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Esancy K, Conceicao LL, Curtright A, Tran T, Condon L, Lecamp B, Dhaka A. A novel small molecule, AS1, reverses the negative hedonic valence of noxious stimuli. BMC Biol 2023; 21:69. [PMID: 37013580 PMCID: PMC10071644 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01573-7] [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: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain is the primary reason people seek medical care, with chronic pain affecting ~ 20% of people in the USA. However, many existing analgesics are ineffective in treating chronic pain, while others (e.g., opioids) have undesirable side effects. Here, we describe the screening of a small molecule library using a thermal place aversion assay in larval zebrafish to identify compounds that alter aversion to noxious thermal stimuli and could thus serve as potential analgesics. RESULTS From our behavioral screen, we discovered a small molecule, Analgesic Screen 1 (AS1), which surprisingly elicited attraction to noxious painful heat. When we further explored the effects of this compound using other behavioral place preference assays, we found that AS1 was similarly able to reverse the negative hedonic valence of other painful (chemical) and non-painful (dark) aversive stimuli without being inherently rewarding. Interestingly, targeting molecular pathways canonically associated with analgesia did not replicate the effects of AS1. A neuronal imaging assay revealed that clusters of dopaminergic neurons, as well as forebrain regions located in the teleost equivalent of the basal ganglia, were highly upregulated in the specific context of AS1 and aversive heat. Through a combination of behavioral assays and pharmacological manipulation of dopamine circuitry, we determined that AS1 acts via D1 dopamine receptor pathways to elicit this attraction to noxious stimuli. CONCLUSIONS Together, our results suggest that AS1 relieves an aversion-imposed "brake" on dopamine release, and that this unique mechanism may provide valuable insight into the development of new valence-targeting analgesic drugs, as well as medications for other valence-related neurological conditions, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kali Esancy
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Lais L Conceicao
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Andrew Curtright
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Thanh Tran
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Logan Condon
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Bryce Lecamp
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Ajay Dhaka
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
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2
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Üstündağ FD, Ünal İ, Üstündağ ÜV, Cansız D, Beler M, Alturfan AA, Tiber PM, Emekli-Alturfan E. Morphine ameliorates pentylenetetrazole-induced locomotor pattern in zebrafish embryos; mechanism involving regulation of opioid receptors, suppression of oxidative stress, and inflammation in epileptogenesis. Toxicol Mech Methods 2023; 33:151-160. [PMID: 35866229 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2022.2105182] [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: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is becoming an increasingly important model in epilepsy research. Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) is a convulsant agent that induces epileptic seizure-like state in zebrafish and zebrafish embryos and is most commonly used in antiepileptic drug discovery research to evaluate seizure mechanisms. Classical antiepileptic drugs, such as valproic acid (VPA) reduce PTZ-induced epileptiform activities. Opioid system has been suggested to play a role in epileptogenesis. The aim of our study is to determine the effects of morphine in PTZ-induced epilepsy model in zebrafish embryos by evaluating locomotor activity and parameters related to oxidant-antioxidant status, inflammation, and cholinergic system as well as markers of neuronal activity c-fos, bdnf, and opioid receptors. Zebrafish embryos at 72 hpf were exposed to PTZ (20 mM), VPA (1 mM), and Morphine (MOR) (100 µM). MOR and VPA pretreated groups were treated with either MOR (MOR + PTZ) or VPA (VPA + PTZ) for 20 min before PTZ expoure. Locomotor activity was quantified as total distance moved (mm), average speed (mm/sec) and exploration rate (%) and analyzed using ToxTrac tracking programme. Oxidant-antioxidant system parameters, acetylcholinesterase activity, and sialic acid leves were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. The expression of c-fos, bdnf, oprm1, and oprd1 were evaluated by RT-PCR. MOR pretreatment ameliorated PTZ-induced locomotor pattern as evidenced by improved average speed, exploration rate and distance traveled. We report the restoration of inflammatory and oxidant-antioxidant system parameters, c-fos, bdnf, and opioid receptor oprm1 as the possible mechanisms involved in the ameliorative effect of MOR against PTZ-induced epileptogenic process in zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fümet Duygu Üstündağ
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İsmail Ünal
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ünsal Veli Üstündağ
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Derya Cansız
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Merih Beler
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - A Ata Alturfan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pınar Mega Tiber
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ebru Emekli-Alturfan
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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3
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Abstract
Opiates, such as morphine, and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, constitute a class of drugs acting on opioid receptors which have been used therapeutically and recreationally for centuries. Opioid drugs have strong analgesic properties and are used to treat moderate to severe pain, but also present side effects including opioid dependence, tolerance, addiction, and respiratory depression, which can lead to lethal overdose if not treated. This chapter explores the pathophysiology, the neural circuits, and the cellular mechanisms underlying opioid-induced respiratory depression and provides a translational perspective of the most recent research. The pathophysiology discussed includes the effects of opioid drugs on the respiratory system in patients, as well as the animal models used to identify underlying mechanisms. Using a combination of gene editing and pharmacology, the neural circuits and molecular pathways mediating neuronal inhibition by opioids are examined. By using pharmacology and neuroscience approaches, new therapies to prevent or reverse respiratory depression by opioid drugs have been identified and are currently being developed. Considering the health and economic burden associated with the current opioid epidemic, innovative research is needed to better understand the side effects of opioid drugs and to discover new therapeutic solutions to reduce the incidence of lethal overdoses.
