1
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England SJ, Campbell PC, Banerjee S, Bates RL, Grieb G, Fancher WF, Lewis KE. Transcriptional regulators with broad expression in the zebrafish spinal cord. Dev Dyn 2024. [PMID: 38850245 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.717] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The spinal cord is a crucial part of the vertebrate CNS, controlling movements and receiving and processing sensory information from the trunk and limbs. However, there is much we do not know about how this essential organ develops. Here, we describe expression of 21 transcription factors and one transcriptional regulator in zebrafish spinal cord. RESULTS We analyzed the expression of aurkb, foxb1a, foxb1b, her8a, homeza, ivns1abpb, mybl2b, myt1a, nr2f1b, onecut1, sall1a, sall3a, sall3b, sall4, sox2, sox19b, sp8b, tsc22d1, wdhd1, zfhx3b, znf804a, and znf1032 in wild-type and MIB E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 zebrafish embryos. While all of these genes are broadly expressed in spinal cord, they have distinct expression patterns from one another. Some are predominantly expressed in progenitor domains, and others in subsets of post-mitotic cells. Given the conservation of spinal cord development, and the transcription factors and transcriptional regulators that orchestrate it, we expect that these genes will have similar spinal cord expression patterns in other vertebrates, including mammals and humans. CONCLUSIONS Our data identify 22 different transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for playing different roles in spinal cord development. For several of these genes, this is the first published description of their spinal cord expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul C Campbell
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Santanu Banerjee
- Biological Sciences Department, SUNY-Cortland, Cortland, New York, USA
| | - Richard L Bates
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Ginny Grieb
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
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2
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Spikol ED, Cheng J, Macurak M, Subedi A, Halpern ME. Genetically defined nucleus incertus neurons differ in connectivity and function. eLife 2024; 12:RP89516. [PMID: 38819436 PMCID: PMC11142643 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89516] [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] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleus incertus (NI), a conserved hindbrain structure implicated in the stress response, arousal, and memory, is a major site for production of the neuropeptide relaxin-3. On the basis of goosecoid homeobox 2 (gsc2) expression, we identified a neuronal cluster that lies adjacent to relaxin 3a (rln3a) neurons in the zebrafish analogue of the NI. To delineate the characteristics of the gsc2 and rln3a NI neurons, we used CRISPR/Cas9 targeted integration to drive gene expression specifically in each neuronal group, and found that they differ in their efferent and afferent connectivity, spontaneous activity, and functional properties. gsc2 and rln3a NI neurons have widely divergent projection patterns and innervate distinct subregions of the midbrain interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). Whereas gsc2 neurons are activated more robustly by electric shock, rln3a neurons exhibit spontaneous fluctuations in calcium signaling and regulate locomotor activity. Our findings define heterogeneous neurons in the NI and provide new tools to probe its diverse functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma D Spikol
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHanoverUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ji Cheng
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHanoverUnited States
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Michelle Macurak
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Abhignya Subedi
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Marnie E Halpern
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHanoverUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
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3
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Shiao MS, Liu ST, Siriwatcharapibool G, Thongpradit S, Khunpanich P, Tong SK, Huang CH, Jinawath N, Chou MY. Conserved expression of the zebrafish syt4 gene in GABAergic neurons in the cerebellum of adult fishes revealed by mammalian SYT4 immunoreactive-like signals. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30575. [PMID: 38765140 PMCID: PMC11098836 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Synaptotagmin 4 (syt4) belongs to the synaptotagmin protein family, which has 17 and 28 family members in human and zebrafish, respectively. In zebrafish and rodents, syt4 is known to express abundantly in the entire central nervous system in the early developmental stages. In adult rodents, the gene expression shifts to be predominant in the cerebellum, mostly in Purkinje cells, a type of GABAergic neurons. However, there is no report of the expression pattern of syt4 in the adult zebrafish brain. Therefore, we hypothesize that the expression of syt4 is conserved in adult zebrafish and is specific to the GABAergic neurons, likely Purkinje cells, in the cerebellum. To examine the hypothesis, we first show that only one copy of syt4 gene remains in the zebrafish genome, and it is orthologous to the gene in other vertebrates. We further observe mammalian SYT4 antibody immunoreactive-like (mSYT4-ir) signals in several structures in the hindbrain including the medial divisions of the valvula cerebelli and the corpus cerebelli. In addition, our observations indicate the presence of mSYT4-ir signals in GABAergic neurons, most notably in the Purkinje cell layer of the molecular layer in the aforementioned structures. Conversely, mSYT4-ir signals are not observed in glutamatergic or cholinergic neurons. Therefore, we deduce that the syt4 gene in zebrafish exhibits a homologous expression pattern to those of previously studied vertebrate species, which is revealed by the positive immunoreactive-like signals of mammalian SYT4 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Shin Shiao
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Sian-Tai Liu
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | | | - Supranee Thongpradit
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Punnakorn Khunpanich
- International College, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Sok-Keng Tong
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsuan Huang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Natini Jinawath
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Integrative Computational Bioscience (ICBS) Center, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Samut Prakan, 10540, Thailand
| | - Ming-Yi Chou
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
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4
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Iglesias Gonzalez AB, Koning HK, Tuz-Sasik MU, van Osselen I, Manuel R, Boije H. Perturbed development of calb2b expressing dI6 interneurons and motor neurons underlies locomotor defects observed in calretinin knock-down zebrafish larvae. Dev Biol 2024; 508:77-87. [PMID: 38278086 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.01.001] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Calcium binding proteins are essential for neural development and cellular activity. Calretinin, encoded by calb2a and calb2b, plays a role during early zebrafish development and has been proposed as a marker for distinct neuronal populations within the locomotor network. We generated a calb2b:hs:eGFP transgenic reporter line to characterize calretinin expressing cells in the developing spinal cord and describe morphological and behavioral defects in calretinin knock-down larvae. eGFP was detected in primary and secondary motor neurons, as well as in dI6 and V0v interneurons. Knock-down of calretinin lead to disturbed development of motor neurons and dI6 interneurons, revealing a crucial role during early development of the locomotor network. Primary motor neurons showed delayed axon outgrowth and the distinct inhibitory CoLo neurons, originating from the dI6 lineage, were absent. These observations explain the locomotor defects we observed in calretinin knock-down animals where the velocity, acceleration and coordination were affected during escapes. Altogether, our analysis suggests an essential role for calretinin during the development of the circuits regulating escape responses and fast movements within the locomotor network.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harmen Kornelis Koning
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, S-75108, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Melek Umay Tuz-Sasik
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, S-75108, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ilse van Osselen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, S-75108, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Remy Manuel
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, S-75108, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Henrik Boije
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, S-75108, Uppsala, Sweden.
