1
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Myrov VO, Polovian AI, Kolchanova S, Galumov GK, Schiöth HB, Bozhko DV. Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-Based Pattern Recognition Approach Illustrates a Biphasic Behavioral Effect of Ethanol in Zebrafish: A High-Throughput Method for Animal Locomotor Analysis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3215. [PMID: 38137436 PMCID: PMC10740670 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123215] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Variations in stress responses between individuals are linked to factors ranging from stress coping styles to the sensitivity of neurotransmitter systems. Many anxiolytic compounds can increase stressor engagement through the modulation of neurotransmitter systems and are used to investigate stress response mechanisms. The effect of such modulation may vary in time depending on concentration or environment, but those effects are hard to dissect because of the slow transition. We investigated the temporal effect of ethanol and found that ethanol-treated individual zebrafish larvae showed altered behavior that is different between drug concentrations and decreases with time. We used an artificial neural network approach with a time-dependent method for analyzing long (90 min) experiments on zebrafish larvae and found that individuals from the 0.5% group begin to show locomotor activity corresponding to the control group starting from the 60th minute. The locomotor activity of individuals from the 2% group after the 80th minute is classified as the activity of individuals from the 1.5% group. Our method shows three clusters of different concentrations in comparison with two clusters, which were obtained with the usage of a statistical approach for analyzing just the speed of fish movements. In addition, we show that such changes are not explained by basic behavior statistics such as speed and are caused by shifts in locomotion patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aleksandr I. Polovian
- ZebraML, Inc., Houston, TX 77043, USA
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | | | | | - Helgi B. Schiöth
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Dmitrii V. Bozhko
- ZebraML, Inc., Houston, TX 77043, USA
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden;
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2
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Altounian M, Bellon A, Mann F. Neuronal miR-17-5p contributes to interhemispheric cortical connectivity defects induced by prenatal alcohol exposure. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113020. [PMID: 37610874 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113020] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural and functional deficits in brain connectivity are reported in patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), but whether and how prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) affects axonal development of neurons and disrupts wiring between brain regions is unknown. Here, we develop a mouse model of moderate alcohol exposure during prenatal brain wiring to study the effects of PAE on corpus callosum (CC) development. PAE induces aberrant navigation of interhemispheric CC axons that persists even after exposure ends, leading to ectopic termination in the contralateral cortex. The neuronal miR-17-5p and its target ephrin type A receptor 4 (EphA4) mediate the effect of alcohol on the contralateral targeting of CC axons. Thus, altered microRNA-mediated regulation of axonal guidance may have implications for interhemispheric cortical connectivity and associated behaviors in FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anaïs Bellon
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INMED, Marseille, France
| | - Fanny Mann
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IBDM, Marseille, France.
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3
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Gillis RF, Palmour RM. miRNA Expression Analysis of the Hippocampus in a Vervet Monkey Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Reveals a Potential Role in Global mRNA Downregulation. Brain Sci 2023; 13:934. [PMID: 37371413 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13060934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short-length non-protein-coding RNA sequences that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression in a broad range of cellular processes including neuro- development and have previously been implicated in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). In this study, we use our vervet monkey model of FASD to follow up on a prior multivariate (developmental age × ethanol exposure) mRNA analysis (GSE173516) to explore the possibility that the global mRNA downregulation we observed in that study could be related to miRNA expression and function. We report here a predominance of upregulated and differentially expressed miRNAs. Further, the 24 most upregulated miRNAs were significantly correlated with their predicted targets (Target Scan 7.2). We then explored the relationship between these 24 miRNAs and the fold changes observed in their paired mRNA targets using two prediction platforms (Target Scan 7.2 and miRwalk 3.0). Compared to a list of non-differentially expressed miRNAs from our dataset, the 24 upregulated and differentially expressed miRNAs had a greater impact on the fold changes of their corresponding mRNA targets across both platforms. Taken together, this evidence raises the possibility that ethanol-induced upregulation of specific miRNAs might contribute functionally to the general downregulation of mRNAs observed by multiple investigators in response to prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob F Gillis
- Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Roberta M Palmour
- Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Behavioural Science Foundation, Mansion KN 0101, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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4
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Epigenetics in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 197:211-239. [PMID: 37019593 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, alcohol abuse and its detrimental effects on developing offspring are major public health, economic and social challenges. The prominent characteristic attributes of alcohol (ethanol) abuse during pregnancy in humans are neurobehavioral impairments in offspring due to damage to the central nervous system (CNS), causing structural and behavioral impairments that are together named fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Development-specific alcohol exposure paradigms were established to recapitulate the human FASD phenotypes and establish the underlying mechanisms. These animal studies have offered some critical molecular and cellular underpinnings likely to account for the neurobehavioral impairments associated with prenatal ethanol exposure. Although the pathogenesis of FASD remains unclear, emerging literature proposes that the various genomic and epigenetic components that cause the imbalance in gene expression can significantly contribute to the development of this disease. These studies acknowledged numerous immediate and enduring epigenetic modifications, such as methylation of DNA, post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone proteins, and regulatory networks related to RNA, using many molecular approaches. Methylated DNA profiles, PTMs of histone proteins, and RNA-regulated expression of genes are essential for synaptic and cognitive behavior. Thus, offering a solution to many neuronal and behavioral impairments reported in FASD. In the current chapter, we review the recent advances in different epigenetic modifications that cause the pathogenesis of FASD. The information discussed can help better explain the pathogenesis of FASD and thereby might provide a basis for finding novel therapeutic targets and innovative treatment strategies.