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de Abreu MS, Giacomini ACVV, Demin KA, Galstyan DS, Zabegalov KN, Kolesnikova TO, Amstislavskaya TG, Strekalova T, Petersen EV, Kalueff AV. Unconventional anxiety pharmacology in zebrafish: Drugs beyond traditional anxiogenic and anxiolytic spectra. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 207:173205. [PMID: 33991579 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is the most prevalent brain disorder and a common cause of human disability. Animal models are critical for understanding anxiety pathogenesis and its pharmacotherapy. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is increasingly utilized as a powerful model organism in anxiety research and anxiolytic drug screening. High similarity between human, rodent and zebrafish molecular targets implies shared signaling pathways involved in anxiety pathogenesis. However, mounting evidence shows that zebrafish behavior can be modulated by drugs beyond conventional anxiolytics or anxiogenics. Furthermore, these effects may differ from human and/or rodent responses, as such 'unconventional' drugs may affect zebrafish behavior despite having no such profiles (or exerting opposite effects) in humans or rodents. Here, we discuss the effects of several putative unconventional anxiotropic drugs (aspirin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), nicotine, naloxone and naltrexone) and their potential mechanisms of action in zebrafish. Emphasizing the growing utility of zebrafish models in CNS drug discovery, such unconventional anxiety pharmacology may provide important, evolutionarily relevant insights into complex regulation of anxiety in biological systems. Albeit seemingly complicating direct translation from zebrafish into clinical phenotypes, this knowledge may instead foster the development of novel CNS drugs, eventually facilitating innovative treatment of patients based on novel 'unconventional' targets identified in fish models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil; Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA.
| | - Ana C V V Giacomini
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - David S Galstyan
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Granov Scientific Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Konstantin N Zabegalov
- Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University, Sochi, Russia
| | - Tatyana O Kolesnikova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; School of Chemistry, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University, Sochi, Russia
| | - Tamara G Amstislavskaya
- Scientific Research Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov 1st Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia; Department of Preventive Medicine, Maastricht Medical Center Annadal, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Elena V Petersen
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; School of Chemistry, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University, Sochi, Russia.
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5
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Zaig S, da Silveira Scarpellini C, Montandon G. Respiratory depression and analgesia by opioid drugs in freely behaving larval zebrafish. eLife 2021; 10:63407. [PMID: 33720013 PMCID: PMC8060028 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An opioid epidemic is spreading in North America with millions of opioid overdoses annually. Opioid drugs, like fentanyl, target the mu opioid receptor system and induce potentially lethal respiratory depression. The challenge in opioid research is to find a safe pain therapy with analgesic properties but no respiratory depression. Current discoveries are limited by lack of amenable animal models to screen candidate drugs. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an emerging animal model with high reproduction and fast development, which shares remarkable similarity in their physiology and genome to mammals. However, it is unknown whether zebrafish possesses similar opioid system, respiratory and analgesic responses to opioids than mammals. In freely-behaving larval zebrafish, fentanyl depresses the rate of respiratory mandible movements and induces analgesia, effects reversed by μ-opioid receptor antagonists. Zebrafish presents evolutionary conserved mechanisms of action of opioid drugs, also found in mammals, and constitute amenable models for phenotype-based drug discovery. When it comes to treating severe pain, a doctor’s arsenal is somewhat limited: synthetic or natural opioids such as morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone are often one of the only options available to relieve patients. Yet these compounds can make breathing slower and shallower, quickly depriving the body of oxygen and causing death. This lethal side-effect is particularly devastating as opioids misuse has reached dangerously high levels in the United States, creating an ‘opioid epidemic’ which has claimed the lives of over 80,000 Americans in 2020. It is therefore crucial to find safer drugs that do not have this effect on breathing, but this research has been slowed down by the lack of animal models in which to study the effect of new compounds. Zebrafish are small freshwater fish that reproduce and develop fast, yet they are also remarkably genetically similar to mammals and feature a complex nervous system. However, it is not known whether the effect of opioids on zebrafish is comparable to mammals, and therefore whether these animals can be used to test new drugs for pain relief. To investigate this question, Zaig et al. exposed zebrafish larvae to fentanyl, showing that the fish then exhibited slower lower jaw movements – a sign of decreased breathing. The fish also could also tolerate a painful stimulus for longer, suggesting that this opioid does reduce pain in the animals. Together, these results point towards zebrafish and mammals sharing similar opioid responses, demonstrating that the fish could be used to test potential pain medications. The methods Zaig et al. have developed to establish these results could be harnessed to quickly assess large numbers of drug compounds, as well as decipher how pain emerges and can be stopped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenhab Zaig
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences. St. Michael's Hospital Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Gaspard Montandon
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences. St. Michael's Hospital Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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6
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Costa FV, Rosa LV, Quadros VA, de Abreu MS, Santos ARS, Sneddon LU, Kalueff AV, Rosemberg DB. The use of zebrafish as a non-traditional model organism in translational pain research: the knowns and the unknowns. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:476-493. [PMID: 33719974 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210311104408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of the nervous system to detect a wide range of noxious stimuli is crucial to avoid life-threatening injury and to trigger protective behavioral and physiological responses. Pain represents a complex phenomenon, including nociception associated with cognitive and emotional processing. Animal experimental models have been developed to understand the mechanisms involved in pain response, as well as to discover novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological anti-pain therapies. Due to the genetic tractability, similar physiology, low cost, and rich behavioral repertoire, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been considered a powerful aquatic model for modeling pain responses. Here, we summarize the molecular machinery of zebrafish to recognize painful stimuli, as well as emphasize how zebrafish-based pain models have been successfully used to understand specific molecular, physiological, and behavioral changes following different algogens and/or noxious stimuli (e.g., acetic acid, formalin, histamine, Complete Freund's Adjuvant, cinnamaldehyde, allyl isothiocyanate, and fin clipping). We also discuss recent advances in zebrafish-based studies and outline the potential advantages and limitations of the existing models to examine the mechanisms underlying pain responses from an evolutionary and translational perspective. Finally, we outline how zebrafish models can represent emergent tools to explore pain behaviors and pain-related mood disorders, as well as to facilitate analgesic therapy screening in translational pain research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano V Costa
