michael Granato
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of MedicinePhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Owen Randlett
- Laboratoire MeLiS, UCBL - CNRS UMR5284 - Inserm U1314, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Faculté de Médecine et de PharmacieLyonFrance
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Serrano RJ, Oorschot V, Palipana D, Calcinotto V, Sonntag C, Ramm G, Bryson-Richardson RJ. Genetic model of UBA5 deficiency highlights the involvement of both peripheral and central nervous systems and identifies widespread mitochondrial abnormalities. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad317. [PMID: 38046095 PMCID: PMC10691876 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants in UBA5 have been reported to cause neurological disease with impaired motor function, developmental delay, intellectual disability and brain pathology as recurrent clinical manifestations. UBA5 encodes a ubiquitin-activating-like enzyme that activates ufmylation, a post-translational ubiquitin-like modification pathway, which has been implicated in neurodevelopment and neuronal survival. The reason behind the variation in severity and clinical manifestations in affected individuals and the signal transduction pathways regulated by ufmylation that compromise the nervous system remains unknown. Zebrafish have emerged as a powerful model to study neurodegenerative disease due to its amenability for in vivo analysis of muscle and neuronal tissues, high-throughput examination of motor function and rapid embryonic development allowing an examination of disease progression. Using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 genome editing, we developed and characterized zebrafish mutant models to investigate disease pathophysiology. uba5 mutant zebrafish showed a significantly impaired motor function accompanied by delayed growth and reduced lifespan, reproducing key phenotypes observed in affected individuals. Our study demonstrates the suitability of zebrafish to study the pathophysiology of UBA5-related disease and as a powerful tool to identify pathways that could reduce disease progression. Furthermore, uba5 mutants exhibited widespread mitochondrial damage in both the nervous system and the skeletal muscle, suggesting that a perturbation of mitochondrial function may contribute to disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita J Serrano
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Viola Oorschot
- Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Dashika Palipana
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Vanessa Calcinotto
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Carmen Sonntag
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Georg Ramm
- Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
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7
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Kozol RA, Conith AJ, Yuiska A, Cree-Newman A, Tolentino B, Benesh K, Paz A, Lloyd E, Kowalko JE, Keene AC, Albertson C, Duboue ER. A brain-wide analysis maps structural evolution to distinct anatomical module. eLife 2023; 12:e80777. [PMID: 37498318 PMCID: PMC10435234 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80777] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate brain is highly conserved topologically, but less is known about neuroanatomical variation between individual brain regions. Neuroanatomical variation at the regional level is hypothesized to provide functional expansion, building upon ancestral anatomy needed for basic functions. Classically, animal models used to study evolution have lacked tools for detailed anatomical analysis that are widely used in zebrafish and mice, presenting a barrier to studying brain evolution at fine scales. In this study, we sought to investigate the evolution of brain anatomy using a single species of fish consisting of divergent surface and cave morphs, that permits functional genetic testing of regional volume and shape across the entire brain. We generated a high-resolution brain atlas for the blind Mexican cavefish Astyanax mexicanus and coupled the atlas with automated computational tools to directly assess variability in brain region shape and volume across all populations. We measured the volume and shape of every grossly defined neuroanatomical region of the brain and assessed correlations between anatomical regions in surface fish, cavefish, and surface × cave F2 hybrids, whose phenotypes span the range of surface to cave. We find that dorsal regions of the brain are contracted, while ventral regions have expanded, with F2 hybrid data providing support for developmental constraint along the dorsal-ventral axis. Furthermore, these dorsal-ventral relationships in anatomical variation show similar patterns for both volume and shape, suggesting that the anatomical evolution captured by these two parameters could be driven by similar developmental mechanisms. Together, these data demonstrate that A. mexicanus is a powerful system for functionally determining basic principles of brain evolution and will permit testing how genes influence early patterning events to drive brain-wide anatomical evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Kozol
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
| | - Andrew J Conith
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstUnited States
| | - Anders Yuiska
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
| | - Alexia Cree-Newman
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
| | - Bernadeth Tolentino
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
| | - Kasey Benesh
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
| | - Alexandra Paz
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
| | - Evan Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Johanna E Kowalko
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh UniversityBethlehemUnited States
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Craig Albertson
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstUnited States
| | - Erik R Duboue
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
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Wang K, Yu Y, Xu Y, Yue Y, Zhao F, Feng W, Duan Y, Duan W, Yue J, Liao Z, Fei P, Sun H, Xiong B. TSA-PACT: a method for tissue clearing and immunofluorescence staining on zebrafish brain with improved sensitivity, specificity and stability. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:97. [PMID: 37237300 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
