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Wietek J, Nozownik A, Pulin M, Saraf-Sinik I, Matosevich N, Gowrishankar R, Gat A, Malan D, Brown BJ, Dine J, Imambocus BN, Levy R, Sauter K, Litvin A, Regev N, Subramaniam S, Abrera K, Summarli D, Goren EM, Mizrachi G, Bitton E, Benjamin A, Copits BA, Sasse P, Rost BR, Schmitz D, Bruchas MR, Soba P, Oren-Suissa M, Nir Y, Wiegert JS, Yizhar O. A bistable inhibitory optoGPCR for multiplexed optogenetic control of neural circuits. Nat Methods 2024; 21:1275-1287. [PMID: 38811857 PMCID: PMC11239505 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-024-02285-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Information is transmitted between brain regions through the release of neurotransmitters from long-range projecting axons. Understanding how the activity of such long-range connections contributes to behavior requires efficient methods for reversibly manipulating their function. Chemogenetic and optogenetic tools, acting through endogenous G-protein-coupled receptor pathways, can be used to modulate synaptic transmission, but existing tools are limited in sensitivity, spatiotemporal precision or spectral multiplexing capabilities. Here we systematically evaluated multiple bistable opsins for optogenetic applications and found that the Platynereis dumerilii ciliary opsin (PdCO) is an efficient, versatile, light-activated bistable G-protein-coupled receptor that can suppress synaptic transmission in mammalian neurons with high temporal precision in vivo. PdCO has useful biophysical properties that enable spectral multiplexing with other optogenetic actuators and reporters. We demonstrate that PdCO can be used to conduct reversible loss-of-function experiments in long-range projections of behaving animals, thereby enabling detailed synapse-specific functional circuit mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Wietek
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Adrianna Nozownik
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, Hamburg, Germany
- Paris Brain Institute, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Mauro Pulin
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, Hamburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Inbar Saraf-Sinik
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noa Matosevich
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Raajaram Gowrishankar
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Excellence in the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Asaf Gat
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniela Malan
- Institut für Physiologie I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bobbie J Brown
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Julien Dine
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG; CNS Diseases, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | - Rivka Levy
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Anna Litvin
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noa Regev
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Suraj Subramaniam
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Khalid Abrera
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dustin Summarli
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eva Madeline Goren
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gili Mizrachi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eyal Bitton
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Asaf Benjamin
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Bryan A Copits
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Philipp Sasse
- Institut für Physiologie I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin R Rost
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Excellence in the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Peter Soba
- LIMES-Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Meital Oren-Suissa
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yuval Nir
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - J Simon Wiegert
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, Hamburg, Germany
- MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ofer Yizhar
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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2
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Arman S, Tilley RD, Gooding JJ. A review of electrochemical impedance as a tool for examining cell biology and subcellular mechanisms: merits, limits, and future prospects. Analyst 2024; 149:269-289. [PMID: 38015145 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01423a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Herein the development of cellular impedance biosensors, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and the general principles and terms associated with the cell-electrode interface is reviewed. This family of techniques provides quantitative and sensitive information into cell responses to stimuli in real-time with high temporal resolution. The applications of cell-based impedance biosensors as a readout in cell biology is illustrated with a diverse range of examples. The current state of the field, its limitations, the possible available solutions, and the potential benefits of developing biosensors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedyousef Arman
- School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
- Australia Centre for Nanomedicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Richard D Tilley
- School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
- Electron Microscope Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - J Justin Gooding
- School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
- Australia Centre for Nanomedicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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Mat A, Vu HH, Wolf E, Tessmar-Raible K. All Light, Everywhere? Photoreceptors at Nonconventional Sites. Physiology (Bethesda) 2024; 39:0. [PMID: 37905983 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00017.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the biggest environmental alterations we have made to our species is the change in the exposure to light. During the day, we typically sit behind glass windows illuminated by artificial light that is >400 times dimmer and has a very different spectrum than natural daylight. On the opposite end are the nights that are now lit up by several orders of magnitude. This review aims to provide food for thought as to why this matters for humans and other animals. Evidence from behavioral neuroscience, physiology, chronobiology, and molecular biology is increasingly converging on the conclusions that the biological nonvisual functions of light and photosensory molecules are highly complex. The initial work of von Frisch on extraocular photoreceptors in fish, the identification of rhodopsins as the molecular light receptors in animal eyes and eye-like structures and cryptochromes as light sensors in nonmammalian chronobiology, still allowed for the impression that light reception would be a relatively restricted, localized sense in most animals. However, light-sensitive processes and/or sensory proteins have now been localized to many different cell types and tissues. It might be necessary to consider nonlight-responding cells as the exception, rather than the rule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Mat
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- VIPS2, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hong Ha Vu
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eva Wolf
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kristin Tessmar-Raible
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Carl-von-Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
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Matsuo R, Koyanagi M, Sugihara T, Shirata T, Nagata T, Inoue K, Matsuo Y, Terakita A. Functional characterization of four opsins and two G alpha subtypes co-expressed in the molluscan rhabdomeric photoreceptor. BMC Biol 2023; 21:291. [PMID: 38110917 PMCID: PMC10729476 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01789-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhabdomeric photoreceptors of eyes in the terrestrial slug Limax are the typical invertebrate-type but unique in that three visual opsins (Gq-coupled rhodopsin, xenopsin, Opn5A) and one retinochrome, all belonging to different groups, are co-expressed. However, molecular properties including spectral sensitivity and G protein selectivity of any of them are not determined, which prevents us from understanding an advantage of multiplicity of opsin properties in a single rhabdomeric photoreceptor. To gain insight into the functional role of the co-expression of multiple opsin species in a photoreceptor, we investigated the molecular properties of the visual opsins in the present study. RESULTS First, we found that the fourth member of visual opsins, Opn5B, is also co-expressed in the rhabdomere of the photoreceptor together with previously identified three opsins. The photoreceptors were also demonstrated to express Gq and Go alpha subunits. We then determined the spectral sensitivity of the four visual opsins using biochemical and spectroscopic methods. Gq-coupled rhodopsin and xenopsin exhibit maximum sensitivity at ~ 456 and 475 nm, respectively, and Opn5A and Opn5B exhibit maximum sensitivity at ~ 500 and 470 nm, respectively, with significant UV sensitivity. Notably, in vitro experiments revealed that Go alpha was activated by all four visual opsins, in contrast to the specific activation of Gq alpha by Gq-coupled rhodopsin, suggesting that the eye photoreceptor of Limax uses complex G protein signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS The eye photoreceptor in Limax expresses as many as four different visual opsin species belonging to three distinct classes. The combination of opsins with different spectral sensitivities and G protein selectivities may underlie physiological properties of the ocular photoreception, such as a shift in spectral sensitivity between dark- and light-adapted states. This may be allowed by adjustment of the relative contribution of the four opsins without neural networks, enabling a simple strategy for fine-tuning of vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Matsuo
- International College of Arts and Sciences, Fukuoka Women's University, 1-1-1 Kasumigaoka, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 813-8529, Japan.
| | - Mitsumasa Koyanagi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
- The OMU Advanced Research Institute of Natural Science and Technology, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Sugihara
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
| | - Taishi Shirata
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
| | - Takashi Nagata
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Keiichi Inoue
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Yuko Matsuo
- International College of Arts and Sciences, Fukuoka Women's University, 1-1-1 Kasumigaoka, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 813-8529, Japan
| | - Akihisa Terakita
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan.
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan.
- The OMU Advanced Research Institute of Natural Science and Technology, Osaka Metropolitan University, 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan.