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5
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Al-Ansari DE, Al-Badr M, Zakaria ZZ, Mohamed NA, Nasrallah GK, Yalcin HC, Abou-Saleh H. Evaluation of Metal-Organic Framework MIL-89 nanoparticles toxicity on embryonic zebrafish development. Toxicol Rep 2022; 9:951-960. [PMID: 35875258 PMCID: PMC9301604 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.04.016] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-Organic Framework MIL-89 nanoparticles garnered remarkable attention for their widespread use in technological applications. However, the impact of these nanomaterials on human and environmental health is still limited, and concerns regarding the potential risk of exposure during manipulation is constantly rising. Therefore, the extensive use of nanomaterials in the medical field necessitates a comprehensive assessment of their safety and interaction with different tissues of the body system. In this study, we evaluated the systemic toxicity of nanoMIL-89 using Zebrafish embryos as a model system to determine the acute developmental effect. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to a range of nanoMIL-89 concentrations (1 - 300 µM) at 4 h post-fertilization (hpf) for up to 120 hpf. The viability and hatching rate were evaluated at 24-72 hpf, whereas the cardiac function was assessed at 72 and 96 hpf, and the neurodevelopment and hepatic steatosis at 120 hpf. Our study shows that nanoMIL-89 exerted no developmental toxicity on zebrafish embryos at low concentrations (1-10 µM). However, the hatching time and heart development were affected at high concentrations of nanoMIL-89 (> 30 µM). Our findings add novel information into the available data about the in vivo toxicity of nanoMIL-89 and demonstrate its innocuity and safe use in biological, environmental, and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana E. Al-Ansari
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mashael Al-Badr
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zain Z. Zakaria
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Gheyath K. Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Haissam Abou-Saleh
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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6
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Alcohol induced impairment/abnormalities in brain: Role of MicroRNAs. Neurotoxicology 2021; 87:11-23. [PMID: 34478768 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.08.013] [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] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is a highly toxic substance and has teratogenic properties that can lead to a wide range of developmental disorders. Excessive use of alcohol can change the structural and functional aspects of developed brain and other organs. Which can further lead to significant health, social and economic implications in many countries of the world. Convincing evidence support the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) as important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in neurodevelopment and maintenance. They also show differential expression following an injury. MiRNAs are the special class of small non coding RNAs that can modify the gene by targeting the mRNA and fine tune the development of cells to organs. Numerous pieces of evidences have shown the relationship between miRNA, alcohol and brain damage. These studies also show how miRNA controls different cellular mechanisms involved in the development of alcohol use disorder. With the increasing number of research studies, the roles of miRNAs following alcohol-induced injury could help researchers to recognize alternative therapeutic methods to treat/cure alcohol-induced brain damage. The present review summarizes the available data and brings together the important miRNAs, that play a crucial role in alcohol-induced brain damage, which will help in better understanding complex mechanisms. Identifying these miRNAs will not only expand the current knowledge but can lead to the identification of better targets for the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
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7
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Arzua T, Jiang C, Yan Y, Bai X. The importance of non-coding RNAs in environmental stress-related developmental brain disorders: A systematic review of evidence associated with exposure to alcohol, anesthetic drugs, nicotine, and viral infections. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:633-647. [PMID: 34186153 PMCID: PMC8357057 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Brain development is a dynamic and lengthy process that includes cell proliferation, migration, neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis, and pruning. Disruption of any of these developmental events can result in long-term outcomes ranging from brain structural changes, to cognitive and behavioral abnormality, with the mechanisms largely unknown. Emerging evidence suggests non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as pivotal molecules that participate in normal brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders. NcRNAs such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are transcribed from the genome but not translated into proteins. Many ncRNAs have been implicated as tuners of cell fate. In this review, we started with an introduction of the current knowledge of lncRNAs and miRNAs, and their potential roles in brain development in health and disorders. We then reviewed and discussed the evidence of ncRNA involvement in abnormal brain development resulted from alcohol, anesthetic drugs, nicotine, and viral infections. The complex connections among these ncRNAs were also discussed, along with potential overlapping ncRNA mechanisms, possible pharmacological targets for therapeutic/neuroprotective interventions, and potential biomarkers for brain developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Arzua
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA; Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Congshan Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Yasheng Yan
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Xiaowen Bai
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA; Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
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8
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Raterman ST, Metz JR, Wagener FADTG, Von den Hoff JW. Zebrafish Models of Craniofacial Malformations: Interactions of Environmental Factors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:600926. [PMID: 33304906 PMCID: PMC7701217 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.600926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is an appealing model organism for investigating the genetic (G) and environmental (E) factors, as well as their interactions (GxE), which contribute to craniofacial malformations. Here, we review zebrafish studies on environmental factors involved in the etiology of craniofacial malformations in humans including maternal smoking, alcohol consumption, nutrition and drug use. As an example, we focus on the (cleft) palate, for which the zebrafish ethmoid plate is a good model. This review highlights the importance of investigating ExE interactions and discusses the variable effects of exposure to environmental factors on craniofacial development depending on dosage, exposure time and developmental stage. Zebrafish also promise to be a good tool to study novel craniofacial teratogens and toxin mixtures. Lastly, we discuss the handful of studies on gene–alcohol interactions using mutant sensitivity screens and reverse genetic techniques. We expect that studies addressing complex interactions (ExE and GxE) in craniofacial malformations will increase in the coming years. These are likely to uncover currently unknown mechanisms with implications for the prevention of craniofacial malformations. The zebrafish appears to be an excellent complementary model with high translational value to study these complex interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Raterman
- Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Dentistry-Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - J R Metz
- Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Frank A D T G Wagener
- Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Dentistry-Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Johannes W Von den Hoff
- Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Dentistry-Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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9
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Fei Y, Feng Z, Wu K, Luo Y, Yu L, Zhang Y, Lu L, Xu D. MicroRNA expression profiling of caudal fin cell of C. auratus gibelio upon cyprinid herpesvirus 2 infection. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 107:103637. [PMID: 32035081 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As a member of the genus Cyprinivirus in the family Alloherpesviridae, Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) has caused great economic loss in the aquaculture industry, mainly in C. auratus gibelio and goldfish. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenicity of CyHV-2 remain elusive. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to explore the miRNA expression profiles of C. auratus gibelio (GiCF) caudal fin cells in response to Cyprinid Herpesvirus-2 (CyHV-2) infection. A total of 631 novel miRNAs and 409 known miRNAs were identified. The expression levels of 7 miRNAs were found as significantly modulated (5 down-regulation and 2 up-regulation; P < 0.01, |logFC|>1, TPM>10) in CyHV-2 infected cells. 7 miRNA and their potential mRNA targets were validated by Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. Targets prediction and functional analysis of these 7 miRNAs revealed significant enrichment for several signaling pathways, including PPAR, p53 and FoxO pathways. These studies provided more valuable basis for further study on the roles of miRNAs in CyHV-2 replication and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyue Fei
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Ministry for Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zizhao Feng
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Ministry for Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Kaixuan Wu
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Ministry for Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yang Luo
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Ministry for Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Lu Yu
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Ministry for Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Ye Zhang
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Ministry for Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Fishery Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Liqun Lu
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Ministry for Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Fishery Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Dan Xu
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Ministry for Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Fishery Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynthesis Chemistry, Guangxi Beibu Gulf Marine Research Center, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China.