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5
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Itoh T, Uehara M, Yura S, Wang JC, Fujii Y, Nakanishi A, Shimizu T, Hibi M. Foxp and Skor family proteins control differentiation of Purkinje cells from Ptf1a- and Neurog1-expressing progenitors in zebrafish. Development 2024; 151:dev202546. [PMID: 38456494 PMCID: PMC11057878 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202546] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Cerebellar neurons, such as GABAergic Purkinje cells (PCs), interneurons (INs) and glutamatergic granule cells (GCs) are differentiated from neural progenitors expressing proneural genes, including ptf1a, neurog1 and atoh1a/b/c. Studies in mammals previously suggested that these genes determine cerebellar neuron cell fate. However, our studies on ptf1a;neurog1 zebrafish mutants and lineage tracing of ptf1a-expressing progenitors have revealed that the ptf1a/neurog1-expressing progenitors can generate diverse cerebellar neurons, including PCs, INs and a subset of GCs in zebrafish. The precise mechanisms of how each cerebellar neuron type is specified remains elusive. We found that genes encoding the transcriptional regulators Foxp1b, Foxp4, Skor1b and Skor2, which are reportedly expressed in PCs, were absent in ptf1a;neurog1 mutants. foxp1b;foxp4 mutants showed a strong reduction in PCs, whereas skor1b;skor2 mutants completely lacked PCs, and displayed an increase in immature GCs. Misexpression of skor2 in GC progenitors expressing atoh1c suppressed GC fate. These data indicate that Foxp1b/4 and Skor1b/2 function as key transcriptional regulators in the initial step of PC differentiation from ptf1a/neurog1-expressing neural progenitors, and that Skor1b and Skor2 control PC differentiation by suppressing their differentiation into GCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsubasa Itoh
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Mari Uehara
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Shinnosuke Yura
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Jui Chun Wang
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Yukimi Fujii
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Akiko Nakanishi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Takashi Shimizu
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Masahiko Hibi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
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6
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Schmidt AR, Placer HJ, Muhammad IM, Shephard R, Patrick RL, Saurborn T, Horstick EJ, Bergeron SA. Transcriptional control of visual neural circuit development by GS homeobox 1. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011139. [PMID: 38669217 PMCID: PMC11051655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011139] [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: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
As essential components of gene expression networks, transcription factors regulate neural circuit assembly. The homeobox transcription factor encoding gene, gs homeobox 1 (gsx1), is expressed in the developing visual system; however, no studies have examined its role in visual system formation. In zebrafish, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons that transmit visual information to the brain terminate in ten arborization fields (AFs) in the optic tectum (TeO), pretectum (Pr), and thalamus. Pretectal AFs (AF1-AF9) mediate distinct visual behaviors, yet we understand less about their development compared to AF10 in the TeO. Using gsx1 zebrafish mutants, immunohistochemistry, and transgenic lines, we observed that gsx1 is required for vesicular glutamate transporter, Tg(slc17a6b:DsRed), expression in the Pr, but not overall neuron number. gsx1 mutants have normal eye morphology, yet they exhibit impaired visual ability during prey capture. RGC axon volume in the gsx1 mutant Pr and TeO is reduced, and AF7 that is active during feeding is missing which is consistent with reduced hunting performance. Timed laser ablation of Tg(slc17a6b:DsRed)-positive cells reveals that they are necessary for AF7 formation. This work is the first to implicate gsx1 in establishing cell identity and functional neural circuits in the visual system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra R. Schmidt
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
| | - Haiden J. Placer
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
| | - Ishmael M. Muhammad
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
| | - Rebekah Shephard
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
| | - Regina L. Patrick
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
| | - Taylor Saurborn
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Horstick
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
| | - Sadie A. Bergeron
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virgina, United States of America
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7
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Lamiré LA, Haesemeyer M, Engert F, Granato M, Randlett O. Functional and pharmacological analyses of visual habituation learning in larval zebrafish. eLife 2023; 12:RP84926. [PMID: 38108818 PMCID: PMC10727501 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Habituation allows animals to learn to ignore persistent but inconsequential stimuli. Despite being the most basic form of learning, a consensus model on the underlying mechanisms has yet to emerge. To probe relevant mechanisms, we took advantage of a visual habituation paradigm in larval zebrafish, where larvae reduce their reactions to abrupt global dimming (a dark flash). We used Ca2+ imaging during repeated dark flashes and identified 12 functional classes of neurons that differ based on their rate of adaptation, stimulus response shape, and anatomical location. While most classes of neurons depressed their responses to repeated stimuli, we identified populations that did not adapt or that potentiated their response. These neurons were distributed across brain areas, consistent with a distributed learning process. Using a small-molecule screening approach, we confirmed that habituation manifests from multiple distinct molecular mechanisms, and we have implicated molecular pathways in habituation, including melatonin, oestrogen, and GABA signalling. However, by combining anatomical analyses and pharmacological manipulations with Ca2+ imaging, we failed to identify a simple relationship between pharmacology, altered activity patterns, and habituation behaviour. Collectively, our work indicates that habituation occurs via a complex and distributed plasticity processes that cannot be captured by a simple model. Therefore, untangling the mechanisms of habituation will likely require dedicated approaches aimed at sub-component mechanisms underlying this multidimensional learning process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Anne Lamiré
- Laboratoire MeLiS, UCBL - CNRS UMR5284 - Inserm U1314, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Faculté de Médecine et de PharmacieLyonFrance
| | - Martin Haesemeyer
- The Ohio State University, Department of NeuroscienceColumbusUnited States
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Center for Brain Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Michael Granato
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of MedicinePhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Owen Randlett
- Laboratoire MeLiS, UCBL - CNRS UMR5284 - Inserm U1314, Institut NeuroMyoGène, Faculté de Médecine et de PharmacieLyonFrance
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8
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England SJ, Rusnock AK, Mujcic A, Kowalchuk A, de Jager S, Hilinski WC, Juárez-Morales JL, Smith ME, Grieb G, Banerjee S, Lewis KE. Molecular analyses of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and identification of transcriptional regulators downstream of Evx1 and Evx2 in these cells. Neural Dev 2023; 18:8. [PMID: 38017520 PMCID: PMC10683209 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-023-00176-w] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND V0v spinal interneurons are highly conserved, glutamatergic, commissural neurons that function in locomotor circuits. We have previously shown that Evx1 and Evx2 are required to specify the neurotransmitter phenotype of these cells. However, we still know very little about the gene regulatory networks that act downstream of these transcription factors in V0v cells. METHODS To identify candidate members of V0v gene regulatory networks, we FAC-sorted wild-type and evx1;evx2 double mutant zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and expression-profiled them using microarrays and single cell RNA-seq. We also used in situ hybridization to compare expression of a subset of candidate genes in evx1;evx2 double mutants and wild-type siblings. RESULTS Our data reveal two molecularly distinct subtypes of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons at 48 h and suggest that, by this stage of development, evx1;evx2 double mutant cells transfate into either inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Our results also identify 25 transcriptional regulator genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons, plus a further 11 transcriptional regulator genes that are repressed in V0v interneurons by Evx1/2. Two of the latter genes are hmx2 and hmx3a. Intriguingly, we show that Hmx2/3a, repress dI2 interneuron expression of skor1a and nefma, two genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons. This suggests that Evx1/2 might regulate skor1a and nefma expression in V0v interneurons by repressing Hmx2/3a expression. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies two molecularly distinct subsets of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons, as well as multiple transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for acting downstream of Evx1/2 to specify the essential functional characteristics of these cells. Our data further suggest that in the absence of both Evx1 and Evx2, V0v spinal interneurons initially change their neurotransmitter phenotypes from excitatory to inhibitory and then, later, start to express markers of distinct types of inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Taken together, our findings significantly increase our knowledge of V0v and spinal development and move us closer towards the essential goal of identifying the complete gene regulatory networks that specify this crucial cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amra Mujcic
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | | | - Sarah de Jager
- Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Department, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - José L Juárez-Morales
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Programa de IxM-CONAHCYT, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | - Ginny Grieb
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Santanu Banerjee
- Biological Sciences Department, SUNY-Cortland, Cortland, NY, USA
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9
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England SJ, Woodard AK, Mujcic A, Kowalchuk A, de Jager S, Hilinski WC, Juárez-Morales JL, Smith ME, Grieb G, Banerjee S, Lewis KE. Molecular Analyses of V0v Spinal Interneurons and Identification of Transcriptional Regulators Downstream of Evx1 and Evx2 in these Cells. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3290462. [PMID: 37693471 PMCID: PMC10491344 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3290462/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background V0v spinal interneurons are highly conserved, glutamatergic, commissural neurons that function in locomotor circuits. We have previously shown that Evx1 and Evx2 are required to specify the neurotransmitter phenotype of these cells. However, we still know very little about the gene regulatory networks that act downstream of these transcription factors in V0v cells. Methods To identify candidate members of V0v gene regulatory networks, we FAC-sorted WT and evx1;evx2 double mutant zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and expression-profiled them using microarrays and single cell RNA-seq. We also used in situ hybridization to compare expression of a subset of candidate genes in evx1;evx2 double mutants and wild-type siblings. Results Our data reveal two molecularly distinct subtypes of V0v spinal interneurons at 48 h and suggest that, by this stage of development, evx1;evx2 double mutant cells transfate into either inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Our results also identify 25 transcriptional regulator genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons, plus a further 11 transcriptional regulator genes that are repressed in V0v interneurons by Evx1/2. Two of the latter genes are hmx2 and hmx3a. Intriguingly, we show that Hmx2/3a, repress dI2 interneuronal expression of skor1a and nefma, two genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons. This suggests that Evx1/2 might regulate skor1a and nefma expression in V0v interneurons by repressing Hmx2/3a expression. Conclusions This study identifies two molecularly distinct subsets of V0v spinal interneurons, as well as multiple transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for acting downstream of Evx1/2 to specify the essential functional characteristics of these cells. Our data further suggest that in the absence of both Evx1 and Evx2, V0v spinal interneurons initially change their neurotransmitter phenotypes from excitatory to inhibitory and then, later, start to express markers of distinct types of inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Taken together, our findings significantly increase our knowledge of V0v and spinal development and move us closer towards the essential goal of identifying the complete gene regulatory networks that specify this crucial cell type.
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10
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Kuil LE, Kakiailatu NJ, Windster JD, Bindels E, Zink JT, van der Zee G, Hofstra RM, Shepherd IT, Melotte V, Alves MM. Unbiased characterization of the larval zebrafish enteric nervous system at a single cell transcriptomic level. iScience 2023; 26:107070. [PMID: 37426341 PMCID: PMC10329177 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates many gastrointestinal functions including peristalsis, immune regulation and uptake of nutrients. Defects in the ENS can lead to severe enteric neuropathies such as Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Zebrafish have proven to be fruitful in the identification of genes involved in ENS development and HSCR pathogenesis. However, composition and specification of enteric neurons and glial subtypes at larval stages, remains mainly unexplored. Here, we performed single cell RNA sequencing of zebrafish ENS at 5 days post-fertilization. We identified vagal neural crest progenitors, Schwann cell precursors, and four clusters of differentiated neurons. In addition, a previously unrecognized elavl3+/phox2bb-population of neurons and cx43+/phox2bb-enteric glia was found. Pseudotime analysis supported binary neurogenic branching of ENS differentiation, driven by a notch-responsive state. Taken together, we provide new insights on ENS development and specification, proving that the zebrafish is a valuable model for the study of congenital enteric neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Kuil
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Naomi J.M. Kakiailatu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jonathan D. Windster
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Bindels
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joke T.M. Zink
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby van der Zee
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert M.W. Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria M. Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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11
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Saraswathy VM, Zhou L, Mokalled MH. Single-cell analysis of innate spinal cord regeneration identifies intersecting modes of neuronal repair. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.19.541505. [PMID: 37292638 PMCID: PMC10245778 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.541505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Adult zebrafish have an innate ability to recover from severe spinal cord injury. Here, we report a comprehensive single nuclear RNA sequencing atlas that spans 6 weeks of regeneration. We identify cooperative roles for adult neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity during spinal cord repair. Neurogenesis of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons restores the excitatory/inhibitory balance after injury. In addition, transient populations of injury-responsive neurons (iNeurons) show elevated plasticity between 1 and 3 weeks post-injury. Using cross-species transcriptomics and CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, we found iNeurons are injury-surviving neurons that share transcriptional similarities with a rare population of spontaneously plastic mouse neurons. iNeurons are required for functional recovery and employ vesicular trafficking as an essential mechanism that underlies neuronal plasticity. This study provides a comprehensive resource of the cells and mechanisms that direct spinal cord regeneration and establishes zebrafish as a model of plasticity-driven neural repair.
