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Pillai L, Karandikar S, Pandya K, V M A, Singh A, Balakrishnan S. Exposure to thiourea during the early stages of development impedes the formation of the swim bladder in zebrafish larvae. J Appl Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 38888127 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Thiourea, a widely used agrochemical, is known to inhibit the activity of thyroid peroxidase, a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of thyroid hormones. Thyroid insufficiency compromises the basal metabolic rate in warm-blooded organisms and embryonic development in vertebrates. In this study, we looked for developmental defects by exposing the zebrafish embryos to an environmentally relevant dose of thiourea (3 mg/mL). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed to validate thiourea's presence in the treated zebrafish embryos. Structural anomalies like bent tail and pericardial edema were noticed in 96-h post-fertilization (hpf) larvae. On histological examination, underdeveloped swim bladder was noticed in 96 hpf larvae exposed to 3 mg/mL thiourea. The treated larvae also failed to follow the characteristic swimming behavior in response to stimuli due to defective swim bladder. Swim bladder being homologous to the lung of tetrapod, the role of Bmp4, a major regulator of lung development, was studied along with the associated regulatory genes. Gene expression analysis revealed that thiourea administration led to the downregulation of bmp4, shh, pcna, anxa5, acta2, and the downstream effector snail3 but the upregulation of caspase3. The protein expression showed a similar trend, wherein Bmp4, Shh, and Pcna were downregulated, but Cleaved Caspase3 showed an increased expression in the treated group. Therefore, it is prudent to presume that exposure to thiourea significantly reduces the expression of Bmp4 and other key regulators; hence, the larvae fail to develop a swim bladder, a vital organ that regulates buoyancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Pillai
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India
| | - Shantanu Karandikar
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India
| | - Kamya Pandya
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India
| | - Aishwarya V M
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India
| | - Anjali Singh
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India
| | - Suresh Balakrishnan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India
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2
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Chen LC, Chen HH, Chan MH. Calcium channel inhibitor and extracellular calcium improve aminoglycoside-induced hair cell loss in zebrafish. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1827-1842. [PMID: 38563869 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03720-7] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Aminoglycosides are commonly used antibiotics for treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections, however, they might act on inner ear, leading to hair-cell death and hearing loss. Currently, there is no targeted therapy for aminoglycoside ototoxicity, since the underlying mechanisms of aminoglycoside-induced hearing impairments are not fully defined. This study aimed to investigate whether the calcium channel blocker verapamil and changes in intracellular & extracellular calcium could ameliorate aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity in zebrafish. The present findings showed that a significant decreased number of neuromasts in the lateral lines of zebrafish larvae at 5 days' post fertilization after neomycin (20 μM) and gentamicin (20 mg/mL) exposure, which was prevented by verapamil. Moreover, verapamil (10-100 μM) attenuated aminoglycoside-induced toxic response in different external calcium concentrations (33-3300 μM). The increasing extracellular calcium reduced hair cell loss from aminoglycoside exposure, while lower calcium facilitated hair cell death. In contrast, calcium channel activator Bay K8644 (20 μM) enhanced aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity and reversed the protective action of higher external calcium on hair cell loss. However, neomycin-elicited hair cell death was not altered by caffeine, ryanodine receptor (RyR) agonist, and RyR antagonists, including thapsigargin, ryanodine, and ruthenium red. The uptake of neomycin into hair cells was attenuated by verapamil and under high external calcium concentration. Consistently, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuromasts exposed to neomycin was also reduced by verapamil and high external calcium. Significantly, zebrafish larvae when exposed to neomycin exhibited decreased swimming distances in reaction to droplet stimulus when compared to the control group. Verapamil and elevated external calcium effectively protected the impaired swimming ability of zebrafish larvae induced by neomycin. These data imply that prevention of hair cell damage correlated with swimming behavior against aminoglycoside ototoxicity by verapamil and higher external calcium might be associated with inhibition of excessive ROS production and aminoglycoside uptake through cation channels. These findings indicate that calcium channel blocker and higher external calcium could be applied to protect aminoglycoside-induced listening impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liao-Chen Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Hsien Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
- Animal Behavior Core, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Huan Chan
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
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3
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Ruparelia AA, Montandon M, Merriner J, Huang C, Wong SFL, Sonntag C, Hardee JP, Lynch GS, Miles LB, Siegel A, Hall TE, Schittenhelm RB, Currie PD. Atrogin-1 promotes muscle homeostasis by regulating levels of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e167578. [PMID: 38530354 PMCID: PMC11141880 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167578] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle wasting results from numerous pathological conditions affecting both the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. A unifying feature of these pathologies is the upregulation of members of the E3 ubiquitin ligase family, resulting in increased proteolytic degradation of target proteins. Despite the critical role of E3 ubiquitin ligases in regulating muscle mass, the specific proteins they target for degradation and the mechanisms by which they regulate skeletal muscle homeostasis remain ill-defined. Here, using zebrafish loss-of-function models combined with in vivo cell biology and proteomic approaches, we reveal a role of atrogin-1 in regulating the levels of the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP. Loss of atrogin-1 resulted in an accumulation of BiP, leading to impaired mitochondrial dynamics and a subsequent loss in muscle fiber integrity. We further implicated a disruption in atrogin-1-mediated BiP regulation in the pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We revealed that BiP was not only upregulated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but its inhibition using pharmacological strategies, or by upregulating atrogin-1, significantly ameliorated pathology in a zebrafish model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Collectively, our data implicate atrogin-1 and BiP in the pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and highlight atrogin-1's essential role in maintaining muscle homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avnika A. Ruparelia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, and
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margo Montandon
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jo Merriner
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cheng Huang
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Siew Fen Lisa Wong
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carmen Sonntag
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Justin P. Hardee
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gordon S. Lynch
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lee B. Miles
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ashley Siegel
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas E. Hall
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ralf B. Schittenhelm
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter D. Currie
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- EMBL Australia, Victorian Node, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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4
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Valentim AM. Behavioral Profiling of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Larvae: Activity, Anxiety, Avoidance, and Startle Response. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2753:421-446. [PMID: 38285357 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3625-1_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Apart from morphological, biochemical, and genetic alterations induced by teratogen compounds, there is an increased interest in characterizing behavioral alterations. Behavior is a sensitive parameter that can provide information regarding developmental disruptions non-invasively. Behavioral disturbances interfere with animals' capacity to cope with the environment, having an impact on the organism's life. Hereby, behavioral assays consisting of recording larvae in multi-well plates, Petri dishes, or cuvettes and video analysis using adequate software, allowing teratogen screening of behavior, are proposed. Examples of how to evaluate locomotor, anxiety-like and avoidance-like behaviors, and the integrity of sensory-motor functions and learning are discussed in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Valentim
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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5
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Karuppasamy M, English KG, Henry CA, Manzini MC, Parant JM, Wright MA, Ruparelia AA, Currie PD, Gupta VA, Dowling JJ, Maves L, Alexander MS. Standardization of zebrafish drug testing parameters for muscle diseases. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050339. [PMID: 38235578 PMCID: PMC10820820 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050339] [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: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscular diseases predominantly affect skeletal and cardiac muscle, resulting in muscle weakness, impaired respiratory function and decreased lifespan. These harmful outcomes lead to poor health-related quality of life and carry a high healthcare economic burden. The absence of promising treatments and new therapies for muscular disorders requires new methods for candidate drug identification and advancement in animal models. Consequently, the rapid screening of drug compounds in an animal model that mimics features of human muscle disease is warranted. Zebrafish are a versatile model in preclinical studies that support developmental biology and drug discovery programs for novel chemical entities and repurposing of established drugs. Due to several advantages, there is an increasing number of applications of the zebrafish model for high-throughput drug screening for human disorders and developmental studies. Consequently, standardization of key drug screening parameters, such as animal husbandry protocols, drug compound administration and outcome measures, is paramount for the continued advancement of the model and field. Here, we seek to summarize and explore critical drug treatment and drug screening parameters in the zebrafish-based modeling of human muscle diseases. Through improved standardization and harmonization of drug screening parameters and protocols, we aim to promote more effective drug discovery programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthukumar Karuppasamy
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Katherine G. English
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Clarissa A. Henry
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - M. Chiara Manzini
