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Lardelli M, Baer L, Hin N, Allen A, Pederson SM, Barthelson K. The Use of Zebrafish in Transcriptome Analysis of the Early Effects of Mutations Causing Early Onset Familial Alzheimer's Disease and Other Inherited Neurodegenerative Conditions. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:S367-S381. [PMID: 37742650 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The degree to which non-human animals can be used to model Alzheimer's disease is a contentious issue, particularly as there is still widespread disagreement regarding the pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative dementia. The currently popular transgenic models are based on artificial expression of genes mutated in early onset forms of familial Alzheimer's disease (EOfAD). Uncertainty regarding the veracity of these models led us to focus on heterozygous, single mutations of endogenous genes (knock-in models) as these most closely resemble the genetic state of humans with EOfAD, and so incorporate the fewest assumptions regarding pathological mechanism. We have generated a number of lines of zebrafish bearing EOfAD-like and non-EOfAD-like mutations in genes equivalent to human PSEN1, PSEN2, and SORL1. To analyze the young adult brain transcriptomes of these mutants, we exploited the ability of zebrafish to produce very large families of simultaneous siblings composed of a variety of genotypes and raised in a uniform environment. This "intra-family" analysis strategy greatly reduced genetic and environmental "noise" thereby allowing detection of subtle changes in gene sets after bulk RNA sequencing of entire brains. Changes to oxidative phosphorylation were predicted for all EOfAD-like mutations in the three genes studied. Here we describe some of the analytical lessons learned in our program combining zebrafish genome editing with transcriptomics to understand the molecular pathologies of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lardelli
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Lachlan Baer
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nhi Hin
- Alkahest Inc., San Carlos, CA, USA
| | - Angel Allen
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stephen Martin Pederson
- Black Ochre Data Labs, Indigenous Genomics, Telethon Kinds Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Karissa Barthelson
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Childhood Dementia Research Group, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
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Sande R, Godad A, Doshi G. Zebrafish Experimental Animal Models for AD: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol 2024; 19:295-311. [PMID: 38284707 DOI: 10.2174/0127724328279684240104094257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
AD disease (AD) is a multifaceted and intricate neurodegenerative disorder characterized by intracellular neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formation and the excessive production and deposition of Aβ senile plaques. While transgenic AD models have been found instrumental in unravelling AD pathogenesis, they involve cost and time constraints during the preclinical phase. Zebrafish, owing to their simplicity, well-defined behavioural patterns, and relevance to neurodegenerative research, have emerged as a promising complementary model. Zebrafish possess glutaminergic and cholinergic pathways implicated in learning and memory, actively contributing to our understanding of neural transmission processes. This review sheds light on the molecular mechanisms by which various neurotoxic agents, including okadaic acid (OKA), cigarette smoke extract, metals, and transgenic zebrafish models with genetic similarities to AD patients, induce cognitive impairments and neuronal degeneration in mammalian systems. These insights may facilitate the identification of effective neurotoxic agents for replicating AD pathogenesis in the zebrafish brain. In this comprehensive review, the pivotal role of zebrafish models in advancing our comprehension of AD is emphasized. These models hold immense potential for shaping future research directions and clinical interventions, ultimately contributing to the development of novel AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruksar Sande
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V L M Road, Vile Parle (w), Mumbai, 400056, India
| | - Angel Godad
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V L M Road, Vile Parle (w), Mumbai, 400056, India
| | - Gaurav Doshi
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V L M Road, Vile Parle (w), Mumbai, 400056, India
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Azbazdar Y, Poyraz YK, Ozalp O, Nazli D, Ipekgil D, Cucun G, Ozhan G. High-fat diet feeding triggers a regenerative response in the adult zebrafish brain. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:2486-2506. [PMID: 36670270 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03210-4] [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: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a range of liver conditions ranging from excess fat accumulation to liver failure. NAFLD is strongly associated with high-fat diet (HFD) consumption that constitutes a metabolic risk factor. While HFD has been elucidated concerning its several systemic effects, there is little information about its influence on the brain at the molecular level. Here, by using a high-fat diet (HFD)-feeding of adult zebrafish, we first reveal that excess fat uptake results in weight gain and fatty liver. Prolonged exposure to HFD induces a significant increase in the expression of pro-inflammation, apoptosis, and proliferation markers in the liver and brain tissues. Immunofluorescence analyses of the brain tissues disclose stimulation of apoptosis and widespread activation of glial cell response. Moreover, glial activation is accompanied by an initial decrease in the number of neurons and their subsequent replacement in the olfactory bulb and the telencephalon. Long-term consumption of HFD causes activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the brain tissues. Finally, fish fed an HFD induces anxiety, and aggressiveness and increases locomotor activity. Thus, HFD feeding leads to a non-traumatic brain injury and stimulates a regenerative response. The activation mechanisms of a regeneration response in the brain can be exploited to fight obesity and recover from non-traumatic injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagmur Azbazdar
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1662, USA
| | - Yusuf Kaan Poyraz
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ozgun Ozalp
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dilek Nazli
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Dogac Ipekgil
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Cucun
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 3640 76021, Karlsruhe, Postfach, Germany
| | - Gunes Ozhan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey.