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12
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Biomechanics and neural circuits for vestibular-induced fine postural control in larval zebrafish. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1217. [PMID: 36898983 PMCID: PMC10006170 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36682-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Land-walking vertebrates maintain a desirable posture by finely controlling muscles. It is unclear whether fish also finely control posture in the water. Here, we showed that larval zebrafish have fine posture control. When roll-tilted, fish recovered their upright posture using a reflex behavior, which was a slight body bend near the swim bladder. The vestibular-induced body bend produces a misalignment between gravity and buoyancy, generating a moment of force that recovers the upright posture. We identified the neural circuits for the reflex, including the vestibular nucleus (tangential nucleus) through reticulospinal neurons (neurons in the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus) to the spinal cord, and finally to the posterior hypaxial muscles, a special class of muscles near the swim bladder. These results suggest that fish maintain a dorsal-up posture by frequently performing the body bend reflex and demonstrate that the reticulospinal pathway plays a critical role in fine postural control.
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13
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Kim YS, Sohn SH, Min TJ. Protective Effect of Ulinastatin on Cognitive Function After Hypoxia. Neuromolecular Med 2023; 25:136-143. [PMID: 35917079 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-022-08721-2] [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: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ulinastatin (UTI) has neuroprotective properties. Neurologic insults, including hypoxia and use of anesthetic agents, cause postoperative cognitive dysfunction and alter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) function. This study aimed to assess whether UTI could preserve learning and memory using a zebrafish hypoxic behavior model and biomarkers. Zebrafish (6-8 months of age and 2.5-3.5 cm long) were divided into eight groups as follows: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control, hypoxia + PBS, UTI (10,000, 50,000, and 100,000 units/kg), and hypoxia with UTI (10,000, 50,000, and 100,000 units/kg) groups. The endpoints of the T-maze experiment included total time, distance moved, and frequency in target or opposite compartment. We also measured the degree of brain infarction using 2,3,5‑triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, assessed SA-β-galactosidase activity, and examined GABAA receptor expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In a dose-dependent manner, UTI affected learning and memory in zebrafish. Despite hypoxia, 100,000 units/kg of UTI preserved preference (time and distance) for the target compartment. More than 50,000 units/kg of UTI also showed reduced hypoxia-induced brain infarction, decreased SA-β-galactosidase levels, and upregulated GABAA receptors. This study demonstrated that the location of the GABAA receptor is affected by hypoxia or UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sung Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung-Hwa Sohn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, South Korea
| | - Too Jae Min
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, South Korea.
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14
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Coltogirone RA, Sherfinski EI, Dobler ZA, Peterson SN, Andlinger AR, Fadel LC, Patrick RL, Bergeron SA. Gsx2, but not Gsx1, is necessary for early forebrain patterning and long-term survival in zebrafish. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:377-399. [PMID: 36184733 PMCID: PMC9992111 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.542] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homeobox transcription factor encoding genes, genomic screen homeobox 1 and 2 (gsx1 and gsx2), are expressed during neurodevelopment in multiple vertebrates. However, we have limited knowledge of the dynamic expression of these genes through developmental time and the gene networks that they regulate in zebrafish. RESULTS We confirmed that gsx1 is expressed initially in the hindbrain and diencephalon and later in the optic tectum, pretectum, and cerebellar plate. gsx2 is expressed in the early telencephalon and later in the pallium and olfactory bulb. gsx1 and gsx2 are co-expressed in the hypothalamus, preoptic area, and hindbrain, however, rarely co-localize in the same cells. gsx1 and gsx2 mutant zebrafish were made with TALENs. gsx1 mutants exhibit stunted growth, however, they survive to adulthood and are fertile. gsx2 mutants experience swim bladder inflation failure that prevents survival. We also observed significantly reduced expression of multiple forebrain patterning distal-less homeobox genes in mutants, and expression of foxp2 was not significantly affected. CONCLUSIONS This work provides novel tools with which other target genes and functions of Gsx1 and Gsx2 can be characterized across the central nervous system to better understand the unique and overlapping roles of these highly conserved transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma I. Sherfinski
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West, Virginia, USA
| | - Zoë A. Dobler
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West, Virginia, USA
| | - Sarah N. Peterson
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Lindsay C. Fadel
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West, Virginia, USA
| | - Regina L. Patrick
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West, Virginia, USA
| | - Sadie A. Bergeron
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West, Virginia, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West, Virginia, USA
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15
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Burgess HA, Burton EA. A Critical Review of Zebrafish Neurological Disease Models-1. The Premise: Neuroanatomical, Cellular and Genetic Homology and Experimental Tractability. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 2:kvac018. [PMID: 37649777 PMCID: PMC10464506 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvac018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The last decade has seen a dramatic rise in the number of genes linked to neurological disorders, necessitating new models to explore underlying mechanisms and to test potential therapies. Over a similar period, many laboratories adopted zebrafish as a tractable model for studying brain development, defining neural circuits and performing chemical screens. Here we discuss strengths and limitations of using the zebrafish system to model neurological disorders. The underlying premise for many disease models is the high degree of homology between human and zebrafish genes, coupled with the conserved vertebrate Bauplan and repertoire of neurochemical signaling molecules. Yet, we caution that important evolutionary divergences often limit the extent to which human symptoms can be modeled meaningfully in zebrafish. We outline advances in genetic technologies that allow human mutations to be reproduced faithfully in zebrafish. Together with methods that visualize the development and function of neuronal pathways at the single cell level, there is now an unprecedented opportunity to understand how disease-associated genetic changes disrupt neural circuits, a level of analysis that is ideally suited to uncovering pathogenic changes in human brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold A Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Edward A Burton
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,15260, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA
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16
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Adula KP, Sagasti A. Live Imaging of Axonal Dynamics After Laser Axotomy of Peripheral Neurons in Zebrafish. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2636:247-261. [PMID: 36881305 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3012-9_14] [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] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Axon severing results in diverse outcomes, including successful regeneration and reestablishment of function, failure to regenerate, or neuronal cell death. Experimentally injuring an axon makes it possible to study degeneration of the distal stump that was detached from the cell body and document the successive steps of regeneration. Precise injury reduces damage to the environment surrounding an axon, and thereby the involvement of extrinsic processes, such as scarring or inflammation, enabling researchers to isolate the role that intrinsic factors play in regeneration. Several methods have been used to sever axons, each with advantages and disadvantages. This chapter describes using a laser on a two-photon microscope to cut individual axons of touch-sensing neurons in zebrafish larvae, and live confocal imaging to monitor its regeneration, a method that provides exceptional resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadidia P Adula
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alvaro Sagasti
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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17
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Rabanel JM, Mirbagheri M, Olszewski M, Xie G, Le Goas M, Latreille PL, Counil H, Hervé V, Silva RO, Zaouter C, Adibnia V, Acevedo M, Servant MJ, Martinez VA, Patten SA, Matyjaszewski K, Ramassamy C, Banquy X. Deep Tissue Penetration of Bottle-Brush Polymers via Cell Capture Evasion and Fast Diffusion. ACS NANO 2022; 16:21583-21599. [PMID: 36516979 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Drug nanocarriers (NCs) capable of crossing the vascular endothelium and deeply penetrating into dense tissues of the CNS could potentially transform the management of neurological diseases. In the present study, we investigated the interaction of bottle-brush (BB) polymers with different biological barriers in vitro and in vivo and compared it to nanospheres of similar composition. In vitro internalization and permeability assays revealed that BB polymers are not internalized by brain-associated cell lines and translocate much faster across a blood-brain barrier model compared to nanospheres of similar hydrodynamic diameter. These observations performed under static, no-flow conditions were complemented by dynamic assays performed in microvessel arrays on chip and confirmed that BB polymers can escape the vasculature compartment via a paracellular route. BB polymers injected in mice and zebrafish larvae exhibit higher penetration in brain tissues and faster extravasation of microvessels located in the brain compared to nanospheres of similar sizes. The superior diffusivity of BBs in extracellular matrix-like gels combined with their ability to efficiently cross endothelial barriers via a paracellular route position them as promising drug carriers to translocate across the blood-brain barrier and penetrate dense tissue such as the brain, two unmet challenges and ultimate frontiers in nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Rabanel
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, Canada H7V 1B7
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Marziye Mirbagheri
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Mateusz Olszewski
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 15213-3815
| | - Guojun Xie
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 15213-3815
| | - Marine Le Goas
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Pierre-Luc Latreille
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Hermine Counil
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, Canada H7V 1B7
| | - Vincent Hervé
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, Canada H7V 1B7
| | - Rummenigge Oliveira Silva
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, Canada H7V 1B7
| | - Charlotte Zaouter
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, Canada H7V 1B7
| | - Vahid Adibnia
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Mariana Acevedo
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Marc J Servant
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Vincent A Martinez
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, United Kingdom EH9 3FD
| | - Shunmoogum A Patten
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, Canada H7V 1B7
| | - Krzysztof Matyjaszewski
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 15213-3815
| | - Charles Ramassamy
- INRS Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, Canada H7V 1B7
| | - Xavier Banquy
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7
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18