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey and Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - John M. Parant
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Melissa A. Wright
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Child Neurology, University of Colorado at Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Avnika A. Ruparelia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Peter D. Currie
- Centre for Muscle Research, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- EMBL Australia, Victorian Node, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Vandana A. Gupta
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James J. Dowling
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
- Program for Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Lisa Maves
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthew S. Alexander
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- UAB Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics (CNET), Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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6
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Cesário HPSDF, Silva FCO, Ferreira MKA, de Menezes JESA, Dos Santos HS, Marques da Fonseca A, Nogueira CES, Marinho MM, Marinho ES, Teixeira AMR, Silveira ER, Pessoa ODL. Anxiolytic effects of N-(4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1,2-dithiolo-[4,3,b]-pyrrole-6-yl)- N-methylformamide, a pyrroloformamide isolated from a marine Streptomyces sp., in adult zebrafish by the 5-HT system. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:445-460. [PMID: 37038661 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2193988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
General anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health problems worldwide. The emergence and development of anxiety disorders can be due to genetic (30-50%) or non-genetic (50-70%) factors. Despite medical progress, available pharmacotherapies are sometimes ineffective or can cause undesirable side effects. Thus, it becomes necessary to discover new safe and effective drugs against anxiety. This study evaluated the anxiolytic effect in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) of a natural pyrroloformamide (PFD), N-(4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1,2-dithiolo-[4,3,b]-pyrrole-6-yl)-N-methylformamide, isolated from a Streptomyces sp. bacterium strain recovered from the ascidian Eudistoma vannamei. The complete structure of PFD was determined by a detailed NMR analysis, including 1H-13C and 1H-15N-HBMC data. In addition, conformational and DFT computational studies also were performed. A group of fishes (n = 6) was treated orally with PFD (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL; 20 μL) and subjected to locomotor activity and light/dark tests, as well as, acute toxicity 96 h. The involvement of the GABAergic and serotonergic (5-HT) systems was investigated using flumazenil (a silent modulator of GABA receptor) and 5-HT1, 5-HT2A/2C and 5-HTR3A/3B receptors antagonists, known as pizotifen, granisetron and cyproheptadine, respectively. PFD was nontoxic, reduced locomotor activity and promoted the anxiolytic effect in zebrafish. Flumazenil did not inhibit the anxiolytic effect of the PFD via the GABAergic system. This effect was reduced by a pretreatment with pizotifen and granisetron, and was not reversed after treatment with cyproheptadine. Molecular docking and dynamics studies confirmed the interaction of PFD with the 5-HT receptor.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hélcio S Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Synthesis and Biocatalysis of Organic Compounds, Vale do Acaraú University, Sobral, CE, Brazil
| | - Aluísio Marques da Fonseca
- Academic Master in Sociobiodiversity and Sustainable Technologies - MASTS, Institute of Engineering and Sustainable Development, University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusofonia, Acarape, CE, Brazil
| | - Carlos Emídio S Nogueira
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
- Department of Physics, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
| | - Marcia M Marinho
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Synthesis and Biocatalysis of Organic Compounds, Vale do Acaraú University, Sobral, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Magno R Teixeira
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, Brazil
- Course of Physics, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Edilberto R Silveira
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Science Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Otília Deusdênia L Pessoa
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Science Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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7
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Xie J, Goodbourn P, Sztal T, Jusuf PR. Neural Endophenotype Assessment in Zebrafish Larvae Using Optomotor and ZebraBox Locomotion Assessment. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2746:213-224. [PMID: 38070092 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3585-8_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to the highly conserved genetics across the central nervous system, the easily probed visual system can act as an endophenotype for assessing neurological function. Here, we describe a psychophysics approach to assess visually driven swimming behavior in the high-throughput zebrafish genetic model system. We use the optomotor response test together with general locomotion behavior to assess neural processing while excluding motor defects related to muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaheng Xie
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Patrick Goodbourn
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tamar Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Patricia R Jusuf
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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8
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Rutkove SB, Callegari S, Concepcion H, Mourey T, Widrick J, Nagy JA, Nath AK. Electrical impedance myography detects age-related skeletal muscle atrophy in adult zebrafish. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7191. [PMID: 37137956 PMCID: PMC10156759 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34119-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related deficits in skeletal muscle function, termed sarcopenia, are due to loss of muscle mass and changes in the intrinsic mechanisms underlying contraction. Sarcopenia is associated with falls, functional decline, and mortality. Electrical impedance myography (EIM)-a minimally invasive, rapid electrophysiological tool-can be applied to animals and humans to monitor muscle health, thereby serving as a biomarker in both preclinical and clinical studies. EIM has been successfully employed in several species; however, the application of EIM to the assessment of zebrafish-a model organism amenable to high-throughput experimentation-has not been reported. Here, we demonstrated differences in EIM measures between the skeletal muscles of young (6 months of age) and aged (33 months of age) zebrafish. For example, EIM phase angle and reactance at 2 kHz showed significantly decreased phase angle (5.3 ± 2.1 versus 10.7 ± 1.5°; p = 0.001) and reactance (89.0 ± 3.9 versus 172.2 ± 54.8 ohms; p = 0.007) in aged versus young animals. Total muscle area, in addition to other morphometric features, was also strongly correlated to EIM 2 kHz phase angle across both groups (r = 0.7133, p = 0.01). Moreover, there was a strong correlation between 2 kHz phase angle and established metrics of zebrafish swimming performance, including turn angle, angular velocity, and lateral motion (r = 0.7253, r = 0.7308, r = 0.7857, respectively, p < 0.01 for all). In addition, the technique was shown to have high reproducibility between repeated measurements with a mean percentage difference of 5.34 ± 1.17% for phase angle. These relationships were also confirmed in a separate replication cohort. Together, these findings establish EIM as a fast, sensitive method for quantifying zebrafish muscle function and quality. Moreover, identifying the abnormalities in the bioelectrical properties of sarcopenic zebrafish provides new opportunities to evaluate potential therapeutics for age-related neuromuscular disorders and to interrogate the disease mechanisms of muscle degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Santiago Callegari
- Department of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Holly Concepcion
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Tyler Mourey
- Zebrafish Core Facility, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jeffrey Widrick
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Janice A Nagy
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Anjali K Nath
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
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9
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Terrill JR, Huchet C, Le Guiner C, Lafoux A, Caudal D, Tulangekar A, Bryson-Richardson RJ, Sztal TE, Grounds MD, Arthur PG. Muscle Pathology in Dystrophic Rats and Zebrafish Is Unresponsive to Taurine Treatment, Compared to the mdx Mouse Model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020232. [PMID: 36837851 PMCID: PMC9963000 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and oxidative stress are strongly implicated in the pathology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and the sulphur-containing amino acid taurine ameliorates both and decreases dystropathology in the mdx mouse model for DMD. We therefore further tested taurine as a therapy using dystrophic DMDmdx rats and dmd zebrafish models for DMD that have a more severe dystropathology. However, taurine treatment had little effect on the indices of dystropathology in both these models. While we and others have previously observed a deficiency in taurine in mdx mice, in the current study we show that the rat and zebrafish models had increased taurine content compared with wild-type, and taurine treatment did not increase muscle taurine levels. We therefore hypothesised that endogenous levels of taurine are a key determinate in potential taurine treatment efficacy. Because of this, we felt it important to measure taurine levels in DMD patient plasma samples and showed that in non-ambulant patients (but not in younger patients) there was a deficiency of taurine. These data suggest that taurine homeostasis varies greatly between species and may be influenced by age and disease progression. The potential for taurine to be an effective therapy may depend on such variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Terrill
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Corinne Huchet
- TaRGeT Lab, Translational Research for Gene Therapy, INSERM, UMR 1089, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, 440200 Nantes, France
| | - Caroline Le Guiner
- TaRGeT Lab, Translational Research for Gene Therapy, INSERM, UMR 1089, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, 440200 Nantes, France
| | - Aude Lafoux
- Therassay Platform, CAPACITES, Nantes Université, 44007 Nantes, France
| | - Dorian Caudal
- Therassay Platform, CAPACITES, Nantes Université, 44007 Nantes, France
| | - Ankita Tulangekar
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | | | - Tamar E. Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Miranda D. Grounds
- School of Human Sciences, the University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Peter G. Arthur
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
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10