For comprehensive studies of the brain structure and function, fluorescence imaging of the whole brain is essential. It requires large-scale volumetric imaging in cellular or molecular resolution, which could be quite challenging. Recent advances in tissue clearing technology (e.g. CLARITY, PACT) provide new solutions by homogenizing the refractive index of the samples to create transparency. However, it has been difficult to acquire high quality results through immunofluorescence (IF) staining on the cleared samples. To address this issue, we developed TSA-PACT, a method combining tyramide signal amplification (TSA) and PACT, to transform samples into hydrogel polymerization frameworks with covalent fluorescent biomarkers assembled. We show that TSA-PACT is able to reduce the opacity of the zebrafish brain by more than 90% with well-preserved structure. Compared to traditional method, TSA-PACT achieves approximately tenfold signal amplification and twofold improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Moreover, both the structure and the fluorescent signal persist for at least 16 months with excellent signal retention ratio. Overall, this method improves immunofluorescence signal sensitivity, specificity and stability in the whole brain of juvenile and adult zebrafish, which is applicable for fine structural analysis, neural circuit mapping and three-dimensional cell counting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yuxin Yu
- Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yinhui Xu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yingzi Yue
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Fang Zhao
- School of Optical and Electronic Information- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Wenyang Feng
- School of Optical and Electronic Information- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yijie Duan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Weicheng Duan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jingjing Yue
- College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhiyun Liao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Peng Fei
- School of Optical and Electronic Information- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Bo Xiong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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9
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Mignani L, Facchinello N, Varinelli M, Massardi E, Tiso N, Ravelli C, Mitola S, Schu P, Monti E, Finazzi D, Borsani G, Zizioli D. Deficiency of AP1 Complex Ap1g1 in Zebrafish Model Led to Perturbation of Neurodevelopment, Female and Male Fertility; New Insight to Understand Adaptinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087108. [PMID: 37108275 PMCID: PMC10138411 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087108] [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] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, two homologous heterotetrameric AP1 complexes regulate the intracellular protein sorting via vesicles. AP-1 complexes are ubiquitously expressed and are composed of four different subunits: γ, β1, μ1 and σ1. Two different complexes are present in eukaryotic cells, AP1G1 (contains γ1 subunit) and AP1G2 (contains γ2 subunit); both are indispensable for development. One additional tissue-specific isoform exists for μ1A, the polarized epithelial cells specific to μ1B; two additional tissue-specific isoforms exist for σ1A: σ1B and σ1C. Both AP1 complexes fulfil specific functions at the trans-Golgi network and endosomes. The use of different animal models demonstrated their crucial role in the development of multicellular organisms and the specification of neuronal and epithelial cells. Ap1g1 (γ1) knockout mice cease development at the blastocyst stage, while Ap1m1 (μ1A) knockouts cease during mid-organogenesis. A growing number of human diseases have been associated with mutations in genes encoding for the subunits of adaptor protein complexes. Recently, a new class of neurocutaneous and neurometabolic disorders affecting intracellular vesicular traffic have been referred to as adaptinopathies. To better understand the functional role of AP1G1 in adaptinopathies, we generated a zebrafish ap1g1 knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Zebrafish ap1g1 knockout embryos cease their development at the blastula stage. Interestingly, heterozygous females and males have reduced fertility and showed morphological alterations in the brain, gonads and intestinal epithelium. An analysis of mRNA profiles of different marker proteins and altered tissue morphologies revealed dysregulated cadherin-mediated cell adhesion. These data demonstrate that the zebrafish model organism enables us to study the molecular details of adaptinopathies and thus also develop treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mignani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicola Facchinello
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Varinelli
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 24126 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Elena Massardi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Natascia Tiso
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Cosetta Ravelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefania Mitola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- CN3 "Sviluppo di Terapia Genica e Farmaci con Tecnologia ad RNA", 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Peter Schu
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center, Georg-August University, Humboldtallee 23, 37073 Gottingen, Germany
| | - Eugenio Monti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Dario Finazzi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Borsani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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10
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Burton EA, Burgess HA. A Critical Review of Zebrafish Neurological Disease Models-2. Application: Functional and Neuroanatomical Phenotyping Strategies and Chemical Screens. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2:kvac019. [PMID: 37637775 PMCID: PMC10455049 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvac019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Extensive phylogenetic conservation of molecular pathways and neuroanatomical structures, associated with efficient methods for genetic modification, have been exploited increasingly to generate zebrafish models of human disease. A range of powerful approaches can be deployed to analyze these models with the ultimate goal of elucidating pathogenic mechanisms and accelerating efforts to find effective treatments. Unbiased neurobehavioral assays can provide readouts that parallel clinical abnormalities found in patients, although some of the most useful assays quantify responses that are not routinely evaluated clinically, and differences between zebrafish and human brains preclude expression of the full range of neurobehavioral abnormalities seen in disease. Imaging approaches that use fluorescent reporters and standardized brain atlases coupled with quantitative measurements of brain structure offer an unbiased means to link experimental manipulations to changes in neural architecture. Together, quantitative structural and functional analyses allow dissection of the cellular and physiological basis underlying neurological phenotypes. These approaches can be used as outputs in chemical modifier screens, which provide a major opportunity to exploit zebrafish models to identify small molecule modulators of pathophysiology that may be informative for understanding disease mechanisms and possible therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward A Burton