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10
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Ahkin Chin Tai JK, Freeman JL. Zebrafish as an integrative vertebrate model to identify miRNA mechanisms regulating toxicity. Toxicol Rep 2020; 7:559-570. [PMID: 32373477 PMCID: PMC7195498 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are an established vertebrate model for toxicity studies. Zebrafish have a fully sequenced genome and the capability to create genetic models. Zebrafish have over 80 % homology for genes related to human disease. Functions of miRNAs in the zebrafish genome are being characterized. Zebrafish are ideal for mechanistic studies on how miRNAs regulate toxicity.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are an integrative vertebrate model ideal for toxicity studies. The zebrafish genome is sequenced with detailed characterization of all life stages. With their genetic similarity to humans, zebrafish models are established to study biological processes including development and disease mechanisms for translation to human health. The zebrafish genome, similar to other eukaryotic organisms, contains microRNAs (miRNAs) which function along with other epigenetic mechanisms to regulate gene expression. Studies have now established that exposure to toxins and xenobiotics can change miRNA expression profiles resulting in various physiological and behavioral alterations. In this review, we cover the intersection of miRNA alterations from toxin or xenobiotic exposure with a focus on studies using the zebrafish model system to identify miRNA mechanisms regulating toxicity. Studies to date have addressed exposures to toxins, particulate matter and nanoparticles, various environmental contaminants including pesticides, ethanol, and pharmaceuticals. Current limitations of the completed studies and future directions for this research area are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
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11
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Pucci M, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Wille-Bille A, Fernández MS, Maccarrone M, Pautassi RM, Cifani C, D’Addario C. Environmental stressors and alcoholism development: Focus on molecular targets and their epigenetic regulation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 106:165-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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12
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Pinson MR, Miranda RC. Noncoding RNAs in development and teratology, with focus on effects of cannabis, cocaine, nicotine, and ethanol. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:1308-1319. [PMID: 31356004 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Completion of the Human Genome Project has led to the identification of a large number of transcription start sites that are not paired with protein-coding genes, supporting the growing recognition of the abundance of encoded nonprotein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their importance for speciation and species-specific development. Present in both plants and animals, ncRNAs vary in size, function, primary sequence, and secondary structure. While microRNAs (miRNAs) are the best known, there are a number of other ncRNAs (long[er] nonprotein-coding RNA, pseudogenes, circular RNAs, and so on) that have been shown to play an important role in the development either directly or via networks of proteins and other ncRNAs, including modulating the impact of miRNAs. Furthermore, these ncRNAs and their developmental regulatory networks are sensitive to teratogens such as ethanol, cannabis, cocaine, and nicotine. A better understanding of the developmental role of ncRNAs and their capacity to mediate teratogenesis is a necessary step in efforts to minimize the long-term consequences of developmental exposures to drugs-of-abuse. Moreover, with increasing awareness of the prevalence of polydrug use, experimental models will need to incorporate more complex drug exposure paradigms into meaningful assessments of developmental ncRNA function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa R Pinson
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 8447 Riverside Pkwy Suite 1005 MREB, Bryan, Texas
| | - Rajesh C Miranda
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 8447 Riverside Pkwy Suite 1005 MREB, Bryan, Texas
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13
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Suzuki A, Li A, Gajera M, Abdallah N, Zhang M, Zhao Z, Iwata J. MicroRNA-374a, -4680, and -133b suppress cell proliferation through the regulation of genes associated with human cleft palate in cultured human palate cells. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:93. [PMID: 31262291 PMCID: PMC6604454 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-019-0546-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cleft palate (CP) is the second most common congenital birth defect; however, the relationship between CP-associated genes and epigenetic regulation remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the contribution of microRNAs (miRNAs) to cell proliferation and regulation of genes involved in CP development. Methods In order to identify all genes for which mutations or association/linkage have been found in individuals with CP, we conducted a systematic literature search, followed by bioinformatics analyses for these genes. We validated the bioinformatics results experimentally by conducting cell proliferation assays and miRNA-gene regulatory analyses in cultured human palatal mesenchymal cells treated with each miRNA mimic. Results We identified 131 CP-associated genes in the systematic review. The bioinformatics analysis indicated that the CP genes were associated with signaling pathways, microRNAs (miRNAs), metabolic pathways, and cell proliferation. A total 17 miRNAs were recognized as potential modifiers of human CP genes. To validate miRNA function in cell proliferation, a main cause of CP, we conducted cell proliferation/viability assays for the top 11 candidate miRNAs from our bioinformatics analysis. Overexpression of miR-133b, miR-374a-5p, and miR-4680-3p resulted in a more than 30% reduction in cell proliferation activity in human palatal mesenchymal cell cultures. We found that several downstream target CP genes predicted by the bioinformatics analyses were significantly downregulated through induction of these miRNAs (FGFR1, GCH1, PAX7, SMC2, and SUMO1 by miR-133b; ARNT, BMP2, CRISPLD1, FGFR2, JARID2, MSX1, NOG, RHPN2, RUNX2, WNT5A and ZNF236 by miR-374a-5p; and ERBB2, JADE1, MTHFD1 and WNT5A by miR-4680-3p) in cultured cells. Conclusions Our results indicate that miR-374a-5p, miR-4680-3p, and miR-133b regulate expression of genes that are involved in the etiology of human CP, providing insight into the association between CP-associated genes and potential targets of miRNAs in palate development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12920-019-0546-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Suzuki
- Department of Diagnostic & Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Craniofacial Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aimin Li
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,School of Computer Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mona Gajera
- Department of Diagnostic & Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nada Abdallah
- Department of Diagnostic & Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Musi Zhang
- Department of Diagnostic & Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Craniofacial Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Junichi Iwata
- Department of Diagnostic & Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. .,Center for Craniofacial Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. .,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.
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14
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The citrus flavonoids hesperidin and naringin alleviate alcohol-induced behavioural alterations and developmental defects in zebrafish larvae. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2019; 73:22-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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15
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Wang F, Liu F, Chen W. Exposure to triclosan changes the expression of microRNA in male juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio). CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 214:651-658. [PMID: 30292047 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.09.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Triclosan (TCS) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent which is widely used in various personal care products and cosmetics. It has been found that TCS affects endocrine, immune, nervous, reproductive, and developmental system. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) act a pivotal part in lots of metabolic activities, whether and how they are related to the process of TCS-induced toxicity is unknown. In the present study, TCS induced changes in miRNAs and target gene expression in male zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain, and the potential mechanism was studied. Male juvenile zebrafish were exposed to 0 and 68 μg/L TCS for 42 d. miRNA was isolated from the brain pool of the zebrafish and the expression profiles of 255 known zebrafish miRNAs were analysed by using Affymetrix miRNA 4.0 microarrays. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assay the expression of 5 differentially expressed miRNAs in the microarray data and some related-genes in brains. The GO term analysis revealed that miRNAs significantly affected by TCS exposure were mainly involved in translation, transcription, DNA-templated, protein transport, and motor neuron axon guidance biological process. Pathway analysis showed that target genes of 5 differentially expressed miRNAs prominently participate in basal transcription factors, purine metabolism, and ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes. In addition, key genes in purine metabolism pathway and oxidative stress related-genes were significantly changed. These findings offer novel insight into the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in TCS-induced toxicity in male zebrafish, and distinguish novel miRNA biomarkers for exposure to TCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wang
- School of Biological Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471022, China; Cold Water Fish Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province, Luoyang 471022, China.
