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Porcino C, Mhalhel K, Briglia M, Cometa M, Guerrera MC, Germanà PG, Montalbano G, Levanti M, Laurà R, Abbate F, Germanà A, Aragona M. Neurotrophins and Trk Neurotrophin Receptors in the Retina of Adult Killifish ( Nothobranchius guentheri). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2732. [PMID: 38473977 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Specific subpopulations of neurons in nerve and sensory systems must be developed and maintained, and this is accomplished in significant part by neurotrophins (NTs) and the signaling receptors on which they act, called tyrosine protein kinase receptors (Trks). The neurotrophins-tyrosine protein kinase receptors (NTs/Trks) system is involved in sensory organ regulation, including the visual system. An NTs/Trks system alteration is associated with neurodegeneration related to aging and diseases, including retinal pathologies. An emergent model in the field of translational medicine, for instance, in aging study, is the annual killifish belonging to the Nothobranchius genus, thanks to its short lifespan. Members of this genus, such as Nothobranchius guentheri, and humans share a similar retinal stratigraphy. Nevertheless, according to the authors' knowledge, the occurrence and distribution of the NTs/Trks system in the retina of N. guentheri has never been investigated before. Therefore, the present study aimed to localize neurotrophin BDNF, NGF, and NT-3 and TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC receptors in the N. guentheri retina using the immunofluorescence method. The present investigation demonstrates, for the first time, the occurrence of the NTs/Trks system in N. guentheri retina and, consequently, the potential key role of these proteins in the biology and survival of the retinal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Porcino
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Kamel Mhalhel
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Marilena Briglia
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Marzio Cometa
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Patrizia Germana Germanà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalbano
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Levanti
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosaria Laurà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Abbate
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Germanà
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Aragona M, Briglia M, Porcino C, Mhalhel K, Cometa M, Germanà PG, Montalbano G, Levanti M, Laurà R, Abbate F, Germanà A, Guerrera MC. Localization of Calretinin, Parvalbumin, and S100 Protein in Nothobranchius guentheri Retina: A Suitable Model for the Retina Aging. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2050. [PMID: 37895432 PMCID: PMC10608213 DOI: 10.3390/life13102050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs) are members of a heterogeneous family of proteins able to buffer intracellular Ca2+ ion concentration. CaBPs are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system, including a subpopulation of retinal neurons. Since neurons expressing different CaBPs show different susceptibility to degeneration, it could be hypothesized that they are not just markers of different neuronal subpopulations, but that they might be crucial in survival. CaBPs' ability to buffer Ca2+ cytoplasmatic concentration makes them able to defend against a toxic increase in intracellular calcium that can lead to neurodegenerative processes, including those related to aging. An emergent model for aging studies is the annual killifish belonging to the Nothobranchius genus, thanks to its short lifespan. Members of this genus, such as Nothobranchius guentheri, show a retinal stratigraphy similar to that of other actinopterygian fishes and humans. However, according to our knowledge, CaBPs' occurrence and distribution in the retina of N. guentheri have never been investigated before. Therefore, the present study aimed to localize Calretinin N-18, Parvalbumin, and S100 protein (S100p) in the N. guentheri retina with immunohistochemistry methods. The results of the present investigation demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of Calretinin N-18, Parvalbumin, and S100p in N. guentheri retina and, consequently, the potential key role of these CaBPs in the biology of the retinal cells. Hence, the suitability of N. guentheri as a model to study the changes in CaBPs' expression patterns during neurodegenerative processes affecting the retina related both to disease and aging can be assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caterina Porcino
- Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.A.); (M.B.); (K.M.); (M.C.); (P.G.G.); (G.M.); (M.L.); (R.L.); (F.A.); (A.G.); (M.C.G.)
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El-Bakary NER, Alsafy MAM, El-Gendy SAA, Elarab SME. New insights into the retinal microstructure-diurnal activity relationship in the African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) (Lichtenstein, 1823). ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2023; 9:7. [PMID: 36934288 PMCID: PMC10024390 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-023-00205-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The retinae of diurnal vertebrates have characteristics. Most lizards are strictly diurnal, and their retinal morphology is still unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS The retina of the African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) was studied using light and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS The retina's ten layers were all detected. The inner nuclear layer was the thickest by an average of 67.66 μm, and the inner plexiform layer was 57.564 μm. There were elliptical, long cylindrical, and spherical melanosomes (small and large) in the pigment epithelial layer of the retina. The cylindrical melanosomes had a large area on the lateral surfaces of cones to increase light scatter absorption. The photoreceptor layer of the retina had cones only. There were single and double cones, with the double cones consisting of principal and accessory cones. The cones had inner and outer segments separated by oil droplets. A spherical paraboloid body existed between the limiting membrane and the ellipsoid. All single cones had a paraboloid, and double cones had a large paraboloid in the accessory cone. The presence of paraboloids and large ellipsoids with mitochondria of varying sizes may have helped focus the light on cone segments. CONCLUSION The African five-lined skink's eye was light-adapted due to a variety of retinal specializations related to the demands of its diurnal lifestyle in its environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamed A M Alsafy
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Abees 10Th, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Samir A A El-Gendy
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Abees 10Th, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Samar M Ez Elarab
