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Niklaus S, Glasauer SMK, Kovermann P, Farshori KF, Cadetti L, Früh S, Rieser NN, Gesemann M, Zang J, Fahlke C, Neuhauss SCF. Glutamate transporters are involved in direct inhibitory synaptic transmission in the vertebrate retina. Open Biol 2024; 14:240140. [PMID: 39079673 PMCID: PMC11288666 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.240140] [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: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system of vertebrates, glutamate serves as the primary excitatory neurotransmitter. However, in the retina, glutamate released from photoreceptors causes hyperpolarization in post-synaptic ON-bipolar cells through a glutamate-gated chloride current, which seems paradoxical. Our research reveals that this current is modulated by two excitatory glutamate transporters, EAAT5b and EAAT7. In the zebrafish retina, these transporters are located at the dendritic tips of ON-bipolar cells and interact with all four types of cone photoreceptors. The absence of these transporters leads to a decrease in ON-bipolar cell responses, with eaat5b mutants being less severely affected than eaat5b/eaat7 double mutants, which also exhibit altered response kinetics. Biophysical investigations establish that EAAT7 is an active glutamate transporter with a predominant anion conductance. Our study is the first to demonstrate the direct involvement of post-synaptic glutamate transporters in inhibitory direct synaptic transmission at a central nervous system synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Niklaus
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stella M. K. Glasauer
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Kovermann
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Molekular- und Zellphysiologie (IBI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Leo-Brandt-Strasse, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Kulsum F. Farshori
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Cadetti
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Früh
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas N. Rieser
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Gesemann
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jingjing Zang
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Fahlke
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Molekular- und Zellphysiologie (IBI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Leo-Brandt-Strasse, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Stephan C. F. Neuhauss
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Rodwell V, Patil M, Kuht HJ, Neuhauss SCF, Norton WHJ, Thomas MG. Zebrafish Optokinetic Reflex: Minimal Reporting Guidelines and Recommendations. BIOLOGY 2023; 13:4. [PMID: 38275725 PMCID: PMC10813647 DOI: 10.3390/biology13010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Optokinetic reflex (OKR) assays in zebrafish models are a valuable tool for studying a diverse range of ophthalmological and neurological conditions. Despite its increasing popularity in recent years, there are no clear reporting guidelines for the assay. Following reporting guidelines in research enhances reproducibility, reduces bias, and mitigates underreporting and poor methodologies in published works. To better understand optimal reporting standards for an OKR assay in zebrafish, we performed a systematic literature review exploring the animal, environmental, and technical factors that should be considered. Using search criteria from three online databases, a total of 109 research papers were selected for review. Multiple crucial factors were identified, including larval characteristics, sample size, fixing method, OKR set-up, distance of stimulus, detailed stimulus parameters, eye recording, and eye movement analysis. The outcome of the literature analysis highlighted the insufficient information provided in past research papers and the lack of a systematic way to present the parameters related to each of the experimental factors. To circumvent any future errors and champion robust transparent research, we have created the zebrafish optokinetic (ZOK) reflex minimal reporting guideline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Rodwell
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Manjiri Patil
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Helen J. Kuht
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | | | - William H. J. Norton
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Mervyn G. Thomas
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
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3
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Farre AA, Thomas P, Huang J, Poulsen RA, Owusu Poku E, Stenkamp DL. Plasticity of cone photoreceptors in adult zebrafish revealed by thyroid hormone exposure. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15697. [PMID: 37735192 PMCID: PMC10514274 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42686-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate color vision is predominantly mediated by the presence of multiple cone photoreceptor subtypes that are each maximally sensitive to different wavelengths of light. Thyroid hormone (TH) has been shown to be essential in the spatiotemporal patterning of cone subtypes in many species, including cone subtypes that express opsins that are encoded by tandemly replicated genes. TH has been shown to differentially regulate the tandemly replicated lws opsin genes in zebrafish, and exogenous treatments alter the expression levels of these genes in larvae and juveniles. In this study, we sought to determine whether gene expression in cone photoreceptors remains plastic to TH treatment in adults. We used a transgenic lws reporter line, multiplexed fluorescence hybridization chain reaction in situ hybridization, and qPCR to examine the extent to which cone gene expression can be altered by TH in adults. Our studies revealed that opsin gene expression, and the expression of other photoreceptor genes, remains plastic to TH treatment in adult zebrafish. In addition to retinal plasticity, exogenous TH treatment alters skin pigmentation patterns in adult zebrafish after 5 days. Taken together, our results show a remarkable level of TH-sensitive plasticity in the adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Farre
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844-3015, USA
| | - Preston Thomas
- WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Johnson Huang
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Spokane, WA, USA
| | | | - Emmanuel Owusu Poku
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844-3015, USA
| | - Deborah L Stenkamp
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844-3015, USA.