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti-Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, 35430, Izmir, Turkey.
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Liu Y. Zebrafish as a Model Organism for Studying Pathologic Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases and other Neural Disorders. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023:10.1007/s10571-023-01340-w. [PMID: 37004595 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01340-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish are widely considered an excellent vertebrate model for studying the pathogenesis of human diseases because of their transparency of embryonic development, easy breeding, high similarity with human genes, and easy gene manipulation. Previous studies have shown that zebrafish as a model organism provides an ideal operating platform for clarifying the pathological and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and related human diseases. This review mainly summarizes the achievements and prospects of zebrafish used as model organisms in the research of neurodegenerative diseases and other human diseases related to the nervous system in recent years. In the future study of human disease mechanisms, the application of the zebrafish model will continue to provide a valuable operating platform and technical support for investigating and finding better prevention and treatment of these diseases, which has broad application prospects and practical significance. Zebrafish models used in neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases related to the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanying Liu
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Nursing and Health, Qingdao Huanghai University, Qingdao, 266427, China.
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Sundaramoorthy TH, Castanho I. The Neuroepigenetic Landscape of Vertebrate and Invertebrate Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Epigenet Insights 2022; 15:25168657221135848. [PMID: 36353727 PMCID: PMC9638687 DOI: 10.1177/25168657221135848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate and invertebrate models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have been paramount to our understanding of the pathophysiology of these conditions; however, the brain epigenetic landscape is less well established in these disease models. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs are among commonly studied mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. Genome-wide studies and candidate studies of specific methylation marks, histone marks, and microRNAs have demonstrated the dysregulation of these mechanisms in models of neurodegenerative diseases; however, the studies to date are scarce and inconclusive and the implications of many of these changes are still not fully understood. In this review, we summarize epigenetic changes reported to date in the brain of vertebrate and invertebrate models used to study neurodegenerative diseases, specifically diseases affecting the aging population. We also discuss caveats of epigenetic research so far and the use of disease models to understand neurodegenerative diseases, with the aim of improving the use of model organisms in this context in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabel Castanho
- University of Exeter Medical School,
University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,
Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,
USA
- Isabel Castanho, University of Exeter
Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK. Emails:
;
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Barthelson K, Newman M, Lardelli M. Brain transcriptomes of zebrafish and mouse Alzheimer's disease knock-in models imply early disrupted energy metabolism. Dis Model Mech 2021; 15:273566. [PMID: 34842276 PMCID: PMC8807579 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Energy production is the most fundamentally important cellular activity supporting all other functions, particularly in highly active organs, such as brains. Here, we summarise transcriptome analyses of young adult (pre-disease) brains from a collection of 11 early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOFAD)-like and non-EOFAD-like mutations in three zebrafish genes. The one cellular activity consistently predicted as affected by only the EOFAD-like mutations is oxidative phosphorylation, which produces most of the energy of the brain. All the mutations were predicted to affect protein synthesis. We extended our analysis to knock-in mouse models of APOE alleles and found the same effect for the late onset Alzheimer's disease risk allele ε4. Our results support a common molecular basis for the initiation of the pathological processes leading to both early and late onset forms of Alzheimer's disease, and illustrate the utility of zebrafish and knock-in single EOFAD mutation models for understanding the causes of this disease. Summary: Young adult zebrafish mutants and a mouse model of a genetic variant promoting early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, respectively, share changes in brain gene expression, indicating disturbance of oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karissa Barthelson