- Histology and Cytology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Bakhtogarimov IR, Kudryavtseva AV, Krasnov GS, Gladysh NS, Volodin VV, Kudryavtsev AA, Bulavkina EV, Goncharova MA, Ledyaeva VS, Pastukhov IS, Vershinina YS, Starkova AM, Snezhkina AV, Shuvalova AI, Pavlov VS, Nikiforov-Nikishin DL, Moskalev AA, Guvatova ZG. The Effect of Meclofenoxate on the Transcriptome of Aging Brain of Nothobranchius guentheri Annual Killifish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052491. [PMID: 35269638 PMCID: PMC8910246 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Annual fish of the genus Nothobranchius are promising models for aging research. Nothobranchius reproduces typical aspects of vertebrate aging, including hallmarks of brain aging. Meclofenoxate (MF) is a well-known compound that can enhance cognitive performance. The drug is prescribed for asthenic conditions, trauma, and vascular diseases of the brain. It is believed that MF is able to delay age-dependent changes in the human brain. However, until now, there has been no study of the MF effect on the brain transcriptome. In the present work, we performed an RNA-Seq study of brain tissues from aged Nothobranchius guentheri, which were almost lifetime administered with MF, as well as young and aged control fish. As expected, in response to MF, we revealed significant overexpression of neuron-specific genes including genes involved in synaptic activity and plasticity, neurotransmitter secretion, and neuron projection. The effect was more pronounced in female fish. In this aspect, MF alleviated age-dependent decreased expression of genes involved in neuronal activity. In both treated and untreated animals, we observed strong aging-associated overexpression of immune and inflammatory response genes. MF treatment did not prevent this effect, and moreover, some of these genes tended to be slightly upregulated under MF treatment. Additionally, we noticed upregulation of some genes associated with aging and cellular senescence, including isoforms of putative vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), protein O-GlcNAcase (OGA), protein kinase C alpha type (KPCA), prolow-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1). Noteworthy, MF treatment was also associated with the elevated transcription of transposons, which are highly abundant in the N. guentheri genome. In conclusion, MF compensates for the age-dependent downregulation of neuronal activity genes, but its effect on aging brain transcriptome still cannot be considered unambiguously positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildar R. Bakhtogarimov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.R.B.); (G.S.K.); (N.S.G.); (V.V.V.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Anna V. Kudryavtseva
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.R.B.); (G.S.K.); (N.S.G.); (V.V.V.); (A.A.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.V.K.); (Z.G.G.); Tel.: +7-(499)-135-23-91 (A.V.K. & Z.G.G.)
| | - George S. Krasnov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.R.B.); (G.S.K.); (N.S.G.); (V.V.V.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Natalya S. Gladysh
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.R.B.); (G.S.K.); (N.S.G.); (V.V.V.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Vsevolod V. Volodin
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.R.B.); (G.S.K.); (N.S.G.); (V.V.V.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Alexander A. Kudryavtsev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Elizaveta V. Bulavkina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Margarita A. Goncharova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Veronika S. Ledyaeva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Ivan S. Pastukhov
- Institute of Biotechnology and Fisheries, K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State University of Technologies and Management (the First Cossack University), 109004 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.P.); (D.L.N.-N.)
| | - Yulia S. Vershinina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Anna M. Starkova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Anastasiya V. Snezhkina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Anastasija I. Shuvalova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Vladislav S. Pavlov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.K.); (E.V.B.); (M.A.G.); (V.S.L.); (Y.S.V.); (A.M.S.); (A.V.S.); (A.I.S.); (V.S.P.)
| | - Dmitry L. Nikiforov-Nikishin
- Institute of Biotechnology and Fisheries, K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State University of Technologies and Management (the First Cossack University), 109004 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.P.); (D.L.N.-N.)
| | - Alexey A. Moskalev
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.R.B.); (G.S.K.); (N.S.G.); (V.V.V.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Zulfiya G. Guvatova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.R.B.); (G.S.K.); (N.S.G.); (V.V.V.); (A.A.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.V.K.); (Z.G.G.); Tel.: +7-(499)-135-23-91 (A.V.K. & Z.G.G.)
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Evaluation of Age-Dependent Changes in the Coloration of Male Killifish Nothobranchius Guentheri Using New Photoprocessing Methods. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11020205. [PMID: 35205071 PMCID: PMC8869725 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary This paper proposes a new methodology for evaluating fish coloration, which allows us to identify differences in the intensity of coloration of specific areas of the body. Changes in fish coloration occur during growth and under the influence of environmental factors. Male fish belonging to the family Nothobranchius are characterized by extremely diverse coloration, depending on the age of the fish, environmental factors, and social hierarchical status. As the lifespan of this genus of fish is very short (12–14 months), studies on age-dependent changes are possible. In this study, we demonstrate correlations between the coloration of particular body zones of male Nothobranchius guentheri and age using new photofixation methods and image processing software. This methodology can be applied to other fish with unique coloration patterns, for example, family Cichlidae and order Cyprinodontiformes. Abstract Fish as model objects have found wide applications in biology and fundamental medicine and allow studies of behavioral and physiological responses to various environmental factors. Representatives of the genus Nothobranchius are one of the most convenient objects for such studies. Male fish belonging to the family Nothobranchiidae are characterized by extremely diverse coloration, which constantly changes, depending on the age of the fish, environmental factors, and social hierarchical status. These fish species are characterized by a short life cycle, which allows changes in coloration, an indicator of the ontogenesis stage, to be estimated. Existing methods of fish color assessments do not allow the intensity of coloration of particular body zones to be clearly differentiated. In the present study, we suggest a method of two-factor assessment of specific fish body zones using modified methods of photofixation and image processing software. We describe the protocol of the method and the results of its application to different-aged groups of male Nothobranchius guentheri. The coloration of selected areas (i.e., red spot on the gill cover (RSGC), black border on the caudal fin (BBCF), and white border on the dorsal fin (WBDF)) differed significantly according to the size and age of the fish (p < 0.05). The data obtained suggest that N. guentheri can be a model for studying aging by the intensity of body coloration in males.
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