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He M, Xia M, Yang Q, Chen X, Li H, Xia X. P-aminobenzoic acid promotes retinal regeneration through activation of Ascl1a in zebrafish. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1849-1856. [PMID: 38103253 PMCID: PMC10960302 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.389646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202408000-00040/figure1/v/2023-12-16T180322Z/r/image-tiff The retina of zebrafish can regenerate completely after injury. Multiple studies have demonstrated that metabolic alterations occur during retinal damage; however to date no study has identified a link between metabolites and retinal regeneration of zebrafish. Here, we performed an unbiased metabolome sequencing in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish to demonstrate the metabolomic mechanism of retinal regeneration. Among the differentially-expressed metabolites, we found a significant decrease in p-aminobenzoic acid in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish. Then, we investigated the role of p-aminobenzoic acid in retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish. Importantly, p-aminobenzoic acid activated Achaetescute complex-like 1a expression, thereby promoting Müller glia reprogramming and division, as well as Müller glia-derived progenitor cell proliferation. Finally, we eliminated folic acid and inflammation as downstream effectors of PABA and demonstrated that PABA had little effect on Müller glia distribution. Taken together, these findings show that PABA contributes to retinal regeneration through activation of Achaetescute complex-like 1a expression in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihui He
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Mingfang Xia
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xingyi Chen
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Haibo Li
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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Hofer W, Deschner F, Jézéquel G, Pessanha de Carvalho L, Abdel-Wadood N, Pätzold L, Bernecker S, Morgenstern B, Kany AM, Große M, Stadler M, Bischoff M, Hirsch AKH, Held J, Herrmann J, Müller R. Functionalization of Chlorotonils: Dehalogenil as Promising Lead Compound for In Vivo Application. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319765. [PMID: 38502093 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The natural product chlorotonil displays high potency against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria and Plasmodium falciparum. Yet, its scaffold is characterized by low solubility and oral bioavailability, but progress was recently made to enhance these properties. Applying late-stage functionalization, we aimed to further optimize the molecule. Previously unknown reactions including a sulfur-mediated dehalogenation were revealed. Dehalogenil, the product of this reaction, was identified as the most promising compound so far, as this new derivative displayed improved solubility and in vivo efficacy while retaining excellent antimicrobial activity. We confirmed superb activity against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. and mature transmission stages of Plasmodium falciparum. We also demonstrated favorable in vivo toxicity, pharmacokinetics and efficacy in infection models with S. aureus. Taken together, these results identify dehalogenil as an advanced lead molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Hofer
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Felix Deschner
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Gwenaëlle Jézéquel
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Laìs Pessanha de Carvalho
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Noran Abdel-Wadood
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology /, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Linda Pätzold
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Bernecker
- Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Bernd Morgenstern
- Inorganic Solid State Chemistry, Saarland University Campus, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andreas M Kany
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Miriam Große
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
- Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
- Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Bischoff
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
| | - Jana Held
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, BP 242, BP 242, Gabon
| | - Jennifer Herrmann
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Department of Pharmacy at Saarland University Campus Building E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
- Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-Infectives, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