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Morgan Newman
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Michael Lardelli
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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Barthelson K, Dong Y, Newman M, Lardelli M. PRESENILIN 1 Mutations Causing Early-Onset Familial Alzheimer's Disease or Familial Acne Inversa Differ in Their Effects on Genes Facilitating Energy Metabolism and Signal Transduction. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:327-347. [PMID: 34024832 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most common cause of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOfAD) is mutations in PRESENILIN 1 (PSEN1) allowing production of mRNAs encoding full-length, but mutant, proteins. In contrast, a single known frameshift mutation in PSEN1 causes familial acne inversa (fAI) without EOfAD. The molecular consequences of heterozygosity for these mutation types, and how they cause completely different diseases, remains largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE To analyze brain transcriptomes of young adult zebrafish to identify similarities and differences in the effects of heterozygosity for psen1 mutations causing EOfAD or fAI. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed on mRNA isolated from the brains of a single family of 6-month-old zebrafish siblings either wild type or possessing a single, heterozygous EOfAD-like or fAI-like mutation in their endogenous psen1 gene. RESULTS Both mutations downregulate genes encoding ribosomal subunits, and upregulate genes involved in inflammation. Genes involved in energy metabolism appeared significantly affected only by the EOfAD-like mutation, while genes involved in Notch, Wnt and neurotrophin signaling pathways appeared significantly affected only by the fAI-like mutation. However, investigation of direct transcriptional targets of Notch signaling revealed possible increases in γ-secretase activity due to heterozygosity for either psen1 mutation. Transcriptional adaptation due to the fAI-like frameshift mutation was evident. CONCLUSION We observed both similar and contrasting effects on brain transcriptomes of the heterozygous EOfAD-like and fAI-like mutations. The contrasting effects may illuminate how these mutation types cause distinct diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karissa Barthelson
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Yang Dong
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Morgan Newman
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michael Lardelli
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Barthelson K, Pederson SM, Newman M, Jiang H, Lardelli M. In-Frame and Frameshift Mutations in Zebrafish Presenilin 2 Affect Different Cellular Functions in Young Adult Brains. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:395-404. [PMID: 34189411 PMCID: PMC8203281 DOI: 10.3233/adr-200279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in PRESENILIN 2 (PSEN2) cause early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOfAD) but their mode of action remains elusive. One consistent observation for all PRESENILIN gene mutations causing EOfAD is that a transcript is produced with a reading frame terminated by the normal stop codon-the "reading frame preservation rule". Mutations that do not obey this rule do not cause the disease. The reasons for this are debated. OBJECTIVE To predict cellular functions affected by heterozygosity for a frameshift, or a reading frame-preserving mutation in zebrafish psen2 using bioinformatic techniques. METHODS A frameshift mutation (psen2 N140fs ) and a reading frame-preserving (in-frame) mutation (psen2 T141 _ L142delinsMISLISV ) were previously isolated during genome editing directed at the N140 codon of zebrafish psen2 (equivalent to N141 of human PSEN2). We mated a pair of fish heterozygous for each mutation to generate a family of siblings including wild type and heterozygous mutant genotypes. Transcriptomes from young adult (6 months) brains of these genotypes were analyzed. RESULTS The in-frame mutation uniquely caused subtle, but statistically significant, changes to expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, long-term potentiation and the cell cycle. The frameshift mutation uniquely affected genes involved in Notch and MAPK signaling, extracellular matrix receptor interactions and focal adhesion. Both mutations affected ribosomal protein gene expression but in opposite directions. CONCLUSION A frameshift and an in-frame mutation at the same position in zebrafish psen2 cause discrete effects. Changes in oxidative phosphorylation, long-term potentiation and the cell cycle may promote EOfAD pathogenesis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karissa Barthelson
- Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stephen Martin Pederson
- Bioinformatics Hub, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Morgan Newman
- Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Haowei Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael Lardelli
- Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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