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria RS. Brazil
| | - Luiz V Rosa
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria RS. Brazil
| | - Vanessa A Quadros
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria RS. Brazil
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS. Brazil
| | - Adair R S Santos
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Pain and Inflammation, Department of Physiological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC. Brazil
| | - Lynne U Sneddon
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Box 461, SE-405 30 Gothenburg. Sweden
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg. Russian Federation
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria RS. Brazil
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7
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Singh A, Enjapoori AK, Gibert Y, Dwyer KM. The protective effects of human milk-derived peptides on the pancreatic islet biology. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio049304. [PMID: 32694188 PMCID: PMC7438016 DOI: 10.1242/bio.049304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Several epidemiological studies support the protective role of breastfeeding in reducing the risk for type 1 diabetes. Human breast milk is the perfect nutrition for infants and contains many complex proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. In this study, we examined the physiological effects of human milk-derived opioid peptides, β-casomorphins (BCM), and compared them with bovine-milk-derived opioid peptides on pancreatic hormone regulation and β-cell regeneration. Exposure of wild-type zebrafish embryos to 50 µg/ml of human BCM-5 and -7 from 3 days post fertilisation until 6 days post fertilisation resulted in an increased insulin domain of expression while exposure to bovine BCM-5 and -7 significantly reduced the insulin domain of expression as analysed by whole-mount in situ hybridisation. These changes may be accounted for by reduced insulin expression or β-cell number and were mitigated by the µ-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone. The effect of BCM on β-cell regeneration was assessed following ablation of β-cells in Tg (ins: CFP-NTR) zebrafish from 3 days post fertilisation to 4 days post fertilisation, followed by exposure of bovine and human BCM-5 and -7 (50 µg/ml) from 4 days post fertilisation until 7 days post fertilisation. The regenerative capacity of β-cells was not impeded following exposure to human BCM-5 and -7, whereas the capacity of β-cells to regenerate following bovine BCM-5 and -7 exposure was reduced. Our data suggest that human BCM-5 and -7 may promote β-cell development and enable the regeneration of β-cells, while the bovine-milk-derived peptides, BCM-5 and -7, play an opposite role. These data may provide some biological explanation for the protective effect of breastfeeding on the development of type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitoj Singh
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Ashwantha Kumar Enjapoori
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Yann Gibert
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Karen M Dwyer
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
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8
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Sivalingam M, Ogawa S, Parhar IS. Mapping of Morphine-Induced OPRM1 Gene Expression Pattern in the Adult Zebrafish Brain. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:5. [PMID: 32153369 PMCID: PMC7044135 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00005] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphine is a potent analgesic opiate commonly used in treating pain, and it is also a substance of abuse and highly addictive. Hence, it is vital to discover the action sites of morphine in the brain to increase its efficacy of treatment. In the present study, we aimed at identifying comprehensive neuroanatomical locations that are sensitive to morphine in the adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). We performed in situ hybridization to localize the mu opioid receptor (oprm1) gene and to map the morphine sensitive brain areas using neuronal PAS domain-containing protein 4a (npas4a), an early gene marker. Real-time PCR was used to detect changes in mRNA levels of oprm1 and npas4a in control and acute morphine treated fish (2 mg/L; 20 min). Intense positive oprm1 signals were seen in the telencephalon, preoptic area, habenula, hypothalamic area and periventricular gray zone of the optic tectum. Acute morphine exposure significantly increased oprm1 and npas4a mRNA levels in the medial zone of dorsal telencephalon (Dm), ventral region of the ventral telencephalon (Vv), preoptic area, and in the hypothalamus but a decrease in oprm1 and npas4a signals in the dorsal habenula. This study provides a detailed map of oprm1 localization in the brain, which includes previously unreported oprm1 in the habenula of teleost. Presence of oprm1 in multiple brain sites implies multiple action targets of morphine and potential brain functions which could include reward, cognitive and negative emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mageswary Sivalingam
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Satoshi Ogawa
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar S Parhar
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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9
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Costa FV, Canzian J, Stefanello FV, Kalueff AV, Rosemberg DB. Naloxone prolongs abdominal constriction writhing-like behavior in a zebrafish-based pain model. Neurosci Lett 2019; 708:134336. [PMID: 31220523 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The ability to detect noxious stimuli is essential to survival. However, pathological pain is maladaptive and severely debilitating. Endogenous and exogenous opioids modulate pain responses via opioid receptors, reducing pain sensibility. Due to the high genetic and physiological similarities to rodents and humans, the zebrafish is a valuable tool to assess pain responses and the underlying mechanisms involved in nociception. Although morphine attenuates pain-like responses of zebrafish, there are no data showing if the antagonism of opioid receptors prolongs pain duration in the absence of an exogenous opioid. Here, we investigated whether a common opioid antagonist naloxone affects the abdominal constriction writhing-like response, recently characterized as a zebrafish-based pain behavior. Animals were injected intraperitoneally with acetic acid (5.0%), naloxone (1.25 mg/kg; 2.5 mg/kg; 5.0 mg/kg) or acetic acid with naloxone to investigate the changes in their body curvature for 1 h. Acetic acid elicited a robust pain-like response in zebrafish, as assessed by aberrant abdominal body curvature, while no effects were observed following PBS injection. Although naloxone alone did not alter the frequency and duration of this behavior, it dose-dependently prolonged acetic acid-induced abdominal curvature response. Besides reinforcing the use of the abdominal writhing-like phenotype as a behavioral endpoint to measure acute pain responses in zebrafish models, our novel data suggest a putative role of endogenous opioids in modulating the recovery from pain stimulation in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano V Costa
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil.