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Guo Y, Zhang T, Wang X, Zhang J, Miao W, Li QX, Fan Y. Toxic effects of the insecticide tolfenpyrad on zebrafish embryos: Cardiac toxicity and mitochondrial damage. Environ Toxicol 2024; 39:2583-2595. [PMID: 38205909 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Tolfenpyrad, a highly effective and broad-spectrum insecticide and acaricide extensively utilized in agriculture, presents a potential hazard to nontarget organisms. This study was designed to explore the toxic mechanisms of tolfenpyrad on zebrafish embryos. Between 24 and 96 h after exposure of the fertilized embryos to tolfenpyrad at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 0.016 mg/L (96 h-LC50 = 0.017 mg/L), lethal effects were apparent, accompanied with notable anomalies including pericardial edema, increased pericardial area, diminished heart rate, and an elongated distance between the venous sinus and the arterial bulb. Tolfenpyrad elicited noteworthy alterations in the expression of genes pertinent to cardiac development and apoptosis, with the most pronounced changes observed in the cardiac development-related genes of bone morphogenetic protein 2b (bmp2b) and p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (puma). The findings underscore that tolfenpyrad induces severe cardiac toxicity and mitochondrial damage in zebrafish embryos. This data is imperative for a comprehensive assessment of tolfenpyrad risks to aquatic ecosystems, particularly considering the limited knowledge regarding its detrimental impact on aquatic vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry Disasters, College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Taiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry Disasters, College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry Disasters, College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry Disasters, College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Weiguo Miao
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry Disasters, College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Qing X Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Yongmei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry Disasters, College of Plant Protection, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
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Yaylacıoğlu Tuncay F, Talim B, Dinçer PR. Mimicking TGFBI Hot-Spot Mutation Did Not Result in Any Deposit Formation in the Zebrafish Cornea. Curr Eye Res 2024; 49:458-466. [PMID: 38164916 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2023.2298904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mutations in transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI) protein are associated with a group of corneal dystrophies (CDs), classified as TGFBI-associated CDs, characterized by deposits in the cornea. Mouse models were not proper in several aspects for modelling human disease. The goal of this study was to generate zebrafish mutants to investigate the corneal phenotype and to decide whether zebrafish could be a potential model for TGFBI-associated CDs. METHODS The conserved arginine residue, codon 117, in zebrafish tgfbi gene was targeted with Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 method. Cas9 VQR variant was used with two target-specific sgRNAs to generate mutations. The presence of mutations was evaluated by T7 Endonuclease Enzyme (T7EI) assay and the type of the mutations were evaluated by Sanger sequencing. The mutant zebrafish at 3 months and 1 year of age were investigated under the microscope for corneal opacity and eye sections were evaluated histopathologically with hematoxylin-eosin, masson-trichrome and congo red stains for corneal deposits. RESULTS We achieved indel variation at the target sequence that resulted in p.Ser115_Arg117delinsLeu (c. 347_353delinsT) by nonhomology mediated repair in F1. This zebrafish mutation had the potential to mimic two disease-causing mutations reported in human cases previously: R124L and R124L + del125-126. Mutant zebrafish did not show any corneal opacity or corneal deposits at 3 months and 1 year of age. CONCLUSION This study generated the first zebrafish model mimicking the R124 hot spot mutation in TGFBI-associated CDs. However, evaluations even at 1 year of age did not reveal any deposits in the cornea histopathologically. This study increased the cautions for modelling TGFBI-associated CDs in zebrafish in addition to differences in the corneal structure between zebrafish and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Yaylacıoğlu Tuncay
- Medical Biology, Gülhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
- Medical Biology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Beril Talim
- Pathology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Moll TOC, Farber SA. Zebrafish ApoB-Containing Lipoprotein Metabolism: A Closer Look. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1053-1064. [PMID: 38482694 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.318287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Zebrafish have become a powerful model of mammalian lipoprotein metabolism and lipid cell biology. Most key proteins involved in lipid metabolism, including cholesteryl ester transfer protein, are conserved in zebrafish. Consequently, zebrafish exhibit a human-like lipoprotein profile. Zebrafish with mutations in genes linked to human metabolic diseases often mimic the human phenotype. Zebrafish larvae develop rapidly and externally around the maternally deposited yolk. Recent work revealed that any disturbance of lipoprotein formation leads to the accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets and an opaque yolk, providing a visible phenotype to investigate disturbances of the lipoprotein pathway, already leading to discoveries in MTTP (microsomal triglyceride transfer protein) and ApoB (apolipoprotein B). By 5 days of development, the digestive system is functional, making it possible to study fluorescently labeled lipid uptake in the transparent larvae. These and other approaches enabled the first in vivo description of the STAB (stabilin) receptors, showing lipoprotein uptake in endothelial cells. Various zebrafish models have been developed to mimic human diseases by mutating genes known to influence lipoproteins (eg, ldlra, apoC2). This review aims to discuss the most recent research in the zebrafish ApoB-containing lipoprotein and lipid metabolism field. We also summarize new insights into lipid processing within the yolk cell and how changes in lipid flux alter yolk opacity. This curious new finding, coupled with the development of several techniques, can be deployed to identify new players in lipoprotein research directly relevant to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabea O C Moll