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Yang E, Zwart MF, James B, Rubinov M, Wei Z, Narayan S, Vladimirov N, Mensh BD, Fitzgerald JE, Ahrens MB. A brainstem integrator for self-location memory and positional homeostasis in zebrafish. Cell 2022; 185:5011-5027.e20. [PMID: 36563666 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To track and control self-location, animals integrate their movements through space. Representations of self-location are observed in the mammalian hippocampal formation, but it is unknown if positional representations exist in more ancient brain regions, how they arise from integrated self-motion, and by what pathways they control locomotion. Here, in a head-fixed, fictive-swimming, virtual-reality preparation, we exposed larval zebrafish to a variety of involuntary displacements. They tracked these displacements and, many seconds later, moved toward their earlier location through corrective swimming ("positional homeostasis"). Whole-brain functional imaging revealed a network in the medulla that stores a memory of location and induces an error signal in the inferior olive to drive future corrective swimming. Optogenetically manipulating medullary integrator cells evoked displacement-memory behavior. Ablating them, or downstream olivary neurons, abolished displacement corrections. These results reveal a multiregional hindbrain circuit in vertebrates that integrates self-motion and stores self-location to control locomotor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- En Yang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
| | - Maarten F Zwart
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Centre for Biophotonics, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Ben James
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Mikail Rubinov
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Ziqiang Wei
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Sujatha Narayan
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Nikita Vladimirov
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; URPP Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning (AdaBD), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Brett D Mensh
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - James E Fitzgerald
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Misha B Ahrens
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
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19
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Shoenhard H, Jain RA, Granato M. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) regulates zebrafish sensorimotor decision making via a genetically defined cluster of hindbrain neurons. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111790. [PMID: 36476852 PMCID: PMC9813870 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Decision making is a fundamental nervous system function that ranges widely in complexity and speed of execution. We previously established larval zebrafish as a model for sensorimotor decision making and identified the G-protein-coupled calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) to be critical for this process. Here, we report that CaSR functions in neurons to dynamically regulate the bias between two behavioral outcomes: escapes and reorientations. By employing a computational guided transgenic strategy, we identify a genetically defined neuronal cluster in the hindbrain as a key candidate site for CaSR function. Finally, we demonstrate that transgenic CaSR expression targeting this cluster consisting of a few hundred neurons shifts behavioral bias in wild-type animals and restores decision making deficits in CaSR mutants. Combined, our data provide a rare example of a G-protein-coupled receptor that biases vertebrate sensorimotor decision making via a defined neuronal cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Shoenhard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Roshan A. Jain
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Michael Granato
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence:
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20
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Faustini G, Longhena F, Muscò A, Bono F, Parrella E, La Via L, Barbon A, Pizzi M, Onofri F, Benfenati F, Missale C, Memo M, Zizioli D, Bellucci A. Synapsin III Regulates Dopaminergic Neuron Development in Vertebrates. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233902. [PMID: 36497160 PMCID: PMC9739466 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by alterations in the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways. Polymorphisms in the Synapsin III (Syn III) gene can associate with ADHD onset and even affect the therapeutic response to the gold standard ADHD medication, methylphenidate (MPH), a monoamine transporter inhibitor whose efficacy appears related with the stimulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Interestingly, we previously showed that MPH can bind Syn III, which can regulate neuronal development. These observations suggest that Syn III polymorphism may impinge on ADHD onset and response to therapy by affecting BDNF-dependent dopaminergic neuron development. Here, by studying zebrafish embryos exposed to Syn III gene knock-down (KD), Syn III knock-out (ko) mice and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived neurons subjected to Syn III RNA interference, we found that Syn III governs the earliest stages of dopaminergic neurons development and that this function is conserved in vertebrates. We also observed that in mammals Syn III exerts this function acting upstream of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)- and cAMP-dependent protein kinase 5 (Cdk5)-stimulated dendrite development. Collectively, these findings own significant implications for deciphering the biological basis of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Faustini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Longhena
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessia Muscò
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Bono
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Edoardo Parrella
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca La Via
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina Pizzi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Franco Onofri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Via Leon Battista Alberti 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- IRCSS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina Missale
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.Z.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-(0)30-3717546 (D.Z.); +39-(0)30-3717380 (A.B.)
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Laboratory for Preventive and Personalized Medicine, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.Z.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-(0)30-3717546 (D.Z.); +39-(0)30-3717380 (A.B.)
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21
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Saraswathy VM, Zhou L, McAdow AR, Burris B, Dogra D, Reischauer S, Mokalled MH. Myostatin is a negative regulator of adult neurogenesis after spinal cord injury in zebrafish. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111705. [PMID: 36417881 PMCID: PMC9742758 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic and extrinsic inhibition of neuronal regeneration obstruct spinal cord (SC) repair in mammals. In contrast, adult zebrafish achieve functional recovery after complete SC transection. While studies of innate SC regeneration have focused on axon regrowth as a primary repair mechanism, how local adult neurogenesis affects functional recovery is unknown. Here, we uncover dynamic expression of zebrafish myostatin b (mstnb) in a niche of dorsal SC progenitors after injury. mstnb mutants show impaired functional recovery, normal glial and axonal bridging across the lesion, and an increase in the profiles of newborn neurons. Molecularly, neuron differentiation genes are upregulated, while the neural stem cell maintenance gene fgf1b is downregulated in mstnb mutants. Finally, we show that human fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) treatment rescues the molecular and cellular phenotypes of mstnb mutants. These studies uncover unanticipated neurogenic functions for mstnb and establish the importance of local adult neurogenesis for innate SC repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishnu Muraleedharan Saraswathy
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Lili Zhou
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anthony R McAdow
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brooke Burris
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Deepika Dogra
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sven Reischauer
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; Medical Clinic I, (Cardiology/Angiology) and Campus Kerckhoff, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; The Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mayssa H Mokalled
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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22
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Cho HJ, Lee WS, Jeong J, Lee JS. A review on the impacts of nanomaterials on neuromodulation and neurological dysfunction using a zebrafish animal model. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 261:109428. [PMID: 35940544 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Nanomaterials have been widely employed from industrial to medical fields due to their small sizes and versatile characteristics. However, nanomaterials can also induce unexpected adverse effects on health. In particular, exposure of the nervous system to nanomaterials can cause serious neurological dysfunctions and neurodegenerative diseases. A number of studies have adopted various animal models to evaluate the neurotoxic effects of nanomaterials. Among them, zebrafish has become an attractive animal model for neurotoxicological studies due to several advantages, including the well-characterized nervous system, efficient genome editing, convenient generation of transgenic lines, high-resolution in vivo imaging, and an array of behavioral assays. In this review, we summarize recent studies on the neurotoxicological effects of nanomaterials, particularly engineered nanomaterials and nanoplastics, using zebrafish and discuss key findings with advantages and limitations of the zebrafish model in neurotoxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ju Cho
- Microbiome Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Wang Sik Lee
- Environmental Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinyoung Jeong
- Environmental Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KRIBB School, University of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jeong-Soo Lee
- Microbiome Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KRIBB School, University of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Bhandiwad AA, Chu NC, Semenova SA, Holmes GA, Burgess HA. A cerebellar-prepontine circuit for tonic immobility triggered by an inescapable threat. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo0549. [PMID: 36170356 PMCID: PMC9519051 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo0549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sudden changes in the environment are frequently perceived as threats and provoke defensive behavioral states. One such state is tonic immobility, a conserved defensive strategy characterized by powerful suppression of movement and motor reflexes. Tonic immobility has been associated with multiple brainstem regions, but the underlying circuit is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that a strong vibratory stimulus evokes tonic immobility in larval zebrafish defined by suppressed locomotion and sensorimotor responses. Using a circuit-breaking screen and targeted neuron ablations, we show that cerebellar granule cells and a cluster of glutamatergic ventral prepontine neurons (vPPNs) that express key stress-associated neuropeptides are critical components of the circuit that suppresses movement. The complete sensorimotor circuit transmits information from sensory ganglia through the cerebellum to vPPNs to regulate reticulospinal premotor neurons. These results show that cerebellar regulation of a neuropeptide-rich prepontine structure governs a conserved and ancestral defensive behavior that is triggered by an inescapable threat.
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24
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Casado-Navarro R, Serrano-Saiz E. DMRT Transcription Factors in the Control of Nervous System Sexual Differentiation. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:937596. [PMID: 35958734 PMCID: PMC9361473 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.937596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual phenotypic differences in the nervous system are one of the most prevalent features across the animal kingdom. The molecular mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism throughout metazoan nervous systems are extremely diverse, ranging from intrinsic cell autonomous mechanisms to gonad-dependent endocrine control of sexual traits, or even extrinsic environmental cues. In recent years, the DMRT ancient family of transcription factors has emerged as being central in the development of sex-specific differentiation in all animals in which they have been studied. In this review, we provide an overview of the function of Dmrt genes in nervous system sexual regulation from an evolutionary perspective.