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5
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Andrabi M, Upton BA, Lang RA, Vemaraju S. An Expanding Role for Nonvisual Opsins in Extraocular Light Sensing Physiology. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2023; 9:245-267. [PMID: 37196422 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-100820-094018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
We live on a planet that is bathed in daily and seasonal sunlight cycles. In this context, terrestrial life forms have evolved mechanisms that directly harness light energy (plants) or decode light information for adaptive advantage. In animals, the main light sensors are a family of G protein-coupled receptors called opsins. Opsin function is best described for the visual sense. However, most animals also use opsins for extraocular light sensing for seasonal behavior and camouflage. While it has long been believed that mammals do not have an extraocular light sensing capacity, recent evidence suggests otherwise. Notably, encephalopsin (OPN3) and neuropsin (OPN5) are both known to mediate extraocular light sensing in mice. Examples of this mediation include photoentrainment of circadian clocks in skin (by OPN5) and acute light-dependent regulation of metabolic pathways (by OPN3 and OPN5). This review summarizes current findings in the expanding field of extraocular photoreception and their relevance for human physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutahar Andrabi
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian A Upton
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Richard A Lang
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shruti Vemaraju
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Wietek J, Nozownik A, Pulin M, Saraf-Sinik I, Matosevich N, Malan D, Brown BJ, Dine J, Levy R, Litvin A, Regev N, Subramaniam S, Bitton E, Benjamin A, Copits BA, Sasse P, Rost BR, Schmitz D, Soba P, Nir Y, Wiegert JS, Yizhar O. A bistable inhibitory OptoGPCR for multiplexed optogenetic control of neural circuits. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.01.547328. [PMID: 37425961 PMCID: PMC10327178 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.01.547328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Information is transmitted between brain regions through the release of neurotransmitters from long-range projecting axons. Understanding how the activity of such long-range connections contributes to behavior requires efficient methods for reversibly manipulating their function. Chemogenetic and optogenetic tools, acting through endogenous G-protein coupled receptor (GPCRs) pathways, can be used to modulate synaptic transmission, but existing tools are limited in sensitivity, spatiotemporal precision, or spectral multiplexing capabilities. Here we systematically evaluated multiple bistable opsins for optogenetic applications and found that the Platynereis dumerilii ciliary opsin (PdCO) is an efficient, versatile, light-activated bistable GPCR that can suppress synaptic transmission in mammalian neurons with high temporal precision in-vivo. PdCO has superior biophysical properties that enable spectral multiplexing with other optogenetic actuators and reporters. We demonstrate that PdCO can be used to conduct reversible loss-of-function experiments in long-range projections of behaving animals, thereby enabling detailed synapse-specific functional circuit mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Wietek
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Adrianna Nozownik
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, Hamburg, Germany
- Present address: Paris Brain Institute, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), CNRS UMR 7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Mauro Pulin
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, Hamburg, Germany
- Present address: Laboratory of Sensory Processing, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Inbar Saraf-Sinik
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noa Matosevich
- Sagol school of neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniela Malan
- Institut für Physiologie I, Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bobbie J. Brown
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Julien Dine
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Present address: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG; CNS Diseases, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Rivka Levy
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Anna Litvin
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noa Regev
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Suraj Subramaniam
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eyal Bitton
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Asaf Benjamin
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Bryan A. Copits
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Philipp Sasse
- Institut für Physiologie I, Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin R. Rost
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Soba
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- LIMES-Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yuval Nir
- Sagol school of neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - J. Simon Wiegert
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, Hamburg, Germany
- Present address: MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ofer Yizhar
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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7
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Zhang Q, Wu Y, Li W, Wang J, Zhou H, Zhang L, Liu Q, Ying L, Yan H. Retinal development and the expression profiles of opsin genes during larval development in Takifugu rubripes. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023; 102:380-394. [PMID: 36371656 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The light-sensitive capacity of fish larvae is determined by the structure of the retina and the opsins expressed in the retinal and nonretinal photoreceptors. In this study, the retinal structure and expression of opsin genes during the early developmental stage of Takifugu rubripes larvae were investigated. Histological examination showed that at 1 days after hatching (dah), seven layers were observed in the retina of T. rubripes larva, including the pigment epithelial layer [retinal pigment epithelium layer (RPE)], photoreceptor layer (PRos/is), outer nuclear layer (ONL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), inner plexiform layer (IPL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). At 2 dah, optic fibre layer (OFL) can be observed, and all eight layers were visible in the retina. By measuring the thickness of each layer, opposing developmental trends were found in the thickness of ONL, OPL, INL, IPL, GCL and OFL. The nuclear density of ONL, INL and GCL and the ratios of ONL/INL, ONL/GCL and INL/GCL were also measured and the ratio of ONL/GCL ranged from 1.9 at 2 dah to 3.4 at 8 dah and no significant difference was observed between the different developmental stages (P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed for the INL/GCL ratio between the different developmental stages, which ranged from 1.2 at 2 dah to 2.0 at 18 dah (P > 0.05). The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that the expression of RH1, LWS, RH2-1, RH2-2, SWS2, rod opsin, opsin3 and opsin5 could be detected from 1 dah. These results suggest that the well-developed retina and early expression of the opsins of T. rubripes during the period of transition from endogenous to mixed feeding might be critical for vision-based survival skills during the early life stages after hatching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
| | - Yumeng Wu
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
| | - Weiyuan Li
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
| | - Huiting Zhou
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
| | - Liu Ying
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
| | - Hongwei Yan
- Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment Controlled Aquaculture (Dalian Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Dalian, China
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8
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Eilertsen M, Dolan DWP, Bolton CM, Karlsen R, Davies WIL, Edvardsen RB, Furmanek T, Sveier H, Migaud H, Helvik JV. Photoreception and transcriptomic response to light during early development of a teleost with a life cycle tightly controlled by seasonal changes in photoperiod. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010529. [PMID: 36508414 PMCID: PMC9744326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Light cues vary along the axis of periodicity, intensity and spectrum and perception of light is dependent on the photoreceptive capacity encoded within the genome and the opsins expressed. A global approach was taken to analyze the photoreceptive capacity and the effect of differing light conditions on a developing teleost prior to first feeding. The transcriptomes of embryos and alevins of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) exposed to different light conditions were analyzed, including a developmental series and a circadian profile. The results showed that genes mediating nonvisual photoreception are present prior to hatching when the retina is poorly differentiated. The clock genes were expressed early, but the circadian profile showed that only two clock genes were significantly cycling before first feeding. Few genes were differentially expressed between day and night within a light condition; however, many genes were significantly different between light conditions, indicating that light environment has an impact on the transcriptome during early development. Comparing the transcriptome data from constant conditions to periodicity of white light or different colors revealed overrepresentation of genes related to photoreception, eye development, muscle contraction, degradation of metabolites and cell cycle among others, and in constant light, several clock genes were upregulated. In constant white light and periodicity of green light, genes associated with DNA replication, chromatin remodeling, cell division and DNA repair were downregulated. The study implies a direct influence of light conditions on the transcriptome profile at early developmental stages, by a complex photoreceptive system where few clock genes are cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann Eilertsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- * E-mail: (ME); (JVH)
| | | | - Charlotte M. Bolton
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Karlsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Wayne I. L. Davies
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Herve Migaud
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jon Vidar Helvik
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- * E-mail: (ME); (JVH)
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9
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Salgado D, Mariluz BR, Araujo M, Lorena J, Perez LN, Ribeiro RDL, Sousa JDF, Schneider PN. Light-induced shifts in opsin gene expression in the four-eyed fish Anableps anableps. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:995469. [PMID: 36248668 PMCID: PMC9556854 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.995469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate eye is a complex process orchestrated by several conserved transcriptional and signaling regulators. Aside from partial or complete loss, examples of exceptional modifications to this intricate organ are scarce. The unique eye of the four-eyed fish Anableps anableps is composed of duplicated corneas and pupils, as well as specialized retina regions associated with simultaneous aerial and aquatic vision. In a previous transcriptomic study of the A. anableps developing eye we identified expression of twenty non-visual and eleven visual opsin genes. Here, we surveyed the expression territories of three non-visual melanopsins genes (opn4×1, opn4×2, opn4m3), one teleost multiple tissue opsin (tmt1b) and two visual opsins (lws and rh2-1) in dorsal and ventral retinas. Our data showed that asymmetry of non-visual opsin expression is only established after birth. During embryonic development, while inside pregnant females, the expression of opn4×1, opn4×2, and tmt1b spans the whole retina. In juvenile fish (post birth), the expression of opn4×1, opn4×2, opn4m3, and tmt1b genes becomes restricted to the ventral retina, which receives aerial light. Raising juvenile fish in clear water instead of the murky waters found in its natural habitat is sufficient to change gene expression territories of opn4×1, opn4×2, opn4m3, tmt1b, and rh2-1, demonstrating that different lighting conditions can shift opsin expression and potentially contribute to changes in spectral sensitivity in the four eyed fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Salgado
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Bertha R. Mariluz
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Maysa Araujo
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Jamily Lorena
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Louise N. Perez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | | | - Josane de F. Sousa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Patricia N. Schneider
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- *Correspondence: Patricia N. Schneider,
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10
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Zekoll T, Waldherr M, Tessmar-Raible K. Characterization of tmt-opsin2 in Medaka Fish Provides Insight Into the Interplay of Light and Temperature for Behavioral Regulation. Front Physiol 2021; 12:726941. [PMID: 34744767 PMCID: PMC8569850 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.726941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the big challenges in the study of animal behavior is to combine molecular-level questions of functional genetics with meaningful combinations of environmental stimuli. Light and temperature are important external cues, influencing the behaviors of organisms. Thus, understanding the combined effect of light and temperature changes on wild-type vs. genetically modified animals is a first step to understand the role of individual genes in the ability of animals to cope with changing environments. Many behavioral traits can be extrapolated from behavioral tests performed from automated motion tracking combined with machine learning. Acquired datasets, typically complex and large, can be challenging for subsequent quantitative analyses. In this study, we investigate medaka behavior of tmt-opsin2 mutants vs. corresponding wild-types under different light and temperature conditions using automated tracking combined with a convolutional neuronal network and a Hidden Markov model-based approach. The temperatures in this study can occur in summer vs. late spring/early autumn in the natural habitat of medaka fish. Under summer-like temperature, tmt-opsin2 mutants did not exhibit changes in overall locomotion, consistent with previous observations. However, detailed analyses of fish position revealed that the tmt-opsin2 mutants spent more time in central locations of the dish, possibly because of decreased anxiety. Furthermore, a clear difference in location and overall movement was obvious between the mutant and wild-types under colder conditions. These data indicate a role of tmt-opsin2 in behavioral adjustment, at least in part possibly depending on the season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Zekoll
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform “Rhythms of Life, ” University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Waldherr
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform “Rhythms of Life, ” University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristin Tessmar-Raible
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform “Rhythms of Life, ” University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Eilertsen M, Clokie BGJ, Ebbesson LOE, Tanase C, Migaud H, Helvik JV. Neural activation in photosensitive brain regions of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) after light stimulation. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258007. [PMID: 34587204 PMCID: PMC8480854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptive inputs to the teleost brain are perceived as image of the visual world and as photo-modulation of neuroendocrine and neuronal signals. The retina and pineal organ are major receptive organs with projections to various parts of the brain, but in the past decades deep brain photoreceptors have emerged as candidates for photoreceptive inputs, either independent or in combination with projections from light sensory organs. This study aimed to test the effects of narrow bandwidth light using light-emitting diodes technology on brain neural activity through putative opsin stimulation in Atlantic salmon. The expression of c-fos, a known marker of neural activity, was compared in situ between dark-adapted salmon parr and following light stimulation with different wavelengths. c-fos expression increased with duration of light stimulation and the strongest signal was obtained in fish exposed to light for 120 minutes. Distinct and specific brain regions were activated following dark to light stimulation, such as the habenula, suprachiasmatic nucleus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. The c-fos expression was overlapping with photoreceptors expressing melanopsin and/or vertebrate ancient opsin, suggesting a potential direct activation by light. Interestingly in the habenula, a distinct ring of vertebrate ancient opsin and melanopsin expressing cells is overlapping with c-fos expression after neural activation. Salmon exposed to different spectra had neural activation in similar brain regions. The most apparent difference was melanopsin expression in the lateral cells of the lateral tuberal nuclus in the hypothalamus, which appeared to be specifically activated by red light. Light-stimulated neuronal activity in the deep brain was limited to subpopulations of neurons, mainly in regions with neuronal modulation activity, retinal and pineal innervations and known presence of nonvisual photoreceptors. The overlapping expression patterns of c-fos and nonvisual opsins support direct light stimulation of deep brain photoreceptors and the importance of these systems in light induced brain activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann Eilertsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Benjamin G. J. Clokie
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Lars O. E. Ebbesson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norce, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Herve Migaud
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jon Vidar Helvik
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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12
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Kitahashi T, Kurokawa D, Ogiso S, Suzuki N, Ando H. Light-induced and circadian expressions of melanopsin genes opn4xa and opn4xb in the eyes of juvenile grass puffer Takifugu alboplumbeus. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2021; 47:191-202. [PMID: 33559801 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-020-00901-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Animals regulate a variety of aspects of physiology according to environmental light conditions via nonvisual opsins such as melanopsin. In order to study photic regulation of fish physiology, expression changes of the genes for melanopsin (opn4xa and opn4xb) and effects of light on them were examined in juvenile grass puffer Takifugu alboplumbeus using quantitative real-time PCR. In the brain of juvenile fish, no significant diurnal nor circadian changes were observed in opn4x mRNA levels. On the other hand, in the eyes, the mRNA level of opn4xa showed a significant diurnal rhythm with a peak at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 4, while no apparent circadian changes were observed. The mRNA level of opn4xb in the eyes showed a diurnal change similar to that of opn4xa, while it showed a significant circadian change. Furthermore, continuous exposure to light during a subjective night significantly increased the mRNA levels of opn4xa in the eyes at ZT24, suggesting that light induces gene expression of opn4xa in the eyes and that the induction occurs only during the night-day transition period. These results suggest that Opn4xa and Opn4xb play differential roles in the eyes of juvenile grass puffer to mediate the physiological effects of environmental light information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kitahashi
- Sado Marine Biological Station, Sado Island Center for Ecological Sustainability, Niigata University, 87 Tassha, Sado-shi, Niigata, 952-2135, Japan.