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Steven A Farber
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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Liu Z, Zhang N, Wang C, Shi L, Hu Y, Wang Y, Li J. Lrp13a and Lrp13b serve as vitellogenin receptors in the ovary of zebrafish†. Biol Reprod 2024:ioae040. [PMID: 38660750 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In oviparous animals, egg yolk is largely derived from vitellogenin, which is taken up from the maternal circulation by the growing oocytes via the vitellogenin receptor. Recently, a novel member of the lipoprotein receptor superfamily termed low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 13 was identified and proposed as a candidate of vitellogenin receptor in oviparous animals. However, the roles of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 13 in vitellogenesis are still poorly defined. Here, we investigated the expression, vitellogenin-binding properties, and function of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 13 in zebrafish. Two different lrp13 genes termed lrp13a and lrp13b were found in zebrafish. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed both lrp13s to be predominantly expressed in zebrafish ovary, and in situ hybridization detected both lrp13s transcripts in the ooplasm of early stage oocytes. Two yeast hybrid studies showed that among eight vitellogenins of zebrafish, Vtg1, 2, and 3 bind to Lrp13a, while Vtg1, 2, and 5 bind to Lrp13b. We created zebrafish lrp13a and lrp13b mutant lines using CRISPR/Cas9. Knockout of lrp13a leads to a male-biased sex ratio and decreased diameter of embryo yolk, while knockout of lrp13b and double knockout of lrp13a and lrp13b leads to the delay of vitellogenesis, followed by follicular atresia. These phenotypes of mutants can be explained by the disruption of vitellogenesis in the absence of Lrp13s. Taken together, our results indicate that both Lrp13a and Lrp13b can serve as vitellogenin receptors in zebrafish among other vitellogenin receptors that are not yet described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiquan Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chuangxin Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lina Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yixuan Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yamei Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianzhen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
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Li NZ, Wang ZX, Zhang F, Feng CZ, Chen Y, Liu DJ, Chen SB, Jin Y, Zhang YL, Xie YY, Huang QH, Wang L, Li B, Sun XJ. Threonine dehydrogenase regulates neutrophil homeostasis but not H3K4me3 levels in zebrafish. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38652546 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
l-threonine dehydrogenase (Tdh) is an enzyme that links threonine metabolism to epigenetic modifications and mitochondria biogenesis. In vitro studies show that it is critical for the regulation of trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) levels and cell fate determination of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, whether Tdh regulates a developmental process in vivo and, if it does, whether it also primarily regulates H3K4me3 levels in this process as it does in mESCs, remains elusive. Here, we revealed that, in zebrafish hematopoiesis, tdh is preferentially expressed in neutrophils. Knockout of tdh causes a decrease in neutrophil number and slightly suppresses their acute injury-induced migration, but, unlike the mESCs, the level of H3K4me3 is not evidently reduced in neutrophils sorted from the kidney marrow of adult tdh-null zebrafish. These phenotypes are dependent on the enzymatic activity of Tdh. Importantly, a soluble supplement of nutrients that are able to fuel the acetyl-CoA pool, such as pyruvate, glucose and branched-chain amino acids, is sufficient to rescue the reduction in neutrophils caused by tdh deletion. In summary, our study presents evidence for the functional requirement of Tdh-mediated threonine metabolism in a developmental process in vivo. It also provides an animal model for investigating the nutritional regulation of myelopoiesis and immune response, as well as a useful tool for high-throughput drug/nutrition screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Zhe Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Chang-Zhou Feng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Dian-Jia Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Shu-Bei Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Yi Jin
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Yuan-Liang Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Yin-Yin Xie
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Qiu-Hua Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Lan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Xiao-Jian Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