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25
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Satou C, Neve RL, Oyibo HK, Zmarz P, Huang KH, Arn Bouldoires E, Mori T, Higashijima SI, Keller GB, Friedrich RW. A viral toolbox for conditional and transneuronal gene expression in zebrafish. eLife 2022; 11:77153. [PMID: 35866706 PMCID: PMC9307271 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is an important model in systems neuroscience but viral tools to dissect the structure and function of neuronal circuitry are not established. We developed methods for efficient gene transfer and retrograde tracing in adult and larval zebrafish by herpes simplex viruses (HSV1). HSV1 was combined with the Gal4/UAS system to target cell types with high spatial, temporal, and molecular specificity. We also established methods for efficient transneuronal tracing by modified rabies viruses in zebrafish. We demonstrate that HSV1 and rabies viruses can be used to visualize and manipulate genetically or anatomically identified neurons within and across different brain areas of adult and larval zebrafish. An expandable library of viruses is provided to express fluorescent proteins, calcium indicators, optogenetic probes, toxins and other molecular tools. This toolbox creates new opportunities to interrogate neuronal circuits in zebrafish through combinations of genetic and viral approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Satou
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, United States
| | - Hassana K Oyibo
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pawel Zmarz
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kuo-Hua Huang
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Takuma Mori
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Institute of Medicine, Academic Assembly, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Higashijima
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.,Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Georg B Keller
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rainer W Friedrich
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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26
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Plata ALD, Robles E. NMDA Receptor Antagonist MK801 Reduces Dendritic Spine Density and Stability in Zebrafish Pyramidal Neurons. Neuroscience 2022; 498:50-63. [PMID: 35718218 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
NMDA-type glutamate receptors play a critical role in activity-dependent neurite growth. We employed cell type-specific genetic labeling in zebrafish to examine the effects of NMDA receptor antagonism on the morphological development of tectal pyramidal neurons (PyrNs). Our data demonstrate that the NMDA receptor antagonist MK801 reduces PyrN spine density and stability without significantly altering dendritic growth and branching. However, the axons that synapse onto PyrN dendritic spines do exhibit reduced arbor growth and branching in response to MK801 treatment. Axons that synapse with PyrNs, but not on spines, are unaffected by MK801 treatment. These findings may reflect different roles for NMDARs during the development of spiny and aspiny dendrites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Lamarca Dela Plata
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Estuardo Robles
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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27
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Hevia CF, Engel-Pizcueta C, Udina F, Pujades C. The neurogenic fate of the hindbrain boundaries relies on Notch3-dependent asymmetric cell divisions. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110915. [PMID: 35675784 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110915] [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: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the balance between progenitor cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation in the construction of the embryonic brain demands the combination of cell lineage and functional approaches. Here, we generate the comprehensive lineage of hindbrain boundary cells by using a CRISPR-based knockin zebrafish transgenic line that specifically labels the boundaries. We unveil that boundary cells asynchronously engage in neurogenesis undergoing a functional transition from neuroepithelial progenitors to radial glia cells, coinciding with the onset of Notch3 signaling that triggers their asymmetrical cell division. Upon notch3 loss of function, boundary cells lose radial glia properties and symmetrically divide undergoing neuronal differentiation. Finally, we show that the fate of boundary cells is to become neurons, the subtype of which relies on their axial position, suggesting that boundary cells contribute to refine the number and proportion of the distinct neuronal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frederic Udina
- Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08002 Barcelona, Spain; Data Science Center, Barcelona School of Economics, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Pujades
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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28
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Wee CL, Song E, Nikitchenko M, Herrera KJ, Wong S, Engert F, Kunes S. Social isolation modulates appetite and avoidance behavior via a common oxytocinergic circuit in larval zebrafish. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2573. [PMID: 35545618 PMCID: PMC9095721 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29765-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal brains have evolved to encode social stimuli and transform these representations into advantageous behavioral responses. The commonalities and differences of these representations across species are not well-understood. Here, we show that social isolation activates an oxytocinergic (OXT), nociceptive circuit in the larval zebrafish hypothalamus and that chemical cues released from conspecific animals are potent modulators of this circuit's activity. We delineate an olfactory to subpallial pathway that transmits chemical social cues to OXT circuitry, where they are transformed into diverse outputs simultaneously regulating avoidance and feeding behaviors. Our data allow us to propose a model through which social stimuli are integrated within a fundamental neural circuit to mediate diverse adaptive behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Wee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
| | - Erin Song
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maxim Nikitchenko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristian J Herrera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sandy Wong
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Samuel Kunes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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29
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Transformation of an early-established motor circuit during maturation in zebrafish. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110654. [PMID: 35417694 PMCID: PMC9071512 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Locomotion is mediated by spinal circuits that generate movements with a precise coordination and vigor. The assembly of these circuits is defined early during development; however, whether their organization and function remain invariant throughout development is unclear. Here, we show that the first established fast circuit between two dorsally located V2a interneuron types and the four primary motoneurons undergoes major transformation in adult zebrafish compared with what was reported in larvae. There is a loss of existing connections and establishment of new connections combined with alterations in the mode, plasticity, and strength of synaptic transmission. In addition, we show that this circuit no longer serves as a swim rhythm generator, but instead its components become embedded within the spinal escape circuit and control propulsion following the initial escape turn. Our results thus reveal significant changes in the organization and function of a motor circuit as animals develop toward adulthood.
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30
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Böhm UL, Kimura Y, Kawashima T, Ahrens MB, Higashijima SI, Engert F, Cohen AE. Voltage imaging identifies spinal circuits that modulate locomotor adaptation in zebrafish. Neuron 2022; 110:1211-1222.e4. [PMID: 35104451 PMCID: PMC8989672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Motor systems must continuously adapt their output to maintain a desired trajectory. While the spinal circuits underlying rhythmic locomotion are well described, little is known about how the network modulates its output strength. A major challenge has been the difficulty of recording from spinal neurons during behavior. Here, we use voltage imaging to map the membrane potential of large populations of glutamatergic neurons throughout the spinal cord of the larval zebrafish during fictive swimming in a virtual environment. We characterized a previously undescribed subpopulation of tonic-spiking ventral V3 neurons whose spike rate correlated with swimming strength and bout length. Optogenetic activation of V3 neurons led to stronger swimming and longer bouts but did not affect tail beat frequency. Genetic ablation of V3 neurons led to reduced locomotor adaptation. The power of voltage imaging allowed us to identify V3 neurons as a critical driver of locomotor adaptation in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs L Böhm
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Yukiko Kimura
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Takashi Kawashima
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Misha B Ahrens
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Shin-Ichi Higashijima
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Adam E Cohen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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31
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McLean DL. Voltage imaging and spinal circuits get along swimmingly. Neuron 2022; 110:1093-1094. [PMID: 35390287 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.03.024] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Voltage imaging promises to unite optical and electrical approaches to accelerate circuit discovery. In this issue of Neuron, Böhm et al. (2022) use voltage imaging to explore the structure and functional dynamics of spinal excitatory interneurons in larval zebrafish and reveal the role of V3 neurons in adaptive locomotor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L McLean
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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32
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V3 Interneurons Are Active and Recruit Spinal Motor Neurons during In Vivo Fictive Swimming in Larval Zebrafish. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0476-21.2022. [PMID: 35277451 PMCID: PMC8970435 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0476-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival for vertebrate animals is dependent on the ability to successfully find food, locate a mate, and avoid predation. Each of these behaviors requires motor control, which is set by a combination of kinematic properties. For example, the frequency and amplitude of motor output combine in a multiplicative manner to determine features of locomotion such as distance traveled, speed, force (thrust), and vigor. Although there is a good understanding of how different populations of excitatory spinal interneurons establish locomotor frequency, there is a less thorough mechanistic understanding for how locomotor amplitude is established. Recent evidence indicates that locomotor amplitude is regulated in part by a subset of functionally and morphologically distinct V2a excitatory spinal interneurons (Type II, nonbursting) in larval and adult zebrafish. Here, we provide direct evidence that most V3 interneurons (V3-INs), which are a developmentally and genetically defined population of ventromedial glutamatergic spinal neurons, are active during fictive swimming. We also show that elimination of the spinal V3-IN population reduces the proportion of active motor neurons (MNs) during fictive swimming but does not alter the range of locomotor frequencies produced. These data are consistent with V3-INs providing excitatory drive to spinal MNs during swimming in larval zebrafish and may contribute to the production of locomotor amplitude independently of locomotor frequency.