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Khara LS, Ali DW. The endocannabinoid system's involvement in motor development relies on cannabinoid receptors, TRP channels, and Sonic Hedgehog signaling. Physiol Rep 2023; 11:e15565. [PMID: 36636759 PMCID: PMC9837476 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (eCS) plays critical roles in locomotor function and motor development; however, the roles of non-canonical cannabinoid receptor systems such as transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway in conjunction with the eCS in sensorimotor development remains enigmatic. To investigate the involvement of canonical and non-canonical cannabinoid receptors, TRP channels, and the SHH pathway in the development of sensorimotor function in zebrafish, we treated developing animals with pharmacological inhibitors of the CB1R, CB2R, TRPA1/TRPV1/TRPM8, and a smoothened (SMO) agonist, along with inhibitors of the eCS catabolic enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) during the first ~24 h of zebrafish embryogenesis. Locomotor function was examined by assessing touch-evoked escape swimming at 2 days post-fertilization. We report that FAAH inhibition had no effect on swimming while MAGL inhibition using JZL 184 reduced swimming distance and the dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor JZL 195 impaired swimming distance and mean swimming velocity. The CB1R antagonist AM 251 prevented locomotor deficits caused by eCS perturbation but the CB2R antagonist AM 630 did not. Inhibition of TRPA1/TRPV1/TRPM8 using AMG 9090 rescued the locomotor reductions caused by FAAH/MAGL inhibition, but not by MAGL inhibition alone. The SMO agonist purmorphamine attenuated the effects of JZL 184 and JZL 195 on swimming distance, but not mean velocity. Together, these findings provide one of the first investigations examining the interactions between the eCS and its non-canonical receptor systems in vertebrate motor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakhan S. Khara
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alberta EdmontonEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Declan W. Ali
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alberta EdmontonEdmontonAlbertaCanada
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of Alberta EdmontonEdmontonAlbertaCanada
- The Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of Alberta EdmontonEdmontonAlbertaCanada
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11
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Tyrkalska SD, Pedoto A, Martínez-López A, Ros-Lucas JA, Mesa-Del-Castillo P, Candel S, Mulero V. Silica crystals activate toll-like receptors and inflammasomes to promote local and systemic immune responses in zebrafish. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 138:104523. [PMID: 36055417 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104523] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Silica crystals are potent activators of the inflammasome that cause a fibrotic lung disease, called silicosis, with no effective treatment available. We report here that injection of silica crystals into the hindbrain ventricle of zebrafish embryos led to the initiation of local and systemic immune responses driven through both Toll-like receptors (TLR)- and inflammasome-dependent signaling pathways, followed by induction of pro-fibrotic markers. Genetic and pharmacological analysis revealed that the Nlrp3 inflammasome regulated silica crystal-induced inflammation and pyroptotic cell death, but not emergency myelopoiesis. In addition, Cxcl8a/Cxcr2-dependent recruitment of myeloid cells to silica crystals was required to promote emergency myelopoiesis and systemic inflammation. The zebrafish model of silicosis developed here shed light onto the molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of the immune system by silica crystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia D Tyrkalska
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Annamaria Pedoto
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Martínez-López
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A Ros-Lucas
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain; Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pablo Mesa-Del-Castillo
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Sergio Candel
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Victoriano Mulero
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Venditti M, Pedalino C, Rosello M, Fasano G, Serafini M, Revenu C, Del Bene F, Tartaglia M, Lauri A. A minimally invasive fin scratching protocol for fast genotyping and early selection of zebrafish embryos. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22597. [PMID: 36585409 PMCID: PMC9803660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26822-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Current genetic modification and phenotyping methods in teleost fish allow detailed investigation of vertebrate mechanisms of development, modeling of specific aspects of human diseases and efficient testing of drugs at an organ/organismal level in an unparalleled fast and large-scale mode. Fish-based experimental approaches have boosted the in vivo verification and implementation of scientific advances, offering the quality guaranteed by animal models that ultimately benefit human health, and are not yet fully replaceable by even the most sophisticated in vitro alternatives. Thanks to highly efficient and constantly advancing genetic engineering as well as non-invasive phenotyping methods, the small zebrafish is quickly becoming a popular alternative to large animals' experimentation. This approach is commonly associated to invasive procedures and increased burden. Here, we present a rapid and minimally invasive method to obtain sufficient genomic material from single zebrafish embryos by simple and precise tail fin scratching that can be robustly used for at least two rounds of genotyping already from embryos within 48 h of development. The described protocol betters currently available methods (such as fin clipping), by minimizing the relative animal distress associated with biopsy at later or adult stages. It allows early selection of embryos with desired genotypes for strategizing culturing or genotype-phenotype correlation experiments, resulting in a net reduction of "surplus" animals used for mutant line generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Venditti
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Catia Pedalino
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Marion Rosello
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, 75012, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Giulia Fasano
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Malo Serafini
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, 75012, Paris, France
| | - Céline Revenu
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Filippo Del Bene
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, 75012, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Lauri
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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13
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Livne H, Avital T, Ruppo S, Harazi A, Mitrani-Rosenbaum S, Daya A. Generation and characterization of a novel gne Knockout Model in Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:976111. [PMID: 36353515 PMCID: PMC9637792 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.976111] [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: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
GNE Myopathy is a rare, recessively inherited neuromuscular worldwide disorder, caused by a spectrum of bi-allelic mutations in the human GNE gene. GNE encodes a bi-functional enzyme responsible for the rate-limiting step of sialic acid biosynthesis pathway. However, the process in which GNE mutations lead to the development of a muscle pathology is not clear yet. Cellular and mouse models for GNE Myopathy established to date have not been informative. Further, additional GNE functions in muscle have been hypothesized. In these studies, we aimed to investigate gne functions using zebrafish genetic and transgenic models, and characterized them using macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular approaches. We first established transgenic zebrafish lineages expressing the human GNE cDNA carrying the M743T mutation, driven by the zebrafish gne promoter. These fish developed entirely normally. Then, we generated a gne knocked-out (KO) fish using the CRISPR/Cas9 methodology. These fish died 8–10 days post-fertilization (dpf), but a phenotype appeared less than 24 h before death and included progressive body axis curving, deflation of the swim bladder and decreasing movement and heart rate. However, muscle histology uncovered severe defects, already at 5 dpf, with compromised fiber organization. Sialic acid supplementation did not rescue the larvae from this phenotype nor prolonged their lifespan. To have deeper insights into the potential functions of gne in zebrafish, RNA sequencing was performed at 3 time points (3, 5, and 7 dpf). Genotype clustering was progressive, with only 5 genes differentially expressed in gne KO compared to gne WT siblings at 3 dpf. Enrichment analyses of the primary processes affected by the lack of gne also at 5 and 7 dpf point to the involvement of cell cycle and DNA damage/repair processes in the gne KO zebrafish. Thus, we have established a gne KO zebrafish lineage and obtained new insights into gne functions. This is the only model where GNE can be related to clear muscle defects, thus the only animal model relevant to GNE Myopathy to date. Further elucidation of gne precise mechanism-of-action in these processes could be relevant to GNE Myopathy and allow the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagay Livne
- Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Michmoret, Israel
- Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Medical Center, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tom Avital
- Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Michmoret, Israel
| | - Shmuel Ruppo
- Info-CORE, Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Avi Harazi
- Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Michmoret, Israel
- Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Medical Center, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Stella Mitrani-Rosenbaum
- Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Medical Center, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alon Daya
- Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Michmoret, Israel
- *Correspondence: Alon Daya,
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14
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Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Coptis chinensis Franch: Focus on Coptisine as a Potential Therapeutic Candidate against Gastric Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810330. [PMID: 36142236 PMCID: PMC9499618 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) has high incidence rates and constitutes a common cause of cancer mortality. Despite advances in treatment, GC remains a challenge in cancer therapy which is why novel treatment strategies are needed. The interest in natural compounds has increased significantly in recent years because of their numerous biological activities, including anti-cancer action. The isolation of the bioactive compounds from Coptis chinensis Franch was carried out with the Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) technique, using a biphasic solvent system composed of chloroform (CHCl3)—methanol (MeOH)—water (H2O) (4:3:3, v/v) with an addition of hydrochloric acid and trietylamine. The identity of the isolated alkaloids was confirmed using a high resolution HPLC-MS chromatograph. The phytochemical constituents of Coptis chinensis such as berberine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine and coptisine significantly inhibited the viability and growth of gastric cancer cell lines ACC-201 and NCI-N87 in a dose-dependent manner, with coptisine showing the highest efficacy as revealed using MTT and BrdU assays, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed the coptisine-induced population of gastric cancer cells in sub-G1 phase and apoptosis. The combination of coptisine with cisplatin at the fixed-ratio of 1:1 exerted synergistic and additive interactions in ACC-201 and NCI-N87, respectively, as determined by means of isobolographic analysis. In in vivo assay, coptisine was safe for developing zebrafish at the dose equivalent to the highest dose active in vitro, but higher doses (greater than 10 times) caused morphological abnormalities in larvae. Our findings provide a theoretical foundation to further studies on more detailed mechanisms of the bioactive compounds from Coptis chinensis Franch anti-cancer action that inhibit GC cell survival in in vitro settings.
