1
|
Hunt JE, Pratt KG, Molnár Z. Ocular Necessities: A Neuroethological Perspective on Vertebrate Visual Development. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2024; 99:96-108. [PMID: 38447544 PMCID: PMC11152017 DOI: 10.1159/000536035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND By examining species-specific innate behaviours, neuroethologists have characterized unique neural strategies and specializations from throughout the animal kingdom. Simultaneously, the field of evolutionary developmental biology (informally, "evo-devo") seeks to make inferences about animals' evolutionary histories through careful comparison of developmental processes between species, because evolution is the evolution of development. Yet despite the shared focus on cross-species comparisons, there is surprisingly little crosstalk between these two fields. Insights can be gleaned at the intersection of neuroethology and evo-devo. Every animal develops within an environment, wherein ecological pressures advantage some behaviours and disadvantage others. These pressures are reflected in the neurodevelopmental strategies employed by different animals across taxa. SUMMARY Vision is a system of particular interest for studying the adaptation of animals to their environments. The visual system enables a wide variety of animals across the vertebrate lineage to interact with their environments, presenting a fantastic opportunity to examine how ecological pressures have shaped animals' behaviours and developmental strategies. Applying a neuroethological lens to the study of visual development, we advance a novel theory that accounts for the evolution of spontaneous retinal waves, an important phenomenon in the development of the visual system, across the vertebrate lineage. KEY MESSAGES We synthesize literature on spontaneous retinal waves from across the vertebrate lineage. We find that ethological considerations explain some cross-species differences in the dynamics of retinal waves. In zebrafish, retinal waves may be more important for the development of the retina itself, rather than the retinofugal projections. We additionally suggest empirical tests to determine whether Xenopus laevis experiences retinal waves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Elan Hunt
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kara Geo Pratt
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Zoltán Molnár
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Udoh UG, Bruno JR, Osborn PO, Pratt KG. Serotonin Strengthens a Developing Glutamatergic Synapse through a PI3K-Dependent Mechanism. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1260232023. [PMID: 38169457 PMCID: PMC10860612 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1260-23.2023] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
It is well established that, during neural circuit development, glutamatergic synapses become strengthened via NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent upregulation of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated currents. In addition, however, it is known that the neuromodulator serotonin is present throughout most regions of the vertebrate brain while synapses are forming and being shaped by activity-dependent processes. This suggests that serotonin may modulate or contribute to these processes. Here, we investigate the role of serotonin in the developing retinotectal projection of the Xenopus tadpole. We altered endogenous serotonin transmission in stage 48/49 (∼10-21 days postfertilization) Xenopus tadpoles and then carried out a set of whole-cell electrophysiological recordings from tectal neurons to assess retinotectal synaptic transmission. Because tadpole sex is indeterminate at these early stages of development, experimental groups were composed of randomly chosen tadpoles. We found that pharmacologically enhancing and reducing serotonin transmission for 24 h up- and downregulates, respectively, AMPAR-mediated currents at individual retinotectal synapses. Inhibiting 5-HT2 receptors also significantly weakened AMPAR-mediated currents and abolished the synapse strengthening effect seen with enhanced serotonin transmission, indicating a 5-HT2 receptor-dependent effect. We also determine that the serotonin-dependent upregulation of synaptic AMPAR currents was mediated via an NMDAR-independent, PI3K-dependent mechanism. Altogether, these findings indicate that serotonin regulates AMPAR currents at developing synapses independent of NMDA transmission, which may explain its role as an enabler of activity-dependent plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uwemedimo G Udoh
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, Wyoming
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, Wyoming
| | - John R Bruno
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, Wyoming
| | - Paige O Osborn
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, Wyoming
| | - Kara G Pratt
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, Wyoming
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, Wyoming