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33
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Niemeyer JE, Gadamsetty P, Chun C, Sylvester S, Lucas JP, Ma H, Schwartz TH, Aksay ERF. Seizures initiate in zones of relative hyperexcitation in a zebrafish epilepsy model. Brain 2022; 145:2347-2360. [PMID: 35196385 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizures are thought to arise from an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity. While most classical studies suggest excessive excitatory neural activity plays a generative role, some recent findings challenge this view and instead argue that excessive activity in inhibitory neurons initiates seizures. We investigated this question of imbalance in a zebrafish seizure model with two-photon imaging of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity throughout the brain using a nuclear-localized calcium sensor. We found that seizures consistently initiated in circumscribed zones of the midbrain before propagating to other brain regions. Excitatory neurons were both more prevalent and more likely to be recruited than inhibitory neurons in initiation as compared with propagation zones. These findings support a mechanistic picture whereby seizures initiate in a region of hyper-excitation, then propagate more broadly once inhibitory restraint in the surround is overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Niemeyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Poornima Gadamsetty
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Chanwoo Chun
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine and the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sherika Sylvester
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine and the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jacob P Lucas
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hongtao Ma
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Theodore H Schwartz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emre R F Aksay
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine and the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
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34
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Tesmer AL, Fields NP, Robles E. Input from torus longitudinalis drives binocularity and spatial summation in zebrafish optic tectum. BMC Biol 2022; 20:24. [PMID: 35073895 PMCID: PMC8788132 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01222-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A continued effort in neuroscience aims to understand the way brain circuits consisting of diverse neuronal types generate complex behavior following sensory input. A common feature of vertebrate visual systems is that lower-order and higher-order visual areas are reciprocally connected. Feedforward projections confer visual responsiveness to higher-order visual neurons while feedback projections likely serve to modulate responses of lower-order visual neurons in a context-dependent manner. Optic tectum is the largest first-order visual brain area in zebrafish and is reciprocally connected with the torus longitudinalis (TL), a second-order visual brain area that does not receive retinal input. A functional role for feedback projections from TL to tectum has not been identified. Here we aim to understand how this feedback contributes to visual processing. Results In this study, we demonstrate that TL feedback projections to tectum drive binocular integration and spatial summation in a defined tectal circuit. We performed genetically targeted, cell type-specific functional imaging in tectal pyramidal neurons (PyrNs) and their two input neuron populations: retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and neurons in TL. We find that PyrNs encode gradual changes in scene luminance using a complement of three distinct response classes that encode different light intensity ranges. Functional imaging of RGC inputs to tectum suggest that these response classes originate in the retina and RGC input specifies PyrN functional classes. In contrast, TL input serves to endow PyrNs with large, compound receptive fields that span both retinal hemifields. Conclusions These findings reveal a novel role for the zebrafish TL in driving binocular integration and spatial summation in tectal PyrNs. The neural circuit we describe generates a population of tectal neurons with large receptive fields tailored for detecting changes in the visual scene. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01222-x.
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35
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Weiss JM, Lumaquin-Yin D, Montal E, Suresh S, Leonhardt CS, White RM. Shifting the focus of zebrafish toward a model of the tumor microenvironment. eLife 2022; 11:69703. [PMID: 36538362 PMCID: PMC9767465 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells exist in a complex ecosystem with numerous other cell types in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The composition of this tumor/TME ecosystem will vary at each anatomic site and affects phenotypes such as initiation, metastasis, and drug resistance. A mechanistic understanding of the large number of cell-cell interactions between tumor and TME requires models that allow us to both characterize as well as genetically perturb this complexity. Zebrafish are a model system optimized for this problem, because of the large number of existing cell-type-specific drivers that can label nearly any cell in the TME. These include stromal cells, immune cells, and tissue resident normal cells. These cell-type-specific promoters/enhancers can be used to drive fluorophores to facilitate imaging and also CRISPR cassettes to facilitate perturbations. A major advantage of the zebrafish is the ease by which large numbers of TME cell types can be studied at once, within the same animal. While these features make the zebrafish well suited to investigate the TME, the model has important limitations, which we also discuss. In this review, we describe the existing toolset for studying the TME using zebrafish models of cancer and highlight unique biological insights that can be gained by leveraging this powerful resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Weiss
- Weill-Cornel Medical College, Tri-Institutional M.D./Ph.D. ProgramNew YorkUnited States
| | - Dianne Lumaquin-Yin
- Weill-Cornel Medical College, Tri-Institutional M.D./Ph.D. ProgramNew YorkUnited States
| | - Emily Montal
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Cancer Biology & GeneticsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Shruthy Suresh
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Cancer Biology & GeneticsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Carl S Leonhardt
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Cancer Biology & GeneticsNew YorkUnited States
| | - Richard M White
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Cancer Biology & GeneticsNew YorkUnited States,Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
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36
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Iglesias González AB, Jakobsson JET, Vieillard J, Lagerström MC, Kullander K, Boije H. Single Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Spinal Dmrt3 Neurons in Zebrafish and Mouse Identifies Distinct Subtypes and Reveal Novel Subpopulations Within the dI6 Domain. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:781197. [PMID: 35002627 PMCID: PMC8733252 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.781197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinal locomotor network is frequently used for studies into how neuronal circuits are formed and how cellular activity shape behavioral patterns. A population of dI6 interneurons, marked by the Doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3 (Dmrt3), has been shown to participate in the coordination of locomotion and gaits in horses, mice and zebrafish. Analyses of Dmrt3 neurons based on morphology, functionality and the expression of transcription factors have identified different subtypes. Here we analyzed the transcriptomes of individual cells belonging to the Dmrt3 lineage from zebrafish and mice to unravel the molecular code that underlies their subfunctionalization. Indeed, clustering of Dmrt3 neurons based on their gene expression verified known subtypes and revealed novel populations expressing unique markers. Differences in birth order, differential expression of axon guidance genes, neurotransmitters, and their receptors, as well as genes affecting electrophysiological properties, were identified as factors likely underlying diversity. In addition, the comparison between fish and mice populations offers insights into the evolutionary driven subspecialization concomitant with the emergence of limbed locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Henrik Boije
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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37
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Choi JH, Duboue ER, Macurak M, Chanchu JM, Halpern ME. Specialized neurons in the right habenula mediate response to aversive olfactory cues. eLife 2021; 10:e72345. [PMID: 34878403 PMCID: PMC8691842 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemispheric specializations are well studied at the functional level but less is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. We identified a small cluster of cholinergic neurons in the dorsal habenula (dHb) of zebrafish, defined by their expression of the lecithin retinol acyltransferase domain containing 2 a (lratd2a) gene and their efferent connections with a subregion of the ventral interpeduncular nucleus (vIPN). The lratd2a-expressing neurons in the right dHb are innervated by a subset of mitral cells from both the left and right olfactory bulb and are activated upon exposure to the odorant cadaverine that is repellent to adult zebrafish. Using an intersectional strategy to drive expression of the botulinum neurotoxin specifically in these neurons, we find that adults no longer show aversion to cadaverine. Mutants with left-isomerized dHb that lack these neurons are also less repelled by cadaverine and their behavioral response to alarm substance, a potent aversive cue, is diminished. However, mutants in which both dHb have right identity appear more reactive to alarm substance. The results implicate an asymmetric dHb-vIPN neural circuit in the processing of repulsive olfactory cues and in modulating the resultant behavioral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Hwa Choi
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of EmbryologyBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Erik R Duboue
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
- Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic UniversityJupiterUnited States
| | - Michelle Macurak
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of EmbryologyBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jean-Michel Chanchu
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of EmbryologyBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Marnie E Halpern
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of EmbryologyBaltimoreUnited States
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Zaupa M, Naini SMA, Younes MA, Bullier E, Duboué ER, Le Corronc H, Soula H, Wolf S, Candelier R, Legendre P, Halpern ME, Mangin JM, Hong E. Trans-inhibition of axon terminals underlies competition in the habenulo-interpeduncular pathway. Curr Biol 2021; 31:4762-4772.e5. [PMID: 34529937 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Survival of animals is dependent on the correct selection of an appropriate behavioral response to competing external stimuli. Theoretical models have been proposed and underlying mechanisms are emerging to explain how one circuit is selected among competing neural circuits. The evolutionarily conserved forebrain to midbrain habenulo-interpeduncular nucleus (Hb-IPN) pathway consists of cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons, which mediate different aversive behaviors. Simultaneous calcium imaging of neuronal cell bodies and of the population dynamics of their axon terminals reveals that signals in the cell bodies are not reflective of terminal activity. We find that axon terminals of cholinergic and non-cholinergic habenular neurons exhibit stereotypic patterns of spontaneous activity that are negatively correlated and localize to discrete subregions of the target IPN. Patch-clamp recordings show that calcium bursts in cholinergic terminals at the ventral IPN trigger excitatory currents in IPN neurons, which precede inhibition of non-cholinergic terminals at the adjacent dorsal IPN. Inhibition is mediated through presynaptic GABAB receptors activated in non-cholinergic habenular neurons upon GABA release from the target IPN. Together, the results reveal a hardwired mode of competition at the terminals of two excitatory neuronal populations, providing a physiological framework to explore the relationship between different aversive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Zaupa
- INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Seyedeh Maryam Alavi Naini
- INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Maroun Abi Younes
- INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Erika Bullier
- INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Erik R Duboué
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Wilkes Honors College and Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Hervé Le Corronc
- INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Hédi Soula
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Nutriomics, La Pitié Salpétrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Sebastien Wolf
- Laboratoire Jean Perrin, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Candelier
- Laboratoire Jean Perrin, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pascal Legendre
- INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Marnie E Halpern
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Jean-Marie Mangin
- INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Elim Hong
- INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France.