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4
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Koch KW. Molecular tuning of calcium dependent processes by neuronal calcium sensor proteins in the retina. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119491. [PMID: 37230154 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate photoreceptor cells are exquisite light detectors operating under very dim and bright illumination mediated by phototransduction, which is under control of the two secondary messengers cGMP and Ca2+. Feedback mechanisms enable photoreceptor cells to regain their responsiveness after light stimulation and involve neuronal Ca2+-sensor proteins, named GCAPs (guanylate cyclase-activating proteins) and recoverins. This review compares the diversity in Ca2+-related signaling mediated by GCAP and recoverin variants that exhibit differences in Ca2+-sensing, protein conformational changes, myristoyl switch mechanisms, diversity in divalent cation binding and dimer formation. In summary, both subclasses of neuronal Ca2+-sensor proteins contribute to a complex signaling network in rod and cone cells, which is perfectly suited to match the requirements for sensitive cell responses and maintaining this responsiveness in the presence of different background light intensities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Wilhelm Koch
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Biochemistry, University of Oldenburg, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany.
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5
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Zang J, Neuhauss SCF. Detection of Zebrafish Retinal Proteins by Infrared Western Blotting. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4618. [PMID: 36845534 PMCID: PMC9947546 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4618] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish retina is a canonical vertebrate retina. Since the past few years, with the continually growing genetic toolbox and imaging techniques, zebrafish plays a crucial role in retinal research. This protocol describes a method to quantitatively evaluate the expression of Arrestin3a (Arr3a) and G-protein receptor kinase7a (Grk7a) in the adult zebrafish retina at protein levels by infrared fluorescence western blot. Our protocol can be easily adapted to measure protein levels in additional zebrafish tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zang
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan C. F. Neuhauss
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,*For correspondence:
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6
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Diurnal changes in the efficiency of information transmission at a sensory synapse. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2613. [PMID: 35551183 PMCID: PMC9098879 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30202-0] [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: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulators adapt sensory circuits to changes in the external world or the animal’s internal state and synapses are key control sites for such plasticity. Less clear is how neuromodulation alters the amount of information transmitted through the circuit. We investigated this question in the context of the diurnal regulation of visual processing in the retina of zebrafish, focusing on ribbon synapses of bipolar cells. We demonstrate that contrast-sensitivity peaks in the afternoon accompanied by a four-fold increase in the average Shannon information transmitted from an active zone. This increase reflects higher synaptic gain, lower spontaneous “noise” and reduced variability of evoked responses. Simultaneously, an increase in the probability of multivesicular events with larger information content increases the efficiency of transmission (bits per vesicle) by factors of 1.5-2.7. This study demonstrates the multiplicity of mechanisms by which a neuromodulator can adjust the synaptic transfer of sensory information. Neuromodulators can adjust how sensory signals are processed. In this study, the authors demonstrate how time of day affects the way information is transmitted in the zebrafish retina.
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7
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Masek M, Zang J, Mateos JM, Garbelli M, Ziegler U, Neuhauss SCF, Bachmann-Gagescu R. Studying the morphology, composition and function of the photoreceptor primary cilium in zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 175:97-128. [PMID: 36967148 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Vision is one of our dominant senses and its loss has a profound impact on the life quality of affected individuals. Highly specialized neurons in the retina called photoreceptors convert photons into neuronal responses. This conversion of photons is mediated by light sensitive opsin proteins, which are found in the outer segments of the photoreceptors. These outer segments are highly specialized primary cilia, explaining why retinal dystrophy is a key feature of ciliopathies, a group of diseases resulting from abnormal and dysfunctional cilia. Therefore, research on ciliopathies often includes the analysis of the retina with special focus on the photoreceptor and its outer segment. In the last decade, the zebrafish has emerged as an excellent model organism to study human diseases, in particular with respect to the retina. The cone-rich retina of zebrafish resembles the fovea of the human macula and thus represents an excellent model to study human retinal diseases. Here we give detailed guidance on how to analyze the morphological and ultra-structural integrity of photoreceptors in the zebrafish using various histological and imaging techniques. We further describe how to conduct functional analysis of the retina by electroretinography and how to prepare isolated outer segment fractions for different -omic approaches. These different methods allow a comprehensive analysis of photoreceptors, helping to enhance our understanding of the molecular and structural basis of ciliary function in health and of the consequences of its dysfunction in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Masek
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jingjing Zang
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - José M Mateos
- Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Garbelli
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Ziegler
- Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruxandra Bachmann-Gagescu
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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