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Clevenger T, Paz J, Stafford A, Amos D, Hayes AW. An Evaluation of Zebrafish, an Emerging Model Analyzing the Effects of Toxicants on Cognitive and Neuromuscular Function. Int J Toxicol 2024; 43:46-62. [PMID: 37903286 DOI: 10.1177/10915818231207966] [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: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
An emerging alternative to conventional animal models in toxicology research is the zebrafish. Their accelerated development, regenerative capacity, transparent physical appearance, ability to be genetically manipulated, and ease of housing and care make them feasible and efficient experimental models. Nonetheless, their most esteemed asset is their 70% (+) genetic similarity with the human genome, which allows the model to be used in a variety of clinically relevant studies. With these attributes, we propose the zebrafish is an excellent model for analyzing cognitive and neuromuscular responses when exposed to toxicants. Neurocognition can be readily analyzed using visual discrimination, memory and learning, and social behavior testing. Neuromuscular function can be analyzed using techniques such as the startle response, assessment of activity level, and evaluation of critical swimming speed. Furthermore, selectively mutated zebrafish is another novel application of this species in behavioral and pharmacological studies, which can be exploited in toxicological studies. There is a critical need in biomedical research to discover ethical and cost-effective methods to develop new products, including drugs. Through mutagenesis, zebrafish models have become key in meeting this need by advancing the field in numerous areas of biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jakob Paz
- Florida College, Temple Terrace, FL, USA
| | | | | | - A Wallace Hayes
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Temple Terrace, FL, USA
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2
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Ikeda D, Fujita S, Toda K, Yaginuma Y, Kan-no N, Watabe S. Cold-induced muscle atrophy in zebrafish: Insights from swimming activity and gene expression analysis. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 36:101570. [PMID: 37965068 PMCID: PMC10641114 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The investigation into the effects of cold acclimation on fish skeletal muscle function and its potential implications for muscle atrophy is of great interest to us. This study examines how rearing zebrafish at low temperatures affects their locomotor activity and the expression of genes associated with muscle atrophy. Zebrafish were exposed to temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 25 °C, and their swimming distance was measured. The expression levels of important muscle atrophy genes, Atrogin-1 and MuRF1, were also evaluated. Our findings show that swimming activity significantly decreases when the water temperature ranges from 10 °C to 15 °C, indicating a decrease in voluntary movement. Additionally, gene expression analysis shows a significant increase in the expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 at 10 °C. This up-regulation could lead to muscle atrophy caused by decreased activity in cold temperatures. To investigate the effects of exercise on reducing muscle atrophy, we subjected zebrafish to forced swimming at a temperature of 8 °C for ten days. This treatment significantly reduced the expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1, emphasizing the importance of muscle stimulation in preventing muscle atrophy in zebrafish. These findings suggest that zebrafish can serve as a valuable model organism for studying muscle atrophy and can be utilized in drug screening for muscle atrophy-related disorders. Cold-reared zebrafish provide a practical and ethical approach to inducing disuse muscle atrophy, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for addressing skeletal muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ikeda
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Seina Fujita
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Kaito Toda
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Yuma Yaginuma
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Kan-no
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Shugo Watabe
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
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3
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Sourisse JM, Bonzi LC, Semmelhack J, Schunter C. Warming affects routine swimming activity and novel odour response in larval zebrafish. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21075. [PMID: 38030737 PMCID: PMC10687225 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48287-y] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Temperature is a primary factor affecting the physiology of ectothermic animals and global warming of water bodies may therefore impact aquatic life. Understanding the effects of near-future predicted temperature changes on the behaviour and underlying molecular mechanisms of aquatic animals is of particular importance, since behaviour mediates survival. In this study, we investigate the effects of developmental temperature on locomotory behaviour and olfactory learning in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. We exposed zebrafish from embryonic stage to either control (28 °C) or elevated temperature (30 °C) for seven days. Overall, warming reduced routine swimming activity and caused upregulation of metabolism and neuron development genes. When exposed to olfactory cues, namely catfish cue, a non-alarming but novel odour, and conspecifics alarming cue, warming differently affected the larvae response to the two cues. An increase in locomotory activity and a large transcriptional reprogramming was observed at elevated temperature in response to novel odour, with upregulation of cell signalling, neuron development and neuron functioning genes. As this response was coupled with the downregulation of genes involved in protein translation and ATP metabolism, novel odour recognition in future-predicted thermal conditions would require energetic trade-offs between expensive baseline processes and responsive functions. To evaluate their learning abilities at both temperatures, larvae were conditioned with a mixture of conspecifics alarm cue and catfish cue. Regardless of temperature, no behavioural nor gene expression changes were detected, reinforcing our findings that warming mainly affects zebrafish molecular response to novel odours. Overall, our results show that future thermal conditions will likely impact developing stages, causing trade-offs following novel olfactory detection in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade M Sourisse
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lucrezia C Bonzi
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Julie Semmelhack
- The Division of Life Science, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Celia Schunter