| | - Julia Canzian
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Flavia V Stefanello
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Center, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia; Ural Federal University, 19 Mira street, Ekaterinburg, 620002, Russia; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria. 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.
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10
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Crivelaro RM, Thiesen R, Aldrovani M, Silva PES, Barros Sobrinho AAF, Moraes PC. Behavioural and physiological effects of methadone in the perioperative period on the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 94:823-827. [PMID: 30868600 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Through the analysis of behavioural changes, this study demonstrates that methadone has behavioural, but not analgesic, effects on Oreochromis niloticus. It provides information that suggests the drug has sedative abilities, as the recovery time was shorter in the fish receiving methadone. Future research, with different doses and stimuli, is required to provide more information about analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta M Crivelaro
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences, Via de acesso, professor Paulo Donato Castellani, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | | | - Marcela Aldrovani
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences, Via de acesso, professor Paulo Donato Castellani, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Paloma E S Silva
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences, Via de acesso, professor Paulo Donato Castellani, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Alexandre A F Barros Sobrinho
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences, Via de acesso, professor Paulo Donato Castellani, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Paola C Moraes
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences, Via de acesso, professor Paulo Donato Castellani, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil
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11
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Ko MJ, Ganzen LC, Coskun E, Mukadam AA, Leung YF, van Rijn RM. A critical evaluation of TRPA1-mediated locomotor behavior in zebrafish as a screening tool for novel anti-nociceptive drug discovery. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2430. [PMID: 30787340 PMCID: PMC6382835 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38852-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Current medications inadequately treat the symptoms of chronic pain experienced by over 50 million people in the United States, and may come with substantial adverse effects signifying the need to find novel treatments. One novel therapeutic target is the Transient Receptor Potential A1 channel (TRPA1), an ion channel that mediates nociception through calcium influx of sensory neurons. Drug discovery still relies heavily on animal models, including zebrafish, a species in which TRPA1 activation produces hyperlocomotion. Here, we investigated if this hyperlocomotion follows zebrafish TRPA1 pharmacology and evaluated the strengths and limitations of using TRPA1-mediated hyperlocomotion as potential preclinical screening tool for drug discovery. To support face validity of the model, we pharmacologically characterized mouse and zebrafish TRPA1 in transfected HEK293 cells using calcium assays as well as in vivo. TRPA1 agonists and antagonists respectively activated or blocked TRPA1 activity in HEK293 cells, mice, and zebrafish in a dose-dependent manner. However, our results revealed complexities including partial agonist activity of TRPA1 antagonists, bidirectional locomotor activity, receptor desensitization, and off-target effects. We propose that TRPA1-mediated hyperlocomotion in zebrafish larvae has the potential to be used as in vivo screening tool for novel anti-nociceptive drugs but requires careful evaluation of the TRPA1 pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mee Jung Ko
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, USA.,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, USA.,Purdue Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Logan C Ganzen
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, West Lafayette, USA.,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, USA.,Purdue Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Emre Coskun
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Arbaaz A Mukadam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Yuk Fai Leung
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, West Lafayette, USA.,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, USA.,Purdue Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, West Lafayette, USA.,Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Richard M van Rijn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, USA. .,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, USA. .,Purdue Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, West Lafayette, USA. .,Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, USA.