| | - Fei Liu
- School of Biological Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471022, China; Cold Water Fish Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province, Luoyang 471022, China
| | - Wanguang Chen
- School of Biological Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471022, China; Cold Water Fish Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province, Luoyang 471022, China
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16
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Chatterjee N, Gim J, Choi J. Epigenetic profiling to environmental stressors in model and non-model organisms: Ecotoxicology perspective. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:e2018015-0. [PMID: 30286591 PMCID: PMC6182246 DOI: 10.5620/eht.e2018015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics, potentially heritable changes in genome function that occur without alterations to DNA sequence, is an important but understudied component of ecotoxicology studies. A wide spectrum of environmental challenge, such as temperature, stress, diet, toxic chemicals, are known to impact on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Although the role of epigenetic factors in certain biological processes, such as tumourigenesis, has been heavily investigated, in ecotoxicology field, epigenetics still have attracted little attention. In ecotoxicology, potential role of epigenetics in multi- and transgenerational phenomenon to environmental stressors needs to be unrevealed. Natural variation in the epigenetic profiles of species in responses to environmental stressors, nature of dose-response relationships for epigenetic effects, and how to incorporate this information into ecological risk assessment should also require attentions. In this review, we presented the available information on epigenetics in ecotoxicological context. For this, we have conducted a systemic review on epigenetic profiling in response to environmental stressors, mostly chemical exposure, in model organisms, as well as, in ecotoxicologically relevant wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita Chatterjee
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dondaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwan Gim
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dondaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Choi
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dondaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
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17
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Nonprotein-coding RNAs in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 157:299-342. [PMID: 29933954 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Early developmental exposure to ethanol, a known teratogen, can result in a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, collectively referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). Changes in the environment, including exposure to teratogens, can result in long term alterations to the epigenetic landscape of a cell, thereby altering gene expression. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) can affect transcription and translation of networks of genes. ncRNAs are dynamically expressed during development and have been identified as a target of alcohol. ncRNAs therefore make for attractive targets for novel therapeutics to address the developmental deficits associated with FASDs.
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18
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Boschen KE, Keller SM, Roth TL, Klintsova AY. Epigenetic mechanisms in alcohol- and adversity-induced developmental origins of neurobehavioral functioning. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 66:63-79. [PMID: 29305195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The long-term effects of developmental alcohol and stress exposure are well documented in both humans and non-human animal models. Damage to the brain and attendant life-long impairments in cognition and increased risk for psychiatric disorders are debilitating consequences of developmental exposure to alcohol and/or psychological stress. Here we discuss evidence for a role of epigenetic mechanisms in mediating these consequences. While we highlight some of the common ways in which stress or alcohol impact the epigenome, we point out that little is understood of the epigenome's response to experiencing both stress and alcohol exposure, though stress is a contributing factor as to why women drink during pregnancy. Advancing our understanding of this relationship is of critical concern not just for the health and well-being of individuals directly exposed to these teratogens, but for generations to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Boschen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - S M Keller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - T L Roth
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States.
| | - A Y Klintsova
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States.
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19
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Lee J, Kho Y, Kim PG, Ji K. Exposure to bisphenol S alters the expression of microRNA in male zebrafish. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 338:191-196. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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20
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Cavalieri V, Spinelli G. Environmental epigenetics in zebrafish. Epigenetics Chromatin 2017; 10:46. [PMID: 28982377 PMCID: PMC5629768 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-017-0154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the epigenome can act as the link between environmental cues, both external and internal, to the organism and phenotype by converting the environmental stimuli to phenotypic responses through changes in gene transcription outcomes. Environmental stress endured by individual organisms can also enforce epigenetic variations in offspring that had never experienced it directly, which is termed transgenerational inheritance. To date, research in the environmental epigenetics discipline has used a wide range of both model and non-model organisms to elucidate the various epigenetic mechanisms underlying the adaptive response to environmental stimuli. In this review, we discuss the advantages of the zebrafish model for studying how environmental toxicant exposures affect the regulation of epigenetic processes, especially DNA methylation, which is the best-studied epigenetic mechanism. We include several very recent studies describing the state-of-the-art knowledge on this topic in zebrafish, together with key concepts in the function of DNA methylation during vertebrate embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Cavalieri
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy. .,Zebrafish Laboratory, Advanced Technologies Network (ATeN) Center, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 18, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Spinelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 16, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
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21
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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Zebrafish in the analysis of the milder and more prevalent form of the disease. Behav Brain Res 2017; 352:125-132. [PMID: 28988969 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) represent a large unmet medical need. Exposure of the developing human embryo to alcohol can lead to life-long suffering. Despite the well documented deleterious effects of alcohol on the developing fetus, pregnant women continue to drink alcohol, and FASD remains the leading cause of preventable mental retardation and other behavioral abnormalities. Particularly prevalent are the milder forms of the disease cluster, representing children who do not show obvious physical signs and who may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. To develop treatment and diagnostic tools, researchers have turned to animal models. The zebrafish is becoming one of the leading biomedical research organisms that may facilitate discovery of the biological mechanisms underlying this disease and the identification of biomarkers that may be used for diagnosis. Here we review the latest advances of this field, mostly focussing on the discoveries made in our own laboratory and others with zebrafish employed to analyze the effects of moderate to low level of exposure to alcohol. We argue that the zebrafish represents unique advantages, and adding information obtained with this species to the mix of other animal models will significantly increase translational relevance of animal biomedical research for the analysis of human FASD.