- Pittsburgh Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
| | - Harold A Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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11
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Zoodsma JD, Keegan EJ, Moody GR, Bhandiwad AA, Napoli AJ, Burgess HA, Wollmuth LP, Sirotkin HI. Disruption of grin2B, an ASD-associated gene, produces social deficits in zebrafish. Mol Autism 2022; 13:38. [PMID: 36138431 PMCID: PMC9502958 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00516-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), like many neurodevelopmental disorders, has complex and varied etiologies. Advances in genome sequencing have identified multiple candidate genes associated with ASD, including dozens of missense and nonsense mutations in the NMDAR subunit GluN2B, encoded by GRIN2B. NMDARs are glutamate-gated ion channels with key synaptic functions in excitatory neurotransmission. How alterations in these proteins impact neurodevelopment is poorly understood, in part because knockouts of GluN2B in rodents are lethal. METHODS Here, we use CRISPR-Cas9 to generate zebrafish lacking GluN2B (grin2B-/-). Using these fish, we run an array of behavioral tests and perform whole-brain larval imaging to assay developmental roles and functions of GluN2B. RESULTS We demonstrate that zebrafish GluN2B displays similar structural and functional properties to human GluN2B. Zebrafish lacking GluN2B (grin2B-/-) surprisingly survive into adulthood. Given the prevalence of social deficits in ASD, we assayed social preference in the grin2B-/- fish. Wild-type fish develop a strong social preference by 3 weeks post fertilization. In contrast, grin2B-/- fish at this age exhibit significantly reduced social preference. Notably, the lack of GluN2B does not result in a broad disruption of neurodevelopment, as grin2B-/- larvae do not show alterations in spontaneous or photic-evoked movements, are capable of prey capture, and exhibit learning. Whole-brain imaging of grin2B-/- larvae revealed reduction of an inhibitory neuron marker in the subpallium, a region linked to ASD in humans, but showed that overall brain size and E/I balance in grin2B-/- is comparable to wild type. LIMITATIONS Zebrafish lacking GluN2B, while useful in studying developmental roles of GluN2B, are unlikely to model nuanced functional alterations of human missense mutations that are not complete loss of function. Additionally, detailed mammalian homologies for larval zebrafish brain subdivisions at the age of whole-brain imaging are not fully resolved. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that zebrafish completely lacking the GluN2B subunit of the NMDAR, unlike rodent models, are viable into adulthood. Notably, they exhibit a highly specific deficit in social behavior. As such, this zebrafish model affords a unique opportunity to study the roles of GluN2B in ASD etiologies and establish a disease-relevant in vivo model for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah D Zoodsma
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Emma J Keegan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Gabrielle R Moody
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Ashwin A Bhandiwad
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amalia J Napoli
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Harold A Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lonnie P Wollmuth
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Howard I Sirotkin
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA.
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12
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Fasano G, Compagnucci C, Dallapiccola B, Tartaglia M, Lauri A. Teleost Fish and Organoids: Alternative Windows Into the Development of Healthy and Diseased Brains. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:855786. [PMID: 36034498 PMCID: PMC9403253 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.855786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The variety in the display of animals’ cognition, emotions, and behaviors, typical of humans, has its roots within the anterior-most part of the brain: the forebrain, giving rise to the neocortex in mammals. Our understanding of cellular and molecular events instructing the development of this domain and its multiple adaptations within the vertebrate lineage has progressed in the last decade. Expanding and detailing the available knowledge on regionalization, progenitors’ behavior and functional sophistication of the forebrain derivatives is also key to generating informative models to improve our characterization of heterogeneous and mechanistically unexplored cortical malformations. Classical and emerging mammalian models are irreplaceable to accurately elucidate mechanisms of stem cells expansion and impairments of cortex development. Nevertheless, alternative systems, allowing a considerable reduction of the burden associated with animal experimentation, are gaining popularity to dissect basic strategies of neural stem cells biology and morphogenesis in health and disease and to speed up preclinical drug testing. Teleost vertebrates such as zebrafish, showing conserved core programs of forebrain development, together with patients-derived in vitro 2D and 3D models, recapitulating more accurately human neurogenesis, are now accepted within translational workflows spanning from genetic analysis to functional investigation. Here, we review the current knowledge of common and divergent mechanisms shaping the forebrain in vertebrates, and causing cortical malformations in humans. We next address the utility, benefits and limitations of whole-brain/organism-based fish models or neuronal ensembles in vitro for translational research to unravel key genes and pathological mechanisms involved in neurodevelopmental diseases.