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Bardhan A, Brown W, Albright S, Tsang M, Davidson LA, Deiters A. Direct Activation of Nucleobases with Small Molecules for the Conditional Control of Antisense Function. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318773. [PMID: 38411401 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Conditionally controlled antisense oligonucleotides provide precise interrogation of gene function at different developmental stages in animal models. Only one example of small molecule-induced activation of antisense function exist. This has been restricted to cyclic caged morpholinos that, based on sequence, can have significant background activity in the absence of the trigger. Here, we provide a new approach using azido-caged nucleobases that are site-specifically introduced into antisense morpholinos. The caging group design is a simple azidomethylene (Azm) group that, despite its very small size, efficiently blocks Watson-Crick base pairing in a programmable fashion. Furthermore, it undergoes facile decaging via Staudinger reduction when exposed to a small molecule phosphine, generating the native antisense oligonucleotide under conditions compatible with biological environments. We demonstrated small molecule-induced gene knockdown in mammalian cells, zebrafish embryos, and frog embryos. We validated the general applicability of this approach by targeting three different genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Bardhan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | - Wes Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | - Savannah Albright
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | - Michael Tsang
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Integrative Organ Systems., University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | - Lance A Davidson
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
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Jia-Xin H, Song'en X, Wen-Qing Z, Wei L. The interaction of Pu.1 and cMyb in zebrafish neutrophil development. Yi Chuan 2024; 46:319-332. [PMID: 38632094 DOI: 10.16288/j.yczz.23-312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Granulopoiesis is a highly ordered and precisely regulated process in which hematopoietic-related transcription factors play crucial roles. These transcription factors form complex regulatory networks through interactions with their co-factors or with each other, and anomalies in these networks can lead to the onset of leukemia. While the structures and functions of dozens of transcription factors involved in this process have been extensively studied, research on the regulatory relationships between these factors remains relatively limited. PU.1 and cMYB participate in multiple stages of neutrophil development, and their abnormalities are often associated with hematologic disorders. However, the regulatory relationship between these factors in vivo and their mode of interaction remain unclear. In this study, zebrafish models with cMyb overexpression (cmybhyper) and Pu.1 deficiency (pu.1G242D/G242D) were utilized to systematically investigate the interaction between Pu.1 and cMyb during granulopoiesis through whole-mount in situ hybridization, qRT-PCR, fluorescence reporting systems, and rescue experiments. The results showed a significant increase in cmyb expression in neutrophils of the pu.1G242D/G242D mutant, while there was no apparent change in pu.1 expression in cmybhyper. Further experiments involving injection of morpholino (MO) to decrease cmyb expression in pu.1G242D/G242D mutants, followed by SB and BrdU staining to assess neutrophil quantity and proliferation, revealed that reducing cmyb expression could rescue the abnormal proliferation phenotype of neutrophils in the pu.1G242D/G242D mutant. These findings suggest that Pu.1 negatively regulates the expression of cMyb during neutrophil development. Finally, through the construction of multi-site mutation plasmids and a fluorescent reporter system, confirmed that Pu.1 directly binds to the +72 bp site in the cmyb promoter, exerting negative regulation on its expression. In conclusion, this study delineates that Pu.1 participates in neutrophil development by regulating cmyb expression. This provides new insights into the regulatory relationship between these two factors and their roles in diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Jia-Xin
- Division of Development Biology & Regenerative Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xu Song'en
- Division of Development Biology & Regenerative Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhang Wen-Qing
- Division of Development Biology & Regenerative Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liu Wei
- Division of Development Biology & Regenerative Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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10
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Seliwjorstow A, Takamiya M, Rastegar S, Pianowski Z. Reversible Influence of Hemipiperazine Photochromism on the Early Development of Zebrafish Embryo. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400143. [PMID: 38442077 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
This study explores the potential of controlling organismal development with light by using reversible photomodulation of activity in bioactive compounds. Specifically, our research focuses on plinabulin 1, an inhibitor of tubulin dynamics that contains a photochromic motif called hemipiperazine. The two isomeric forms, Z-1 and E-1, can partially interconvert with light, yet show remarkable thermal stability in darkness. The Z-isomer exhibits higher cytotoxicity due to stronger binding to α-tubulin's colchicine site. The less toxic E-1 form, considered a "pro-drug", can be isolated in vitro and stored. Upon activation by blue or cyan light, it predominantly generates the more toxic Z-1 form. Here we demonstrate that 1 can effectively photomodulate epiboly, a critical microtubule-dependent cell movement during gastrulation in zebrafish embryos. This research highlights the potential of photomodulation for precise and reversible control of cellular activities and organismal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Seliwjorstow