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15
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Jin B, Xie L, Zhan D, Zhou L, Feng Z, He J, Qin J, Zhao C, Luo L, Li L. Nrf2 dictates the neuronal survival and differentiation of embryonic zebrafish harboring compromised alanyl-tRNA synthetase. Development 2022; 149:276217. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
tRNA synthetase deficiency leads to unfolded protein responses in neuronal disorders; however, its function in embryonic neurogenesis remains unclear. This study identified an aars1cq71/cq71 mutant zebrafish allele that showed increased neuronal apoptosis and compromised neurogenesis. aars1 transcripts were highly expressed in primary neural progenitor cells, and their aberration resulted in protein overloading and activated Perk. nfe2l2b, a paralog of mammalian Nfe2l2, which encodes Nrf2, is a pivotal executor of Perk signaling that regulates neuronal phenotypes in aars1cq71/cq71 mutants. Interference of nfe2l2b in nfe2l2bΔ1/Δ1 mutants did not affect global larval development. However, aars1cq71/cq71;nfe2l2bΔ1/Δ1 mutant embryos exhibited increased neuronal cell survival and neurogenesis compared with their aars1cq71/cq71 siblings. nfe2l2b was harnessed by Perk at two levels. Its transcript was regulated by Chop, an implementer of Perk. It was also phosphorylated by Perk. Both pathways synergistically assured the nuclear functions of nfe2l2b to control cell survival by targeting p53. Our study extends the understanding of tRNA synthetase in neurogenesis and implies that Nrf2 is a cue to mitigate neurodegenerative pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Jin
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715 , China
| | - Liqin Xie
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715 , China
| | - Dan Zhan
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715 , China
| | - Luping Zhou
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715 , China
| | - Zhi Feng
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715 , China
| | - Jiangyong He
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715 , China
| | - Jie Qin
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715 , China
| | - Congjian Zhao
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, School of Biomedical Engineering and informatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications 2 , Chongqing 40065 , China
| | - Lingfei Luo
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715 , China
| | - Li Li
- Research Center of Stem Cells and Ageing, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Chongqing 400714 , China
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16
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Battistoni M, Bacchetta R, Di Renzo F, Metruccio F, Moretto A, Menegola E. Modified Xenopus laevis approach (R-FETAX) as an alternative test for the evaluation of foetal valproate spectrum disorder. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 107:140-149. [PMID: 34923091 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In compliance to animal welfare 3Rs principle there is a great demand for refined tests alternative to classical mammal teratogenicity tests. We propose a refined alternative amphibian method (R-FETAX) to evaluate chemical induced embryotoxicity. The human foetal valproate spectrum disorder (FVSD) characteristics are morphological defects (including cranio-facial, neural tube defects) and behavioural alterations due to valproate (VPA) exposure in pregnancy. Vertebrate assays to evaluate FVSD include classical and alternative mammal (implying adult sacrifice), and non-mammal developmental models (zebrafish, amphibians, chick). Among these latter only zebrafish assays report in the same test both morphological and behavioural examinations. Compared to zebrafish, the amphibian Xenopus laevis excels having a more comparable organ development and morphology to mammalian systems. We used X. laevis embryos exposed during developmental specific windows to VPA therapeutic concentrations. Different VPA effects were observed depending on the exposure window: concentration-related embryo-lethal and teratogenic effects (neural tube, facial, tail defects) were observed in groups exposed at the organogenetic phylotypic stages. Neurobehavioral deficits were described using a functional swimming test at the highest VPA concentration exposure during the phylotypic stages and at any concentration during neurocognitive competent stages. Malformations were compared to those obtained in a mammalian assay (the rat post-implantation whole embryo culture method, WEC), that we used in the past to evaluate VPA teratogenicity. R-FETAX and WEC data were modelled and their relative sensitivity was calculated. We suggest the amphibian R-FETAX as a refined windowed alternative test for the evaluation of chemicals inducing both morphological and behavioural anomalies, including VPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Battistoni
- Università Degli Studi di Milano, Department of Physics Aldo Pontremoli, via Celoria, 16-20133, Milan, Italy; Università Degli Studi di Milano, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, via Celoria, 26-20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Renato Bacchetta
- Università Degli Studi di Milano, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, via Celoria, 26-20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Di Renzo
- Università Degli Studi di Milano, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, via Celoria, 26-20133, Milan, Italy.
| | | | - Angelo Moretto
- Università Degli Studi di Milano, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco", via GB Grassi, 74- 20159, Milan, Italy.
| | - Elena Menegola
- Università Degli Studi di Milano, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, via Celoria, 26-20133, Milan, Italy.
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17
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Serrano RJ, Lee C, Douek AM, Kaslin J, Bryson-Richardson RJ, Sztal TE. Novel pre-clinical model for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Dis Model Mech 2021; 15:273746. [PMID: 34913468 PMCID: PMC8922025 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like-5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe X-linked neurodegenerative disease characterised by early-onset epileptic seizures, low muscle tone, progressive intellectual disability and severe motor function. CDD affects ∼1 in 60,000 live births, with many patients experiencing a reduced quality of life due to the severity of their neurological symptoms and functional impairment. There are no effective therapies for CDD, with current treatments focusing on improving symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of the disorder. Zebrafish offer many unique advantages for high-throughput preclinical evaluation of potential therapies for neurological diseases, including CDD. In particular, the large number of offspring produced, together with the possibilities for in vivo imaging and genetic manipulation, allows for the detailed assessment of disease pathogenesis and therapeutic discovery. We have characterised a loss-of-function zebrafish model for CDD, containing a nonsense mutation in cdkl5. cdkl5 mutant zebrafish display defects in neuronal patterning, seizures, microcephaly, and reduced muscle function caused by impaired muscle innervation. This study provides a powerful vertebrate model for investigating CDD disease pathophysiology and allowing high-throughput screening for effective therapies. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Characterisation of a novel loss-of-function zebrafish model for CDKL5 deficiency disorder, containing a nonsense mutation, demonstrates its utility for investigating disease aetiology and allowing high-throughput screening for potentially effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita J Serrano
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Clara Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alon M Douek
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Tamar E Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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18
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Ryu B, Je JG, Jeon YJ, Yang HW. Zebrafish Model for Studying Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy and Preventive Effect of Maca ( Lepidium meyenii). Cells 2021; 10:cells10112879. [PMID: 34831102 PMCID: PMC8616435 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of myofibers during muscle atrophy affects functional capacity and quality of life. Dexamethasone, an inducer of rapid atrophy of skeletal myofibers, has been studied as a glucocorticoid receptor in muscle atrophy or motor neurodegeneration. In this study, we examined dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy using zebrafish (Danio rerio), a vertebrate model, and assessed whether administration of Lepidium meyenii (maca) as a dietary supplement can prevent muscle atrophy. Changes in skeletal myofibers in zebrafish were evaluated after exposure to dexamethasone for different periods and at different concentrations. Under optimized conditions, zebrafish pre-fed with maca for 3 days were exposed to 0.01% dexamethasone for 1 h/day for 7 days. Thereafter, myofiber loss, damaged muscle contractile proteins, and abnormal exploratory behavior due to the structural and functional impairment of skeletal muscle associated with muscle atrophy were investigated using hematoxylin-eosin, immunofluorescence staining, and behavioral analyses. Our findings suggest that dexamethasone induces muscle atrophy in zebrafish, inhibiting exploratory behavior by inducing myofiber loss, inhibiting muscle contraction, and causing changes in endurance and velocity. Thus, the zebrafish model can be used to screen pharmaceutical agents and to study muscle atrophy. Furthermore, maca is a potential dietary supplement to prevent muscle atrophy, as it protects muscle fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bomi Ryu
- Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (B.R.); (J.-G.J.)