- , Toda-cho 5-33-17, Moriguchi-shi, 570-0014, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Kurokawa
- Misaki Marine Biological Station, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 1024 Koajiro, Misaki, Miura, Kanagawa, 238-0225, Japan
| | - Shouzo Ogiso
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, 4-1 Mu, Ogi, Noto-cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Nobuo Suzuki
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, 4-1 Mu, Ogi, Noto-cho, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Hironori Ando
- Sado Marine Biological Station, Sado Island Center for Ecological Sustainability, Niigata University, 87 Tassha, Sado-shi, Niigata, 952-2135, Japan
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13
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Zhang W, Feng J, Zeng W, Zhou Z, Wang Y, Lu H. Characterization of Single Nucleotide Variants of OPN3 Gene in Melanocytic Nevi and Melanoma. JID INNOVATIONS 2021; 1:100006. [PMID: 34909710 PMCID: PMC8659391 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2021.100006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of the OPN3 gene in malignant melanoma and melanocytic nevi. A total of 20 variants of SNVs were detected. Of these variants, five nonsynonymous mutations of OPN3 were identified, including c.T152C, c.T401C, c.G547A, c.G768A, and c.G992A. Three prediction tools, MutationTaster2, Polymorphism Phenotyping version 2, and PROVEAN (Protein Variation Effect Analyzer), which predict possible impact of an amino acid substitution, suggested that the mutations could be deleterious. Nine SNVs occurred in 3' untranslated regions, whereas two were observed in 5' untranslated regions. In all cases, four intronic variants were identified. In addition, we identified nine 3' untranslated region SNVs in OPN3; one of them (OPN3[NM_014322:c.∗83C>T]) is predicted to disrupt a conserved microRNA (has-miR-376c-3p) target site, located in position 86-93 of OPN3 3' untranslated region. Our findings suggest that there is a strong possibility that OPN3 SNVs play a role in the pathogenesis of melanocytic tumors via prediction of functional phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jianglong Feng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Wen Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhixu Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hongguang Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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14
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Fontinha BM, Zekoll T, Al-Rawi M, Gallach M, Reithofer F, Barker AJ, Hofbauer M, Fischer RM, von Haeseler A, Baier H, Tessmar-Raible K. TMT-Opsins differentially modulate medaka brain function in a context-dependent manner. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001012. [PMID: 33411725 PMCID: PMC7837489 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate behavior is strongly influenced by light. Light receptors, encoded by functional opsin proteins, are present inside the vertebrate brain and peripheral tissues. This expression feature is present from fishes to human and appears to be particularly prominent in diurnal vertebrates. Despite their conserved widespread occurrence, the nonvisual functions of opsins are still largely enigmatic. This is even more apparent when considering the high number of opsins. Teleosts possess around 40 opsin genes, present from young developmental stages to adulthood. Many of these opsins have been shown to function as light receptors. This raises the question of whether this large number might mainly reflect functional redundancy or rather maximally enables teleosts to optimally use the complex light information present under water. We focus on tmt-opsin1b and tmt-opsin2, c-opsins with ancestral-type sequence features, conserved across several vertebrate phyla, expressed with partly similar expression in non-rod, non-cone, non-retinal-ganglion-cell brain tissues and with a similar spectral sensitivity. The characterization of the single mutants revealed age- and light-dependent behavioral changes, as well as an impact on the levels of the preprohormone sst1b and the voltage-gated sodium channel subunit scn12aa. The amount of daytime rest is affected independently of the eyes, pineal organ, and circadian clock in tmt-opsin1b mutants. We further focused on daytime behavior and the molecular changes in tmt-opsin1b/2 double mutants, and found that-despite their similar expression and spectral features-these opsins interact in part nonadditively. Specifically, double mutants complement molecular and behavioral phenotypes observed in single mutants in a partly age-dependent fashion. Our work provides a starting point to disentangle the highly complex interactions of vertebrate nonvisual opsins, suggesting that tmt-opsin-expressing cells together with other visual and nonvisual opsins provide detailed light information to the organism for behavioral fine-tuning. This work also provides a stepping stone to unravel how vertebrate species with conserved opsins, but living in different ecological niches, respond to similar light cues and how human-generated artificial light might impact on behavioral processes in natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno M. Fontinha
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform ‘‘Rhythms of Life,” University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Zekoll
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform ‘‘Rhythms of Life,” University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mariam Al-Rawi
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform ‘‘Rhythms of Life,” University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Miguel Gallach
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Reithofer
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform ‘‘Rhythms of Life,” University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Maximilian Hofbauer
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform ‘‘Rhythms of Life,” University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- loopbio, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth M. Fischer
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arndt von Haeseler
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform ‘‘Rhythms of Life,” University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Herwig Baier
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kristin Tessmar-Raible
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform ‘‘Rhythms of Life,” University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence, Brussels, Belgium
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15
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Barker AJ, Helmbrecht TO, Grob AA, Baier H. Functional, molecular and morphological heterogeneity of superficial interneurons in the larval zebrafish tectum. J Comp Neurol 2020; 529:2159-2175. [PMID: 33278028 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The superficial interneurons, SINs, of the zebrafish tectum, have been implicated in a range of visual functions, including size discrimination, directional selectivity, and looming-evoked escape. This raises the question if SIN subpopulations, despite their morphological similarities and shared anatomical position in the retinotectal processing stream, carry out diverse, task-specific functions in visual processing, or if they have simple tuning properties in common. Here we have further characterized the SINs through functional imaging, electrophysiological recordings, and neurotransmitter typing in two transgenic lines, the widely used Gal4s1156t and the recently reported LCRRH2-RH2-2:GFP. We found that about a third of the SINs strongly responded to changes in whole-field light levels, with a strong preference for OFF over ON stimuli. Interestingly, individual SINs were selectively tuned to a diverse range of narrow luminance decrements. Overall responses to whole-field luminance steps did not vary with the position of the SIN cell body along the depth of the tectal neuropil or with the orientation of its neurites. We ruled out the possibility that intrinsic photosensitivity of Gal4s1156t+ SINs contribute to the measured visual responses. We found that, while most SINs express GABAergic markers, a substantial minority express an excitatory neuronal marker, the vesicular glutamate transporter, expanding the possible roles of SIN function in the tectal circuitry. In conclusion, SINs represent a molecularly, morphologically, and functionally heterogeneous class of interneurons, with subpopulations that detect a range of specific visual features, to which we have now added narrow luminance decrements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Barker
- Department Genes-Circuits-Behavior, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas O Helmbrecht
- Department Genes-Circuits-Behavior, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Aurélien A Grob
- Department Genes-Circuits-Behavior, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Herwig Baier
- Department Genes-Circuits-Behavior, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Munich, Germany
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16
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Non-visual Opsins and Novel Photo-Detectors in the Vertebrate Inner Retina Mediate Light Responses Within the Blue Spectrum Region. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 42:59-83. [PMID: 33231827 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00997-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, a number of novel non-visual opsin photopigments belonging to the family of G protein- coupled receptors, likely involved in a number of non-image-forming processes, have been identified and characterized in cells of the inner retina of vertebrates. It is now known that the vertebrate retina is composed of visual photoreceptor cones and rods responsible for diurnal/color and nocturnal/black and white vision, and cells like the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and photosensitive horizontal cells in the inner retina, both detecting blue light and expressing the photopigment melanopsin (Opn4). Remarkably, these non-visual photopigments can continue to operate even in the absence of vision under retinal degeneration. Moreover, inner retinal neurons and Müller glial cells have been shown to express other photopigments such as the photoisomerase retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR), encephalopsin (Opn3), and neuropsin (Opn5), all able to detect blue/violet light and implicated in chromophore recycling, retinal clock synchronization, neuron-to-glia communication, and other activities. The discovery of these new photopigments in the inner retina of vertebrates is strong evidence of novel light-regulated activities. This review focuses on the features, localization, photocascade, and putative functions of these novel non-visual opsins in an attempt to shed light on their role in the inner retina of vertebrates and in the physiology of the whole organism.