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Dalla Barba F, Soardi M, Mouhib L, Risato G, Akyürek EE, Lucon-Xiccato T, Scano M, Benetollo A, Sacchetto R, Richard I, Argenton F, Bertolucci C, Carotti M, Sandonà D. Modeling Sarcoglycanopathy in Danio rerio. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12707. [PMID: 37628888 PMCID: PMC10454440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612707] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcoglycanopathies, also known as limb girdle muscular dystrophy 3-6, are rare muscular dystrophies characterized, although heterogeneous, by high disability, with patients often wheelchair-bound by late adolescence and frequently developing respiratory and cardiac problems. These diseases are currently incurable, emphasizing the importance of effective treatment strategies and the necessity of animal models for drug screening and therapeutic verification. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique, we generated and characterized δ-sarcoglycan and β-sarcoglycan knockout zebrafish lines, which presented a progressive disease phenotype that worsened from a mild larval stage to distinct myopathic features in adulthood. By subjecting the knockout larvae to a viscous swimming medium, we were able to anticipate disease onset. The δ-SG knockout line was further exploited to demonstrate that a δ-SG missense mutant is a substrate for endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD), indicating premature degradation due to protein folding defects. In conclusion, our study underscores the utility of zebrafish in modeling sarcoglycanopathies through either gene knockout or future knock-in techniques. These novel zebrafish lines will not only enhance our understanding of the disease's pathogenic mechanisms, but will also serve as powerful tools for phenotype-based drug screening, ultimately contributing to the development of a cure for sarcoglycanopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dalla Barba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Michela Soardi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Leila Mouhib
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
- Randall Center for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Giovanni Risato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Department of Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Eylem Emek Akyürek
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Agripolis, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Martina Scano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Alberto Benetollo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Roberta Sacchetto
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Agripolis, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Isabelle Richard
- Genethon, F-91002 Evry, France
- INSERM, U951, INTEGRARE Research Unit, F-91002 Evry, France
| | - Francesco Argenton
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marcello Carotti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
| | - Dorianna Sandonà
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.D.B.)
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5
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Widrick JJ, Lambert MR, Kunkel LM, Beggs AH. Optimizing assays of zebrafish larvae swimming performance for drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:629-641. [PMID: 37183669 PMCID: PMC10485652 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2211802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Zebrafish larvae are one of the few vertebrates amenable to large-scale drug discovery screens. Larval swimming behavior is often used as an outcome variable and many fields of study have developed assays for evaluating swimming performance. An unintended consequence of this wide interest is that details related to assay methodology and interpretation become scattered across the literature. The aim of this review is to consolidate this information, particularly as it relates to high-throughput approaches. AREAS COVERED The authors describe larval swimming behaviors as this forms the basis for understanding their experimentally evoked swimming or spontaneous activity. Next, they detail how swimming activity can serve as an outcome variable, particularly in the multi-well formats used in large-scale screening studies. They also highlight biological and technical factors that can impact the sensitivity and variability of these measurements. EXPERT OPINION Careful attention to animal husbandry, experimental design, data acquisition, and interpretation of results can improve screen outcomes by maximizing swimming activity while minimizing intra- and inter-larval variability. The development of more sensitive, quantitative methods of assessing swimming performance that can be incorporated into high-throughput workflows will be important in order to take full advantage of the zebrafish model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J. Widrick
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthias R. Lambert
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Louis M. Kunkel
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- The Stem Cell Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Alan H. Beggs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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6
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Tesoriero C, Greco F, Cannone E, Ghirotto F, Facchinello N, Schiavone M, Vettori A. Modeling Human Muscular Dystrophies in Zebrafish: Mutant Lines, Transgenic Fluorescent Biosensors, and Phenotyping Assays. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:8314. [PMID: 37176020 PMCID: PMC10179009 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are a heterogeneous group of myopathies characterized by progressive muscle weakness leading to death from heart or respiratory failure. MDs are caused by mutations in genes involved in both the development and organization of muscle fibers. Several animal models harboring mutations in MD-associated genes have been developed so far. Together with rodents, the zebrafish is one of the most popular animal models used to reproduce MDs because of the high level of sequence homology with the human genome and its genetic manipulability. This review describes the most important zebrafish mutant models of MD and the most advanced tools used to generate and characterize all these valuable transgenic lines. Zebrafish models of MDs have been generated by introducing mutations to muscle-specific genes with different genetic techniques, such as (i) N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) treatment, (ii) the injection of specific morpholino, (iii) tol2-based transgenesis, (iv) TALEN, (v) and CRISPR/Cas9 technology. All these models are extensively used either to study muscle development and function or understand the pathogenetic mechanisms of MDs. Several tools have also been developed to characterize these zebrafish models by checking (i) motor behavior, (ii) muscle fiber structure, (iii) oxidative stress, and (iv) mitochondrial function and dynamics. Further, living biosensor models, based on the expression of fluorescent reporter proteins under the control of muscle-specific promoters or responsive elements, have been revealed to be powerful tools to follow molecular dynamics at the level of a single muscle fiber. Thus, zebrafish models of MDs can also be a powerful tool to search for new drugs or gene therapies able to block or slow down disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tesoriero
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.T.); (F.G.); (F.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Francesca Greco
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.T.); (F.G.); (F.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Elena Cannone
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Francesco Ghirotto
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.T.); (F.G.); (F.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Nicola Facchinello
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Schiavone
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Andrea Vettori
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (C.T.); (F.G.); (F.G.); (A.V.)