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Scott K, O'Rourke R, Winkler CC, Kearns CA, Appel B. Temporal single-cell transcriptomes of zebrafish spinal cord pMN progenitors reveal distinct neuronal and glial progenitor populations. Dev Biol 2021; 479:37-50. [PMID: 34303700 PMCID: PMC8410680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Ventral spinal cord progenitor cells, which express the basic helix loop helix transcription factor Olig2, sequentially produce motor neurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Following specification some OPCs differentiate as myelinating oligodendrocytes while others persist as OPCs. Though a considerable amount of work has described the molecular profiles that define motor neurons, OPCs, and oligodendrocytes, less is known about the progenitors that produce them. To identify the developmental origins and transcriptional profiles of motor neurons and OPCs, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on isolated pMN cells from embryonic zebrafish trunk tissue at stages that encompassed motor neurogenesis, OPC specification, and initiation of oligodendrocyte differentiation. Downstream analyses revealed two distinct pMN progenitor populations: one that appears to produce neurons and one that appears to produce OPCs. This latter population, called Pre-OPCs, is marked by expression of GS Homeobox 2 (gsx2), a gene that encodes a homeobox transcription factor. Using fluorescent in situ hybridizations, we identified gsx2-expressing Pre-OPCs in the spinal cord prior to expression of canonical OPC marker genes. Our data therefore reveal heterogeneous gene expression profiles among pMN progenitors, supporting prior fate mapping evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayt Scott
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Colorado, 80045, USA; Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development Training Program, Colorado, 80045, USA
| | - Rebecca O'Rourke
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Colorado, 80045, USA
| | - Caitlin C Winkler
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Colorado, 80045, USA; RNA Bioscience Initiative and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Colorado, 80045, USA
| | - Christina A Kearns
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Colorado, 80045, USA
| | - Bruce Appel
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, Colorado, 80045, USA; Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Kler S, Ma M, Narayan S, Ahrens MB, Pan YA. Cre-Dependent Anterograde Transsynaptic Labeling and Functional Imaging in Zebrafish Using VSV With Reduced Cytotoxicity. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:758350. [PMID: 34720892 PMCID: PMC8549678 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.758350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The small size and translucency of larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) have made it a unique experimental system to investigate whole-brain neural circuit structure and function. Still, the connectivity patterns between most neuronal types remain mostly unknown. This gap in knowledge underscores the critical need for effective neural circuit mapping tools, especially ones that can integrate structural and functional analyses. To address this, we previously developed a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) based approach called Tracer with Restricted Anterograde Spread (TRAS). TRAS utilizes lentivirus to complement replication-incompetent VSV (VSVΔG) to allow restricted (monosynaptic) anterograde labeling from projection neurons to their target cells in the brain. Here, we report the second generation of TRAS (TRAS-M51R), which utilizes a mutant variant of VSVΔG [VSV(M51R)ΔG] with reduced cytotoxicity. Within the primary visual pathway, we found that TRAS-M51R significantly improved long-term viability of transsynaptic labeling (compared to TRAS) while maintaining anterograde spread activity. By using Cre-expressing VSV(M51R)ΔG, TRAS-M51R could selectively label excitatory (vglut2a positive) and inhibitory (gad1b positive) retinorecipient neurons. We further show that these labeled excitatory and inhibitory retinorecipient neurons retained neuronal excitability upon visual stimulation at 5-8 days post fertilization (2-5 days post-infection). Together, these findings show that TRAS-M51R is suitable for neural circuit studies that integrate structural connectivity, cell-type identity, and neurophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Kler
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Manxiu Ma
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Sujatha Narayan
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, United States
| | - Misha B. Ahrens
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, United States
| | - Y. Albert Pan
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
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41
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Torigoe M, Islam T, Kakinuma H, Fung CCA, Isomura T, Shimazaki H, Aoki T, Fukai T, Okamoto H. Zebrafish capable of generating future state prediction error show improved active avoidance behavior in virtual reality. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5712. [PMID: 34588436 PMCID: PMC8481257 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals make decisions under the principle of reward value maximization and surprise minimization. It is still unclear how these principles are represented in the brain and are reflected in behavior. We addressed this question using a closed-loop virtual reality system to train adult zebrafish for active avoidance. Analysis of the neural activity of the dorsal pallium during training revealed neural ensembles assigning rules to the colors of the surrounding walls. Additionally, one third of fish generated another ensemble that becomes activated only when the real perceived scenery shows discrepancy from the predicted favorable scenery. The fish with the latter ensemble escape more efficiently than the fish with the former ensembles alone, even though both fish have successfully learned to escape, consistent with the hypothesis that the latter ensemble guides zebrafish to take action to minimize this prediction error. Our results suggest that zebrafish can use both principles of goal-directed behavior, but with different behavioral consequences depending on the repertoire of the adopted principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makio Torigoe
- Lab. for Neural Circuit Dynamics of Decision Making, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Tanvir Islam
- Lab. for Neural Circuit Dynamics of Decision Making, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- RIKEN CBS-Kao Collaboration Center, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hisaya Kakinuma
- Lab. for Neural Circuit Dynamics of Decision Making, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- RIKEN CBS-Kao Collaboration Center, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Chi Chung Alan Fung
- Neural Coding and Brain Computing Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Takuya Isomura
- Brain Intelligence Theory Unit, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hideaki Shimazaki
- Center for Human Nature, Artificial Intelligence, and Neuroscience (CHAIN), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Tazu Aoki
- Lab. for Neural Circuit Dynamics of Decision Making, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Tomoki Fukai
- Neural Coding and Brain Computing Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Okamoto
- Lab. for Neural Circuit Dynamics of Decision Making, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
- RIKEN CBS-Kao Collaboration Center, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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Wu MY, Carbo-Tano M, Mirat O, Lejeune FX, Roussel J, Quan FB, Fidelin K, Wyart C. Spinal sensory neurons project onto the hindbrain to stabilize posture and enhance locomotor speed. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3315-3329.e5. [PMID: 34146485 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons (CSF-cNs) are GABAergic interoceptive sensory neurons that detect spinal curvature via a functional coupling with the Reissner fiber. This mechanosensory system has recently been found to be involved in spine morphogenesis and postural control but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In zebrafish, CSF-cNs project an ascending and ipsilateral axon reaching two to six segments away. Rostralmost CSF-cNs send their axons ipsilaterally into the hindbrain, a brain region containing motor nuclei and reticulospinal neurons (RSNs), which send descending motor commands to spinal circuits. Until now, the synaptic connectivity of CSF-cNs has only been investigated in the spinal cord, where they synapse onto motor neurons and premotor excitatory interneurons. The identity of CSF-cN targets in the hindbrain and the behavioral relevance of these sensory projections from the spinal cord to the hindbrain are unknown. Here, we provide anatomical and molecular evidence that rostralmost CSF-cNs synapse onto the axons of large RSNs including Mauthner cells and V2a neurons. Functional anatomy and optogenetically assisted mapping reveal that rostral CSF-cNs also synapse onto the soma and dendrites of cranial motor neurons innervating hypobranchial muscles. During acousto-vestibular evoked escape responses, ablation of rostralmost CSF-cNs results in a weaker escape response with a decreased C-bend amplitude, lower speed, and deficient postural control. Our study demonstrates that spinal sensory feedback enhances speed and stabilizes posture, and reveals a novel spinal gating mechanism acting on the output of descending commands sent from the hindbrain to the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yue Wu
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Martin Carbo-Tano
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - Olivier Mirat
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Francois-Xavier Lejeune
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Julian Roussel
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Feng B Quan
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Kevin Fidelin
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Claire Wyart
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, 75013 Paris, France.