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17
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Yamaguchi K, Koyanagi M, Kuraku S. Visual and nonvisual opsin genes of sharks and other nonosteichthyan vertebrates: Genomic exploration of underwater photoreception. J Evol Biol 2020; 34:968-976. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Yamaguchi
- Laboratory for Phyloinformatics RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) Kobe Japan
| | - Mitsumasa Koyanagi
- Department of Biology and Geosciences Graduate School of Science Osaka City University Osaka Japan
| | - Shigehiro Kuraku
- Laboratory for Phyloinformatics RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) Kobe Japan
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18
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Aardema ML, Stiassny MLJ, Alter SE. Genomic Analysis of the Only Blind Cichlid Reveals Extensive Inactivation in Eye and Pigment Formation Genes. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 12:1392-1406. [PMID: 32653909 PMCID: PMC7502198 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trait loss represents an intriguing evolutionary problem, particularly when it occurs across independent lineages. Fishes in light-poor environments often evolve “troglomorphic” traits, including reduction or loss of both pigment and eyes. Here, we investigate the genomic basis of trait loss in a blind and depigmented African cichlid, Lamprologus lethops, and explore evolutionary forces (selection and drift) that may have contributed to these losses. This species, the only known blind cichlid, is endemic to the lower Congo River. Available evidence suggests that it inhabits deep, low-light habitats. Using genome sequencing, we show that genes related to eye formation and pigmentation, as well as other traits associated with troglomorphism, accumulated inactivating mutations rapidly after speciation. A number of the genes affected in L. lethops are also implicated in troglomorphic phenotypes in Mexican cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus) and other species. Analysis of heterozygosity patterns across the genome indicates that L. lethops underwent a significant population bottleneck roughly 1 Ma, after which effective population sizes remained low. Branch-length tests on a subset of genes with inactivating mutations show little evidence of directional selection; however, low overall heterozygosity may reduce statistical power to detect such signals. Overall, genome-wide patterns suggest that accelerated genetic drift from a severe bottleneck, perhaps aided by directional selection for the loss of physiologically expensive traits, caused inactivating mutations to fix rapidly in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Aardema
- Department of Biology, Montclair State University.,Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York
| | - Melanie L J Stiassny
- Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York
| | - S Elizabeth Alter
- Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York.,The Graduate Center, City University of New York.,Department of Biology, York College/The City University of New York
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19
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Choi JY, Choi CY. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-independent effects of recombinant vertebrate ancient long opsin in the goldfish Carassius auratus reveal alternative reproduction pathways. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2020; 46:1219-1227. [PMID: 32146552 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-020-00784-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate ancient long (VAL)-opsin is a green-sensitive photoreceptor that shows high sequence similarity to vertebrate ancient opsin, which is considered to play a role in sexual maturation via gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH); however, the role of VAL-opsin in vertebrate sexual maturity remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the possible role of VAL-opsin in reproduction in the goldfish Carassius auratus under a state of GnRH inhibition. Goldfish were injected with recombinant VAL-opsin protein (0.5 μg/g body mass) and/or the GnRH antagonist cetrorelix (0.5 μg/fish), and changes in the mRNA expression levels of genes associated with goldfish reproduction were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, including those involved in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis, VAL-opsin, GnRH, the gonadotropins (GTHs) luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and estrogen receptor (ER). Moreover, the fish were irradiated with a green light-emitting diode (520 nm) to observe the synergistic effect on the HPG axis with VAL-opsin. Green LED exposure significantly and slightly increased the VAL-opsin and GnRH levels, respectively; however, these effects were blocked in groups injected with cetrorelix at all time points. Cetrorelix significantly decreased the mRNA levels of GTHs and ER, whereas these hormones recovered by co-treatment with VAL-opsin. These results indicate that green LED is an effective light source to promote the expression of sex hormones in fish. Moreover, VAL-opsin not only affects activity of the HPG axis but also appears to act on the pituitary gland directly to stimulate a new sexual maturation pathway that promotes the secretion of GTHs independent of GnRH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yong Choi
- Division of Marine BioScience, National Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Young Choi
- Division of Marine BioScience, National Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, Republic of Korea.
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The non-visual opsins expressed in deep brain neurons projecting to the retina in lampreys. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9669. [PMID: 32541666 PMCID: PMC7295746 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66679-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In lower vertebrates, brain photoreceptor cells express vertebrate-specific non-visual opsins. We previously revealed that a pineal-related organ-specific opsin, parapinopsin, is UV-sensitive and allows pineal wavelength discrimination in lampreys and teleost. The Australian pouched lamprey was recently reported as having two parapinopsin-related genes. We demonstrate that a parapinopsin-like opsin from the Japanese river lamprey exhibits different molecular properties and distribution than parapinopsin. This opsin activates Gi-type G protein in a mammalian cell culture assay in a light-dependent manner. Heterologous action spectroscopy revealed that the opsin forms a violet to blue-sensitive pigment. Interestingly, the opsin is co-localised with green-sensitive P-opsin in the cells of the M5 nucleus of Schober (M5NS) in the mesencephalon of the river and brook lamprey. Some opsins-containing cells of the river lamprey have cilia and others an axon projecting to the retina. The opsins of the brook lamprey are co-localised in the cilia of centrifugal neurons projecting to the retina, suggesting that cells expressing the parapinopsin-like opsin and P-opsin are sensitive to violet to green light. Moreover, we found neural connections between M5NS cells expressing the opsins and the retina. These findings suggest that the retinal activity might be modulated by brain photoreception.
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21
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Simon N, Fujita S, Porter M, Yoshizawa M. Expression of extraocular opsin genes and light-dependent basal activity of blind cavefish. PeerJ 2019; 7:e8148. [PMID: 31871836 PMCID: PMC6924323 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Animals living in well-lit environments utilize optical stimuli for detecting visual information, regulating the homeostatic pacemaker, and controlling patterns of body pigmentation. In contrast, many subterranean animal species without optical stimuli have evolved regressed binocular eyes and body pigmentation. Interestingly, some fossorial and cave-dwelling animals with regressed eyes still respond to light. These light-dependent responses may be simply evolutionary residuals or they may be adaptive, where negative phototaxis provides avoidance of predator-rich surface environments. However, the relationship between these non-ocular light responses and the underlying light-sensing Opsin proteins has not been fully elucidated. Methods To highlight the potential functions of opsins in a blind subterranean animal, we used the Mexican cave tetra to investigate opsin gene expression in the eyes and several brain regions of both surface and cave-dwelling adults. We performed database surveys, expression analyses by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR), and light-dependent locomotor activity analysis using pinealectomized fish, one of the high-opsin expressing organs of cavefish. Results Based on conservative criteria, we identified 33 opsin genes in the cavefish genome. Surveys of available RNAseq data found 26 of these expressed in the surface fish eye as compared to 24 expressed in cavefish extraocular tissues, 20 of which were expressed in the brain. RT-qPCR of 26 opsins in surface and cavefish eye and brain tissues showed the highest opsin-expressing tissue in cavefish was the pineal organ, which expressed exo-rhodopsin at 72.7% of the expression levels in surface fish pineal. However, a pinealectomy resulted in no change to the light-dependent locomotor activity in juvenile cavefish and surface fish. Therefore, we conclude that, after 20,000 or more years of evolution in darkness, cavefish light-dependent basal activity is regulated by a non-pineal extraocular organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Simon
- Department of Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States of America.,Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Suguru Fujita
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megan Porter
- Department of Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States of America
| | - Masato Yoshizawa
- Department of Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States of America
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22
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Green light irradiation during sex differentiation induces female-to-male sex reversal in the medaka Oryzias latipes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2383. [PMID: 30787482 PMCID: PMC6382872 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38908-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether irradiation of a specific light wavelength could affect the sex differentiation of fish. We first found that the photoreceptor genes responsible for receiving red, green, and ultraviolet light were expressed in the eyes of medaka during the sex differentiation period. Second, we revealed that testes developed in 15.9% of genotypic females reared under green light irradiation. These female-to-male sex-reversed fish (i.e. neo-males) showed male-specific secondary sexual characteristics and produced motile sperm. Finally, progeny tests using the sperm of neo-males (XX) and eggs of normal females (XX) revealed that all F1 offspring were female, indicating for the first time in animals that irradiation with light of a specific wavelength can trigger sex reversal.
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Song JA, Choi CY. Effects of blue light spectra on retinal stress and damage in goldfish (Carassius auratus). FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2019; 45:391-400. [PMID: 30269261 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-018-0571-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
There have been a number of studies on the negative effects of blue light exposure in various species; however, little information is available on the impacts of blue light intensity and duration on fish. We investigated the effects of blue light spectra on stress in the retinas of goldfish, using a blue (460 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) at three intensities (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 W/m2). The experiment was conducted for 4 weeks, and sampling was performed at intervals of 1 week. We measured changes in the expression of cortisol, and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), melanin-concentrating hormone receptor (MCH-R), and caspase-3 in the retinas of goldfish. In addition, we measured histological changes in the retina. We used a transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay to evaluate the apoptotic response to blue LED spectra. Levels of cortisol, H2O2, MCH-R, and caspase-3 increased with exposure time and light intensity. Histological analysis revealed that the thickness of melanin granules increased with exposure time and light intensity. The progressive TUNEL assay revealed many apoptotic cells after exposure to blue LED light, increasing with exposure time and light intensity. Irradiation with blue light for longer than 1 week induced increased retinal stress and may induce apoptosis in the retinas of goldfish, even at a low intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ah Song
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Young Choi
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, Republic of Korea.