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13
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Aquatic Freshwater Vertebrate Models of Epilepsy Pathology: Past Discoveries and Future Directions for Therapeutic Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158608. [PMID: 35955745 PMCID: PMC9368815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158608] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is an international public health concern that greatly affects patients’ health and lifestyle. About 30% of patients do not respond to available therapies, making new research models important for further drug discovery. Aquatic vertebrates present a promising avenue for improved seizure drug screening and discovery. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis and tropicalis) are increasing in popularity for seizure research due to their cost-effective housing and rearing, similar genome to humans, ease of genetic manipulation, and simplicity of drug dosing. These organisms have demonstrated utility in a variety of seizure-induction models including chemical and genetic methods. Past studies with these methods have produced promising data and generated questions for further applications of these models to promote discovery of drug-resistant seizure pathology and lead to effective treatments for these patients.
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14
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Shenoy A, Banerjee M, Upadhya A, Bagwe-Parab S, Kaur G. The Brilliance of the Zebrafish Model: Perception on Behavior and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:861155. [PMID: 35769627 PMCID: PMC9234549 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.861155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become increasingly prevalent in the elderly population across the world. It's pathophysiological markers such as overproduction along with the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) are posing a serious challenge to novel drug development processes. A model which simulates the human neurodegenerative mechanism will be beneficial for rapid screening of potential drug candidates. Due to the comparable neurological network with humans, zebrafish has emerged as a promising AD model. This model has been thoroughly validated through research in aspects of neuronal pathways analogous to the human brain. The cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic pathways, which play a role in the manifested behavior of the zebrafish, are well defined. There are several behavioral models in both adult zebrafish and larvae to establish various aspects of cognitive impairment including spatial memory, associative memory, anxiety, and other such features that are manifested in AD. The zebrafish model eliminates the shortcomings of previously recognized mammalian models, in terms of expense, extensive assessment durations, and the complexity of imaging the brain to test the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. This review highlights the various models that analyze the changes in the normal behavioral patterns of the zebrafish when exposed to AD inducing agents. The mechanistic pathway adopted by drugs and novel therapeutic strategies can be explored via these behavioral models and their efficacy to slow the progression of AD can be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ginpreet Kaur
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
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15
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Tuschl K, White RJ, Trivedi C, Valdivia LE, Niklaus S, Bianco IH, Dadswell C, González-Méndez R, Sealy IM, Neuhauss SCF, Houart C, Rihel J, Wilson SW, Busch-Nentwich EM. Loss of slc39a14 causes simultaneous manganese hypersensitivity and deficiency in zebrafish. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:dmm044594. [PMID: 35514229 PMCID: PMC9227717 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.044594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Manganese neurotoxicity is a hallmark of hypermanganesemia with dystonia 2, an inherited manganese transporter defect caused by mutations in SLC39A14. To identify novel potential targets of manganese neurotoxicity, we performed transcriptome analysis of slc39a14-/- mutant zebrafish that were exposed to MnCl2. Differentially expressed genes mapped to the central nervous system and eye, and pathway analysis suggested that Ca2+ dyshomeostasis and activation of the unfolded protein response are key features of manganese neurotoxicity. Consistent with this interpretation, MnCl2 exposure led to decreased whole-animal Ca2+ levels, locomotor defects and changes in neuronal activity within the telencephalon and optic tectum. In accordance with reduced tectal activity, slc39a14-/- zebrafish showed changes in visual phototransduction gene expression, absence of visual background adaptation and a diminished optokinetic reflex. Finally, numerous differentially expressed genes in mutant larvae normalised upon MnCl2 treatment indicating that, in addition to neurotoxicity, manganese deficiency is present either subcellularly or in specific cells or tissues. Overall, we assembled a comprehensive set of genes that mediate manganese-systemic responses and found a highly correlated and modulated network associated with Ca2+ dyshomeostasis and cellular stress. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Tuschl
- UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IoPPN, Kings College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Richard J. White
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Chintan Trivedi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Leonardo E. Valdivia
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Center for Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba 8580745, Chile
- Escuela de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba 8580745, Chile
| | - Stephanie Niklaus
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isaac H. Bianco
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Chris Dadswell
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, UK
| | | | - Ian M. Sealy
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Stephan C. F. Neuhauss
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Corinne Houart
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IoPPN, Kings College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Jason Rihel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Stephen W. Wilson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Elisabeth M. Busch-Nentwich