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7
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Morphological Correlates of Locomotion in the Aquatic and the Terrestrial Phases of Pleurodeles waltl Newts from Southwestern Iberia. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Animals capable of moving in different environments might face conflicting selection on morphology, thus posing trade-offs on the relationships between morphology and locomotor performance in each of these environments. Moreover, given the distinct ecological roles of the sexes, these relationships can be sexually dimorphic. In this article, I studied the relationships between morphological traits and locomotor performance in male and female semiaquatic Pleurodeles waltl newts in their aquatic and their terrestrial stages. Morphology was sexually dimorphic: males have proportionally longer limbs and tails, as well as a better body condition (only in the aquatic phase), whereas females were larger and had greater body mass in both phases. Nonetheless, these morphological differences did not translate into sexual divergence in locomotor performance in either stage. This finding suggests other functions for the morphological traits measured, among which only SVL showed a positive relationship with locomotor performance in both stages, whereas the effect of SMI was negative only in the terrestrial stage, and that of tail length was positive only in the aquatic stage. In any case, the morphological correlates of terrestrial and aquatic locomotion did not conflict, which suggests no trade-off between both locomotory modes in the newts studied.
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8
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Li ZL, Buck M. A proteome-scale analysis of vertebrate protein amino acid occurrence: Thermoadaptation shows a correlation with protein solvation but less so with dynamics. Proteins 2023; 91:3-15. [PMID: 36053994 PMCID: PMC10087973 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite differences in behaviors and living conditions, vertebrate organisms share the great majority of proteins, often with subtle differences in amino acid sequence. Here, we present a simple way to analyze the difference in amino acid occurrence by comparing highly homologous proteins on a subproteome level between several vertebrate model organisms. Specifically, we use this method to identify a pattern of amino acid conservation as well as a shift in amino acid occurrence between homeotherms (warm-blooded species) and poikilotherms (cold-blooded species). Importantly, this general analysis and a specific example further establish a broad correlation, if not likely connection between the thermal adaptation of protein sequences and two of their physical features: on average a change in their protein dynamics and, even more strongly, in their solvation. For poikilotherms, such as frog and fish, the lower body temperature is expected to increase the protein-protein interaction due to a decrease in protein internal dynamics. In order to counteract the tendency for enhanced binding caused by low temperatures, poikilotherms enhance the solvation of their proteins by favoring polar amino acids. This feature appears to dominate over possible changes in dynamics for some proteins. The results suggest that a general trend for amino acid choice is part of the mechanism for thermoadaptation of vertebrate organisms at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Lu Li
- School of Life Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthias Buck
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Departments of Pharmacology and of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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9
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Faught E, Vijayan MM. The Mineralocorticoid Receptor Functions as a Key Glucose Regulator in the Skeletal Muscle of Zebrafish. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6679268. [PMID: 36041019 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are essential for maintaining energy homeostasis as part of the adaptive stress response. Most work to date has characterized the metabolic role of GCs via the activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (nr3c1; GR), which is activated under high GC conditions. However, GCs also bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor (nr3c2; MR), a high-affinity corticosteroid receptor active under basal GC conditions. Despite the expression of MR in skeletal muscles, almost nothing is known about its physiological role. Here we tested the hypothesis that the MR promotes anabolic processes during resting cortisol levels and curtails the catabolic actions of the GR during high (stressed) levels of cortisol. To determine the effect of MR, a zebrafish line with a ubiquitous MR knockout (MRca402/ca402) was utilized. The GR was activated in the same group by chronically treating fish with exogenous cortisol. In the muscle, MR primarily promoted nutrient storage, and restricted energy substrate mobilization under resting conditions, whereas GR activation resulted in increased nutrient utilization. Interestingly, MR loss improved GR-driven metabolic flexibility, suggesting that the activation state of these receptors is a key determinant of skeletal muscle ability to switch fuel sources. To determine if the anabolism-promoting nature of MR was due to an interaction with insulin, fish were co-injected with insulin and the fluorescent glucose analogue 2-NBDG. A loss of MR abolished insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle. Taken together, we postulate that MR acts as a key modulator of glucose metabolism in the musculature during basal and stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Faught
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N1N4, Canada
| | - Mathilakath M Vijayan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N1N4, Canada
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10
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Fgf8 dynamics and critical slowing down may account for the temperature independence of somitogenesis. Commun Biol 2022; 5:113. [PMID: 35132142 PMCID: PMC8821593 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Somitogenesis, the segmentation of the antero-posterior axis in vertebrates, is thought to result from the interactions between a genetic oscillator and a posterior-moving determination wavefront. The segment (somite) size is set by the product of the oscillator period and the velocity of the determination wavefront. Surprisingly, while the segmentation period can vary by a factor three between 20 °C and 32 °C, the somite size is constant. How this temperature independence is achieved is a mystery that we address in this study. Using RT-qPCR we show that the endogenous fgf8 mRNA concentration decreases during somitogenesis and correlates with the exponent of the shrinking pre-somitic mesoderm (PSM) size. As the temperature decreases, the dynamics of fgf8 and many other gene transcripts, as well as the segmentation frequency and the PSM shortening and tail growth rates slows down as T-Tc (with Tc = 14.4 °C). This behavior characteristic of a system near a critical point may account for the temperature independence of somitogenesis in zebrafish.