- Healthy Seafood Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
| | - Jun-Geon Je
- Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (B.R.); (J.-G.J.)
| | - You-Jin Jeon
- Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (B.R.); (J.-G.J.)
- Healthy Seafood Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
- Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63333, Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.-J.J.); (H.-W.Y.); Tel.: +82-64-754-3475 (Y.-J.J.)
| | - Hye-Won Yang
- Department of Marine Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (B.R.); (J.-G.J.)
- Correspondence: (Y.-J.J.); (H.-W.Y.); Tel.: +82-64-754-3475 (Y.-J.J.)
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19
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Pucci G, Forte GI, Cavalieri V. Evaluation of Epigenetic and Radiomodifying Effects during Radiotherapy Treatments in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169053. [PMID: 34445758 PMCID: PMC8396651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is still a long way from personalizing cancer treatment plans, and its effectiveness depends on the radiosensitivity of tumor cells. Indeed, therapies that are efficient and successful for some patients may be relatively ineffective for others. Based on this, radiobiological research is focusing on the ability of some reagents to make cancer cells more responsive to ionizing radiation, as well as to protect the surrounding healthy tissues from possible side effects. In this scenario, zebrafish emerged as an effective model system to test for radiation modifiers that can potentially be used for radiotherapeutic purposes in humans. The adoption of this experimental organism is fully justified and supported by the high similarity between fish and humans in both their genome sequences and the effects provoked in them by ionizing radiation. This review aims to provide the literature state of the art of zebrafish in vivo model for radiobiological studies, particularly focusing on the epigenetic and radiomodifying effects produced during fish embryos’ and larvae’s exposure to radiotherapy treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Pucci
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STeBiCeF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giusi Irma Forte
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council, 90015 Cefalù, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.I.F.); (V.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Cavalieri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STeBiCeF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
- Zebrafish Laboratory, Advanced Technologies Network (ATeN) Center, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.I.F.); (V.C.)
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20
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Chen W, Xie L, Yu F, Li Y, Chen C, Xie W, Huang T, Zhang Y, Zhang S, Li P. Zebrafish as a Model for In-Depth Mechanistic Study for Stroke. Transl Stroke Res 2021; 12:695-710. [PMID: 34050491 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-021-00907-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the world's leading causes of death and disability, posing enormous burden to the society. However, the pathogenesis and mechanisms that underlie brain injury and brain repair remain largely unknown. There's an unmet need of in-depth mechanistic research in this field. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful tool in brain science research mainly due to its small size and transparent body, high genome synteny with human, and similar nervous system structures. It can be used to establish both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke models easily and effectively through different ways. After the establishment of stroke model, research methods including behavioral test, in vivo imaging, and drug screening are available to explore mechanisms that underlie the brain injury and brain repair after stroke. This review focuses on the advantages and the feasibility of zebrafish stroke model, and will also introduce the key methods available for stroke studies in zebrafish, which may drive future mechanistic studies in the pursuit of discovering novel therapeutic targets for stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Lv Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Fang Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Wanqing Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Tingting Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yueman Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Song Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Peiying Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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21
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Zebrafish as a Model for the Study of Lipid-Lowering Drug-Induced Myopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115654. [PMID: 34073503 PMCID: PMC8198905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced myopathies are classified as acquired myopathies caused by exogenous factors. These pathological conditions develop in patients without muscle disease and are triggered by a variety of medicaments, including lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs) such as statins, fibrates, and ezetimibe. Here we summarise the current knowledge gained via studies conducted using various models, such as cell lines and mammalian models, and compare them with the results obtained in zebrafish (Danio rerio) studies. Zebrafish have proven to be an excellent research tool for studying dyslipidaemias as a model of these pathological conditions. This system enables in-vivo characterization of drug and gene candidates to further the understanding of disease aetiology and develop new therapeutic strategies. Our review also considers important environmental issues arising from the indiscriminate use of LLDs worldwide. The widespread use and importance of drugs such as statins and fibrates justify the need for the meticulous study of their mechanism of action and the side effects they cause.
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22
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Xie J, Jusuf PR, Bui BV, Dudczig S, Sztal TE, Goodbourn PT. Altered Visual Function in a Larval Zebrafish Knockout of Neurodevelopmental Risk Gene pdzk1. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:29. [PMID: 33749720 PMCID: PMC7991922 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.3.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The human PDZK1 gene is located in a genomic susceptibility region for neurodevelopmental disorders. A genome-wide association study identified links between PDZK1 polymorphisms and altered visual contrast sensitivity, an endophenotype for schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. The PDZK1 protein is implicated in neurological functioning, interacting with synaptic molecules including postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95), N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRFR1), and serotonin 2A receptors. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the role of PDZK1. Methods We generated pdzk1-knockout (pdzk1-KO) zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas-9 genome editing. Visual function of 7-day-old fish was assessed at behavioral and functional levels using the optomotor response and scotopic electroretinogram (ERG). We also quantified retinal morphology and densities of PSD-95, NMDAR1, CRFR1, and serotonin in the synaptic inner plexiform layer at 7 days, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks of age. Standard RT-PCR and nonsense-mediated decay interference treatment were also performed to assess genetic compensation in mutants. Results Relative to wild-type, pdzk1-KO larvae showed spatial frequency tuning functions with increased amplitude (likely due to abnormal gain control) and reduced ERG b-waves (suggestive of inner retinal dysfunction). No synaptic phenotypes, but possible morphological retinal phenotypes, were identified. We confirmed that the absence of major histological phenotypes was not attributable to genetic compensatory mechanisms. Conclusions Our findings point to a role for pdzk1 in zebrafish visual function, and our model system provides a platform for investigating other genes associated with abnormal visual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaheng Xie
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patricia R Jusuf
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bang V Bui
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stefanie Dudczig
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tamar E Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick T Goodbourn
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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23
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Pullaguri N, Grover P, Abhishek S, Rajakumara E, Bhargava Y, Bhargava A. Triclosan affects motor function in zebrafish larva by inhibiting ache and syn2a genes. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 266:128930. [PMID: 33223207 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of triclosan in personal care products as an antimicrobial agent is leading to its alarming tissue-bioaccumulation including human brain. However, knowledge of its potential effects on the vertebrate nervous system is still limited. Here, we hypothesized that sublethal triclosan concentrations are potent enough to alter motor neuron structure and function in zebrafish embryos exposed for prolonged duration. In this study, zebrafish embryos were used as vertebrate-animal model. Prolonged exposure (up to 4 days) of 0.6 mg/L (LC50, 96 h) and 0.3 mg/L (<LC50, Sublethal) triclosan produced aberrations in motor neuron innervations in skeletal muscles and reduced touch-evoked escape response in zebrafish larvae. This suggests motor dysfunction in treated embryos. To further explore the mechanisms of triclosan induced neurotoxicity, we determined the enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the expression of acetylcholinesterase (ache), myelin basic protein (mbp) and synapsin IIa (syn2a) genes which play an important role in the neural development and synaptic transmission. The ache and syn2a genes were down-regulated in triclosan treated larvae without any significant changes in mbp gene expression. At functional level, we observed a decrease in the AChE activity. Furthermore, docking results showed that triclosan can form a stable interaction with binding pocket of AChE and perhaps it can compete with natural acetylcholine for direct binding to AChE thereby inhibiting it and affecting cholinergic transmission. Therefore, triclosan can be regarded as a neurotoxic agent even at sublethal concentrations. Overall, the growing toxicological evidence against triclosan including ours suggest caution in its widespread use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narasimha Pullaguri
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Poonam Grover
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Suman Abhishek
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Eerappa Rajakumara
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Yogesh Bhargava
- Molecular Engineering and Imaging Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Dr Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, MP, 470003, India
| | - Anamika Bhargava
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India.