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12
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Bao W, Volgin AD, Alpyshov ET, Friend AJ, Strekalova TV, de Abreu MS, Collins C, Amstislavskaya TG, Demin KA, Kalueff AV. Opioid Neurobiology, Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology in Zebrafish. Neuroscience 2019; 404:218-232. [PMID: 30710667 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of medicinal use and abuse of opioids, their neurobiology and mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Experimental (animal) models are critical for improving our understanding of opioid effects in vivo. As zebrafish (Danio rerio) are increasingly utilized as a powerful model organism in neuroscience research, mounting evidence suggests these fish as a useful tool to study opioid neurobiology. Here, we discuss the zebrafish opioid system with specific focus on opioid gene expression, existing genetic models, as well as its pharmacological and developmental regulation. As many human brain diseases involve pain and aberrant reward, we also summarize zebrafish models relevant to opioid regulation of pain and addiction, including evidence of functional interplay between the opioid system and central dopaminergic and other neurotransmitter mechanisms. Additionally, we critically evaluate the limitations of zebrafish models for translational opioid research and emphasize their developing utility for improving our understanding of evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of pain-related, addictive, affective and other behaviors, as well as for fostering opioid-related drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wandong Bao
- School of Pharmacy and School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Andrey D Volgin
- Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Erik T Alpyshov
- School of Pharmacy and School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ashton J Friend
- Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, New Orleans, LA, USA; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Tatyana V Strekalova
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology and Department of Normal Physiology, Moscow, Russia; Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium, New Orleans, LA, USA; Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Christopher Collins
- ZENEREI Research Center, Slidell, LA, USA; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Tamara G Amstislavskaya
- Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy and School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia; Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia; ZENEREI Research Center, Slidell, LA, USA; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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13
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Kalueff AV, Kaluyeva A, Maillet EL. Anxiolytic-like effects of noribogaine in zebrafish. Behav Brain Res 2017; 330:63-67. [PMID: 28479267 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Noribogaine is the main psychoactive metabolite of the hallucinogenic drug ibogaine, and is a particularly interesting compound potentially useful to treat dependence and various psychiatric disorders. Here, we report the effects of noribogaine on anxiety and locomotion in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a new promising model organism in neurobehavioral and psychopharmacological research. Adult zebrafish were subjected to the 5min novel tank test (NTT) following an acute, 20-min drug immersion in 1, 5 and 10mg/L noribogaine. Overall, noribogaine produced robust anxiolytic-like behavior in zebrafish (increasing the time spent and transitions to the top half compartment and reducing freezing bouts) without overt effects on fish locomotion. Taken together, these results indicate that noribogaine modulates the components of the acute stress response related to emotionality and anxiety behaviors, implicating this drug as a potentially useful non-sedative anxiolytic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400700, China; ZENEREI Research Center, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell 70458, LA, USA; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, 620020, Russia.
| | - Aleksandra Kaluyeva
- ZENEREI Research Center, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell 70458, LA, USA
| | - Emeline L Maillet
- DemeRx, Inc., R&D Laboratory, University of Miami Life Science and Tech Park. Blg 1, 1951 NW 7th Ave, Suite 300, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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14
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Lopez-Luna J, Al-Jubouri Q, Al-Nuaimy W, Sneddon LU. Impact of analgesic drugs on the behavioural responses of larval zebrafish to potentially noxious temperatures. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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15
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Félix LM, Antunes LM, Coimbra AM, Valentim AM. Behavioral alterations of zebrafish larvae after early embryonic exposure to ketamine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:549-558. [PMID: 27933364 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4491-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Ketamine has been associated with pediatric risks that include neurocognitive impairment and long-term behavioral disorders. However, the neurobehavioral effects of ketamine exposure in early development remain uncertain. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to test stage- and dose-dependent effects of ketamine exposure on certain brain functions by evaluating alterations in locomotion, anxiety-like and avoidance behaviors, as well as socialization. METHODS Embryos were exposed to different concentrations of ketamine (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg mL-1) for 20 min during the 256-cell (2.5 h post fertilization-hpf), 50% epiboly (5.5 hpf), and 1-4 somites (10.5 hpf) stages. General exploratory activities, natural escape-like responses, and social interactions were analyzed under continuous light or under a moving light stimulus. RESULTS A dose-dependent decrease in the overall mean speed was perceived in the embryos exposed during the 256-cell stage. These results were related to previously observed head and eye malformations, following ketamine exposure at this stage and may indicate possible neurobehavioral disorders when ketamine exposure is performed at this stage. Results also showed that ketamine exposure during the 50% epiboly and 1-4 somites stages induced a significant increment of the anxiety-like behavior and a decrease in avoidance behavior in all exposed groups. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results validate the neurodevelopmental risks of early-life exposure to ketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís M Félix
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal.
- Laboratory Animal Science (LAS), Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Luís M Antunes
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory Animal Science (LAS), Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
- School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana M Coimbra
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana M Valentim
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory Animal Science (LAS), Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
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16
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μ Opioid Receptor Expression after Morphine Administration Is Regulated by miR-212/132 Cluster. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157806. [PMID: 27380026 PMCID: PMC4933400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their discovery, miRNAs have emerged as a promising therapeutical approach in the treatment of several diseases, as demonstrated by miR-212 and its relation to addiction. Here we prove that the miR-212/132 cluster can be regulated by morphine, through the activation of mu opioid receptor (Oprm1). The molecular pathways triggered after morphine administration also induce changes in the levels of expression of oprm1. In addition, miR-212/132 cluster is actively repressing the expression of mu opioid receptor by targeting a sequence in the 3’ UTR of its mRNA. These findings suggest that this cluster is closely related to opioid signaling, and function as a post-transcriptional regulator, modulating morphine response in a dose dependent manner. The regulation of miR-212/132 cluster expression is mediated by MAP kinase pathway, CaMKII-CaMKIV and PKA, through the phosphorylation of CREB. Moreover, the regulation of both oprm1 and of the cluster promoter is mediated by MeCP2, acting as a transcriptional repressor on methylated DNA after prolonged morphine administration. This mechanism explains the molecular signaling triggered by morphine as well as the regulation of the expression of the mu opioid receptor mediated by morphine and the implication of miR-212/132 in these processes.