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11
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Thompson WA, Shvartsburd Z, Vijayan MM. Sex-Specific and Long-Term Impacts of Early-Life Venlafaxine Exposure in Zebrafish. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:250. [PMID: 35205116 PMCID: PMC8869491 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Venlafaxine, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is a widely prescribed antidepressant that is detected in municipal wastewater effluents at µg/L concentrations. It has been shown to impact the early life stages of fish, including neurodevelopment and behaviour in larvae, but whether such early exposures have longer-term consequences are far from clear. Here, we sought to determine whether zygotic deposition of venlafaxine, mimicking a maternal transfer scenario, disturbs the metabolic rate and behavioural performance using zebrafish (Danio rerio). This was tested using freshly fertilized embryos (1-4 cell stage) microinjected with either 0, 1 or 10 ng of venlafaxine and raised to either juvenile (60 days post-fertilization) or adult (10-12 months post-fertilization). Zygotic venlafaxine exposure led to a reduction in the active metabolic rate and aerobic scope, but this was only observed in female fish. On the other hand, the total distance travelled in an open field assessment was greater at the highest concentration of venlafaxine only in the adult males. At the juvenile stage, behavioural assessments demonstrated that venlafaxine exposure may increase boldness-including hyperactivity, lower thigmotaxis, and a reduction in the distance to a novel object. Taken together, these results demonstrate that zygotic venlafaxine exposure may impact developmental programming in a sex-specific manner in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mathilakath M. Vijayan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (W.A.T.); (Z.S.)
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12
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Krzykwa JC, Lamanteer GS, Sellin Jeffries MK. A comparison of two methods for estimating critical swimming speed (Ucrit) in larval fathead minnows: the laminar flow assay and the spinning task assay. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:273726. [PMID: 34817056 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Critical swimming speed (Ucrit) is considered a good predictor of swimming capabilities in fish. To estimate Ucrit, a fish is exposed to an incrementally increasing laminar flow of water until it cannot maintain its position against the current. The spinning task assay has been proposed as an alternative method to traditional laminar flow methods; however, these methods have not been directly compared. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine whether the spinning task assay is a suitable alternative to traditional laminar flow assays. To that end, the performance of fathead minnows in each assay was compared at three time points (14, 19 and 24 days post-fertilization, dpf). In 14 dpf fish, Ucrit estimates were similar regardless of the assay used. However, at 19 and 24 dpf, Ucrit estimates derived from the two assay types were significantly different. This indicates that the assays are not equivalent to one another and that the spinning task assay is not a suitable alternative to the laminar flow assay for the determination of Ucrit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Krzykwa
- Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX 76109, USA
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13
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Burris B, Jensen N, Mokalled MH. Assessment of Swim Endurance and Swim Behavior in Adult Zebrafish. J Vis Exp 2021:10.3791/63240. [PMID: 34842242 PMCID: PMC9226856 DOI: 10.3791/63240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to their renowned regenerative capacity, adult zebrafish are a premier vertebrate model to interrogate mechanisms of innate spinal cord regeneration. Following complete transection of their spinal cord, zebrafish extend glial and axonal bridges across severed tissue, regenerate neurons proximal to the lesion, and regain their swim capacities within 8 weeks of injury. Recovery of swim function is thus a central readout for functional spinal cord repair. Here, we describe a set of behavioral assays to quantify zebrafish motor capacity inside an enclosed swim tunnel. The goal of these methods is to provide quantifiable measurements of swim endurance and swim behavior in adult zebrafish. For swim endurance, zebrafish are subjected to a constantly increasing water current velocity until exhaustion, and time at exhaustion is reported. For swim behavior assessment, zebrafish are subjected to low current velocities and swim videos are captured with a dorsal view of the fish. Percent activity, burst frequency, and time spent against the water current provide quantifiable readouts of swim behavior. We quantified swim endurance and swim behavior in wild-type zebrafish before injury and after spinal cord transection. We found that zebrafish lose swim function after spinal cord transection and gradually regain that capacity between 2 and 6 weeks post-injury. The methods described in this study could be applied to neurobehavioral, musculoskeletal, skeletal muscle regeneration, and neural regeneration studies in adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke Burris
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Nicholas Jensen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Mayssa H Mokalled
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine;
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14
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Heinkele FJ, Lou B, Erben V, Bennewitz K, Poschet G, Sticht C, Kroll J. Metabolic and Transcriptional Adaptations Improve Physical Performance of Zebrafish. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10101581. [PMID: 34679716 PMCID: PMC8533608 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10101581] [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: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a worldwide public health problem with increasing prevalence and affects 80% of diabetes mellitus type 2 cases. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an established model organism for studying obesity and diabetes including diabetic microvascular complications. We aimed to determine whether physical activity is an appropriate tool to examine training effects in zebrafish and to analyse metabolic and transcriptional processes in trained zebrafish. A 2- and 8-week experimental training phase protocol with adult zebrafish in a swim tunnel system was established. We examined zebrafish basic characteristics before and after training such as body weight, body length and maximum speed and considered overfeeding as an additional parameter in the 8-weeks training protocol. Ultimately, the effects of training and overfeeding on blood glucose, muscle core metabolism and liver gene expression using RNA-Seq were investigated. Zebrafish maximum speed was correlated with body length and was significantly increased after 2 weeks of training. Maximum swim speed further increased after 8 weeks of training in both the normal-fed and the overfed groups, but training was found not to be sufficient in preventing weight gain in overfed fish. Metabolome and transcriptome profiling in trained fish exhibited increased blood glucose levels in the short-term and upregulated energy supply pathways as well as response to oxidative stress in the long-term. In conclusion, swim training is a valuable tool to study the effects of physical activity in zebrafish, which is accompanied by metabolic and transcriptional adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska J. Heinkele
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany; (F.J.H.); (B.L.); (V.E.); (K.B.)