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
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16
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Restoring Shank3 in the rostral brainstem of shank3ab-/- zebrafish autism models rescues sensory deficits. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1411. [PMID: 34921227 PMCID: PMC8683502 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02920-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
People with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, caused by mutations in the SHANK3 gene, commonly exhibit reduced responses to sensory stimuli; yet the changes in brain-wide activity that link these symptoms to mutations in the shank3 gene remain unknown. Here we quantify movement in response to sudden darkness in larvae of two shank3 zebrafish mutant models and show that both models exhibit dampened responses to this stimulus. Using brain-wide activity mapping, we find that shank3−/− light-sensing brain regions show normal levels of activity while sensorimotor integration and motor regions are less active. Specifically restoring Shank3 function in a sensorimotor nucleus of the rostral brainstem enables the shank3−/− model to respond like wild-type. In sum, we find that reduced sensory responsiveness in shank3−/− models is associated with reduced activity in sensory processing brain regions and can be rescued by restoring Shank3 function in the rostral brainstem. These studies highlight the importance of Shank3 function in the rostral brainstem for integrating sensory inputs to generate behavioral adaptations to changing sensory stimuli. Robert Kozol et al. developed two zebrafish Shank3 models to characterize the basis of sensorimotor deficits, which are a consistent feature in SHANK3-deficient human patients (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome). Their results suggest that hindbrain regions require Shank3 for normal responses to light, and provide further insight toward the biology of sensory deficits in Shank3 mutants.
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17
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Serrano RJ, Lee C, Douek AM, Kaslin J, Bryson-Richardson RJ, Sztal TE. Novel pre-clinical model for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Dis Model Mech 2021; 15:273746. [PMID: 34913468 PMCID: PMC8922025 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like-5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe X-linked neurodegenerative disease characterised by early-onset epileptic seizures, low muscle tone, progressive intellectual disability and severe motor function. CDD affects ∼1 in 60,000 live births, with many patients experiencing a reduced quality of life due to the severity of their neurological symptoms and functional impairment. There are no effective therapies for CDD, with current treatments focusing on improving symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of the disorder. Zebrafish offer many unique advantages for high-throughput preclinical evaluation of potential therapies for neurological diseases, including CDD. In particular, the large number of offspring produced, together with the possibilities for in vivo imaging and genetic manipulation, allows for the detailed assessment of disease pathogenesis and therapeutic discovery. We have characterised a loss-of-function zebrafish model for CDD, containing a nonsense mutation in cdkl5. cdkl5 mutant zebrafish display defects in neuronal patterning, seizures, microcephaly, and reduced muscle function caused by impaired muscle innervation. This study provides a powerful vertebrate model for investigating CDD disease pathophysiology and allowing high-throughput screening for effective therapies. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Characterisation of a novel loss-of-function zebrafish model for CDKL5 deficiency disorder, containing a nonsense mutation, demonstrates its utility for investigating disease aetiology and allowing high-throughput screening for potentially effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita J Serrano
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Clara Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alon M Douek
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Tamar E Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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18
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Li N, Gao S, Wang S, He S, Wang J, He L, Jiang D, Shi YS, Zhang J, Gu Y, Chen T, Kong M, Xu X, Zhao Q. Attractin Participates in Schizophrenia by Affecting Testosterone Levels. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:755165. [PMID: 34869343 PMCID: PMC8636034 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.755165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Attractin (ATRN) is a widely expressed glycoprotein that is involved in energy homeostasis, neurodevelopment, and immune response. It is encoded by a gene spanning 180 kb on chromosome 20p13, a region previously implicated in schizophrenia by linkage studies. To address a possible role of ATRN in disorders of the central nervous system, we created an atrn knockout zebrafish line and performed behavioral tests. Adult atrn–/– zebrafish exhibited more pronounced attack behavior relative to wild-type control zebrafish in a tracking analysis. Biochemical analysis revealed elevated testosterone levels in atrn–/– zebrafish. At the gene expression level, we noted an upregulation of cyp51 and hsd17b7, key proteins in testosterone synthesis in the brains of both adult and larvae of atrn–/– zebrafish. In order to further elucidate the relationship between testosterone and behavioral syndromes, we then compared testosterone levels of 9,008 psychiatric patients and 247 healthy controls from the same catchment area. Of all subjects examined, male subjects with schizophrenia exhibited lower testosterone levels compared with controls. In contrast, female subjects with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder featured higher testosterone levels than did same sex controls. Purposeful sampling of extreme groups showed reduced ATRN expression in a subset of these subjects. Finally, we identified 14 subjects with ATRN mutations. All of whom displayed abnormal testosterone levels. In summary, the interplay of ATRN and testosterone may help to explain sexual dimorphisms in selected behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuzhan Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Jiayin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luqingqing He
- Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongya Jiang
- Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Stone Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Yuan Gu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tian Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingjun Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xijia Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingshun Zhao
- Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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19
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Abstract
Brain imaging requires mounting of zebrafish larvae in a vertical position, but anesthetized or fixed larvae tend to fall on their sides without external support. Current solution is to manually hold individual larva until liquid agarose solidifies, which is time consuming, labor intensive, and unfriendly to beginners. We developed a method to form larva-shaped slots in agarose gel using a computer numerical controlled manufactured mold. Each slot nearly perfectly fits a larva in its upright position, and larvae can be easily mounted by inserting into the slots. On average, each larva can be mounted in <1 min using this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Geng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Randall T. Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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20
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Phenotypic analysis of catastrophic childhood epilepsy genes. Commun Biol 2021; 4:680. [PMID: 34083748 PMCID: PMC8175701 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02221-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering techniques have contributed to the now widespread use of zebrafish to investigate gene function, but zebrafish-based human disease studies, and particularly for neurological disorders, are limited. Here we used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate 40 single-gene mutant zebrafish lines representing catastrophic childhood epilepsies. We evaluated larval phenotypes using electrophysiological, behavioral, neuro-anatomical, survival and pharmacological assays. Local field potential recordings (LFP) were used to screen ∼3300 larvae. Phenotypes with unprovoked electrographic seizure activity (i.e., epilepsy) were identified in zebrafish lines for 8 genes; ARX, EEF1A, GABRB3, GRIN1, PNPO, SCN1A, STRADA and STXBP1. We also created an open-source database containing sequencing information, survival curves, behavioral profiles and representative electrophysiology data. We offer all zebrafish lines as a resource to the neuroscience community and envision them as a starting point for further functional analysis and/or identification of new therapies. Griffin et al used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate 40 single-gene mutant zebrafish lines representing childhood epilepsies for which they evaluated larval phenotypes using electrophysiological, behavioral, neuro-anatomical, survival and pharmacological assays. Their study provides a useful resource for the future functional analysis and/or identification of potential anti-epileptic therapies.
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21
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Chico TJA, Kugler EC. Cerebrovascular development: mechanisms and experimental approaches. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4377-4398. [PMID: 33688979 PMCID: PMC8164590 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03790-1] [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: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cerebral vasculature plays a central role in human health and disease and possesses several unique anatomic, functional and molecular characteristics. Despite their importance, the mechanisms that determine cerebrovascular development are less well studied than other vascular territories. This is in part due to limitations of existing models and techniques for visualisation and manipulation of the cerebral vasculature. In this review we summarise the experimental approaches used to study the cerebral vessels and the mechanisms that contribute to their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J A Chico
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK.
- The Bateson Centre, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, The Pam Liversidge Building, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK.
| | - Elisabeth C Kugler
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK.
- The Bateson Centre, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, The Pam Liversidge Building, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK.
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Trivellin G, Tirosh A, Hernández-Ramírez LC, Gupta T, Tsai-Morris CH, Faucz FR, Burgess HA, Feldman B, Stratakis CA. The X-linked acrogigantism-associated gene gpr101 is a regulator of early embryonic development and growth in zebrafish. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 520:111091. [PMID: 33248229 PMCID: PMC8771005 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We recently described X-linked acrogigantism (X-LAG), a condition of early childhood-onset pituitary gigantism associated with microduplications of the GPR101 receptor. The expression of GPR101 in hyperplastic pituitary regions and tumors in X-LAG patients, and GPR101's normally transient pituitary expression during fetal development, suggest a role in the regulation of growth. Nevertheless, little is still known about GPR101's physiological functions, especially during development. By using zebrafish models, we investigated the role of gpr101 during embryonic development and somatic growth. Transient ectopic gpr101 expression perturbed the embryonic body plan but did not affect growth. Loss of gpr101 led to a significant reduction in body size that was even more pronounced in the absence of maternal transcripts, as well as subfertility. These changes were accompanied by gastrulation and hypothalamic defects. In conclusion, both gpr101 loss- and gain-of-function affect, in different ways, fertility, embryonic patterning, growth and brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampaolo Trivellin
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Endocrinology and Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Mi, Italy.