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Suryanto ME, Audira G, Roldan MJM, Lai HT, Hsiao CD. Color Perspectives in Aquatic Explorations: Unveiling Innate Color Preferences and Psychoactive Responses in Freshwater Crayfish. TOXICS 2023; 11:838. [PMID: 37888689 PMCID: PMC10610643 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11100838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Color preference assay is a test for an animal's innate and adaptive response to differentiate colors and can be used as an endpoint for psychoactive activity evaluation. Several color preference test methods in aquatic animals that can be used to perform behavioral screening have been established. However, the color preference test conditions have yet to be extensively studied and standardized in aquatic invertebrates. This study aimed to replicate and optimize the previously published method to evaluate the potential color preference in freshwater crayfish based on four different approaches: species, life stages, sex, and pharmaceutical exposure. Using the optimized setup, two crayfish species display color preferences to some specific colors. P. clarkii displays more dominant color preference behavior than C. quadricarinatus in terms of color preference ranking and index. P. clarkii prefers the red color compared to other colors (red > green > blue > yellow), while C. quadricarinatus dislikes yellow compared to other colors (blue = green = red > yellow). Since P. clarkii has a more obvious color index ranking and several advantages compared to C. quadricarinatus, we conducted further tests using P. clarkii as an animal model. In the juvenile and adult stages of P. clarkii, they prefer red and avoid yellow. However, the juvenile one did not display a strong color preference like the adult one. Different sex of crayfish displayed no significant differences in their color preference responses. In addition, we also evaluated the potential effect of the antidepressant sertraline on color preference in P. clarkii and found that waterborne antidepressant exposure can significantly alter their color preference. This fundamental information collected from this study supports the crayfish color preference test as a good behavioral test to address environmental pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Edbert Suryanto
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan;
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan;
| | - Gilbert Audira
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan;
| | - Marri Jmelou M. Roldan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1008, Philippines;
| | - Hong-Thih Lai
- Department of Aquatic Biosciences, National Chiayi University, 300 University Rd., Chiayi 60004, Taiwan;
| | - Chung-Der Hsiao
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan;
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan;
- Center for Nanotechnology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Research Center for Aquatic Toxicology and Pharmacology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Udoh UG, Zheng K, Pratt KG. Protocol for measuring visual preferences of freely swimming Xenopus laevis tadpoles. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102422. [PMID: 37440413 PMCID: PMC10511922 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102422] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Xenopus tadpoles display innate visually guided behaviors which are thought to promote survival by guiding them toward sources of food and away from predators. Experimentally, studying these behaviors can provide insight into the formation and function of the neural circuits which underlie them. Here, we present a protocol for measuring visual preferences of freely swimming tadpoles. We describe steps to create the visual stimuli, carry out the experiments, and analyze the resulting data. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Hunt et al.1 and Bruno et al.2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uwemedimo G Udoh
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, and Program in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Kaiyuan Zheng
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, and Program in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Kara G Pratt
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, and Program in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Adebogun GT, Bachmann AE, Callan AA, Khan U, Lewis AR, Pollock AC, Alfonso SA, Arango Sumano D, Bhatt DA, Cullen AB, Hajian CM, Huang W, Jaeger EL, Li E, Maske AK, Offenberg EG, Ta V, Whiting WW, McKinney JE, Butler J, O’Connell LA. Albino Xenopus laevis tadpoles prefer dark environments compared to wild type. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000750. [PMID: 36824381 PMCID: PMC9941856 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Tadpoles display preferences for different environments but the sensory modalities that govern these choices are not well understood. Here, we examined light preferences and associated sensory mechanisms of albino and wild-type Xenopus laevis tadpoles. We found that albino tadpoles spent more time in darker environments compared to the wild type, although they showed no differences in overall activity. This preference persisted when the tadpoles had their optic nerve severed or pineal glands removed, suggesting these sensory systems alone are not necessary for phototaxis. These experiments were conducted by an undergraduate laboratory course, highlighting how X. laevis tadpole behavior assays in a classroom setting can reveal new insights into animal behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace T Adebogun
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Annabelle E Bachmann
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Ashlyn A Callan
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Ummara Khan
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Amaris R Lewis
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Alexa C Pollock
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Sebastian A Alfonso
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Daniel Arango Sumano
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Dhruv A Bhatt
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Aidan B Cullen
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Cyrus M Hajian
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Winnie Huang
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Emma L Jaeger
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Emily Li
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - A. Kaile Maske
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Emma G Offenberg
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Vy Ta
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Waymon W Whiting