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, Kaiserstrasse 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Masanari Takamiya
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing IBCS-BIP, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, Kaiserstrasse 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing IBCS-BIP, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, Kaiserstrasse 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Zbigniew Pianowski
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, Kaiserstrasse 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Functional Molecular Systems IBCS-FMS, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, Kaiserstrasse 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
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11
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McKaige EA, Lee C, Calcinotto V, Giri S, Crawford S, McGrath MJ, Ramm G, Bryson-Richardson RJ. Mitochondrial abnormalities contribute to muscle weakness in a Dnajb6 deficient zebrafish model. Hum Mol Genet 2024:ddae061. [PMID: 38621658 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in DNAJB6 are a well-established cause of limb girdle muscular dystrophy type D1 (LGMD D1). Patients with LGMD D1 develop progressive muscle weakness with histology showing fibre damage, autophagic vacuoles, and aggregates. Whilst there are many reports of LGMD D1 patients, the role of DNAJB6 in the muscle is still unclear. In this study, we developed a loss of function zebrafish model in order to investigate the role of Dnajb6. Using a double dnajb6a and dnajb6b mutant model, we show that loss of Dnajb6 leads to a late onset muscle weakness. Interestingly, we find that adult fish lacking Dnajb6 do not have autophagy or myofibril defects, however, they do show mitochondrial changes and damage. This study demonstrates that loss of Dnajb6 causes mitochondrial defects and suggests that this contributes to muscle weakness in LGMD D1. These findings expand our knowledge of the role of Dnajb6 in the muscle and provides a model to screen novel therapies for LGMD D1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A McKaige
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Clara Lee
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Vanessa Calcinotto
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Saveen Giri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Simon Crawford
- Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo Electron Microscopy, Monash University, 15 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Meagan J McGrath
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Georg Ramm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo Electron Microscopy, Monash University, 15 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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12
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Evsiukova VS, Sorokin IE, Kulikov PA, Kulikov AV. Alterations in the brain serotonin system and serotonin-regulated behavior during aging in zebrafish males and females. Behav Brain Res 2024; 466:115000. [PMID: 38631659 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The brain serotonin (5-HT) system performs a neurotrophic function and supports the plasticity of the nervous system, while its age-related changes can increase the risk of senile neurodegeneration. Zebrafish brain is highly resistant to damage and neurodegeneration due to its high regeneration potential and it is a promising model object in searching for molecular factors preventing age-related neurodegeneration. In the present study alterations in 5-HT-related behavior in the home tank and the novel tank diving test, as well as 5-HT, 5-HIAA levels, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and the expression of genes encoding TPH, MAO, 5-HT transporter and 5-HT receptors in the brain of 6, 12, 24 and 36 month old zebrafish males and females are investigated. Marked sexual dimorphism in the locomotor activity in the novel tank test is revealed: females of all ages move slower than males. No sexual dimorphism in 5-HT-related traits is observed. No changes in 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in zebrafish brain during aging is observed. At the same time, the aging is accompanied by a decrease in the locomotor activity, TPH activity, tph2 and htr1aa genes expression as well as an increase in the MAO activity and slc6a4a gene expression in their brain. These results indicate that the brain 5-HT system in zebrafish is resistant to age-related alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina S Evsiukova
- Department of Psychoneuropharmacology, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ivan E Sorokin
- Department of Monogenic Forms of Human Common Disorders, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetic Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Peter A Kulikov
- Department of Genetic Collections of Neural Disorders, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander V Kulikov
- Department of Genetic Collections of Neural Disorders, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.