| | - Amit Tirosh
- NET Service and Endocrine Oncology Bioinformatics Lab, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Laura C Hernández-Ramírez
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tripti Gupta
- Division of Developmental Biology, NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Fabio R Faucz
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Harold A Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin Feldman
- Division of Developmental Biology, NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Constantine A Stratakis
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
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23
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Dark C, Williams C, Bellgrove MA, Hawi Z, Bryson-Richardson RJ. Functional validation of CHMP7 as an ADHD risk gene. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:385. [PMID: 33159045 PMCID: PMC7648633 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01077-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood with a strong genetic component. Despite the success of mapping ADHD risk loci, little work has been done to experimentally verify the contribution of these loci to ADHD phenotypes. Meta-analysis of four genome-wide association studies in ADHD suggested CHMP7 as a predisposing gene for ADHD. A DNA variant (rs2294123) mapped to CHMP7 has been shown (via bioinformatic analysis) to have a high likelihood for functionality and correlate with reduced transcript levels. We used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to generate a chmp7 zebrafish model for ADHD. chmp7+/- fish showed comparable reductions in mRNA levels to individuals homozygous for the CHMP7 ADHD risk allele. These fish displayed significant hyperactivity over a 24-h period at 6 days post-fertilisation compared to chmp7+/+, but this effect did not persist into juvenile and adulthood stages. In addition, chmp7+/- fish had significantly smaller total brain volumes than chmp7+/+ fish. Finally, the hyperactivity at 6 days post-fertilisation was significantly reduced through the application of methylphenidate, a mainstay pharmacological treatment for ADHD. Overall, this study highlights an important role for CHMP7 in the neurodevelopment of ADHD, and demonstrates the utility of zebrafish for modelling the functional effects of genes conferring risk to ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum Dark
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Caitlin Williams
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mark A. Bellgrove
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ziarih Hawi
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Robert J. Bryson-Richardson
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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24
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Jaggard JB, Lloyd E, Yuiska A, Patch A, Fily Y, Kowalko JE, Appelbaum L, Duboue ER, Keene AC. Cavefish brain atlases reveal functional and anatomical convergence across independently evolved populations. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba3126. [PMID: 32938683 PMCID: PMC7494351 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba3126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Environmental perturbation can drive behavioral evolution and associated changes in brain structure and function. The Mexican fish species, Astyanax mexicanus, includes eyed river-dwelling surface populations and multiple independently evolved populations of blind cavefish. We used whole-brain imaging and neuronal mapping of 684 larval fish to generate neuroanatomical atlases of surface fish and three different cave populations. Analyses of brain region volume and neural circuits associated with cavefish behavior identified evolutionary convergence in hindbrain and hypothalamic expansion, and changes in neurotransmitter systems, including increased numbers of catecholamine and hypocretin/orexin neurons. To define evolutionary changes in brain function, we performed whole-brain activity mapping associated with behavior. Hunting behavior evoked activity in sensory processing centers, while sleep-associated activity differed in the rostral zone of the hypothalamus and tegmentum. These atlases represent a comparative brain-wide study of intraspecies variation in vertebrates and provide a resource for studying the neural basis of behavioral evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Jaggard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Evan Lloyd
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Anders Yuiska
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Adam Patch
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Yaouen Fily
- 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
| | - Lior Appelbaum
- The Faculty of Life Sciences and The Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Erik R Duboue
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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25
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Cook ZT, Brockway NL, Tobias ZJC, Pajarla J, Boardman IS, Ippolito H, Nkombo Nkoula S, Weissman TA. Combining near-infrared fluorescence with Brainbow to visualize expression of specific genes within a multicolor context. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:491-505. [PMID: 30586321 PMCID: PMC6594444 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e18-06-0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins are a powerful experimental tool, allowing the visualization of gene expression and cellular behaviors in a variety of systems. Multicolor combinations of fluorescent proteins, such as Brainbow, have expanded the range of possible research questions and are useful for distinguishing and tracking cells. The addition of a separately driven color, however, would allow researchers to report expression of a manipulated gene within the multicolor context to investigate mechanistic effects. A far-red or near-infrared protein could be particularly suitable in this context, as these can be distinguished spectrally from Brainbow. We investigated five far-red/near-infrared proteins in zebrafish: TagRFP657, mCardinal, miRFP670, iRFP670, and mIFP. Our results show that both mCardinal and iRFP670 are useful fluorescent proteins for zebrafish expression. We also introduce a new transgenic zebrafish line that expresses Brainbow under the control of the neuroD promoter. We demonstrate that mCardinal can be used to track the expression of a manipulated bone morphogenetic protein receptor within the Brainbow context. The overlay of near-infrared fluorescence onto a Brainbow background defines a clear strategy for future research questions that aim to manipulate or track the effects of specific genes within a population of cells that are delineated using multicolor approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe T. Cook