| | - Bowen Lou
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany; (F.J.H.); (B.L.); (V.E.); (K.B.)
| | - Vanessa Erben
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany; (F.J.H.); (B.L.); (V.E.); (K.B.)
| | - Katrin Bennewitz
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany; (F.J.H.); (B.L.); (V.E.); (K.B.)
| | - Gernot Poschet
- Metabolomics Core Technology Platform, Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Carsten Sticht
- NGS Core Facility, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany;
| | - Jens Kroll
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany; (F.J.H.); (B.L.); (V.E.); (K.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)621-383-71455
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15
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Ujibe K, Nishimura K, Kashima M, Hirata H. Direct-TRI: High-throughput RNA-extracting Method for All Stages of Zebrafish Development. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e4136. [PMID: 34604443 PMCID: PMC8443459 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent popularization of next-generation sequencing enables conducting easy transcriptome analysis. Nevertheless, substantial RNA isolation work prior to RNA sequencing, as well as the high cost involved, still makes the routine use of large-scale transcriptome analysis difficult. For example, conventional phenol-chloroform RNA extraction cannot be easily applied to hundreds of samples. Therefore, we developed Direct-TRI, a new cost-effective and high throughput RNA-extraction method that uses a commercial guanidine-phenol-based RNA extraction reagent and a 96-well silica column plate. We applied Direct-TRI to zebrafish whole larvae and juvenile samples and obtained comparable RNA qualities by several different homogenization methods such as vortexing, manual homogenizing, and freezing/crushing. Direct-TRI enabled the extraction of 192 RNA samples in an hour with a cost of less than a dollar per sample. Direct-TRI is useful for large-scale transcriptome studies, manipulating hundreds of zebrafish individuals, and may be used with other animal samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Ujibe
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kanako Nishimura
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Makoto Kashima
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Hiromi Hirata
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, Japan
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16
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Sabrautzki S, Miller M, Kague E, Brielmeier M. Welfare Assessment of Adult Laboratory Zebrafish: A Practical Guide. Zebrafish 2021; 18:282-292. [PMID: 34227898 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2021.0021] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Teleost fish such as Danio rerio (zebrafish) have been successfully used in biomedical research since decades. Genetically altered fish lines obtained by state-of-the-art genetic technologies are serving as well-known model organisms. In Europe, following Directive 2010/63/EU, generation, breeding, and husbandry of new genetically altered lines of laboratory animals require governmental state approval in case pain, suffering, distress, or long-lasting harm to the offspring derived by breeding of these lines cannot be excluded. The identification and assessment of pain, distress, or harm, according to a severity classification of mild, moderate, severe, or humane endpoint, became a new challenging task for all scientists, animal technicians, and veterinarians for daily work with laboratory zebrafish. In this study, we describe the performance of the assessment of welfare parameters of selected pathologic phenotypes and abnormalities frequently found in laboratory fish facilities based on veterinary, biological, and physiological aspects by using a dedicated score sheet. In a colony of zebrafish, we evaluated the frequency of genotype-independent abnormalities observed within 3 years. We give examples for severity classification and measures once an abnormality has been identified according to the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Sabrautzki
- Research Unit Comparative Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Miller
- Research Unit Comparative Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Erika Kague
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Brielmeier
- Research Unit Comparative Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
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17
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Ogura Y, Kaneko R, Ujibe K, Wakamatsu Y, Hirata H. Loss of αklotho causes reduced motor ability and short lifespan in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15090. [PMID: 34301962 PMCID: PMC8302672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93909-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The klotho gene encodes a transmembrane protein αKlotho that interacts with a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor in renal tubular epithelial cells and functions as a co-receptor for FGF23, which is an osteocytes-derived hormone. This bone-to-kidney signal promotes urinary phosphate excretion. Interestingly, αKlotho knockout mice show an accelerated aging and a shortened life span. Similarly, C. elegans lacking the αklotho homologue showed a short life span. However, the physiological basis of aging-related function of αklotho remain unclear. The αklotho-deficient vertebrate animals other than mice have been awaited as an alternative model of premature aging. We here employed zebrafish in our study and revealed that αklotho mutant zebrafish appeared to be normal at 3 months postfertilization (mpf) but eventually underwent premature death by 9 mpf, while normal zebrafish is known to survive for 42 months. We also assessed the motor ability of zebrafish in a forced swimming assay and found that αklotho mutant zebrafish displayed reduced swimming performance before their survival declined. A recent study also reported a similar finding that αklotho-deficient zebrafish exhibited a short life span and reduced spontaneous movements. Taken together, these results suggest that αKlotho mutant zebrafish show premature aging and are useful to investigate aging in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurie Ogura
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, 252-5258, Japan
| | - Ryoji Kaneko
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, 252-5258, Japan
| | - Kota Ujibe
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, 252-5258, Japan
| | - Yuma Wakamatsu
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, 252-5258, Japan
| | - Hiromi Hirata
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara, 252-5258, Japan.