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22
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Abstract
Zebrafish have been extensively used for studying vertebrate development and modeling human diseases such as cancer. In the last two decades, they have also emerged as an important model for developmental toxicology research and, more recently, for studying the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). It is widely recognized that epigenetic mechanisms mediate the persistent effects of exposure to chemicals during sensitive windows of development. There is considerable interest in understanding the epigenetic mechanisms associated with DOHaD using zebrafish as a model system. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the effects of environmental chemicals on DNA methylation, histone modifications and noncoding RNAs in the context of DOHaD, and suggest some key considerations in designing experiments for characterizating the mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelakanteswar Aluru
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
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23
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Mandal C, Halder D, Jung KH, Chai YG. Maternal alcohol consumption and altered miRNAs in the developing fetus: Context and future perspectives. J Appl Toxicol 2017; 38:100-107. [PMID: 28677831 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is a teratogenic agent that can cause a wide range of developmental disorders, and sometimes, the effects persist throughout an individual's lifetime. Researchers have shown the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in alcohol-mediated disorders. Non-coding RNAs are one of the major sources of epigenetic modifications, especially microRNAs. The association of microRNAs with alcohol consumption leads to a new focus on finding the molecular mechanisms of alcohol toxicity. It has been suggested that alcohol alters the relative expression of microRNAs and regulates target mRNA expression in both in vitro and in vivo models. Currently, we lack information regarding the relationship between altered microRNA expression and disease phenotypes in alcohol-mediated disorders. In this review, we tried to gather all of the available information about the alcohol-mediated dysregulation of microRNA expression in utero. We hope that our efforts will help future researchers identify major microRNAs in the field of prenatal alcohol toxicity and related therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanchal Mandal
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Debasish Halder
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Hwa Jung
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Natural Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Gyu Chai
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea.,Department of Bionanotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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24
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Lussier AA, Weinberg J, Kobor MS. Epigenetics studies of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: where are we now? Epigenomics 2017; 9:291-311. [PMID: 28234026 PMCID: PMC5549650 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse in utero events can alter the development and function of numerous physiological systems, giving rise to lasting neurodevelopmental deficits. In particular, data have shown that prenatal alcohol exposure can reprogram neurobiological systems, altering developmental trajectories and resulting in increased vulnerability to adverse neurobiological, behavioral and health outcomes. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms are potential mediators for the reprogramming of neurobiological systems, as they may provide a link between the genome, environmental conditions and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This review outlines the current state of epigenetic research in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, highlighting the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the reprogramming of neurobiological systems by alcohol and as potential diagnostic tools for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. We also present an assessment of the current limitations in studies of prenatal alcohol exposure, and highlight the future steps needed in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre A Lussier
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joanne Weinberg
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Human Early Learning Partnership, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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25
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Zhao J, Xu T, Yin D, Zhang B, Bai J. The Regulatory Roles of MicroRNA in Effects of 2,2'4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE47) on the Transcriptome of Zebrafish Larvae. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169599. [PMID: 28072866 PMCID: PMC5225001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental neurotoxicity caused by environmental pollutants has received great concern; however, there were still barely known about the underlying toxic mechanisms, especially the influence of varieties of regulatory factors such as microRNA (miRNA). A representative flame retardant, 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE47), was found to disrupt zebrafish development in visual perception and bone formation in previous study, thus here we investigated its effects on miRNA expression profiling of 6 days post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae by deep sequencing. To overcome the shortage of zebrafish miRNA annotation, multiple data processing approaches, especially constructed network based on the interactions between miRNAs and enrichment terms, were adopted and helped us acquire several validated zebrafish miRNAs and two novel miRNAs in BDE47-induced effects, and identify corresponding biological processes of the miRNAs. Among them, miR-735 was supposed to play essential roles in larval sensory development according to analysis results. Our study also provided an effective strategy for analyzing biological effects on non-mammalian miRNAs with limited basic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for WEEE Recycling, WEEE Research Centre of Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Daqiang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Novel Bioinformatics Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Bai
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for WEEE Recycling, WEEE Research Centre of Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai, China
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26
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Chronic alcohol exposure induces muscle atrophy (myopathy) in zebrafish and alters the expression of microRNAs targeting the Notch pathway in skeletal muscle. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 479:590-595. [PMID: 27671199 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.09.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Muscle wasting is estimated to affect 40-60% of alcoholics, and is more common than cirrhosis among chronic alcohol abusers. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying alcohol-related musculoskeletal dysfunction are, however, poorly understood. Muscle-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) referred to as myoMirs are now known to play a key role in both myogenesis and muscle atrophy. Yet, no studies have investigated a role for myoMirs in alcohol-related skeletal muscle damage. We developed a zebrafish model of chronic ethanol exposure to better define the mechanisms mediating alcohol-induced muscle atrophy. Adult fish maintained at 0.5% ethanol for eight weeks demonstrated significantly reduced muscle fiber cross-sectional area (∼12%, P < 0.05) compared to fish housed in normal water. Zebrafish miRNA microarray revealed marked changes in several miRNAs with ethanol treatment. Importantly, miR-140, a miRNA that shows 100% sequence homology with miR-140 from both mouse and human, is decreased 10-fold in ethanol treated fish. miR-140 targets several members of the Notch signaling pathway such as DNER, JAG1, and Hey1, and PCR data show that both Hey1 and Notch 1 are significantly up-related (3-fold) in muscle of ethanol treated fish. In addition, miR-146a, which targets the Notch antagonist Numb, is elevated in muscle from ethanol-treated fish. Upregulation of Notch signaling suppresses myogenesis and maintains muscle satellite cell quiescence. These data suggest that miRNAs targeting Notch are likely to play important roles in alcohol-related myopathy. Furthermore, zebrafish may serve as a useful model for better understanding the role of microRNAs in alcohol-related tissue damage.
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27
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Epigenetic studies in Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: pitfalls and key considerations for study design and interpretation. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2016; 8:30-43. [DOI: 10.1017/s2040174416000507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) seeks to understand the relationships between early-life environmental exposures and long-term health and disease. Until recently, the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena were poorly understood; however, epigenetics has been proposed to bridge the gap between the environment and phenotype. Epigenetics involves the study of heritable changes in gene expression, which occur without changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Different types of epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications and non-coding RNAs. Increasingly, changes to the epigenome have been associated with early-life exposures in both humans and animal models, offering both an explanation for how the environment may programme long-term health, as well as molecular changes that could be developed as biomarkers of exposure and/or future disease. As such, epigenetic studies in DOHaD hold much promise; however, there are a number of factors which should be considered when designing and interpreting such studies. These include the impact of the genome on the epigenome, the tissue-specificity of epigenetic marks, the stability (or lack thereof) of epigenetic changes over time and the importance of associating epigenetic changes with changes in transcription or translation to demonstrate functional consequences. In this review, we discuss each of these key concepts and provide practical strategies to mitigate some common pitfalls with the aim of providing a useful guide for future epigenetic studies in DOHaD.