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Pérez JH, Tolla E, Dunn IC, Meddle SL, Stevenson TJ. A Comparative Perspective on Extra-retinal Photoreception. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2019; 30:39-53. [PMID: 30522810 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitous in non-mammalian vertebrates, extra-retinal photoreceptors (ERPs) have been linked to an array of physiological, metabolic, behavioral, and morphological changes. However, the mechanisms and functional roles of ERPs remain one of the enduring questions of modern biology. In this review article, we use a comparative framework to identify conserved roles and distributions of ERPs, highlighting knowledge gaps. We conclude that ERP research can be divided into two largely unconnected categories: (i) identification and localization of photoreceptors and (ii) linkage of non-retinal light reception to behavioral and physiological processes, particularly endocrine systems. However, the emergence of novel gene editing and silencing techniques is enabling the unification of ERP research by allowing the bridging of this divide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H Pérez
- Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, Scotland; The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland.
| | - Elisabetta Tolla
- Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, Scotland
| | - Ian C Dunn
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Simone L Meddle
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Tyler J Stevenson
- Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, Scotland
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Eilertsen M, Valen R, Drivenes Ø, Ebbesson LOE, Helvik JV. Transient photoreception in the hindbrain is permissive to the life history transition of hatching in Atlantic halibut. Dev Biol 2018; 444:129-138. [PMID: 30342886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In nonmammalian vertebrates, photoreception takes place in the deep brain already early in development, but knowledge is lacking about the functions of these nonvisual photoreceptive systems. Prior to hatching, Atlantic halibut has a transient bilateral cluster of photoreceptive cells in the hindbrain. The cluster is imbedded in a neuronal network projecting to the narrow belt of hatching glands in the yolk sac. In halibut, hatching is inhibited in light and activated by transfer to darkness and c-fos analysis during hatching shows that the hindbrain cluster and hatching glands have neural activation. Unexpectedly, the hindbrain cluster expresses dual photopigments, vertebrate ancient opsin and melanopsin. Evolutionarily, these opsins are believed to belong to different classes of photopigments found in rhabdomeric and ciliary photoreceptors. The concept that an organism develops transient light sensitivity to target critical aspects of life history transitions as hatching provides a fascinating landscape to investigate the timing of other biological events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann Eilertsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N- 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Ragnhild Valen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, N- 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Øyvind Drivenes
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, N- 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars O E Ebbesson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N- 5020 Bergen, Norway; Uni Research AS, Thormøhlensgt. 55, N-5008 Bergen, Norway
| | - Jon Vidar Helvik
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N- 5020 Bergen, Norway
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Quiroga Artigas G, Lapébie P, Leclère L, Takeda N, Deguchi R, Jékely G, Momose T, Houliston E. A gonad-expressed opsin mediates light-induced spawning in the jellyfish Clytia. eLife 2018; 7. [PMID: 29303477 PMCID: PMC5756024 DOI: 10.7554/elife.29555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Across the animal kingdom, environmental light cues are widely involved in regulating gamete release, but the molecular and cellular bases of the photoresponsive mechanisms are poorly understood. In hydrozoan jellyfish, spawning is triggered by dark-light or light-dark transitions acting on the gonad, and is mediated by oocyte maturation-inducing neuropeptide hormones (MIHs) released from the ectoderm. We determined in Clytia hemisphaerica that blue-cyan light triggers spawning in isolated gonads. A candidate opsin (Opsin9) was found co-expressed with MIH within specialised ectodermal cells. Opsin9 knockout jellyfish generated by CRISPR/Cas9 failed to undergo oocyte maturation and spawning, a phenotype reversible by synthetic MIH. Gamete maturation and release in Clytia is thus regulated by gonadal photosensory-neurosecretory cells that secrete MIH in response to light via Opsin9. Similar cells in ancestral eumetazoans may have allowed tissue-level photo-regulation of diverse behaviours, a feature elaborated in cnidarians in parallel with expansion of the opsin gene family. Many animals living in the sea reproduce by releasing sperm and egg cells at the same time into the surrounding water. Animals often use changes in ambient light at dawn and dusk as reliable daily cues to coordinate this spawning behavior between individuals. For example, jellyfish of the species Clytia hemisphaerica, which can easily be raised in the laboratory, spawn exactly two hours after the light comes on. Researchers recently discovered that spawning in Clytia and other related jellyfish species is coordinated by a hormone called ‘oocyte maturation-inducing hormone’, or MIH for short. This hormone is produced by a cell layer that surrounds the immature eggs and sperm within each reproductive organ, and is secreted in response to light cues. It then diffuses both inside and outside of the jellyfish, and triggers the production of mature eggs and sperm, followed by their release into the ocean. However, until now it was not known which cells and molecules are responsible for detecting light to initiate the secretion of MIH. Quiroga Artigas et al. – including some of the researchers involved in the MIH work – now discovered that a single specialised cell type in the reproductive organs of Clytia responds to light and secretes MIH. These cells contain a light-sensitive protein called Opsin9, which is closely related to the opsin proteins in the human eye well known for their role in vision. When Opsin9 was experimentally mutated, Clytia cells could not secrete MIH in response to light, and the jellyfish failed to spawn. This opsin protein is thus necessary to detect light in order to trigger spawning in jellyfish. A next step will be to examine and compare whether other proteins of the opsin family and hormones related to MIH also regulate spawning in other marine animals. This could have practical benefits for raising marine animals in aquariums and as food resources, and in initiatives to protect the environment. More widely, these findings could help unravel how sexual reproduction has evolved within the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Quiroga Artigas
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
| | - Pascal Lapébie
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
| | - Lucas Leclère
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
| | - Noriyo Takeda
- Research Center for Marine Biology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Ryusaku Deguchi
- Department of Biology, Miyagi University of Education, Sendai, Japan
| | - Gáspár Jékely
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany.,Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Tsuyoshi Momose
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
| | - Evelyn Houliston
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
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27
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Mohamed GA, Cheng RK, Ho J, Krishnan S, Mohammad F, Claridge-Chang A, Jesuthasan S. Optical inhibition of larval zebrafish behaviour with anion channelrhodopsins. BMC Biol 2017; 15:103. [PMID: 29100505 PMCID: PMC5670698 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-017-0430-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Optical silencing of activity provides a way to test the necessity of neurons in behaviour. Two light-gated anion channels, GtACR1 and GtACR2, have recently been shown to potently inhibit activity in cultured mammalian neurons and in Drosophila. Here, we test the usefulness of these channels in larval zebrafish, using spontaneous coiling behaviour as the assay. Results When the GtACRs were expressed in spinal neurons of embryonic zebrafish and actuated with blue or green light, spontaneous movement was inhibited. In GtACR1-expressing fish, only 3 μW/mm2 of light was sufficient to have an effect; GtACR2, which is poorly trafficked, required slightly stronger illumination. No inhibition was seen in non-expressing siblings. After light offset, the movement of GtACR-expressing fish increased, which suggested that termination of light-induced neural inhibition may lead to activation. Consistent with this, two-photon imaging of spinal neurons showed that blue light inhibited spontaneous activity in spinal neurons of GtACR1-expressing fish, and that the level of intracellular calcium increased following light offset. Conclusions These results show that GtACR1 and GtACR2 can be used to optically inhibit neurons in larval zebrafish with high efficiency. The activity elicited at light offset needs to be taken into consideration in experimental design, although this property can provide insight into the effects of transiently stimulating a circuit. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-017-0430-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gadisti Aisha Mohamed
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruey-Kuang Cheng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joses Ho
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Seetha Krishnan
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Adam Claridge-Chang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Suresh Jesuthasan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore. .,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
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28
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Barreiro-Iglesias A, Fernández-López B, Sobrido-Cameán D, Anadón R. Organization of alpha-transducin immunoreactive system in the brain and retina of larval and young adult Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), and their relationship with other neural systems. J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:3683-3704. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antón Barreiro-Iglesias
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Biology; University of Santiago de Compostela; Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Blanca Fernández-López
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Biology; University of Santiago de Compostela; Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Daniel Sobrido-Cameán
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Biology; University of Santiago de Compostela; Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Ramón Anadón
- Department of Functional Biology, Faculty of Biology; University of Santiago de Compostela; Santiago de Compostela Spain
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Tsukamoto H, Chen IS, Kubo Y, Furutani Y. A ciliary opsin in the brain of a marine annelid zooplankton is ultraviolet-sensitive, and the sensitivity is tuned by a single amino acid residue. J Biol Chem 2017. [PMID: 28623234 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.793539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciliary opsins were classically thought to function only in vertebrates for vision, but they have also been identified recently in invertebrates for non-visual photoreception. Larvae of the annelid Platynereis dumerilii are used as a zooplankton model, and this zooplankton species possesses a "vertebrate-type" ciliary opsin (named c-opsin) in the brain. Platynereis c-opsin is suggested to relay light signals for melatonin production and circadian behaviors. Thus, the spectral and biochemical characteristics of this c-opsin would be directly related to non-visual photoreception in this zooplankton model. Here we demonstrate that the c-opsin can sense UV to activate intracellular signaling cascades and that it can directly bind exogenous all-trans-retinal. These results suggest that this c-opsin regulates circadian signaling in a UV-dependent manner and that it does not require a supply of 11-cis-retinal for photoreception. Avoidance of damaging UV irradiation is a major cause of large-scale daily zooplankton movement, and the observed capability of the c-opsin to transmit UV signals and bind all-trans-retinal is ideally suited for sensing UV radiation in the brain, which presumably lacks enzymes producing 11-cis-retinal. Mutagenesis analyses indicated that a unique amino acid residue (Lys-94) is responsible for c-opsin-mediated UV sensing in the Platynereis brain. We therefore propose that acquisition of the lysine residue in the c-opsin would be a critical event in the evolution of Platynereis to enable detection of ambient UV light. In summary, our findings indicate that the c-opsin possesses spectral and biochemical properties suitable for UV sensing by the zooplankton model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisao Tsukamoto
- Department of Life and Coordination-Complex Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan; Department of Structural Molecular Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan.