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17
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Kyzar EJ, Kalueff AV. Exploring Hallucinogen Pharmacology and Psychedelic Medicine with Zebrafish Models. Zebrafish 2016; 13:379-90. [PMID: 27002655 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2016.1251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
After decades of sociopolitical obstacles, the field of psychiatry is experiencing a revived interest in the use of hallucinogenic agents to treat brain disorders. Along with the use of ketamine for depression, recent pilot studies have highlighted the efficacy of classic serotonergic hallucinogens, such as lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin, in treating addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. However, many basic pharmacological and toxicological questions remain unanswered with regard to these compounds. In this study, we discuss psychedelic medicine as well as the behavioral and toxicological effects of hallucinogenic drugs in zebrafish. We emphasize this aquatic organism as a model ideally suited to assess both the potential toxic and therapeutic effects of major known classes of hallucinogenic compounds. In addition, novel drugs with hallucinogenic properties can be efficiently screened using zebrafish models. Well-designed preclinical studies utilizing zebrafish can contribute to the reemerging treatment paradigm of psychedelic medicine, leading to new avenues of clinical exploration for psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan J Kyzar
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- 2 Research Institute for Marine Drugs and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University (GDOU) , Zhanjiang, China .,3 ZENEREI Institute , Slidell, Louisiana.,4 Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg, Russia .,5 Institutes of Chemical Technology and Natural Sciences, Ural Federal University , Ekaterinburg, Russia .,6 The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC) , Slidell, Louisiana
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18
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Cachope R, Pereda AE. Opioids potentiate electrical transmission at mixed synapses on the Mauthner cell. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:689-97. [PMID: 26019311 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00165.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid receptors were shown to modulate a variety of cellular processes in the vertebrate central nervous system, including synaptic transmission. While the effects of opioid receptors on chemically mediated transmission have been extensively investigated, little is known of their actions on gap junction-mediated electrical synapses. Here we report that pharmacological activation of mu-opioid receptors led to a long-term enhancement of electrical (and glutamatergic) transmission at identifiable mixed synapses on the goldfish Mauthner cells. The effect also required activation of both dopamine D1/5 receptors and postsynaptic cAMP-dependent protein kinase A, suggesting that opioid-evoked actions are mediated indirectly via the release of dopamine from varicosities known to be located in the vicinity of the synaptic contacts. Moreover, inhibitory inputs situated in the immediate vicinity of these excitatory synapses on the lateral dendrite of the Mauthner cell were not affected by activation of mu-opioid receptors, indicating that their actions are restricted to electrical and glutamatergic transmissions co-existing at mixed contacts. Thus, as their chemical counterparts, electrical synapses can be a target for the modulatory actions of the opioid system. Because gap junctions at these mixed synapses are formed by fish homologs of the neuronal connexin 36, which is widespread in mammalian brain, it is likely that this regulatory property applies to electrical synapses elsewhere as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Cachope
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and
| | - Alberto E Pereda
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
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20
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Paige C, Hill B, Canterbury J, Sweitzer S, Romero-Sandoval EA. Construction of an affordable and easy-to-build zebrafish facility. J Vis Exp 2014:e51989. [PMID: 25490519 PMCID: PMC4354207 DOI: 10.3791/51989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo biomedical research is pivotal to translate in vitro findings into clinical advances. Small academic institutions with limited resources find it virtually impossible to build and maintain typical rodent facilities for research. Zebrafish research has been demonstrated to be a valuable alternative for in vivo research in pharmacology, physiology, development and genetic studies. This article demonstrates that a functional zebrafish facility can be built in an easy and affordable manner. We demonstrate that such a facility could be built in about one working day with minimal tools and expertise. The cost of the 27 1.8 L fish tank zebrafish facility constructed in this study was approximately $1,500. We estimate that the maintenance of an initial working 150 fish colony for 3 months is $1,000. This project involved students, who were introduced to aquaculturing of zebrafish for research proposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candler Paige
- Department of Administration and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
| | - Bailey Hill
- Department of Administration and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
| | - Joseph Canterbury
- Department of Administration and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
| | - Sarah Sweitzer
- Department of Administration and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
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21
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Herrero-Turrión MJ, Rodríguez-Martín I, López-Bellido R, Rodríguez RE. Whole-genome expression profile in zebrafish embryos after chronic exposure to morphine: identification of new genes associated with neuronal function and mu opioid receptor expression. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:874. [PMID: 25294025 PMCID: PMC4201762 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A great number of studies have investigated changes induced by morphine exposure in gene expression using several experimental models. In this study, we examined gene expression changes during chronic exposure to morphine during maturation and differentiation of zebrafish CNS. RESULTS Microarray analysis showed 254 genes whose expression was identified as different by at least 1.3 fold change following chronic morphine exposure as compared to controls. Of these, several novel genes (grb2, copb2, otpb, magi1b, grik-l, bnip4 and sox19b) have been detected for the first time in an experimental animal model treated with morphine. We have also identified a subset of genes (dao.1, wls, bnip4 and camk1γb) differentially expressed by chronic morphine exposure whose expression is related to mu opioid receptor gene expression. Altered expression of copb2, bnip4, sox19b, otpb, dao.1, grik-l and wls is indicative of modified neuronal development, CNS patterning processes, differentiation and dopaminergic neurotransmission, serotonergic signaling pathway, and glutamatergic neurotransmission. The deregulation of camk1γb signaling genes suggests an activation of axonogenesis and dendritogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified different functional classes of genes and individual candidates involved in the mechanisms underlying susceptibility to morphine actions related to CNS development. These results open new lines to study the treatment of pain and the molecular mechanisms involved in addiction. We also found a set of zebrafish-specific morphine-induced genes, which may be putative targets in human models for addiction and pain processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Raquel E Rodríguez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain.