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28
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Developmental Alcohol-Induced Neurobehavioral Deficits. Brain Sci 2016; 6:brainsci6020012. [PMID: 27070644 PMCID: PMC4931489 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci6020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy and its damaging consequences on the developing infant brain are significant public health, social, and economic issues. The major distinctive features of prenatal alcohol exposure in humans are cognitive and behavioral dysfunction due to damage to the central nervous system (CNS), which results in a continuum of disarray that is collectively called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Many rodent models have been developed to understand the mechanisms of and to reproduce the human FASD phenotypes. These animal FASD studies have provided several molecular pathways that are likely responsible for the neurobehavioral abnormalities that are associated with prenatal alcohol exposure of the developing CNS. Recently, many laboratories have identified several immediate, as well as long-lasting, epigenetic modifications of DNA methylation, DNA-associated histone proteins and microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis by using a variety of epigenetic approaches in rodent FASD models. Because DNA methylation patterns, DNA-associated histone protein modifications and miRNA-regulated gene expression are crucial for synaptic plasticity and learning and memory, they can therefore offer an answer to many of the neurobehavioral abnormalities that are found in FASD. In this review, we briefly discuss the current literature of DNA methylation, DNA-associated histone proteins modification and miRNA and review recent developments concerning epigenetic changes in FASD.
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29
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Taki FA, Pan X, Zhang B. Revisiting Chaos Theorem to Understand the Nature of miRNAs in Response to Drugs of Abuse. J Cell Physiol 2015; 230:2857-68. [PMID: 25966899 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Just like Matryoshka dolls, biological systems follow a hierarchical order that is based on dynamic bidirectional communication among its components. In addition to the convoluted inter-relationships, the complexity of each component spans several folds. Therefore, it becomes rather challenging to investigate phenotypes resulting from these networks as it requires the integration of reductionistic and holistic approaches. One dynamic system is the transcriptome which comprises a variety of RNA species. Some, like microRNAs, have recently received a lot of attention. miRNAs are very pleiotropic and have been considered as therapeutic and diagnostic candidates in the biomedical fields. In this review, we survey miRNA profiles in response to drugs of abuse (DA) using 118 studies. After providing a summary of miRNAs related to substance use disorders (SUD), general patterns of miRNA signatures are compared among studies for single or multiple drugs of abuse. Then, current challenges and drawbacks in the field are discussed. Finally, we provide support for considering miRNAs as a chaotic system in normal versus disrupted states particularly in SUD and propose an integrative approach for studying and analyzing miRNA data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faten A Taki
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
| | - Xiaoping Pan
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
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30
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Bugel SM, Tanguay RL, Planchart A. Zebrafish: A marvel of high-throughput biology for 21 st century toxicology. Curr Environ Health Rep 2014; 1:341-352. [PMID: 25678986 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-014-0029-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionary conservation of genomic, biochemical and developmental features between zebrafish and humans is gradually coming into focus with the end result that the zebrafish embryo model has emerged as a powerful tool for uncovering the effects of environmental exposures on a multitude of biological processes with direct relevance to human health. In this review, we highlight advances in automation, high-throughput (HT) screening, and analysis that leverage the power of the zebrafish embryo model for unparalleled advances in our understanding of how chemicals in our environment affect our health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Bugel
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97333
| | - Robert L Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97333
| | - Antonio Planchart
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
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31
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Understanding the effects of in-utero exposures to environmental agents is of great importance as the resulting deregulation of biological processes can affect both fetal development and health outcomes that manifest later in life. Due to their established role in developmental processes and inherent stability ex vivo, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as attractive candidates to explore the impact of such exposures during this critical window of susceptibility. In this review, we summarize the findings of studies assessing miRNAs as markers of in-utero environmental exposures and as candidates for the molecular basis through which these exposures exert their influence on children's health. RECENT FINDINGS To date, miRNA expression profiles due to various in-utero environmental exposures, including xenochemicals, endogenous factors, and nutritional status, have been reported. SUMMARY While the validity of the identified exposure-specific miRNA profiles remains to be established, the findings thus far do raise interesting questions worth addressing in future studies. Gaps that remain to be addressed include linking specific in-utero exposures to subsequent health outcomes based on established miRNA expression profiles and experimentally validating putative downstream targets of the deregulated miRNAs.
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32
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Mantha K, Laufer BI, Singh SM. Molecular changes during neurodevelopment following second-trimester binge ethanol exposure in a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: from immediate effects to long-term adaptation. Dev Neurosci 2014; 36:29-43. [PMID: 24481079 DOI: 10.1159/000357496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term that refers to a wide range of behavioral and cognitive deficits resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. It involves changes in brain gene expression that underlie lifelong FASD symptoms. How these changes are achieved from immediate to long-term effects, and how they are maintained, is unknown. We have used the C57BL/6J mouse to assess the dynamics of genomic alterations following binge alcohol exposure. Ethanol-exposed fetal (short-term effect) and adult (long-term effect) brains were assessed for gene expression and microRNA (miRNA) changes using Affymetrix mouse arrays. We identified 48 and 68 differentially expressed genes in short- and long-term groups, respectively. No gene was common between the 2 groups. Short-term (immediate) genes were involved in cellular compromise and apoptosis, which represent ethanol's toxic effects. Long-term genes were involved in various cellular functions, including epigenetics. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we confirmed the downregulation of long-term genes: Camk1g, Ccdc6, Egr3, Hspa5, and Xbp1. miRNA arrays identified 20 differentially expressed miRNAs, one of which (miR-302c) was confirmed. miR-302c was involved in an inverse relationship with Ccdc6. A network-based model involving altered genes illustrates the importance of cellular redox, stress and inflammation in FASD. Our results also support a critical role of apoptosis in FASD, and the potential involvement of miRNAs in the adaptation of gene expression following prenatal ethanol exposure. The ultimate molecular footprint involves inflammatory disease, neurological disease and skeletal and muscular disorders as major alterations in FASD. At the cellular level, these processes represent abnormalities in redox, stress and inflammation, with potential underpinnings to anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Mantha
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., Canada
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Williams TD, Mirbahai L, Chipman JK. The toxicological application of transcriptomics and epigenomics in zebrafish and other teleosts. Brief Funct Genomics 2014; 13:157-71. [DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elt053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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Developmental exposure to valproic acid alters the expression of microRNAs involved in neurodevelopment in zebrafish. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2013; 40:46-58. [PMID: 24126255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Congenital malformations are a prevalent cause of infant mortality in the United States and their induction has been linked to a variety of factors, including exposure to teratogens. However, the molecular mechanisms of teratogenicity are not fully understood. MicroRNAs are an important group of small, non-coding RNAs that regulate mRNA expression. MicroRNA roles in early embryonic development are well established, and their disruption during development can cause abnormalities. We hypothesized that developmental exposure to teratogens such as valproic acid alters microRNA expression profiles in developing embryos. Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder and migraines. To examine the effects of valproic acid on microRNA expression during development, we used zebrafish embryos as a model vertebrate developmental system. Zebrafish embryos were continuously exposed to valproic acid (1mM) or vehicle control (ethanol) starting from 4h post-fertilization (hpf) and sampled at 48 and 96hpf to determine the miRNA expression profiles prior to and after the onset of developmental defects. At 96hpf, 95% of the larvae showed skeletal deformities, abnormal swimming behavior, and pericardial effusion. Microarray expression profiling was done using Agilent zebrafish miRNA microarrays. Microarray results revealed changes in miRNA expression at both time points. Thirteen miRNAs were differentially expressed at 48hpf and 22 miRNAs were altered at 96hpf. Among them, six miRNAs (miR-16a, 18c, 122, 132, 457b, and 724) were common to both time points. Bioinformatic target prediction and examination of published literature revealed that these miRNAs target several genes involved in the normal functioning of the central nervous system. These results suggest that the teratogenic effects of valproic acid could involve altered miRNA expression.