| | - I-Shan Chen
- Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Department of Molecular Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan; Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kubo
- Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Department of Molecular Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan; Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
| | - Yuji Furutani
- Department of Life and Coordination-Complex Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan; Department of Structural Molecular Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
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Abstract
Rhodopsin is the classical light sensor. Although rhodopsin has long been known to be important for image formation in the eye, the requirements for opsins in non-image formation and in extraocular light sensation were revealed much later. Most recent is the demonstration that an opsin in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is expressed in pacemaker neurons in the brain and functions in light entrainment of circadian rhythms. However, the biggest surprise is that opsins have light-independent roles, countering more than a century of dogma that they function exclusively as light sensors. Through studies in Drosophila, light-independent roles of opsins have emerged in temperature sensation and hearing. Although these findings have been uncovered in the fruit fly, there are hints that opsins have light-independent roles in a wide array of animals, including mammals. Thus, despite the decades of focus on opsins as light detectors, they represent an important new class of polymodal sensory receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Y Leung
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106;
| | - Craig Montell
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106;
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31
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Dekens MPS, Foulkes NS, Tessmar-Raible K. Instrument design and protocol for the study of light controlled processes in aquatic organisms, and its application to examine the effect of infrared light on zebrafish. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172038. [PMID: 28212399 PMCID: PMC5315407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of reliable data strongly depends on experimental design. When studying the effects of light on processes such as behaviour and physiology it is crucial to maintain all environmental conditions constant apart from the one under study. Furthermore, the precise values of the environmental factors applied during the experiment should be known. Although seemingly obvious, these conditions are often not met when the effects of light are being studied. Here, we document and discuss the wavelengths and light intensities of natural and artificial light sources. We present standardised experimental protocols together with building plans of a custom made instrument designed to accurately control light and temperature for experiments using fresh water or marine species. Infrared light is commonly used for recording behaviour and in electrophysiological experiments although the properties of fish photoreceptors potentially allow detection into the far red. As an example of our experimental procedure we have applied our protocol and instrument to specifically test the impact of infrared light (840 nm) on the zebrafish circadian clock, which controls many aspects of behaviour, physiology and metabolism. We demonstrate that infrared light does not influence the zebrafish circadian clock. Our results help to provide a solid framework for the future study of light dependent processes in aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus P. S. Dekens
- Max Perutz Laboratories, Vienna Biocenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicholas S. Foulkes
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein, Germany
- Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristin Tessmar-Raible
- Max Perutz Laboratories, Vienna Biocenter, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform “Rhythms of Life”, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Horstick EJ, Bayleyen Y, Sinclair JL, Burgess HA. Search strategy is regulated by somatostatin signaling and deep brain photoreceptors in zebrafish. BMC Biol 2017; 15:4. [PMID: 28122559 PMCID: PMC5267475 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-016-0346-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animals use sensory cues to efficiently locate resources, but when sensory information is insufficient, they may rely on internally coded search strategies. Despite the importance of search behavior, there is limited understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms in vertebrates. RESULTS Here, we report that loss of illumination initiates sophisticated light-search behavior in larval zebrafish. Using three-dimensional tracking, we show that at the onset of darkness larvae swim in a helical trajectory that is spatially restricted in the horizontal plane, before gradually transitioning to an outward movement profile. Local and outward swim patterns display characteristic features of area-restricted and roaming search strategies, differentially enhancing phototaxis to nearby and remote sources of light. Retinal signaling is only required to initiate area-restricted search, implying that photoreceptors within the brain drive the transition to the roaming search state. Supporting this, orthopediaA mutant larvae manifest impaired transition to roaming search, a phenotype which is recapitulated by loss of the non-visual opsin opn4a and somatostatin signaling. CONCLUSION These findings define distinct neuronal pathways for area-restricted and roaming search behaviors and clarify how internal drives promote goal-directed activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Horstick
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Yared Bayleyen
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jennifer L Sinclair
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Harold A Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Kato M, Sugiyama T, Sakai K, Yamashita T, Fujita H, Sato K, Tomonari S, Shichida Y, Ohuchi H. Two Opsin 3-Related Proteins in the Chicken Retina and Brain: A TMT-Type Opsin 3 Is a Blue-Light Sensor in Retinal Horizontal Cells, Hypothalamus, and Cerebellum. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163925. [PMID: 27861495 PMCID: PMC5115664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Opsin family genes encode G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane proteins that bind a retinaldehyde chromophore in photoreception. Here, we sought potential as yet undescribed avian retinal photoreceptors, focusing on Opsin 3 homologs in the chicken. We found two Opsin 3-related genes in the chicken genome: one corresponding to encephalopsin/panopsin (Opn3) in mammals, and the other belonging to the teleost multiple tissue opsin (TMT) 2 group. Bioluminescence imaging and G protein activation assays demonstrated that the chicken TMT opsin (cTMT) functions as a blue light sensor when forced-expressed in mammalian cultured cells. We did not detect evidence of light sensitivity for the chicken Opn3 (cOpn3). In situ hybridization demonstrated expression of cTMT in subsets of differentiating cells in the inner retina and, as development progressed, predominant localization to retinal horizontal cells (HCs). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed cTMT in HCs as well as in small numbers of cells in the ganglion and inner nuclear layers of the post-hatch chicken retina. In contrast, cOpn3-IR cells were found in distinct subsets of cells in the inner nuclear layer. cTMT-IR cells were also found in subsets of cells in the hypothalamus. Finally, we found differential distribution of cOpn3 and cTMT proteins in specific cells of the cerebellum. The present results suggest that a novel TMT-type opsin 3 may function as a photoreceptor in the chicken retina and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuko Kato
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | | | - Kazumi Sakai
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yamashita
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Fujita
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Keita Sato
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Sayuri Tomonari
- Department of Life Systems, Institute of Technology and Science, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Shichida
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideyo Ohuchi
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Hang CY, Moriya S, Ogawa S, Parhar IS. Deep Brain Photoreceptor (val-opsin) Gene Knockout Using CRISPR/Cas Affects Chorion Formation and Embryonic Hatching in the Zebrafish. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165535. [PMID: 27792783 PMCID: PMC5085036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-rod non-cone photopigments in the eyes and the brain can directly mediate non-visual functions of light in non-mammals. This was supported by our recent findings on vertebrate ancient long (VAL)-opsin photopigments encoded by the val-opsinA (valopa) and val-opsinB (valopb) genes in zebrafish. However, the physiological functions of valop isoforms remain unknown. Here, we generated valop-mutant zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas genome editing, and examined the phenotypes of loss-of-function mutants. F0 mosaic mutations and germline transmission were confirmed via targeted insertions and/or deletions in the valopa or valopb gene in F1 mutants. Based on in silico analysis, frameshift mutations converted VAL-opsin proteins to non-functional truncated forms with pre-mature stop codons. Most F1 eggs or embryos from F0 female valopa/b mutants showed either no or only partial chorion elevation, and the eggs or embryos died within 26 hour-post-fertilization. However, most F1 embryos from F0 male valopa mutant developed but hatched late compared to wild-type embryos, which hatched at 4 day-post-fertilization. Late-hatched F1 offspring included wild-type and mutants, indicating the parental effects of valop knockout. This study shows valop gene knockout affects chorion formation and embryonic hatching in the zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Yee Hang
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shogo Moriya
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Satoshi Ogawa
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar S. Parhar
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
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Sugihara T, Nagata T, Mason B, Koyanagi M, Terakita A. Absorption Characteristics of Vertebrate Non-Visual Opsin, Opn3. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161215. [PMID: 27532629 PMCID: PMC4988782 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Most animals possess multiple opsins which sense light for visual and non-visual functions. Here, we show spectral characteristics of non-visual opsins, vertebrate Opn3s, which are widely distributed among vertebrates. We successfully expressed zebrafish Opn3 in mammalian cultured cells and measured its absorption spectrum spectroscopically. When incubated with 11-cis retinal, zebrafish Opn3 formed a blue-sensitive photopigment with an absorption maximum around 465 nm. The Opn3 converts to an all-trans retinal-bearing photoproduct with an absorption spectrum similar to the dark state following brief blue-light irradiation. The photoproduct experienced a remarkable blue-shift, with changes in position of the isosbestic point, during further irradiation. We then used a cAMP-dependent luciferase reporter assay to investigate light-dependent cAMP responses in cultured cells expressing zebrafish, pufferfish, anole and chicken Opn3. The wild type opsins did not produce responses, but cells expressing chimera mutants (WT Opn3s in which the third intracellular loops were replaced with the third intracellular loop of a Gs-coupled jellyfish opsin) displayed light-dependent changes in cAMP. The results suggest that Opn3 is capable of activating G protein(s) in a light-dependent manner. Finally, we used this assay to measure the relative wavelength-dependent response of cells expressing Opn3 chimeras to multiple quantally-matched stimuli. The inferred spectral sensitivity curve of zebrafish Opn3 accurately matched the measured absorption spectrum. We were unable to estimate the spectral sensitivity curve of mouse or anole Opn3, but, like zebrafish Opn3, the chicken and pufferfish Opn3-JiL3 chimeras also formed blue-sensitive pigments. These findings suggest that vertebrate Opn3s may form blue-sensitive G protein-coupled pigments. Further, we suggest that the method described here, combining a cAMP-dependent luciferase reporter assay with chimeric opsins possessing the third intracellular loop of jellyfish opsin, is a versatile approach for estimating absorption spectra of opsins with unknown signaling cascades or for which absorption spectra are difficult to obtain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Sugihara
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Nagata
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Benjamin Mason
- Department of Genetics, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Mitsumasa Koyanagi
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
- * E-mail: (AT); (MK)
| | - Akihisa Terakita
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail: (AT); (MK)
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36
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Song JA, Kim NN, Choi YJ, Choi JY, Kim BS, Choi CY. Effects of light-emitting diode spectra on the vertebrate ancient long opsin and gonadotropin hormone in the goldfish Carassius auratus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476:541-545. [PMID: 27255995 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We determined the molecular mechanism underlying the environmental (photoperiodic) regulation of sexual maturation in fish, we examined the expression of sexual maturation-related hormones and vertebrate ancient long opsin (VAL-opsin) in goldfish (Carassius auratus) exposed to different light spectra (red and green light-emitting diodes). We further evaluated the effect of exogenous gonadotropin hormone (GTH) on the expression of VAL-opsin under different light conditions. Our results demonstrated that the expression of GTHs was higher in the fish exposed to green light, and VAL-opsin levels were increased in the fish receiving GTH injection. Therefore, we have uncovered a molecular mechanism underlying the environmental (light)-induced trigger for sexual maturation: VAL-opsin is activated by green light and GTH, which promotes the expression of sexual maturation genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ah Song
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea
| | - Na Na Kim
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea
| | - Young Jae Choi
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea
| | - Ji Yong Choi
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea
| | - Bong-Seok Kim
- Jeju Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Jeju, 63068, South Korea
| | - Cheol Young Choi
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, South Korea.