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13
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Tsai JN, Wang YH, Lin PJ, Chang CF, Sun CY, Chen YH. Nephroprotective effects of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) leaves aqueous extracts in aristolochic acid-intoxicated zebrafish embryos. Environ Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 38613516 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Coriander is a notable medicinal plant known for its diverse properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, analgesic, and anti-diabetic effects. Despite its recognized health benefits, research on its nephroprotective properties is limited. This study aimed to investigate the potential nephroprotective properties of an aqueous extract derived from coriander leaves using an aristolochic acid-intoxicated zebrafish model. To assess kidney abnormalities induced by aristolochic acid (AA), we utilized the transgenic line Tg(wt1b:egfp), which expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the kidney. Our previous report indicated that AA exposure leads to acute renal failure in zebrafish characterized by kidney malformation and impaired renal function. However, pretreatment of coriander extract (CE) can mitigate kidney malformations induced by AA. In addition, CE pretreatment reduces the accumulation of red blood cells in the glomerular region. To verify the nephroprotective effects of CE, we analyzed renal function by measuring the glomerular filtration rate in zebrafish embryos. Results indicate that CE partially mitigates renal function impairment caused by AA exposure, suggesting its potential to attenuate AA-induced renal failure. Mechanistically, pretreatment with CE reduces the expression of proinflammatory and proapoptotic genes induced by AA. This suggests that CE likely alleviates acute renal failure by reducing inflammation and apoptosis. As a result, we regard zebrafish as a valuable model for screening natural compounds that have the potential to alleviate AA-induced nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Ning Tsai
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Hsin Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Basic Research, Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Koo Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Ju Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Fang Chang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Yin Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Yau-Hung Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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14
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Romero A, Sanchez A, Jones JD, Ledesma K, El-Halawany MS, Hamouda AK, Bill BR. Optimization of Zebrafish Larvae 6-OHDA Exposure for Neurotoxin Induced Dopaminergic Marker Reduction. Zebrafish 2024. [PMID: 38608227 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is clinically assessed by motor symptoms associated with the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons affecting the quality of life for over 8.5 million people worldwide. The neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been used to chemically induce a PD-like state in zebrafish larvae by several laboratories; however, highly variable concentration, methodology, and reagents have resulted in conflicting results suggesting a need to investigate these issues of reproducibility. We propose a protocol that addresses the differences in methodology and induces changes in 6 days postfertilization (dpf) larvae utilizing a 24-h exposure at 3 dpf with 30 μM 6-OHDA. Despite ∼50% lethality, no morphological or development differences in surviving fish are observed. Definition of our model is defined by downregulation of the expression of th1 by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, a marker for dopaminergic neurons and a reduction in movement. Additionally, we observed a downregulation of pink1 and an upregulation of sod1 and sod2, indicators of mitochondrial dysfunction and response to reactive oxygen species, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Romero
- The University of Texas at Tyler College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, Tyler, Texas, USA
- The University of Texas Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, Tyler, Texas, USA
| | - Armando Sanchez
- The University of Texas at Tyler College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, Tyler, Texas, USA
| | - Jocelyn D Jones
- The University of Texas at Tyler College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, Tyler, Texas, USA
| | - Kristel Ledesma
- The University of Texas at Tyler College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, Tyler, Texas, USA
| | - Medhat S El-Halawany
- The University of Texas Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, Tyler, Texas, USA
| | - Ayman K Hamouda
- The University of Texas Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, Tyler, Texas, USA
| | - Brent R Bill
- The University of Texas at Tyler College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, Tyler, Texas, USA
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15