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
| | | | | | - Joy Pajarla
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
| | | | - Helen Ippolito
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
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26
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Tabor KM, Marquart GD, Hurt C, Smith TS, Geoca AK, Bhandiwad AA, Subedi A, Sinclair JL, Rose HM, Polys NF, Burgess HA. Brain-wide cellular resolution imaging of Cre transgenic zebrafish lines for functional circuit-mapping. eLife 2019; 8:42687. [PMID: 30735129 PMCID: PMC6392497 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Decoding the functional connectivity of the nervous system is facilitated by transgenic methods that express a genetically encoded reporter or effector in specific neurons; however, most transgenic lines show broad spatiotemporal and cell-type expression. Increased specificity can be achieved using intersectional genetic methods which restrict reporter expression to cells that co-express multiple drivers, such as Gal4 and Cre. To facilitate intersectional targeting in zebrafish, we have generated more than 50 new Cre lines, and co-registered brain expression images with the Zebrafish Brain Browser, a cellular resolution atlas of 264 transgenic lines. Lines labeling neurons of interest can be identified using a web-browser to perform a 3D spatial search (zbbrowser.com). This resource facilitates the design of intersectional genetic experiments and will advance a wide range of precision circuit-mapping studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Tabor
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Gregory D Marquart
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States.,Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, United States
| | - Christopher Hurt
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States.,Advanced Research Computing, Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, United States
| | - Trevor S Smith
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Alexandra K Geoca
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Ashwin A Bhandiwad
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Abhignya Subedi
- Postdoctoral Research Associate Training Program, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Bethesda, United States
| | - Jennifer L Sinclair
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Hannah M Rose
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Nicholas F Polys
- Advanced Research Computing, Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, United States
| | - Harold A Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
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27
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Prenatal Neuropathologies in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability: The Gestation of a Comprehensive Zebrafish Model. J Dev Biol 2018; 6:jdb6040029. [PMID: 30513623 PMCID: PMC6316217 DOI: 10.3390/jdb6040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) are neurodevelopmental disorders with overlapping diagnostic behaviors and risk factors. These include embryonic exposure to teratogens and mutations in genes that have important functions prenatally. Animal models, including rodents and zebrafish, have been essential in delineating mechanisms of neuropathology and identifying developmental critical periods, when those mechanisms are most sensitive to disruption. This review focuses on how the developmentally accessible zebrafish is contributing to our understanding of prenatal pathologies that set the stage for later ASD-ID behavioral deficits. We discuss the known factors that contribute prenatally to ASD-ID and the recent use of zebrafish to model deficits in brain morphogenesis and circuit development. We conclude by suggesting that a future challenge in zebrafish ASD-ID modeling will be to bridge prenatal anatomical and physiological pathologies to behavioral deficits later in life.
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28
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Zebrafish research: Rewriting the rulebook. Methods 2018; 150:1-2. [PMID: 30390965 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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29
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López-Schier H. Neuroplasticity in the acoustic startle reflex in larval zebrafish. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 54:134-139. [PMID: 30359930 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Learning is essential for animal survival under changing environments. Even in its simplest form, learning involves interactions between a handful of neuronal circuits, hundreds of neurons and many thousand synapses. In this review I will focus on habituation - a form of non-associative learning during which organisms decrease their response to repetitions of identical sensory stimuli. I will discuss how recent studies of the acoustic startle reflex mediated by the Mauthner cell in the zebrafish larva are helping to understand the neuroplastic processes that underlie habituation. In addition to being a fascinating biological process, habituation is clinically relevant because it is affected in various neuropsychiatric disorders in humans, including autism, schizophrenia, Fragile-X and Tourette's syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernán López-Schier
- Research Unit Sensory Biology & Organogenesis, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
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