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Abstract
Circadian rhythms are self-sustained, approximately 24-h rhythms of physiology and behavior. These rhythms are entrained to an exactly 24-h period by the daily light-dark cycle. Remarkably, mice lacking all rod and cone photoreceptors still demonstrate photic entrainment, an effect mediated by intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These cells utilize melanopsin (OPN4) as their photopigment. Distinct from the ciliary rod and cone opsins, melanopsin appears to function as a stable photopigment utilizing sequential photon absorption for its photocycle; this photocycle, in turn, confers properties on ipRGCs such as sustained signaling and resistance from photic bleaching critical for an irradiance detection system. The retina itself also functions as a circadian pacemaker that can be autonomously entrained to light-dark cycles. Recent experiments have demonstrated that another novel opsin, neuropsin (OPN5), is required for this entrainment, which appears to be mediated by a separate population of ipRGCs. Surprisingly, the circadian clock of the mammalian cornea is also light entrainable and is also neuropsin-dependent for this effect. The retina thus utilizes a surprisingly broad array of opsins for mediation of different light-detection tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell N Van Gelder
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98109.,Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195.,Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195;
| | - Ethan D Buhr
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98109
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38
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Song JA, Kim NN, Choi YJ, Choi CY. Effect of green light spectra on the reduction of retinal damage and stress in goldfish, Carassius auratus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476:96-101. [PMID: 27181352 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effect of light spectra on retinal damage and stress in goldfish using green (530 nm) and red (620 nm) light emitting diodes (LEDs) at three intensities each (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 W/m(2)). We measured the change in the levels of plasma cortisol and H2O2 and expression and levels of caspase-3. The apoptotic response of green and red LED spectra was assessed using the terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Stress indicator (cortisol and H2O2) and apoptosis-related genes (caspase-3) decreased in green light, but increased in red light with higher light intensities over time. The TUNEL assay revealed that more apoptotic cells were detected in outer nuclear layers after exposure to red LED over time with the increase in light intensity, than the other spectra. These results indicate that green light efficiently reduces retinal damage and stress, whereas red light induces it. Therefore, red light-induced retina damage may induce apoptosis in goldfish retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ah Song
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Na Kim
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jae Choi
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Young Choi
- Division of Marine BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan, 49112, Republic of Korea.
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39
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Sato K, Yamashita T, Haruki Y, Ohuchi H, Kinoshita M, Shichida Y. Two UV-Sensitive Photoreceptor Proteins, Opn5m and Opn5m2 in Ray-Finned Fish with Distinct Molecular Properties and Broad Distribution in the Retina and Brain. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155339. [PMID: 27167972 PMCID: PMC4864311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Opn5 is a group within the opsin family of proteins that is responsible for visual and non-visual photoreception in animals. It consists of several subgroups, including Opn5m, the only subgroup containing members found in most vertebrates, including mammals. In addition, recent genomic information has revealed that some ray-finned fishes carry paralogous genes of Opn5m while other fishes have no such genes. Here, we report the molecular properties of the opsin now called Opn5m2 and its distributions in both the retina and brain. Like Opn5m, Opn5m2 exhibits UV light-sensitivity when binding to 11-cis-retinal and forms a stable active state that couples with Gi subtype of G protein. However, Opn5m2 does not bind all-trans-retinal and exhibits exclusive binding to 11-cis-retinal, whereas many bistable opsins, including fish Opn5m, can bind directly to all-trans-retinal as well as 11-cis-retinal. Because medaka fish has lost the Opn5m2 gene from its genome, we compared the tissue distribution patterns of Opn5m in medaka fish, zebrafish, and spotted gar, in addition to the distribution patterns of Opn5m2 in zebrafish and spotted gar. Opn5m expression levels showed a gradient along the dorsal–ventral axis of the retina, and preferential expression was observed in the ventral retina in the three fishes. The levels of Opn5m2 showed a similar gradient with preferential expression observed in the dorsal retina. Opn5m expression was relatively abundant in the inner region of the inner nuclear layer, while Opn5m2 was expressed in the outer edge of the inner nuclear layer. Additionally, we could detect Opn5m expression in several brain regions, including the hypothalamus, of these fish species. Opn5m2 expression could not be detected in zebrafish brain, but was clearly observed in limited brain regions of spotted gar. These results suggest that ray-finned fishes can generally utilize UV light information for non-image-forming photoreception in a wide range of cells in the retina and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Sato
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yamashita
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Haruki
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideyo Ohuchi
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masato Kinoshita
- Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Shichida
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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40
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Hang CY, Kitahashi T, Parhar IS. Neuronal Organization of Deep Brain Opsin Photoreceptors in Adult Teleosts. Front Neuroanat 2016; 10:48. [PMID: 27199680 PMCID: PMC4846651 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological impacts of light beyond vision, i.e., non-visual functions of light, signify the need to better understand light detection (or photoreception) systems in vertebrates. Photopigments, which comprise light-absorbing chromophores bound to a variety of G-protein coupled receptor opsins, are responsible for visual and non-visual photoreception. Non-visual opsin photopigments in the retina of mammals and extra-retinal tissues of non-mammals play an important role in non-image-forming functions of light, e.g., biological rhythms and seasonal reproduction. This review highlights the role of opsin photoreceptors in the deep brain, which could involve conserved neurochemical systems that control different time- and light-dependent physiologies in in non-mammalian vertebrates including teleost fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Yee Hang
- Brain Research Institute, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Takashi Kitahashi
- Brain Research Institute, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar S Parhar
- Brain Research Institute, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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41
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Sakai K, Yamashita T, Imamoto Y, Shichida Y. Diversity of Active States in TMT Opsins. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141238. [PMID: 26491964 PMCID: PMC4619619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Opn3/TMT opsins belong to one of the opsin groups with vertebrate visual and non-visual opsins, and are widely distributed in eyes, brains and other internal organs in various vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrate Opn3/TMT opsins are further classified into four groups on the basis of their amino acid identities. However, there is limited information about molecular properties of these groups, due to the difficulty in preparing the recombinant proteins. Here, we successfully expressed recombinant proteins of TMT1 and TMT2 opsins of medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) in cultured cells and characterized their molecular properties. Spectroscopic and biochemical studies demonstrated that TMT1 and TMT2 opsins functioned as blue light-sensitive Gi/Go-coupled receptors, but exhibited spectral properties and photo-convertibility of the active state different from each other. TMT1 opsin forms a visible light-absorbing active state containing all-trans-retinal, which can be photo-converted to 7-cis- and 9-cis-retinal states in addition to the original 11-cis-retinal state. In contrast, the active state of TMT2 opsin is a UV light-absorbing state having all-trans-retinal and does not photo-convert to any other state, including the original 11-cis-retinal state. Thus, TMT opsins are diversified so as to form a different type of active state, which may be responsible for their different functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumi Sakai
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yamashita
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasushi Imamoto
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Shichida
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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42
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Davies WIL, Tamai TK, Zheng L, Fu JK, Rihel J, Foster RG, Whitmore D, Hankins MW. An extended family of novel vertebrate photopigments is widely expressed and displays a diversity of function. Genome Res 2015; 25:1666-79. [PMID: 26450929 PMCID: PMC4617963 DOI: 10.1101/gr.189886.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Light affects animal physiology and behavior more than simply through classical visual, image-forming pathways. Nonvisual photoreception regulates numerous biological systems, including circadian entrainment, DNA repair, metabolism, and behavior. However, for the majority of these processes, the photoreceptive molecules involved are unknown. Given the diversity of photophysiological responses, the question arises whether a single photopigment or a greater diversity of proteins within the opsin superfamily detect photic stimuli. Here, a functional genomics approach identified the full complement of photopigments in a highly light-sensitive model vertebrate, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), and characterized their tissue distribution, expression levels, and biochemical properties. The results presented here reveal the presence of 42 distinct genes encoding 10 classical visual photopigments and 32 nonvisual opsins, including 10 novel opsin genes comprising four new pigment classes. Consistent with the presence of light-entrainable circadian oscillators in zebrafish, all adult tissues examined expressed two or more opsins, including several novel opsins. Spectral and electrophysiological analyses of the new opsins demonstrate that they form functional photopigments, each with unique chromophore-binding and wavelength specificities. This study has revealed a remarkable number and diversity of photopigments in zebrafish, the largest number so far discovered for any vertebrate. Found in amphibians, reptiles, birds, and all three mammalian clades, most of these genes are not restricted to teleosts. Therefore, nonvisual light detection is far more complex than initially appreciated, which has significant biological implications in understanding photoreception in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne I L Davies
- School of Animal Biology and University of Western Australia Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - T Katherine Tamai
- Centre for Cell and Molecular Dynamics, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6DE, United Kingdom
| | - Lei Zheng
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Josephine K Fu
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Rihel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Russell G Foster
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - David Whitmore
- Centre for Cell and Molecular Dynamics, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6DE, United Kingdom
| | - Mark W Hankins
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
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Castro A, Becerra M, Manso MJ, Anadón R. Neuronal organization of the brain in the adult amphioxus (Branchiostoma lanceolatum): A study with acetylated tubulin immunohistochemistry. J Comp Neurol 2015; 523:2211-32. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.23785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Castro
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology; Faculty of Sciences; University of A Coruña; 15008 A Coruña Spain
| | - Manuela Becerra
- Department of Cell Biology and Ecology; CIBUS, University of Santiago de Compostela; 15706 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - María Jesús Manso
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology; Faculty of Sciences; University of A Coruña; 15008 A Coruña Spain
| | - Ramón Anadón
- Department of Cell Biology and Ecology; CIBUS, University of Santiago de Compostela; 15706 Santiago de Compostela Spain