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18
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Giammona FF. Form and function of the caudal fin throughout the phylogeny of fishes. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:550-572. [PMID: 34114010 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fishes are the longest persisting living vertebrates and as such, display an incredible array of diversity. Variation in the tail, or caudal fin, is often a reflection of a fish's environment, and affects movement, predation, defense, and reproduction. Previous literature has discussed many aspects of caudal fin form and function in particular taxonomic groups; however, no previous work has synthesized these studies in order to detail how the caudal fin is structured, and what purpose this structure serves, throughout the phylogeny of fishes. This review examines the caudal fin throughout the main lineages of fish evolution, and highlights where changes in shape and usage have occurred. Such novelties in form and function tend to have far-reaching evolutionary consequences. Through integration of past and present work, this review creates a coherent picture of caudal fin evolution. Patterns and outliers that demonstrate how form and function of this appendage are intertwined can further inform hypotheses that fill critical gaps in knowledge concerning the caudal fin.
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19
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Babkiewicz E, Surga K, Gliwicz ZM, Maszczyk P. The effect of temperature on the spatial learning rate of zebrafish (
Danio rerio
). Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Babkiewicz
- Department of Hydrobiology at Biology and Chemistry Research Centre Faculty of Biology University of Warsaw Warsaw Poland
| | - Krzysztof Surga
- Zebrafish Core Facility International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw Warsaw Poland
| | - Zbigniew Maciej Gliwicz
- Department of Hydrobiology at Biology and Chemistry Research Centre Faculty of Biology University of Warsaw Warsaw Poland
| | - Piotr Maszczyk
- Department of Hydrobiology at Biology and Chemistry Research Centre Faculty of Biology University of Warsaw Warsaw Poland
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20
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Lucon-Xiccato T, Bella L, Mainardi E, Baraldi M, Bottarelli M, Sandonà D, Bertolucci C. An Automated Low-Cost Swim Tunnel for Measuring Swimming Performance in Fish. Zebrafish 2021; 18:231-234. [PMID: 33877911 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2020.1975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of swimming behavior is an important part of fish biology research and the swim tunnel is used to study swimming performance as well as metabolism of fish. In this investigation, we have developed a user-friendly, automated, modular, and low-cost swim tunnel that permits to study the performance of one or more fish separately, as well as a small group of individuals. To validate our swim tunnel, we assessed swimming activity of four different species (zebrafish, medaka, guppy, and cavefish) recording reliable data of swimming behavior and performance. Because swimming behavior has been recently used in different fields from physiology to ecotoxicology, our setup could help researchers with a low-cost solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Laura Bella
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elena Mainardi
- Department of Engineering, and University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mattia Baraldi
- Department of Engineering, and University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Dorianna Sandonà
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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21
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Khajuria DK, Karasik D. Novel model of restricted mobility induced osteopenia in zebrafish. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 98:1031-1038. [PMID: 32383168 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Immobilization, such as prolonged bed rest, is a risk factor for bone loss in humans. Motivated by the emerging utility of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal of choice for the study of musculoskeletal disease, here we report a model of restricted mobility induced osteopenia in adult zebrafish. Aquatic tanks with small cubical compartments to restrict the movement and locomotion of single fish were designed and fabricated for this study. Adult zebrafish were divided into two groups: a normal control (CONT) and a restricted mobility group (RMG) (18 fish/group). Six fish from each group were euthanized on days 14, 21 and 35 of the movement restriction. By using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), we assessed bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) and bone density in the whole skeleton of the fish. Furthermore, we assessed skeletal shape in the vertebrae (radius, length, volume, neural and haemal arch aperture areas, neural and haemal arch angle, and thickness of the intervertebral space), single vertebra bone volume and bone density. Movement restriction significantly decreased vertebral skeletal parameters such as radius, length, volume, arch aperture areas and angles as well as the thickness of the intervertebral space in RMG. Furthermore, restricted mobility significantly (P < 0.001) decreased BV/TV and bone density as compared to the CONT group, starting as early as 14 days. By analysing zebrafish from CONT and RMG, we show that micro-CT imaging is a sensitive method to quantify distinct skeletal properties in zebrafish. We further defined the micro-CT parameters which can be used to examine the effects of restricted mobility on the skeleton of the fish. Our findings propose a rapid and effective osteopenia "stabulation" model, which could be used widely for osteoporosis drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar Khajuria
- The Musculoskeletal Genetics Laboratory, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Penn State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Karasik
- The Musculoskeletal Genetics Laboratory, The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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22