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Jordan E McKinney
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
,
Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Julie Butler
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
,
Correspondence to: Julie Butler (
)
| | - Lauren A O’Connell
- BIO161 Organismal Biology Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
,
Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
,
Correspondence to: Lauren A O’Connell (
)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bruno JR, Udoh UG, Landen JG, Osborn PO, Asher CJ, Hunt JE, Pratt KG. A circadian-dependent preference for light displayed by Xenopus tadpoles is modulated by serotonin. iScience 2022; 25:105375. [PMCID: PMC9636060 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John R. Bruno
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Uwemedimo G. Udoh
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Jason G. Landen
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Paige O. Osborn
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Carson J. Asher
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Jasper E. Hunt
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kara G. Pratt
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
- Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bertolesi GE, Debnath N, Malik HR, Man LLH, McFarlane S. Type II Opsins in the Eye, the Pineal Complex and the Skin of Xenopus laevis: Using Changes in Skin Pigmentation as a Readout of Visual and Circadian Activity. Front Neuroanat 2022; 15:784478. [PMID: 35126061 PMCID: PMC8814574 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.784478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The eye, the pineal complex and the skin are important photosensitive organs. The African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, senses light from the environment and adjusts skin color accordingly. For example, light reflected from the surface induces camouflage through background adaptation while light from above produces circadian variation in skin pigmentation. During embryogenesis, background adaptation, and circadian skin variation are segregated responses regulated by the secretion of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and melatonin through the photosensitivity of the eye and pineal complex, respectively. Changes in the color of skin pigmentation have been used as a readout of biochemical and physiological processes since the initial purification of pineal melatonin from pigs, and more recently have been employed to better understand the neuroendocrine circuit that regulates background adaptation. The identification of 37 type II opsin genes in the genome of the allotetraploid X. laevis, combined with analysis of their expression in the eye, pineal complex and skin, is contributing to the elucidation of the role of opsins in the different photosensitive organs, but also brings new questions and challenges. In this review, we analyze new findings regarding the anatomical localization and functions of type II opsins in sensing light. The contribution of X. laevis in revealing the neuroendocrine circuits that regulate background adaptation and circadian light variation through changes in skin pigmentation is discussed. Finally, the presence of opsins in X. laevis skin melanophores is presented and compared with the secretory melanocytes of birds and mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel E. Bertolesi
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bertolesi GE, Debnath N, Atkinson-Leadbeater K, Niedzwiecka A, McFarlane S. Distinct type II opsins in the eye decode light properties for background adaptation and behavioural background preference. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6659-6676. [PMID: 34592025 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Crypsis increases survival by reducing predator detection. Xenopus laevis tadpoles decode light properties from the substrate to induce two responses: a cryptic coloration response where dorsal skin pigmentation is adjusted to the colour of the substrate (background adaptation) and a behavioural crypsis where organisms move to align with a specific colour surface (background preference). Both processes require organisms to detect reflected light from the substrate. We explored the relationship between background adaptation and preference and the light properties able to trigger both responses. We also analysed which retinal photosensor (type II opsin) is involved. Our results showed that these two processes are segregated mechanistically, as there is no correlation between the preference for a specific background with the level of skin pigmentation, and different dorsal retina-localized type II opsins appear to underlie the two crypsis modes. Indeed, inhibition of melanopsin affects background adaptation but not background preference. Instead, we propose pinopsin is the photosensor involved in background preference. pinopsin mRNA is co-expressed with mRNA for the sws1 cone photopigment in dorsally located photoreceptors. Importantly, the developmental onset of pinopsin expression aligns with the emergence of the preference for a white background, but after the background adaptation phenotype appears. Furthermore, white background preference of tadpoles is associated with increased pinopsin expression, a feature that is lost in premetamorphic froglets along with a preference for a white background. Thus, our data show a mechanistic dissociation between background adaptation and background preference, and we suggest melanopsin and pinopsin, respectively, initiate the two responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel E Bertolesi
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nilakshi Debnath
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Anna Niedzwiecka
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah McFarlane
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|