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43
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Itoh T, Inoue S, Sun X, Kusuda R, Hibi M, Shimizu T. Cfdp1 controls the cell cycle and neural differentiation in the zebrafish cerebellum and retina. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:1618-1633. [PMID: 33987914 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the cell cycle and cell differentiation should be coordinately regulated to generate a variety of neurons in the brain, the molecules that are involved in this coordination still remain largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the roles of a nuclear protein Cfdp1, which is thought to be involved in chromatin remodeling, in zebrafish neurogenesis. RESULTS Zebrafish cfdp1 mutants maintained the progenitors of granule cells (GCs) in the cerebellum, but showed defects in their differentiation to GCs. cfdp1 mutants showed an increase in phospho-histone 3 (pH 3)-positive cells and apoptotic cells, as well as a delayed cell cycle transition from the G2 to the M phase in the cerebellum. The inhibition of tp53 prevented apoptosis but not GC differentiation in the cfdp1 mutant cerebellum. A similar increase in apoptotic cells and pH 3-positive cells, and defective cell differentiation, were observed in the cfdp1 mutant retina. Although mitotic spindles formed, mitosis was blocked before anaphase in both the cerebellum and retina of cfdp1 mutant larvae. Furthermore, expression of the G2/mitotic-specific cyclin B1 gene increased in the cfdp1 mutant cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that Cfdp1 regulates the cell cycle of neural progenitors, thereby promoting neural differentiation in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsubasa Itoh
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Inoue
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Xiaoding Sun
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ryo Kusuda
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masahiko Hibi
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takashi Shimizu
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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44
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Guilbeault NC, Guerguiev J, Martin M, Tate I, Thiele TR. BonZeb: open-source, modular software tools for high-resolution zebrafish tracking and analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8148. [PMID: 33854104 PMCID: PMC8047029 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85896-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We present BonZeb-a suite of modular Bonsai packages which allow high-resolution zebrafish tracking with dynamic visual feedback. Bonsai is an increasingly popular software platform that is accelerating the standardization of experimental protocols within the neurosciences due to its speed, flexibility, and minimal programming overhead. BonZeb can be implemented into novel and existing Bonsai workflows for online behavioral tracking and offline tracking with batch processing. We demonstrate that BonZeb can run a variety of experimental configurations used for gaining insights into the neural mechanisms of zebrafish behavior. BonZeb supports head-fixed closed-loop and free-swimming virtual open-loop assays as well as multi-animal tracking, optogenetic stimulation, and calcium imaging during behavior. The combined performance, ease of use and versatility of BonZeb opens new experimental avenues for researchers seeking high-resolution behavioral tracking of larval zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Guilbeault
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jordan Guerguiev
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Isabelle Tate
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tod R Thiele
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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45
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Ohnesorge N, Heinl C, Lewejohann L. Current Methods to Investigate Nociception and Pain in Zebrafish. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:632634. [PMID: 33897350 PMCID: PMC8061727 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.632634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is an unpleasant, negative emotion and its debilitating effects are complex to manage. Mammalian models have long dominated research on nociception and pain, but there is increasing evidence for comparable processes in fish. The need to improve existing pain models for drug research and the obligation for 3R refinement of fish procedures facilitated the development of numerous new assays of nociception and pain in fish. The zebrafish is already a well-established animal model in many other research areas like toxicity testing, as model for diseases or regeneration and has great potential in pain research, too. Methods of electrophysiology, molecular biology, analysis of reflexive or non-reflexive behavior and fluorescent imaging are routinely applied but it is the combination of these tools what makes the zebrafish model so powerful. Simultaneously, observing complex behavior in free-swimming larvae, as well as their neuronal activity at the cellular level, opens new avenues for pain research. This review aims to supply a toolbox for researchers by summarizing current methods to study nociception and pain in zebrafish. We identify treatments with the best algogenic potential, be it chemical, thermal or electric stimuli and discuss options of analgesia to counter effects of nociception and pain by opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or local anesthetics. In addition, we critically evaluate these practices, identify gaps of knowledge and outline potential future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Ohnesorge
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Berlin, Germany
| | - Céline Heinl
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Lewejohann
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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46
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Xie ME, Adam Y, Fan LZ, Böhm UL, Kinsella I, Zhou D, Rozsa M, Singh A, Svoboda K, Paninski L, Cohen AE. High-fidelity estimates of spikes and subthreshold waveforms from 1-photon voltage imaging in vivo. Cell Rep 2021; 35:108954. [PMID: 33826882 PMCID: PMC8095336 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to probe the membrane potential of multiple genetically defined neurons simultaneously would have a profound impact on neuroscience research. Genetically encoded voltage indicators are a promising tool for this purpose, and recent developments have achieved a high signal-to-noise ratio in vivo with 1-photon fluorescence imaging. However, these recordings exhibit several sources of noise and signal extraction remains a challenge. We present an improved signal extraction pipeline, spike-guided penalized matrix decomposition-nonnegative matrix factorization (SGPMD-NMF), which resolves supra- and subthreshold voltages in vivo. The method incorporates biophysical and optical constraints. We validate the pipeline with simultaneous patch-clamp and optical recordings from mouse layer 1 in vivo and with simulated and composite datasets with realistic noise. We demonstrate applications to mouse hippocampus expressing paQuasAr3-s or SomArchon1, mouse cortex expressing SomArchon1 or Voltron, and zebrafish spines expressing zArchon1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Xie
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Yoav Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Linlin Z Fan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Urs L Böhm
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ian Kinsella
- Department of Statistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Ding Zhou
- Department of Statistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Marton Rozsa
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Amrita Singh
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Karel Svoboda
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Liam Paninski
- Department of Statistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Adam E Cohen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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47
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Satou C, Sugioka T, Uemura Y, Shimazaki T, Zmarz P, Kimura Y, Higashijima SI. Functional Diversity of Glycinergic Commissural Inhibitory Neurons in Larval Zebrafish. Cell Rep 2021; 30:3036-3050.e4. [PMID: 32130905 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Commissural inhibitory neurons in the spinal cord of aquatic vertebrates coordinate left-right body alternation during swimming. Their developmental origin, however, has been elusive. We investigate this by comparing the anatomy and function of two commissural inhibitory neuron types, dI6dmrt3a and V0d, derived from the pd6 and p0 progenitor domains, respectively. We find that both of these commissural neuron types have monosynaptic, inhibitory connections to neuronal populations active during fictive swimming, supporting their role in providing inhibition to the contralateral side. V0d neurons tend to fire during faster and stronger movements, while dI6dmrt3a neurons tend to fire more consistently during normal fictive swimming. Ablation of dI6dmrt3a neurons leads to an impairment of left-right alternating activity through abnormal co-activation of ventral root neurons on both sides of the spinal cord. Our results suggest that dI6dmrt3a and V0d commissural inhibitory neurons synergistically provide inhibition to the opposite side across different swimming behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Satou
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.
| | - Takumi Sugioka
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan; Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Yuto Uemura
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan; Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Takashi Shimazaki
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Pawel Zmarz
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Yukiko Kimura
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan; Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.
| | - Shin-Ichi Higashijima
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan; Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.
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48
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Montgomery JE, Wahlstrom‐Helgren S, Vanpelt KT, Masino MA. Repetitive optogenetic stimulation of glutamatergic neurons: An alternative to NMDA treatment for generating locomotor activity in spinalized zebrafish larvae. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e14774. [PMID: 33769694 PMCID: PMC7995545 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) application has conventionally been used to activate spinal networks to induce locomotion in spinalized animals. We recently described an alternative approach in which application of continuous blue light activates channelrhodopsin-2 in vesicular glutamate transporter 2a (vglut2a)-expressing spinal neurons to produce organized, rhythmic locomotor activity in spinally-transected larval zebrafish. This technique arguably enhances research validity, because endogenous glutamate is released into existing synapses instead of activating only a subset of glutamatergic (NMDA) receptors with an exogenous compound. Here, we explored the viability of this approach in the context of using it for longer-term experiments. Fictive swimming was induced through repetitive application of 10-s blue light stimuli to spinalized preparations for up to 60 min at intervals of 1, 3, or 15 min. Locomotor activity was maintained throughout the experimental timecourse, demonstrating the robustness of the system. Although locomotor bursts remained organized into episodes of activity, the number of bursts elicited during each successive stimulus decreased. This was in contrast to NMDA bath application, in which bursts became less episodically organized while the overall number of bursts remained unchanged. The efficacy of the repetitive optogenetic stimulation paradigm was demonstrated through application of exogenous dopamine, which reversibly decreased the number of bursts produced per stimulus compared with untreated preparations. Finally, increasing the stimulus interval to 15 min lessened, but did not eliminate locomotor fatigue from repetitive activation. Altogether, we established repetitive optogenetic stimulation of vglut2a-expressing neurons as a viable alternative to NMDA application for activation of the zebrafish spinal locomotor network.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kayce T. Vanpelt
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMNUSA
| | - Mark A. Masino
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMNUSA
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49
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Valera G, Markov DA, Bijari K, Randlett O, Asgharsharghi A, Baudoin JP, Ascoli GA, Portugues R, López-Schier H. A neuronal blueprint for directional mechanosensation in larval zebrafish. Curr Biol 2021; 31:1463-1475.e6. [PMID: 33545047 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Animals have a remarkable ability to use local cues to orient in space in the absence of a panoramic fixed reference frame. Here we use the mechanosensory lateral line in larval zebrafish to understand rheotaxis, an innate oriented swimming evoked by water currents. We generated a comprehensive light-microscopy cell-resolution projectome of lateralis afferent neurons (LANs) and used clustering techniques for morphological classification. We find surprising structural constancy among LANs. Laser-mediated microlesions indicate that precise topographic mapping of lateral-line receptors is not essential for rheotaxis. Recording neuronal-activity during controlled mechanical stimulation of neuromasts reveals unequal representation of water-flow direction in the hindbrain. We explored potential circuit architectures constrained by anatomical and functional data to suggest a parsimonious model under which the integration of lateralized signals transmitted by direction-selective LANs underlies the encoding of water-flow direction in the brain. These data provide a new framework to understand how animals use local mechanical cues to orient in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema Valera
- Sensory Biology and Organogenesis, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Germany
| | | | - Kayvan Bijari
- Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, VA, USA
| | - Owen Randlett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Giorgio A Ascoli
- Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, VA, USA
| | | | - Hernán López-Schier
- Sensory Biology and Organogenesis, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Germany; Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain.
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50
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DeMarco E, Tesmer AL, Hech B, Kawakami K, Robles E. Pyramidal Neurons of the Zebrafish Tectum Receive Highly Convergent Input From Torus Longitudinalis. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:636683. [PMID: 33613200 PMCID: PMC7886788 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.636683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The torus longitudinalis (TL) is a midbrain structure unique to ray finned fish. Although previously implicated in orienting behaviors elicited by changes in ambient lighting, the role of TL in visual processing is not well-understood. TL is reciprocally connected to tectum and is the only known source of synaptic input to the stratum marginalis (SM) layer of tectal neuropil. Conversely, tectal pyramidal neurons (PyrNs) are the only identified tectal neuron population that forms a dendrite in SM. In this study we describe a zebrafish gal4 transgenic that labels TL neurons that project to SM. We demonstrate that the axonal TL projection to SM in zebrafish is glutamatergic. Consistent with these axons synapsing directly onto PyrNs, SM-targeted dendrites of PyrNs contain punctate enrichments of the glutamatergic post-synaptic marker protein PSD95. Sparse genetic labeling of individual TL axons and PyrN dendrites enabled quantitative morphometric analysis that revealed (1) large, sparsely branched TL axons in SM and (2) small, densely innervated PyrN dendrites in SM. Together this unique combination of morphologies support a wiring diagram in which TL inputs to PyrNs exhibit a high degree of convergence. We propose that this convergence functions to generate large, compound visual receptive fields in PyrNs. This quantitative anatomical data will instruct future functional studies aimed at identifying the precise contribution of TL-PyrN circuitry to visual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth DeMarco
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Alexander L Tesmer
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Bruna Hech
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Koichi Kawakami
- Department of Gene Function, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Estuardo Robles
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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