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Puhl HL, Lu VB, Won YJ, Sasson Y, Hirsch JA, Ono F, Ikeda SR. Ancient origins of RGK protein function: modulation of voltage-gated calcium channels preceded the protostome and deuterostome split. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100694. [PMID: 24992013 PMCID: PMC4081519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RGK proteins, Gem, Rad, Rem1, and Rem2, are members of the Ras superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins that interact with Ca2+ channel β subunits to modify voltage-gated Ca2+ channel function. In addition, RGK proteins affect several cellular processes such as cytoskeletal rearrangement, neuronal dendritic complexity, and synapse formation. To probe the phylogenetic origins of RGK protein–Ca2+ channel interactions, we identified potential RGK-like protein homologs in genomes for genetically diverse organisms from both the deuterostome and protostome animal superphyla. RGK-like protein homologs cloned from Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) expressed in mammalian sympathetic neurons decreased Ca2+ current density as reported for expression of mammalian RGK proteins. Sequence alignments from evolutionarily diverse organisms spanning the protostome/deuterostome divide revealed conservation of residues within the RGK G-domain involved in RGK protein – Cavβ subunit interaction. In addition, the C-terminal eleven residues were highly conserved and constituted a signature sequence unique to RGK proteins but of unknown function. Taken together, these data suggest that RGK proteins, and the ability to modify Ca2+ channel function, arose from an ancestor predating the protostomes split from deuterostomes approximately 550 million years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry L. Puhl
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Section on Transmitter Signaling, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Van B. Lu
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Section on Transmitter Signaling, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yu-Jin Won
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Section on Transmitter Signaling, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yehezkel Sasson
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute for Structural Biology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Joel A. Hirsch
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute for Structural Biology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Fumihito Ono
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Section on Model Synaptic Systems, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stephen R. Ikeda
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Section on Transmitter Signaling, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Wolkers CPB, Barbosa Junior A, Menescal-de-Oliveira L, Hoffmann A. Stress-induced antinociception in fish reversed by naloxone. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71175. [PMID: 23936261 PMCID: PMC3728202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain perception in non-mammalian vertebrates such as fish is a controversial issue. We demonstrate that, in the fish Leporinus macrocephalus, an imposed restraint can modulate the behavioral response to a noxious stimulus, specifically the subcutaneous injection of 3% formaldehyde. In the first experiment, formaldehyde was applied immediately after 3 or 5 min of the restraint. Inhibition of the increase in locomotor activity in response to formaldehyde was observed, which suggests a possible restraint-induced antinociception. In the second experiment, the noxious stimulus was applied 0, 5, 10 and 15 min after the restraint, and both 3 and 5 min of restraint promoted short-term antinociception of approximately 5 min. In experiments 3 and 4, an intraperitoneal injection of naloxone (30 mg.kg(-1)) was administered 30 min prior to the restraint. The 3- minute restraint-induced antinociception was blocked by pretreatment with naloxone, but the corresponding 5-minute response was not. One possible explanation for this result is that an opioid and a non-preferential μ-opioid and/or non-opioid mechanism participate in this response modulation. Furthermore, we observed that both the 3- and 5- minutes restraint were severely stressful events for the organism, promoting marked increases in serum cortisol levels. These data indicate that the response to a noxious stimulus can be modulated by an environmental stressor in fish, as is the case in mammals. To our knowledge, this study is the first evidence for the existence of an endogenous antinociceptive system that is activated by an acute standardized stress in fish. Additionally, it characterizes the antinociceptive response induced by stress in terms of its time course and the opioid mediation, providing information for understanding the evolution of nociception modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Patrícia Bejo Wolkers
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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24
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Malafoglia V, Bryant B, Raffaeli W, Giordano A, Bellipanni G. The zebrafish as a model for nociception studies. J Cell Physiol 2013; 228:1956-66. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruce Bryant
- Monell Chemical Senses Center; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - William Raffaeli
- Institute for Research on Pain; ISAL-Foundation; Torre Pedrera (RN); Italy
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25
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Gonzalez-Nunez V, Jimenez González A, Barreto-Valer K, Rodríguez RE. In vivo regulation of the μ opioid receptor: role of the endogenous opioid agents. Mol Med 2013; 19:7-17. [PMID: 23348513 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2012.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that genotypic differences can account for the subject-specific responses to opiate administration. In this regard, the basal activity of the endogenous system (either at the receptor or ligand level) can modulate the effects of exogenous agonists as morphine and vice versa. The μ opioid receptor from zebrafish, dre-oprm1, binds endogenous peptides and morphine with similar affinities. Morphine administration during development altered the expression of the endogenous opioid propeptides proenkephalins and proopiomelanocortin. Treatment with opioid peptides (Met-enkephalin [Met-ENK], Met-enkephalin-Gly-Tyr [MEGY] and β-endorphin [β-END]) modulated dre-oprm1 expression during development. Knocking down the dre-oprm1 gene significantly modified the mRNA expression of the penk and pomc genes, thus indicating that oprm1 is involved in shaping penk and pomc expression. In addition, the absence of a functional oprm1 clearly disrupted the embryonic development, since proliferation was disorganized in the central nervous system of oprm1-morphant embryos: mitotic cells were found widespread through the optic tectum and were not restricted to the proliferative areas of the mid- and hindbrain. Transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining revealed that the number of apoptotic cells in the central nervous system (CNS) of morphants was clearly increased at 24-h postfertilization. These findings clarify the role of the endogenous opioid system in CNS development. Our results will also help unravel the complex feedback loops that modulate opioid activity and that may be involved in establishing a coordinated expression of both receptors and endogenous ligands. Further knowledge of the complex interactions between the opioid system and analgesic drugs will provide insights that may be relevant for analgesic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Gonzalez-Nunez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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26