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Glucose metabolism disorder is a risk factor in ethanol exposure induced malformation in embryonic brain. Food Chem Toxicol 2013; 60:238-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.07.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Manzardo AM, Gunewardena S, Butler MG. Over-expression of the miRNA cluster at chromosome 14q32 in the alcoholic brain correlates with suppression of predicted target mRNA required for oligodendrocyte proliferation. Gene 2013; 526:356-63. [PMID: 23747354 PMCID: PMC3816396 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Revised: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We examined miRNA expression from RNA isolated from the frontal cortex (Broadman area 9) of 9 alcoholics (6 males, 3 females, mean age 48 years) and 9 matched controls using both the Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 2.0 and Human Exon 1.0 ST Arrays to further characterize genetic influences in alcoholism and the effects of alcohol consumption on predicted target mRNA expression. A total of 12 human miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in alcohol dependent subjects (fold change≥1.5, false discovery rate (FDR)≤0.3; p<0.05) compared with controls including a cluster of 4 miRNAs (e.g., miR-377, miR-379) from the maternally expressed 14q32 chromosome region. The status of the up-regulated miRNAs was supported using the high-throughput method of exon microarrays showing decreased predicted mRNA gene target expression as anticipated from the same RNA aliquot. Predicted mRNA targets were involved in cellular adhesion (e.g., THBS2), tissue differentiation (e.g., CHN2), neuronal migration (e.g., NDE1), myelination (e.g., UGT8, CNP) and oligodendrocyte proliferation (e.g., ENPP2, SEMA4D1). Our data support an association of alcoholism with up-regulation of a cluster of miRNAs located in the genomic imprinted domain on chromosome 14q32 with their predicted gene targets involved with oligodendrocyte growth, differentiation and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Manzardo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
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Stringer RL, Laufer BI, Kleiber ML, Singh SM. Reduced expression of brain cannabinoid receptor 1 (Cnr1) is coupled with an increased complementary micro-RNA (miR-26b) in a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Clin Epigenetics 2013; 5:14. [PMID: 23915435 PMCID: PMC3751098 DOI: 10.1186/1868-7083-5-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prenatal alcohol exposure is known to result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, a continuum of physiological, behavioural, and cognitive phenotypes that include increased risk for anxiety and learning-associated disorders. Prenatal alcohol exposure results in life-long disorders that may manifest in part through the induction of long-term gene expression changes, potentially maintained through epigenetic mechanisms. Findings Here we report a decrease in the expression of Canabinoid receptor 1 (Cnr1) and an increase in the expression of the regulatory microRNA miR-26b in the brains of adult mice exposed to ethanol during neurodevelopment. Furthermore, we show that miR-26b has significant complementarity to the 3’-UTR of the Cnr1 transcript, giving it the potential to bind and reduce the level of Cnr1 expression. Conclusions These findings elucidate a mechanism through which some genes show long-term altered expression following prenatal alcohol exposure, leading to persistent alterations to cognitive function and behavioural phenotypes observed in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randa L Stringer
- Department of Biology, Molecular Genetics Unit, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada.
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Chung HY, Chang CT, Young HW, Hu SP, Tzou WS, Hu CH. Ethanol inhibits retinal and CNS differentiation due to failure of cell cycle exit via an apoptosis-independent pathway. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2013; 38:92-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2013.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Muralidharan P, Sarmah S, Zhou FC, Marrs JA. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Associated Neural Defects: Complex Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Targets. Brain Sci 2013; 3:964-91. [PMID: 24961433 PMCID: PMC4061856 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci3020964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, can result in craniofacial dysmorphism, cognitive impairment, sensory and motor disabilities among other defects. FASD incidences are as high as 2% to 5 % children born in the US, and prevalence is higher in low socioeconomic populations. Despite various mechanisms being proposed to explain the etiology of FASD, the molecular targets of ethanol toxicity during development are unknown. Proposed mechanisms include cell death, cell signaling defects and gene expression changes. More recently, the involvement of several other molecular pathways was explored, including non-coding RNA, epigenetic changes and specific vitamin deficiencies. These various pathways may interact, producing a wide spectrum of consequences. Detailed understanding of these various pathways and their interactions will facilitate the therapeutic target identification, leading to new clinical intervention, which may reduce the incidence and severity of these highly prevalent preventable birth defects. This review discusses manifestations of alcohol exposure on the developing central nervous system, including the neural crest cells and sensory neural placodes, focusing on molecular neurodevelopmental pathways as possible therapeutic targets for prevention or protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Muralidharan
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Swapnalee Sarmah
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Feng C Zhou
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - James A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) occurs when fetal growth rate falls below the genetic potential and affects a significant number of pregnancies, but still no therapy has been developed for this pregnancy disease. This article reviews the most recent findings concerning maternal characteristics and behaviours predisposing to IUGR as well as maternal early markers of the disease. A comprehensive understanding of factors associated with IUGR will help in providing important tools for preventing and understanding adverse outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Maternal nutritional status, diet and exposure to environmental factors are increasingly acknowledged as potential factors affecting fetal growth both by altering nutrient availability to the fetus and by modulating placental gene expression, thus modifying placental function. SUMMARY Assessing nutritional and environmental factors associated with IUGR, and the molecular mechanisms by which they may have a role in the disease onset, is necessary to provide comprehensive and common guidelines for maternal care and recommended behaviours. Moreover, maternal genetic predispositions and early serum markers may allow a better and more specific monitoring of high risk pregnancies, optimizing the timing of delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cetin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L.Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Laufer BI, Mantha K, Kleiber ML, Diehl EJ, Addison SMF, Singh SM. Long-lasting alterations to DNA methylation and ncRNAs could underlie the effects of fetal alcohol exposure in mice. Dis Model Mech 2013; 6:977-92. [PMID: 23580197 PMCID: PMC3701217 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.010975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are characterized by life-long changes in gene expression, neurodevelopment and behavior. What mechanisms initiate and maintain these changes are not known, but current research suggests a role for alcohol-induced epigenetic changes. In this study we assessed alterations to adult mouse brain tissue by assaying DNA cytosine methylation and small noncoding RNA (ncRNA) expression, specifically the microRNA (miRNA) and small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) subtypes. We found long-lasting alterations in DNA methylation as a result of fetal alcohol exposure, specifically in the imprinted regions of the genome harboring ncRNAs and sequences interacting with regulatory proteins. A large number of major nodes from the identified networks, such as Pten signaling, contained transcriptional repressor CTCF-binding sites in their promoters, illustrating the functional consequences of alcohol-induced changes to DNA methylation. Next, we assessed ncRNA expression using two independent array platforms and quantitative PCR. The results identified 34 genes that are targeted by the deregulated miRNAs. Of these, four (Pten, Nmnat1, Slitrk2 and Otx2) were viewed as being crucial in the context of FASDs given their roles in the brain. Furthermore, ∼20% of the altered ncRNAs mapped to three imprinted regions (Snrpn-Ube3a, Dlk1-Dio3 and Sfmbt2) that showed differential methylation and have been previously implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. The findings of this study help to expand on the mechanisms behind the long-lasting changes in the brain transcriptome of FASD individuals. The observed changes could contribute to the initiation and maintenance of the long-lasting effect of alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin I Laufer
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada
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Abstract
Epigenetic medicine is still in its infancy. To date, only a handful of diseases have documented epigenetic correlates upstream of gene regulation including cancer, developmental syndromes and late-onset diseases. The finding that epigenetic markers are dynamic and heterogeneous at tissue and cellular levels, combined with recent identification of a new form of functionally distinct DNA methylation has opened a wider window for investigators to pry into the epigenetic world. It is anticipated that many diseases will be elucidated through this epigenetic inquiry. In this review, we discuss the normal course of DNA methylation during development, taking alcohol as a demonstrator of the epigenetic impact of environmental factors in disease etiology, particularly the growth retardation and neurodevelopmental deficits of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Resendiz
- Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, MS508, Indiana University School Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Nail C Öztürk
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, MS508, Indiana University School Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Mersin University School of Medicine, Turkey
| | - Feng C Zhou
- Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, MS508, Indiana University School Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Yang M, Liu R, Sheng J, Liao J, Wang Y, Pan E, Guo W, Pu Y, Yin L. Differential expression profiles of microRNAs as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2012; 29:169-76. [PMID: 23124769 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.2105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. To reduce the high morbidity and mortality of the disease, sensitive and specific biomarkers for early detection are urgently needed. Tumor-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) seem to be potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this study, differentially expressed miRNAs in tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues were detected by miRNA microarrays. Stem-loop real-time reverse transcription PCR was conducted to verify the candidate miRNAs discovered by microarray analysis. The data showed that hsa-miR-338-3p, hsa-miR‑218 and hsa-miR-139-5p were downregulated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues, while hsa-miR‑183, hsa-miR-574-5p, hsa-miR-21* and hsa-miR‑601 were upregulated in tumor tissues. Multiple regression analysis revealed the aberrant expression of hsa-miR-338-3p, hsa‑miR-139-5p, hsa-miR‑574-5p and hsa-miR-601 increased the risk of esophageal cancer. Furthermore, we found hsa-miR-21* was significantly increased in heavy drinking patients. Therefore, there is a set of differentially expressed miRNAs in esophageal cancer which may be associated with the incidence and development of ESCC. Differential expression profiles of miRNAs in ESCC may be promising biomarkers for the early screening of high-risk populations and early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, PR China
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Witwer KW. XenomiRs and miRNA homeostasis in health and disease: evidence that diet and dietary miRNAs directly and indirectly influence circulating miRNA profiles. RNA Biol 2012; 9:1147-54. [PMID: 22951590 PMCID: PMC3579881 DOI: 10.4161/rna.21619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Contributions of dietary miRNAs to circulating small RNA profiles would have profound implications for interpretation of miRNA biomarker studies: presumptive disease-specific markers might instead indicate responses to disease-associated quantitative or qualitative dietary alteration. This examination weighs the evidence for a 2-fold hypothesis: first, that ingested biological matter contributes directly to the miRNA complement of body compartments; and second, that these diet-derived exogenous miRNAs (or "xenomiRs") affect total miRNA profiles as part of a circulating miRNA homeostasis that is altered in many diseases. Homeostasis of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a known miRNA carrier-provides a model as a proposed component of broader miRNA homeostasis. Further research into the dietary xenomiR hypothesis is needed to ensure rigor in the search for truly disease-specific miRNA biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth W Witwer
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Global analysis of the small RNA transcriptome in different ploidies and genomic combinations of a vertebrate complex--the Squalius alburnoides. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41158. [PMID: 22815952 PMCID: PMC3399795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Squalius alburnoides complex (Steindachner) is one of the most intricate hybrid polyploid systems known in vertebrates. In this complex, the constant switch of the genome composition in consecutive generations, very frequently involving a change on the ploidy level, promotes repetitive situations of potential genomic shock. Previously in this complex, it was showed that in response to the increase in genome dosage, triploids hybrids could regulate gene expression to a diploid state. In this work we compared the small RNA profiles in the different genomic compositions interacting in the complex in order to explore the miRNA involvement in gene expression regulation of triploids. Using high-throughput arrays and sequencing technologies we were able to verify that diploid and triploid hybrids shared most of their sequences and their miRNA expression profiles were high correlated. However, an overall view indicates an up-regulation of several miRNAs in triploids and a global miRNA expression in triploids higher than the predicted from an additive model. Those results point to a participation of miRNAs in the cellular functional stability needed when the ploidy change.
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