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Li W, Zhang X, Hao X, Xin R, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Niu Z. Fish skin mucosal surface becomes a barrier of antibiotic resistance genes under apramycin exposure. Environ Res 2024:118930. [PMID: 38615788 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are a kind of emerging environmental contamination, and are commonly found in antibiotic application situations, attracting wide attention. Fish skin mucosal surface (SMS), as the contact interface between fish and water, is the first line of defense against external pollutant invasion. Antibiotics are widely used in aquaculture, and SMS may be exposed to antibiotics. However, what happens to SMS when antibiotics are applied, and whether ARGs are enriched in SMS are not clear. In this study, Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to antibiotic and antibiotic resistant bacteria in the laboratory to simulate the aquaculture situation, and the effects of SMS on the spread of ARGs were explored. The results showed that SMS maintained the stability of the bacterial abundance and diversity under apramycin (APR) and bacterial exposure effectively. Until 11 days after stopping APR exposure, the abundance of ARGs in SMS (mean value was 3.32×10-3 copies/16S rRNA copies) still did not recover to the initial stage before exposure, which means that enriched ARGs in SMS were persistently remained. Moreover, non-specific immunity played an important role in resisting infection of external contamination. Besides, among antioxidant proteins, superoxide dismutase showed the highest activity. Consequently, it showed that SMS became a barrier of antibiotic resistance genes under APR exposure, and ARGs in SMS were difficult to remove once colonized. This study provided a reference for understanding the transmission, enrichment process, and ecological impact of antibiotics and ARGs in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenpeng Li
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiaohan Hao
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Rui Xin
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yongzheng Ma
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Zhiguang Niu
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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16
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Nagpal J, Eachus H, Lityagina O, Ryu S. Optogenetic induction of chronic glucocorticoid exposure in early-life leads to blunted stress-response in larval zebrafish. Eur J Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38602078 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) exposure alters stress susceptibility in later life and affects vulnerability to stress-related disorders, but how ELS changes the long-lasting responsiveness of the stress system is not well understood. Zebrafish provides an opportunity to study conserved mechanisms underlying the development and function of the stress response that is regulated largely by the neuroendocrine hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal (HPA/I) axis, with glucocorticoids (GC) as the final effector. In this study, we established a method to chronically elevate endogenous GC levels during early life in larval zebrafish. To this end, we employed an optogenetic actuator, beggiatoa photoactivated adenylyl cyclase, specifically expressed in the interrenal cells of zebrafish and demonstrate that its chronic activation leads to hypercortisolaemia and dampens the acute-stress evoked cortisol levels, across a variety of stressor modalities during early life. This blunting of stress-response was conserved in ontogeny at a later developmental stage. Furthermore, we observe a strong reduction of proopiomelanocortin (pomc)-expression in the pituitary as well as upregulation of fkbp5 gene expression. Going forward, we propose that this model can be leveraged to tease apart the mechanisms underlying developmental programming of the HPA/I axis by early-life GC exposure and its implications for vulnerability and resilience to stress in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Nagpal
- University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Pharmacy and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Helen Eachus
- Living Systems Institute & Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Olga Lityagina
- University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Soojin Ryu
- University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Living Systems Institute & Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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17
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Sun J, Peterson EA, Chen X, Wang J. ptx3a + fibroblast/epicardial cells provide a transient macrophage niche to promote heart regeneration. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114092. [PMID: 38607913 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages conduct critical roles in heart repair, but the niche required to nurture and anchor them is poorly studied. Here, we investigated the macrophage niche in the regenerating heart. We analyzed cell-cell interactions through published single-cell RNA sequencing datasets and identified a strong interaction between fibroblast/epicardial (Fb/Epi) cells and macrophages. We further visualized the association of macrophages with Fb/Epi cells and the blockage of macrophage response without Fb/Epi cells in the regenerating zebrafish heart. Moreover, we found that ptx3a+ epicardial cells associate with reparative macrophages, and their depletion resulted in fewer reparative macrophages. Further, we identified csf1a expression in ptx3a+ cells and determined that pharmacological inhibition of the csf1a pathway or csf1a knockout blocked the reparative macrophage response. Moreover, we found that genetic overexpression of csf1a enhanced the reparative macrophage response with or without heart injury. Altogether, our studies illuminate a cardiac Fb/Epi niche, which mediates a beneficial macrophage response after heart injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisheng Sun
- Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Peterson
- Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jinhu Wang
- Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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18