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24
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Farr GH, Morris M, Gomez A, Pham T, Kilroy E, Parker EU, Said S, Henry C, Maves L. A novel chemical-combination screen in zebrafish identifies epigenetic small molecule candidates for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Skelet Muscle 2020; 10:29. [PMID: 33059738 PMCID: PMC7559456 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-020-00251-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe neuromuscular disorder and is one of the most common muscular dystrophies. There are currently few effective therapies to treat the disease, although many small-molecule approaches are being pursued. Certain histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been shown to ameliorate DMD phenotypes in mouse and zebrafish animal models. The HDACi givinostat has shown promise for DMD in clinical trials. However, beyond a small group of HDACi, other classes of epigenetic small molecules have not been broadly and systematically studied for their benefits for DMD. Methods We used an established animal model for DMD, the zebrafish dmd mutant strain sapje. A commercially available library of epigenetic small molecules was used to treat embryonic-larval stages of dmd mutant zebrafish. We used a quantitative muscle birefringence assay in order to assess and compare the effects of small-molecule treatments on dmd mutant zebrafish skeletal muscle structure. Results We performed a novel chemical-combination screen of a library of epigenetic compounds using the zebrafish dmd model. We identified candidate pools of epigenetic compounds that improve skeletal muscle structure in dmd mutant zebrafish. We then identified a specific combination of two HDACi compounds, oxamflatin and salermide, that ameliorated dmd mutant zebrafish skeletal muscle degeneration. We validated the effects of oxamflatin and salermide on dmd mutant zebrafish in an independent laboratory. Furthermore, we showed that the combination of oxamflatin and salermide caused increased levels of histone H4 acetylation in zebrafish larvae. Conclusions Our results provide novel, effective methods for performing a combination of small-molecule screen in zebrafish. Our results also add to the growing evidence that epigenetic small molecules may be promising candidates for treating DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gist H Farr
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Melanie Morris
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Medical Student Research Training Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Arianna Gomez
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease Program, Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thao Pham
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease Program, Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elisabeth Kilroy
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Elizabeth U Parker
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Medical Student Research Training Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shery Said
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Clarissa Henry
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Lisa Maves
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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25
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PGAP3 Associated with Hyperphosphatasia with Mental Retardation Plays a Novel Role in Brain Morphogenesis and Neuronal Wiring at Early Development. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081782. [PMID: 32726939 PMCID: PMC7569840 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recessive mutations in Post-GPI attachment to proteins 3 (PGAP3) cause the rare neurological disorder hyperphosphatasia with mental retardation syndrome 4 type (HPMRS4). Here, we report a novel homozygous nonsense mutation in PGAP3 (c.265C>T-p.Gln89*), in a 3-year-old boy with unique novel clinical features. These include decreased intrauterine fetal movements, dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, olfactory bulb agenesis, dysmorphic features, cleft palate, left ear constriction, global developmental delay, and hypotonia. The zebrafish functional modeling of PGAP3 loss resulted in HPMRS4-like features, including structural brain abnormalities, dysmorphic cranial and facial features, hypotonia, and seizure-like behavior. Remarkably, morphants displayed defective neural tube formation during the early stages of nervous system development, affecting brain morphogenesis. The significant aberrant midbrain and hindbrain formation demonstrated by separation of the left and right tectal ventricles, defects in the cerebellar corpus, and caudal hindbrain formation disrupted oligodendrocytes expression leading to shorter motor neurons axons. Assessment of zebrafish neuromuscular responses revealed epileptic-like movements at early development, followed by seizure-like behavior, loss of touch response, and hypotonia, mimicking the clinical phenotype human patients. Altogether, we report a novel pathogenic PGAP3 variant associated with unique phenotypic hallmarks, which may be related to the gene's novel role in brain morphogenesis and neuronal wiring.
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26
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Lokapally A, Neuhaus H, Herfurth J, Hollemann T. Interplay of TRIM2 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase and ALIX/ESCRT Complex: Control of Developmental Plasticity During Early Neurogenesis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071734. [PMID: 32698497 PMCID: PMC7409263 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tripartite motif 2 (TRIM2) drives neurite outgrowth and polarization, is involved in axon specification, and confers neuroprotective functions during rapid ischemia. The mechanisms controlling neuronal cell fate determination and differentiation are fundamental for neural development. Here, we show that in Xenopus, trim2 knockdown affects primary neurogenesis and neural progenitor cell survival. Embryos also suffer from severe craniofacial malformation, a reduction in brain volume, and the loss of motor sensory function. Using a high-throughput LC-MS/MS approach with GST-Trim2 as bait, we pulled down ALG-2 interacting protein X (Alix) from Xenopus embryonic lysates. We demonstrate that the expression of trim2/TRIM2 and alix/ALIX overlap during larval development and on a cellular level in cell culture. Interestingly, trim2 morphants showed a clustering and apoptosis of neural progenitors, which are phenotypic hallmarks that are also observed in Alix KO mice. Therefore, we propose that the interaction of Alix and Trim2 plays a key role in the determination and differentiation of neural progenitors via the modulation of cell proliferation/apoptosis during neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Lokapally
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114 Halle, Germany; (A.L.); (H.N.); (J.H.)
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Herbert Neuhaus
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114 Halle, Germany; (A.L.); (H.N.); (J.H.)
| | - Juliane Herfurth
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114 Halle, Germany; (A.L.); (H.N.); (J.H.)
| | - Thomas Hollemann
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114 Halle, Germany; (A.L.); (H.N.); (J.H.)
- Correspondence:
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27
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Waterborne Exposure of Paclobutrazol at Environmental Relevant Concentration Induce Locomotion Hyperactivity in Larvae and Anxiolytic Exploratory Behavior in Adult Zebrafish. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17134632. [PMID: 32605096 PMCID: PMC7369995 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The available arable land is unable to fulfill the food production need of rapidly the exponentially growing human population in the world. Pesticides are one of those different measures taken to meet this demand. As a plant growth regulator to block gibberellin, paclobutrazol (PBZ) is used excessively throughout the world to promote early fruit setting, and to increase seed setting which might be harmful because PBZ is a very stable compound; therefore, it can bioaccumulate into the food chain of an ecosystem. In the present study, we discovered unexpected effects of PBZ on zebrafish larvae and adult behaviors by challenging them with low dose exposure. Zebrafish larvae aged 4 days post-fertilization (dpf) were exposed for 24 h at 10 µg/L (0.01 ppm) and 100 µg/L (0.1 ppm) of PBZ, respectively, and adults were incubated at 100 µg/L (0.1 ppm) and 1000 µg/L (1 ppm) concentrations of PBZ, respectively, for fourteen days. After incubation, the locomotor activity, burst, and rotation movement for the larvae; and multiple behavioral tests such as novel tank exploration, mirror biting, shoaling, predator avoidance, and social interaction for adult zebrafish were evaluated. Brain tissues of the adult fish were dissected and subjected to biochemical analyses of the antioxidant response, oxidative stress, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and neurotransmitter levels. Zebrafish larvae exposed to PBZ exhibited locomotion hyperactivity with a high burst movement and swimming pattern. In adult zebrafish, PBZ resulted in anxiolytic exploratory behavior, while no significant results were found in social interaction, shoal making, and predator avoidance behaviors. Interestingly, high dose PBZ exposure significantly compromised the innate aggressive behavior of the adult fish. Biochemical assays for oxidative stress, antioxidant response, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed significant reductions in their relative contents. In conclusion, for the first time, our behavior assays revealed that chronic PBZ exposure induced behavioral alterations in both larvae and the adult zebrafish. Because PBZ is a widely-used plant growth regulator, we suggest that it is necessary to conduct more thorough tests for its biosafety and bioaccumulation.