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Flyktman A, Mänttäri S, Nissilä J, Timonen M, Saarela S. Transcranial light affects plasma monoamine levels and expression of brain encephalopsin in the mouse. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 218:1521-6. [PMID: 25805701 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.111864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Encephalopsin (OPN3) belongs to the light-sensitive transmembrane receptor family mainly expressed in the brain and retina. It is believed that light affects mammalian circadian rhythmicity only through the retinohypothalamic tract, which transmits light information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. However, it has been shown that light penetrates the skull. Here, we present the effect of transcranial light treatment on OPN3 expression and monoamine concentrations in mouse brain and other tissues. Mice were randomly assigned to control group, morning-light group and evening-light group, and animals were illuminated transcranially five times a week for 8 min for a total of 4 weeks. The concentrations of OPN3 and monoamines were analysed using western blotting and HPLC, respectively. We report that transcranial light treatment affects OPN3 expression in different brain areas and plasma/adrenal gland monoamine concentrations. In addition, when light was administered at a different time of the day, the response varied in different tissues. These results provide new information on the effects of light on transmitters mediating mammalian rhythmicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Flyktman
- University of Oulu, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 3000, Oulu FIN-90014, Finland
| | - Satu Mänttäri
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Aapistie 1, Oulu FI-90220, Finland
| | - Juuso Nissilä
- University of Oulu, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 3000, Oulu FIN-90014, Finland University of Oulu, Institute of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu FIN-90014, Finland
| | - Markku Timonen
- University of Oulu, Institute of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu FIN-90014, Finland
| | - Seppo Saarela
- University of Oulu, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 3000, Oulu FIN-90014, Finland
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Hang CY, Kitahashi T, Parhar IS. Brain area-specific diurnal and photic regulation of val-opsinA and val-opsinB genes in the zebrafish. J Neurochem 2015; 133:501-10. [PMID: 25727787 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish possess two isoforms of vertebrate ancient long (VAL)-opsin, val-opsinA (valopa) and val-opsinB (valopb), which probably mediate non-visual responses to light. To understand the diurnal and light-sensitive regulation of the valop genes in different cell groups, the current study used real-time quantitative PCR to examine the diurnal changes of valopa and b mRNA levels in different brain areas of adult male zebrafish. Furthermore, effects of the extended exposure to light or dark condition, luminous levels and the treatment with a melatonin receptor agonist or antagonist on valop transcription were examined. In the thalamus, valop mRNA levels showed significant diurnal changes; valopa peaked in the evening, while valopb peaked in the morning. The diurnal change of valopa mRNA levels occurred independent of light conditions, whereas that of valopb mRNA levels were regulated by light. A melatonin receptor agonist or antagonist did not affect the changes of valop mRNA levels. In contrast, the midbrain and hindbrain showed arrhythmic valop mRNA levels under light and dark cycles. The differential diurnal regulation of the valopa and b genes in the thalamus and the arrhythmic expression in the midbrain and hindbrain suggest involvement of deep brain VAL-opsin in time- and light-dependent physiology. We show diurnal expression changes of vertebrate ancient long (VAL) opsin genes (valopa and valopb), depending on brain area, time of day and light condition, in the adult male zebrafish. Differential regulation of the valop genes in the thalamus and arrhythmic expression in the midbrain and hindbrain suggest their involvement in time- and light-dependent physiology to adjust to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Yee Hang
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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Haltaufderhyde K, Ozdeslik RN, Wicks NL, Najera JA, Oancea E. Opsin expression in human epidermal skin. Photochem Photobiol 2014; 91:117-23. [PMID: 25267311 PMCID: PMC4303996 DOI: 10.1111/php.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Human skin is constantly exposed to solar light containing visible and ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a powerful skin carcinogen. UVR elicits cellular responses in epidermal cells via several mechanisms: direct absorption of short-wavelength UVR photons by DNA, oxidative damage caused by long-wavelength UVR, and, as we recently demonstrated, via a retinal-dependent G protein-coupled signaling pathway. Because the human epidermis is exposed to a wide range of light wavelengths, we investigated whether opsins, light-activated receptors that mediate photoreception in the eye, are expressed in epidermal skin to potentially serve as photosensors. Here we show that four opsins—OPN1-SW, OPN2, OPN3 and OPN5—are expressed in the two major human epidermal cell types, melanocytes and keratinocytes, and the mRNA expression profile of these opsins does not change in response to physiological UVR doses. We detected two OPN3 splice variants present in similar amounts in both cell types and three OPN5 splice isoforms, two of which encode truncated proteins. Notably, OPN2 and OPN3 mRNA were significantly more abundant than other opsins and encoded full-length proteins. Our results demonstrate that opsins are expressed in epidermal skin cells and suggest that they might initiate light–induced signaling pathways, possibly contributing to UVR phototransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk Haltaufderhyde
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI
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Churcher AM, Pujolar JM, Milan M, Hubbard PC, Martins RST, Saraiva JL, Huertas M, Bargelloni L, Patarnello T, Marino IAM, Zane L, Canário AVM. Changes in the gene expression profiles of the brains of male European eels (Anguilla anguilla) during sexual maturation. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:799. [PMID: 25230743 PMCID: PMC4175612 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The vertebrate brain plays a critical role in the regulation of sexual maturation and reproduction by integrating environmental information with developmental and endocrine status. The European eel Anguilla anguilla is an important species in which to better understand the neuroendocrine factors that control reproduction because it is an endangered species, has a complex life cycle that includes two extreme long distance migrations with both freshwater and seawater stages and because it occupies a key position within the teleost phylogeny. At present, mature eels have never been caught in the wild and little is known about most aspects of reproduction in A. anguilla. The goal of this study was to identify genes that may be involved in sexual maturation in experimentally matured eels. For this, we used microarrays to compare the gene expression profiles of sexually mature to immature males. Results Using a false discovery rate of 0.05, a total of 1,497 differentially expressed genes were identified. Of this set, 991 were expressed at higher levels in brains (forebrain and midbrain) of mature males while 506 were expressed at lower levels relative to brains of immature males. The set of up-regulated genes includes genes involved in neuroendocrine processes, cell-cell signaling, neurogenesis and development. Interestingly, while genes involved in immune system function were down-regulated in the brains of mature males, changes in the expression levels of several receptors and channels were observed suggesting that some rewiring is occurring in the brain at sexual maturity. Conclusions This study shows that the brains of eels undergo major changes at the molecular level at sexual maturity that may include re-organization at the cellular level. Here, we have defined a set of genes that help to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling reproduction in eels. Some of these genes have previously described functions while many others have roles that have yet to be characterized in a reproductive context. Since most of the genes examined here have orthologs in other vertebrates, the results of this study will contribute to the body of knowledge concerning reproduction in vertebrates as well as to an improved understanding of eel biology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-799) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Churcher
- CCMAR- Centre for Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
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Hang CY, Kitahashi T, Parhar IS. Localization and characterization of val-opsin isoform-expressing cells in the brain of adult zebrafish. J Comp Neurol 2014; 522:3847-60. [PMID: 25043553 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In addition to vision, light information is used to regulate a range of animal physiology. Such nonimage-forming functions of light are mediated by nonvisual photoreceptors expressed in distinct neurons in the retina and the brain in most vertebrates. A nonvisual photoreceptor vertebrate ancient long opsin (VAL-opsin) possesses two functional isoforms in the zebrafish, encoded by valopa and valopb, which has received little attention. To delineate the neurochemical identities of valop cells and to test for colocalization of the valop isoforms, we used in situ hybridization to characterize the expression of the valop genes along with that of neurotransmitters and a neuropeptide known to be present at the sites of valop expression. Double labeling showed that the thalamic valop population coexpresses valopa and valopb. All the thalamic valop cells overlapped with a GABAergic cell mass that continues from the anterior nucleus to the intercalated thalamic nucleus. A novel valopa cell population found in the superior raphe was serotonergic in nature. A valopb cell population in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus was identified as containing thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Valopb cells localized in the hindbrain intermediate reticular formation were noncholinergic in nature (nonmotorneurons). Thus, the presence of valop cell populations in different brain regions with coexpression of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides and the colocalization of valop isoforms in the thalamic cell population indicate regulatory and functional complexity of VAL-opsin in the brain of the zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Yee Hang
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, PJ, 46150, Malaysia
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Eilertsen M, Drivenes O, Edvardsen RB, Bradley CA, Ebbesson LOE, Helvik JV. Exorhodopsin and melanopsin systems in the pineal complex and brain at early developmental stages of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). J Comp Neurol 2014; 522:4003-22. [PMID: 25044160 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The complexity of the nonvisual photoreception systems in teleosts has just started to be appreciated, with colocalization of multiple photoreceptor types with unresolved functions. Here we describe an intricate expression pattern of melanopsins in early life stages of the marine flat fish Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), a period when the unpigmented brain is directly exposed to environmental photons. We show a refined and extensive expression of melanopsins in the halibut brain already at the time of hatching, long before the eyes are functional. We detect melanopsin in the habenula, suprachiasmatic nucleus, dorsal thalamus, and lateral tubular nucleus of first feeding larvae, suggesting conserved functions of the melanopsins in marine teleosts. The complex expression of melanopsins already at larval stages indicates the importance of nonvisual photoreception early in development. Most strikingly, we detect expression of both exorhodopsin and melanopsin in the pineal complex of halibut larvae. Double-fluorescence labeling showed that two clusters of melanopsin-positive cells are located lateral to the central rosette of exorhodopsin-positive cells. The localization of different photopigments in the pineal complex suggests that two parallel photoreceptor systems may be active. Furthermore, the dispersed melanopsin-positive cells in the spinal cord of halibut larvae at the time of hatching may be primary sensory cells or interneurons representing the first example of dispersed high-order photoreceptor cells. The appearance of nonvisual opsins early in the development of halibut provides an alternative model for studying the evolution and functional significance of nonvisual opsins.
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Tosches MA, Arendt D. The bilaterian forebrain: an evolutionary chimaera. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2013; 23:1080-9. [PMID: 24080363 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The insect, annelid and vertebrate forebrains harbour two major centres of output control, a sensory-neurosecretory centre releasing hormones and a primordial locomotor centre that controls the initiation of muscular body movements. In vertebrates, both reside in the hypothalamus. Here, we review recent comparative neurodevelopmental evidence indicating that these centres evolved from separate condensations of neurons on opposite body sides ('apical nervous system' versus 'blastoporal nervous system') and that their developmental specification involved distinct regulatory networks (apical six3 and rx versus mediolateral nk and pax gene-dependent patterning). In bilaterian ancestors, both systems approached each other and became closely intermingled, physically, functionally and developmentally. Our 'chimeric brain hypothesis' sheds new light on the vast success and rapid diversification of bilaterian animals in the Cambrian and revises our understanding of brain architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonietta Tosches
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Developmental Biology Unit, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69012 Heidelberg, Germany
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