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Ogi A, Licitra R, Naef V, Marchese M, Fronte B, Gazzano A, Santorelli FM. Social Preference Tests in Zebrafish: A Systematic Review. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:590057. [PMID: 33553276 PMCID: PMC7862119 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.590057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of animal models in biology research continues to be necessary for the development of new technologies and medicines, and therefore crucial for enhancing human and animal health. In this context, the need to ensure the compliance of research with the principles Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3 Rs), which underpin the ethical and human approach to husbandry and experimental design, has become a central issue. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is becoming a widely used model in the field of behavioral neuroscience. In particular, studying zebrafish social preference, by observing how an individual fish interacts with conspecifics, may offer insights into several neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The main aim of this review is to summarize principal factors affecting zebrafish behavior during social preference tests. We identified three categories of social research using zebrafish: studies carried out in untreated wild-type zebrafish, in pharmacologically treated wild-type zebrafish, and in genetically engineered fish. We suggest guidelines for standardizing social preference testing in the zebrafish model. The main advances gleaned from zebrafish social behavior testing are discussed, together with the relevance of this method to scientific research, including the study of behavioral disorders in humans. The authors stress the importance of adopting an ethical approach that considers the welfare of animals involved in experimental procedures. Ensuring a high standard of animal welfare is not only good for the animals, but also enhances the quality of our science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asahi Ogi
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosario Licitra
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Naef
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Marchese
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Gazzano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
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23
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Bek JW, De Clercq A, Coucke PJ, Willaert A. The ZE-Tunnel: An Affordable, Easy-to-Assemble, and User-Friendly Benchtop Zebrafish Swim Tunnel. Zebrafish 2021; 18:29-41. [PMID: 33428527 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2020.1948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The popularity of zebrafish in both basic biological and biomedical research has led to an increased need for understanding their behavior. Locomotor behavior is an important outcome of different factors, such as specific genotypes or external stimuli that influence the nervous and musculoskeletal system. Locomotion can be studied by forced swimming in a swim tunnel, a device capable of generating a laminar water flow at different speeds in a chamber where zebrafish can be placed. However, commercially available swim tunnels are relatively expensive and in-house built systems are mostly presented without clear building instructions or proper validation procedures. In this study, we developed an alternative, cheap (<250 euro), and user-friendly, but customizable benchtop swim tunnel, called the "Zebrafish exercise-tunnel" (ZE-Tunnel). Detailed step-by-step instructions on how to construct the tunnel components, including the frame, mechanical, and electric components are given. The ZE-Tunnel was reliably used to exercise fish for prolonged periods and its performance was successfully validated by replicating previously published experiments on critical speed testing in zebrafish. Finally, implementation of behavioral video analysis using freely available motion-tracking software showed differences in swimming dynamics in the Chihuahua skeletal zebrafish mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Willem Bek
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center of Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adelbert De Clercq
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center of Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paul J Coucke
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center of Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andy Willaert
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center of Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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24
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De Oliveira J, Chadili E, Turies C, Brion F, Cousin X, Hinfray N. A comparison of behavioral and reproductive parameters between wild-type, transgenic and mutant zebrafish: Could they all be considered the same "zebrafish" for reglementary assays on endocrine disruption? Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 239:108879. [PMID: 32877737 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic zebrafish models are efficiently used to study the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC); thereby informing on their mechanisms of action. However, given the reported differences between zebrafish strains at the genetical, physiological and behavioral levels; care should be taken before using these transgenic models for EDC testing. In the present study, we undertook a set of experiments in different transgenic and/or mutant zebrafish strains of interest for EDC testing: casper, cyp19a1a-eGFP, cyp19a1a-eGFP-casper, cyp11c1-eGFP, cyp11c1-eGFP-casper. Some behavioral traits, and some biochemical and reproductive physiological endpoints commonly used in EDC testing were assessed and compared to those obtained in WT AB zebrafish to ensure that transgene insertion and/or mutations do not negatively modify basal reproductive physiology or behavior of the fish. Behavioral traits considered as anxiety and sociality have been monitored. Sociality was evaluated by monitoring the time spent near congeners in a shuttle box while anxiety was evaluated using the Novel tank diving test. No critical difference was observed between strains for either sociality or anxiety level. Concerning reproduction, no significant difference in the number of eggs laid per female, in the viability of eggs or in the female circulating VTG concentrations was noted between the 5 transgenic/mutants and the WT AB zebrafish studied. In summary, the transgene insertion and the mutations had no influence on the endpoints measured in basal conditions. These results were a prerequisite to the use of these transgenic/mutant models for EDC testing. Next step will be to determine the sensitivity of these biological models to chemical exposure to accurately validate their use in existing fish assays for EDC testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie De Oliveira
- INERIS, Unité d'écotoxicologie in vitro et in vivo, UMR I-02 SEBIO, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Edith Chadili
- INERIS, Unité d'écotoxicologie in vitro et in vivo, UMR I-02 SEBIO, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Cyril Turies
- INERIS, Unité d'écotoxicologie in vitro et in vivo, UMR I-02 SEBIO, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - François Brion
- INERIS, Unité d'écotoxicologie in vitro et in vivo, UMR I-02 SEBIO, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Xavier Cousin
- MARBEC Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Palavas-les-Flots, France; Univ. Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, GABI, France
| | - Nathalie Hinfray
- INERIS, Unité d'écotoxicologie in vitro et in vivo, UMR I-02 SEBIO, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France.