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28
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Gawel K, Turski WA, van der Ent W, Mathai BJ, Kirstein-Smardzewska KJ, Simonsen A, Esguerra CV. Phenotypic Characterization of Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio) with Partial Knockdown of the cacna1a Gene. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 57:1904-1916. [PMID: 31875924 PMCID: PMC7118054 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01860-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The CACNA1A gene encodes the pore-forming α1 subunit of voltage-gated P/Q type Ca2+ channels (Cav2.1). Mutations in this gene, among others, have been described in patients and rodents suffering from absence seizures and episodic ataxia type 2 with/without concomitant seizures. In this study, we aimed for the first time to assess phenotypic and behavioral alterations in larval zebrafish with partial cacna1aa knockdown, placing special emphasis on changes in epileptiform-like electrographic discharges in larval brains. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis revealed expression of cacna1aa in the optic tectum and medulla oblongata of larval zebrafish at 4 and 5 days post-fertilization. Next, microinjection of two antisense morpholino oligomers (individually or in combination) targeting all splice variants of cacna1aa into fertilized zebrafish eggs resulted in dose-dependent mortality and decreased or absent touch response. Over 90% knockdown of cacna1aa on protein level induced epileptiform-like discharges in the optic tectum of larval zebrafish brains. Incubation of morphants with antiseizure drugs (sodium valproate, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, topiramate) significantly decreased the number and, in some cases, cumulative duration of epileptiform-like discharges. In this context, sodium valproate seemed to be the least effective. Carbamazepine did not affect the number and duration of epileptiform-like discharges. Altogether, our data indicate that cacna1aa loss-of-function zebrafish may be considered a new model of absence epilepsy and may prove useful both for the investigation of Cacna1a-mediated epileptogenesis and for in vivo drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Gawel
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego St. 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar A Turski
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego St. 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
| | - Wietske van der Ent
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Benan J Mathai
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 1112 Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karolina J Kirstein-Smardzewska
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Simonsen
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 1112 Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camila V Esguerra
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349, Oslo, Norway. .,School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Sem Sælandsvei 24, 0371, Oslo, Norway.
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29
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Parolini M, Ghilardi A, De Felice B, Del Giacco L. Environmental concentration of fluoxetine disturbs larvae behavior and increases the defense response at molecular level in zebrafish (Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:34943-34952. [PMID: 31659707 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06619-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluoxetine (FLX) is one of the main antidepressants used worldwide. After human use, FLX enters the aquatic ecosystems, where it has commonly detected in the high ng/L concentration range. Several investigations have shown that exposure to different concentrations of FLX caused different adverse effects towards a number of aquatic species. However, the information on the onset and the relationship between molecular and behavioral FLX-induced effects remains scant. The aim of this study was to assess the effects induced by two FLX concentrations, namely 50 ng/L and 500 ng/L, on swimming activity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae at 96-h post-fertilization (hpf) and to investigate if such behavioral effects were related to modulation of the expression of oxidative stress-related (sod1, sod2, cat, gpxa, and gst), stress- and anxiety-related (oxtl, prl2, npy, and ucn3l) genes, and genes encoding for the transporters of the main neurotransmitters (slc6a3, slc6a4a, slc6a4b, slc6a11). Fluoxetine exposure altered the swimming behavior of larvae, as shown by the reduction of the distance traveled by treated larvae in response to an external stimulus. Such behavioral change was related, at molecular level, to an enhanced expression of sod1, cat, and gpxa, suggesting an overproduction of pro-oxidant molecules. In addition, FLX modulated the expression of oxtl, slc6a4a, slc6a4b, and slc6a11, suggesting its capability to affect anxiety- and neurotransmitter-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice De Felice
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
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30
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Xie J, Goodbourn PT, Bui BV, Sztal TE, Jusuf PR. Correspondence Between Behavioral, Physiological, and Anatomical Measurements of Visual Function in Inhibitory Neuron–Ablated Zebrafish. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 60:4681-4690. [DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaheng Xie
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick T. Goodbourn
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bang V. Bui
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tamar E. Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patricia R. Jusuf
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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31
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Modulation of Agrin and RhoA Pathways Ameliorates Movement Defects and Synapse Morphology in MYO9A-Depleted Zebrafish. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080848. [PMID: 31394789 PMCID: PMC6721702 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of rare, inherited disorders characterised by impaired function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). This is due to defects in one of the many proteins associated with the NMJ. In three patients with CMS, missense mutations in a gene encoding an unconventional myosin protein, MYO9A, were identified as likely causing their disorder. Preliminary studies revealed a potential involvement of the RhoA/ROCK pathway and of a key NMJ protein, agrin, in the pathophysiology of MYO9A-depletion. In this study, a CRISPR/Cas9 approach was used to generate genetic mutants of MYO9A zebrafish orthologues, myo9aa/ab, to expand and refine the morphological analysis of the NMJ. Injection of NT1654, a synthetic agrin fragment compound, improved NMJ structure and zebrafish movement in the absence of Myo9aa/ab. In addition, treatment of zebrafish with fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, also provided improvements to the morphology of NMJs in early development, as well as rescuing movement defects, but not to the same extent as NT1654 and not at later time points. Therefore, this study highlights a role for MYO9A at the NMJ, the first unconventional myosin motor protein associated with a neuromuscular disease, and provides a potential mechanism of action of MYO9A-pathophysiology.
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32
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Bercier V, Hubbard JM, Fidelin K, Duroure K, Auer TO, Revenu C, Wyart C, Del Bene F. Dynactin1 depletion leads to neuromuscular synapse instability and functional abnormalities. Mol Neurodegener 2019; 14:27. [PMID: 31291987 PMCID: PMC6617949 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-019-0327-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dynactin subunit 1 is the largest subunit of the dynactin complex, an activator of the molecular motor protein complex dynein. Reduced levels of DCTN1 mRNA and protein have been found in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, and mutations have been associated with disease, but the role of this protein in disease pathogenesis is still unknown. METHODS We characterized a Dynactin1a depletion model in the zebrafish embryo and combined in vivo molecular analysis of primary motor neuron development with live in vivo axonal transport assays in single cells to investigate ALS-related defects. To probe neuromuscular junction (NMJ) function and organization we performed paired motor neuron-muscle electrophysiological recordings and GCaMP calcium imaging in live, intact larvae, and the synapse structure was investigated by electron microscopy. RESULTS Here we show that Dynactin1a depletion is sufficient to induce defects in the development of spinal cord motor neurons and in the function of the NMJ. We observe synapse instability, impaired growth of primary motor neurons, and higher failure rates of action potentials at the NMJ. In addition, the embryos display locomotion defects consistent with NMJ dysfunction. Rescue of the observed phenotype by overexpression of wild-type human DCTN1-GFP indicates a cell-autonomous mechanism. Synaptic accumulation of DCTN1-GFP, as well as ultrastructural analysis of NMJ synapses exhibiting wider synaptic clefts, support a local role for Dynactin1a in synaptic function. Furthermore, live in vivo analysis of axonal transport and cytoskeleton dynamics in primary motor neurons show that the phenotype reported here is independent of modulation of these processes. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals a novel role for Dynactin1 in ALS pathogenesis, where it acts cell-autonomously to promote motor neuron synapse stability independently of dynein-mediated axonal transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Bercier
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, Sorbonne Université, F-75005 Paris, France
- Present Address: VIB-KU Leuven, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeffrey M. Hubbard
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, ICM, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Kevin Fidelin
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, ICM, F-75013 Paris, France
- Present Address: Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Karine Duroure
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, Sorbonne Université, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Thomas O. Auer
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, Sorbonne Université, F-75005 Paris, France
- Present Address: Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Céline Revenu
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, Sorbonne Université, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Claire Wyart
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, ICM, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Filippo Del Bene
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, Sorbonne Université, F-75005 Paris, France
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33