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Rodríguez RE. Morphine and microRNA Activity: Is There a Relation with Addiction? Front Genet 2012; 3:223. [PMID: 23162566 PMCID: PMC3494017 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2012.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 10/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
When we talk about drug addiction, we are really dealing with an extremely complex system in which there still remain many unknowns and where many empty spaces or missing links are still present. Recent studies have identified changes in the expression profiles of several specific miRNAs which affect the interactions between these molecules and their targets in various illnesses, including addiction, and which may serve as valuable targets for more efficient therapies. In this review, we summarize results which clearly demonstrate that several morphine-related miRNAs have roles in the mechanisms that define addiction. In this regard, morphine has been shown to have an important role in the regulation of different miRNAs, such as miR-let-7 [which works as a mediator of the movement of the mu opioid receptor (MOR) mRNA into P-bodies, leading to translational repression], miR-23b (involved in linking MOR expression and morphine treatment at the post-transcriptional level), and miR-190 (a key post-transcriptional repressor of neurogenic differentiation, NeuroD). Fentanyl increases NeuroD levels by reducing the amount of miR-190, but morphine does not affect the levels of NeuroD. We also discuss the relationship between morphine, miRNAs, and the immune system, based on the discovery that morphine treatment of monocytes led to a decrease in several anti-HIV miRNAs (mir-28, 125b, 150, and 382). This review is centered on miR-133b and its possible involvement in addiction through the effects of morphine. We establish the importance of miR-133b as a regulatory factor by summarizing its activity in different pathological processes, especially cancer. Using the zebrafish as a research model, we discuss the relationship between mir-133b, the dopaminergic system, and morphine, considering: (1) that morphine modulates the expression of miR-133b and of its target transcript Pitx3, (2) the role of the zebrafish mu opioid receptor (zfMOR) in morphine-induced regulation of miR-133b, which depends on ERK1/2, (3) that morphine regulates miR-133b in hippocampal neurons, and (4) the role of delta opioid receptors in morphine-induced regulation of miR-133b. We conclude that the control of miR-133b levels may be a mechanism for the development of addiction to morphine, or other drugs of abuse that increase dopaminergic levels in the extracellular space. These results show that miR-133b is a possible new target for the design of new treatments against addictive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel E Rodríguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Salamanca Salamanca, Spain
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27
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Abstract
The larval zebrafish has emerged asa vertebrate model system amenable to small molecule screens for probing diverse biological pathways. Two large-scale small molecule screens examined the effects of thousands of drugs on larval zebrafish sleep/wake and photomotor response behaviors. Both screens identified hundreds of molecules that altered zebrafish behavior in distinct ways. The behavioral profiles induced by these small molecules enabled the clustering of compounds according to shared phenotypes. This approach identified regulators of sleep/wake behavior and revealed the biological targets for poorly characterized compounds. Behavioral screening for neuroactive small molecules in zebrafish is an attractive complement to in vitro screening efforts, because the complex interactions in the vertebrate brain can only be revealed in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Rihel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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28
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Abstract
This paper is the 32nd consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2009 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration and thermoregulation (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
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Sanchez-Simon FM, Zhang XX, Loh HH, Law PY, Rodriguez RE. Morphine regulates dopaminergic neuron differentiation via miR-133b. Mol Pharmacol 2010; 78:935-42. [PMID: 20716624 DOI: 10.1124/mol.110.066837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphine is one of the analgesics used most to treat chronic pain, although its long-term administration produces tolerance and dependence through neuronal plasticity. The ability of morphine to regulate neuron differentiation in vivo has been reported. However, the detailed mechanisms have not yet been elucidated because of the inability to separate maternal influences from embryonic events. Using zebrafish embryos as the model, we demonstrate that morphine decreases miR-133b expression, hence increasing the expression of its target, Pitx3, a transcription factor that activates tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter. Using a specific morpholino to knock down the zebrafish μ-opioid receptor (zfMOR) in the embryos and selective mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors, we demonstrate that the morphine-induced miR-133b decrease in zebrafish embryos is mediated by zfMOR activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. A parallel morphine-induced down-regulation of miR-133b was observed in the immature but not in mature rat hippocampal neurons. Our results indicate for the first time that zebrafish embryos express a functional μ-opioid receptor and that zebrafish serves as an excellent model to investigate the roles of microRNA in neuronal development affected by long-term morphine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Macho Sanchez-Simon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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30
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Sanchez-Simon FM, Arenzana FJ, Rodriguez RE. In vivo effects of morphine on neuronal fate and opioid receptor expression in zebrafish embryos. Eur J Neurosci 2010; 32:550-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2010.07317.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Mathur P, Guo S. Use of zebrafish as a model to understand mechanisms of addiction and complex neurobehavioral phenotypes. Neurobiol Dis 2010; 40:66-72. [PMID: 20493262 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2010.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2010] [Revised: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 05/11/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite massive research efforts the exact pathogenesis and pathophysiology of addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia and autism remain largely unknown. Animal models can serve as tools to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of these disorders. In recent years researchers are turning to zebrafish as it allows easy access to all developmental stages and imaging of pathological processes as well as automated behavioral quantification coupled with large scale screening and mutagenesis strategies. This review summarizes studies conducted over the last few years which demonstrate the relevance of the zebrafish model to human diseases including addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Mathur
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California San Francisco, CA 94143-2811, USA
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