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25
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A fish is not a mouse: understanding differences in background genetics is critical for reproducibility. Lab Anim (NY) 2020; 50:19-25. [PMID: 33268901 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-020-00683-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Poorly controlled background genetics in animal models contributes to the lack of reproducibility that is increasingly recognized in biomedical research. The laboratory zebrafish, Danio rerio, has been an important model organism for decades in many research areas, yet inbred strains and traditionally managed outbred stocks are not available for this species. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as 'inbred strains' or 'strains', zebrafish wild-type lines possess background genetics that are often not well characterized, and breeding practices for these lines have not been consistent over time or among institutions. In this Perspective, we trace key milestones in the history of one of the most widely used genetic backgrounds, the AB line, to illustrate the dynamic complexity within an example background that is largely invisible when reading the scientific literature. Failure to adequately control for genetic background compromises the validity of experimental outcomes. We therefore propose that authors provide as much specific detail about the origin and genetic makeup of zebrafish lines as is reasonable and possible, and that the terms used to describe background genetics be applied in a way that is consistent with other fish and mammalian model organisms. We strongly encourage the adoption of genetic monitoring for the characterization of existing zebrafish lines, to help detect genetic contamination in breeding colonies and to verify the level of genetic heterogeneity in breeding colonies over time. Careful attention to background genetics will improve transparency and reproducibility, therefore improving the utility of the zebrafish as a model organism.
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26
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Ding Y, Bu H, Xu X. Modeling Inherited Cardiomyopathies in Adult Zebrafish for Precision Medicine. Front Physiol 2020; 11:599244. [PMID: 33329049 PMCID: PMC7717946 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.599244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies are a highly heterogeneous group of heart muscle disorders. More than 100 causative genes have been linked to various cardiomyopathies, which explain about half of familial cardiomyopathy cases. More than a dozen candidate therapeutic signaling pathways have been identified; however, precision medicine is not being used to treat the various types of cardiomyopathy because knowledge is lacking for how to tailor treatment plans for different genetic causes. Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) have a higher throughout than rodents and are an emerging vertebrate model for studying cardiomyopathy. Herein, we review progress in the past decade that has proven the feasibility of this simple vertebrate for modeling inherited cardiomyopathies of distinct etiology, identifying effective therapeutic strategies for a particular type of cardiomyopathy, and discovering new cardiomyopathy genes or new therapeutic strategies via a forward genetic approach. On the basis of this progress, we discuss future research that would benefit from integrating this emerging model, including discovery of remaining causative genes and development of genotype-based therapies. Studies using this efficient vertebrate model are anticipated to significantly accelerate the implementation of precision medicine for inherited cardiomyopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghe Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Haisong Bu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaolei Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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A Miniature Intermittent-Flow Respirometry System with a 3D-Printed, Palm-Sized Zebrafish Treadmill for Measuring Rest and Activity Metabolic Rates. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20185088. [PMID: 32906794 PMCID: PMC7570584 DOI: 10.3390/s20185088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish are a preferred vertebrate model for evaluating metabolism during development, and for toxicity studies. However, commercially available intermittent-flow respirometry systems (IFRS) do not provide a suitable zebrafish-scaled swimming tunnel with a low water volume and proper flow velocities. We developed a miniature IFRS (mIFRS) with a 3D-printed, palm-sized zebrafish treadmill for measuring the swimming ability and metabolic rate of a single one- or three-month-old zebrafish with and without toxicity treatment. The 3D-printed zebrafish treadmill consists of discrete components assembled together which enables the provision of a temporary closed circulating water flow. The results showed that three-month-old zebrafish of normal physiological status had higher energetic efficiency and could swim at a higher critical swimming speed (Ucrit) of 16.79 cm/s with a lower cost of transport (COTopt) of 0.11 μmol g−1m−1. However, for a single three-month-old zebrafish treated with an antibacterial agent, Ucrit decreased to 45% of normal zebrafish and the COTopt increased to 0.24 μmol g−1m−1, due to the impairment of mitochondria. Our mIFRS provides a low-cost, portable, and readily adaptable tool for studying the swimming performance and energetic metabolism of zebrafish.
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Wakamatsu Y, Kashima M, Hirata H. A Reproducible Protocol to Measure the Critical Swimming Speed of Adult Zebrafish. Bio Protoc 2020; 10:e3712. [PMID: 33659376 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The quantitative measurement of water flow-induced swimming of fish species using a swimmill is a powerful method to evaluate motor ability of individual fish. Zebrafish is a commonly used vertebrate that enables the study of morphological, physiological and behavioral characteristics associated with genes. We here established a reproducible method that allows to measure the body length and the critical swimming speed of adult zebrafish using a swimmill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuma Wakamatsu
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara 252-5258, Japan
| | - Makoto Kashima
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara 252-5258, Japan
| | - Hiromi Hirata
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara 252-5258, Japan
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Lucon-Xiccato T, Bertolucci C. Inhibitory control in zebrafish, Danio rerio. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2020; 97:416-423. [PMID: 32402095 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We assessed whether zebrafish, Danio rerio, display inhibitory control using a simple and rapid behavioural test. Zebrafish were exposed to a prey stimulus placed inside a transparent tube, which initially elicited attack behaviour. However, zebrafish showed a rapid reduction in the number of attacks towards the prey, which indicated the ability to inhibit their foraging behaviour. Zebrafish also exhibited mnemonic retention of foraging inhibition, as indicated by a reduced number of attacks in a subsequent exposure to the unreachable prey. The ability to inhibit the foraging behaviour varied across three genetically separated wild-type strains and across different individuals within strains, suggesting that zebrafish show heritable within-species differences in inhibitory control. Our behavioural test might be suitable for screening large zebrafish populations in mutational studies and assessing the effects of pharmacologically active substances on inhibitory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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