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O'Connor E, Phan V, Cordts I, Cairns G, Hettwer S, Cox D, Lochmüller H, Roos A. MYO9A deficiency in motor neurons is associated with reduced neuromuscular agrin secretion. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:1434-1446. [PMID: 29462312 PMCID: PMC5991207 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of rare, inherited disorders characterized by compromised function of the neuromuscular junction, manifesting with fatigable muscle weakness. Mutations in MYO9A were previously identified as causative for CMS but the precise pathomechanism remained to be characterized. On the basis of the role of MYO9A as an actin-based molecular motor and as a negative regulator of RhoA, we hypothesized that loss of MYO9A may affect the neuronal cytoskeleton, leading to impaired intracellular transport. To investigate this, we used MYO9A-depleted NSC-34 cells (mouse motor neuron-derived cells), revealing altered expression of a number of cytoskeletal proteins important for neuron structure and intracellular transport. On the basis of these findings, the effect on protein transport was determined using a vesicular recycling assay which revealed impaired recycling of a neuronal growth factor receptor. In addition, an unbiased approach utilizing proteomic profiling of the secretome revealed a key role for defective intracellular transport affecting proper protein secretion in the pathophysiology of MYO9A-related CMS. This also led to the identification of agrin as being affected by the defective transport. Zebrafish with reduced MYO9A orthologue expression were treated with an artificial agrin compound, ameliorating defects in neurite extension and improving motility. In summary, loss of MYO9A affects the neuronal cytoskeleton and leads to impaired transport of proteins, including agrin, which may provide a new and unexpected treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily O'Connor
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Vietxuan Phan
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS e.V, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Isabell Cordts
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - George Cairns
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | | | - Daniel Cox
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Andreas Roos
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK.,Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS e.V, Dortmund 44227, Germany
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34
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Serafini PR, Feyder MJ, Hightower RM, Garcia-Perez D, Vieira NM, Lek A, Gibbs DE, Moukha-Chafiq O, Augelli-Szafran CE, Kawahara G, Widrick JJ, Kunkel LM, Alexander MS. A limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2I model of muscular dystrophy identifies corrective drug compounds for dystroglycanopathies. JCI Insight 2018; 3:120493. [PMID: 30232282 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.120493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are a powerful tool for studying muscle function owing to their high numbers of offspring, low maintenance costs, evolutionarily conserved muscle functions, and the ability to rapidly take up small molecular compounds during early larval stages. Fukutin-related protein (FKRP) is a putative protein glycosyltransferase that functions in the Golgi apparatus to modify sugar chain molecules of newly translated proteins. Patients with mutations in the FKRP gene can have a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms with varying muscle, eye, and brain pathologies depending on the location of the mutation in the FKRP protein. Patients with a common L276I FKRP mutation have mild adult-onset muscle degeneration known as limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2I (LGMD2I), whereas patients with more C-terminal pathogenic mutations develop the severe Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS)/muscle-eye-brain (MEB) disease. We generated fkrp-mutant zebrafish that phenocopy WWS/MEB pathologies including severe muscle breakdowns, head malformations, and early lethality. We have also generated a milder LGMD2I-model zebrafish via overexpression of a heat shock-inducible human FKRP (L276I) transgene that shows milder muscle pathology. Screening of an FDA-approved drug compound library in the LGMD2I zebrafish revealed a strong propensity towards steroids, antibacterials, and calcium regulators in ameliorating FKRP-dependent pathologies. Together, these studies demonstrate the utility of the zebrafish to both study human-specific FKRP mutations and perform compound library screenings for corrective drug compounds to treat muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R Serafini
- Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael J Feyder
- Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rylie M Hightower
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,UAB Center for Exercise Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Daniela Garcia-Perez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Natássia M Vieira
- Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angela Lek
- Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Devin E Gibbs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Genri Kawahara
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jeffrey J Widrick
- Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Louis M Kunkel
- Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew S Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,UAB Center for Exercise Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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35
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L-tyrosine supplementation does not ameliorate skeletal muscle dysfunction in zebrafish and mouse models of dominant skeletal muscle α-actin nemaline myopathy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11490. [PMID: 30065346 PMCID: PMC6068151 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29437-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
L-tyrosine supplementation may provide benefit to nemaline myopathy (NM) patients, however previous studies are inconclusive, with no elevation of L-tyrosine levels in blood or tissue reported. We evaluated the ability of L-tyrosine treatments to improve skeletal muscle function in all three published animal models of NM caused by dominant skeletal muscle α-actin (ACTA1) mutations. Highest safe L-tyrosine concentrations were determined for dosing water and feed of wildtype zebrafish and mice respectively. NM TgACTA1D286G-eGFP zebrafish treated with 10 μM L-tyrosine from 24 hours to 6 days post fertilization displayed no improvement in swimming distance. NM TgACTA1D286G mice consuming 2% L-tyrosine supplemented feed from preconception had significant elevations in free L-tyrosine levels in sera (57%) and quadriceps muscle (45%) when examined at 6–7 weeks old. However indicators of skeletal muscle integrity (voluntary exercise, bodyweight, rotarod performance) were not improved. Additionally no benefit on the mechanical properties, energy metabolism, or atrophy of skeletal muscles of 6–7 month old TgACTA1D286G and KIActa1H40Y mice eventuated from consuming a 2% L-tyrosine supplemented diet for 4 weeks. Therefore this study yields important information on aspects of the clinical utility of L-tyrosine for ACTA1 NM.
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36
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Sztal TE, McKaige EA, Williams C, Oorschot V, Ramm G, Bryson-Richardson RJ. Testing of therapies in a novel nebulin nemaline myopathy model demonstrate a lack of efficacy. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:40. [PMID: 29848386 PMCID: PMC5977763 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0546-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nemaline myopathies are heterogeneous congenital muscle disorders causing skeletal muscle weakness and, in some cases, death soon after birth. Mutations in nebulin, encoding a large sarcomeric protein required for thin filament function, are responsible for approximately 50% of nemaline myopathy cases. Despite the severity of the disease there is no effective treatment for nemaline myopathy with limited research to develop potential therapies. Several supplements, including L-tyrosine, have been suggested to be beneficial and consequently self-administered by nemaline myopathy patients without any knowledge of their efficacy. We have characterized a zebrafish model for nemaline myopathy caused by a mutation in nebulin. These fish form electron-dense nemaline bodies and display reduced muscle function akin to the phenotypes observed in nemaline myopathy patients. We have utilized our zebrafish model to test and evaluate four treatments currently self-administered by nemaline myopathy patients to determine their ability to increase skeletal muscle function. Analysis of muscle pathology and locomotion following treatment with L-tyrosine, L-carnitine, taurine, or creatine revealed no significant improvement in skeletal muscle function emphasizing the urgency to develop effective therapies for nemaline myopathy.
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MESH Headings
- Actins/metabolism
- Animals
- Animals, Genetically Modified
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Embryo, Nonmammalian
- Gene Expression Regulation/genetics
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism
- Microfilament Proteins/genetics
- Microfilament Proteins/metabolism
- Microscopy, Electron
- Muscle Proteins/genetics
- Muscle Proteins/metabolism
- Muscle Proteins/therapeutic use
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/ultrastructure
- Mutation/genetics
- Myopathies, Nemaline/genetics
- Myopathies, Nemaline/pathology
- Myopathies, Nemaline/therapy
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Zebrafish
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar E Sztal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily A McKaige
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Caitlin Williams
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Viola Oorschot
- Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Georg Ramm
- Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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37
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Genetic compensation triggered by actin mutation prevents the muscle damage caused by loss of actin protein. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007212. [PMID: 29420541 PMCID: PMC5821405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of a mutant phenotype in homozygous mutant individuals’ due to compensatory gene expression triggered upstream of protein function has been identified as genetic compensation. Whilst this intriguing process has been recognized in zebrafish, the presence of homozygous loss of function mutations in healthy human individuals suggests that compensation may not be restricted to this model. Loss of skeletal α-actin results in nemaline myopathy and we have previously shown that the pathological symptoms of the disease and reduction in muscle performance are recapitulated in a zebrafish antisense morpholino knockdown model. Here we reveal that a genetic actc1b mutant exhibits mild muscle defects and is unaffected by injection of the actc1b targeting morpholino. We further show that the milder phenotype results from a compensatory transcriptional upregulation of an actin paralogue providing a novel approach to be explored for the treatment of actin myopathy. Our findings provide further evidence that genetic compensation may influence the penetrance of disease-causing mutations. Many healthy individuals carry loss of function mutations in essential genes that would normally be deleterious for survival. Intriguingly, it may be the presence of the genomic lesion itself in these individuals that triggers the compensatory pathways. It is not known how widespread this phenomenon is in vertebrate populations and how genetic compensation is activated. We have shown that knockdown of actin causes nemaline myopathy as indicated by the formation of nemaline bodies within the skeletal muscle and reduced muscle function which, remarkably, we did not observe in an actin genetic mutant. We have identified that protection from the disease phenotype results from transcriptional upregulation of an actin paralogue restoring actin protein in the skeletal muscle. This study demonstrates that genetic compensation may be more prevalent than previously anticipated and highlights phenotypic differences resulting from genetic mutations versus antisense knockdown approaches. Furthermore, we suggest that activating compensatory pathways may be exploited as a potential novel therapeutic approach for human disorders caused by loss of function mutations.
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