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Beaulieu MO, Thomas ED, Raible DW. Transdifferentiation is uncoupled from progenitor pool expansion during hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish inner ear. bioRxiv 2024:2024.04.09.588777. [PMID: 38645220 PMCID: PMC11030336 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.09.588777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Death of mechanosensory hair cells in the inner ear is a common cause of auditory and vestibular impairment in mammals, which have a limited ability to regrow these cells after damage. In contrast, non-mammalian vertebrates including zebrafish can robustly regenerate hair cells following severe organ damage. The zebrafish inner ear provides an understudied model system for understanding hair cell regeneration in organs that are highly conserved with their mammalian counterparts. Here we quantitatively examine hair cell addition during growth and regeneration of the larval zebrafish inner ear. We used a genetically encoded ablation method to induce hair cell death and observed gradual regeneration with correct spatial patterning over two weeks following ablation. Supporting cells, which surround and are a source of new hair cells, divide in response to hair cell ablation, expanding the possible progenitor pool. In parallel, nascent hair cells arise from direct transdifferentiation of progenitor pool cells uncoupled from progenitor division. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism of hair cell regeneration with implications for how hair cells may be encouraged to regenerate in the mammalian ear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marielle O. Beaulieu
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Seattle, WA
- Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Seattle, WA
| | - Eric D. Thomas
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Seattle, WA
- Department of Biological Structure University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - David W. Raible
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Seattle, WA
- Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Seattle, WA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Seattle, WA
- Department of Biological Structure University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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19
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Huang P, Hu Y, Zhang X, Zhou J, Xiao H, Du J. The combined exposure of polystyrene microplastics and high-fat feeding affects the intestinal pathology damage and microbiome in zebrafish. J Fish Biol 2024. [PMID: 38596840 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The pervasive utilization of plastics and their integration into ecosystems has resulted in significant environmental issues, particularly the pollution of microplastics (MPs). In aquaculture, high-fat feed (HFD) is frequently employed to enhance the energy intake and economic fish production. This study utilized zebrafish as a model organism to investigate the impact of concurrent exposure to HFD and MPs on fish intestinal pathology damage and intestinal microbiome. The experimental design involved the division of zebrafish into two groups: one receiving a normal diet (ND) and the other receiving HFD. The zebrafish were exposed to a control group, as well as polystyrene (PS) MPs of varying sizes (5 and 50 μm). Histopathological examination revealed that the combination of 5 μm MPs and HFD resulted in the most significant damage to the zebrafish intestinal tract. Furthermore, gut microbiome assays indicated that exposure to MPs and HFD altered the composition of the gut microbiome. This study demonstrates that in aquaculture, the issue of HFD must be considered alongside concerns about MPs contamination, as both factors appear to have a combined effect on the intestinal pathology damage and intestinal microbiome. The findings of this research offer valuable insights for the improvement of fish farming practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Department of General Pediatric Surgery, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanqiu Hu
- Precision Medical Center, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiankai Zhang
- Precision Medical Center, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingyi Zhou
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Han Xiao
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
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20
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Liu X, Zhang W, Jing C, Gao L, Fu C, Ren C, Hao Y, Cao M, Ma K, Pan W, Li D. Corrigendum: Mutation of Gemin5 causes defective hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells proliferation in zebrafish embryonic hematopoiesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1407675. [PMID: 38655064 PMCID: PMC11035865 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1407675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.670654.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofen Liu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Changbin Jing
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Fu
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunguang Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimei Hao
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengye Cao
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Ma
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research and Translation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China
| | - Weijun Pan
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Dantong Li
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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21
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Labusch M, Thetiot M, Than-Trong E, Morizet D, Coolen M, Varet H, Legendre R, Ortica S, Mancini L, Bally-Cuif L. Prosaposin maintains adult neural stem cells in a state associated with deep quiescence. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:515-528. [PMID: 38518783 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In most vertebrates, adult neural stem cells (NSCs) continuously give rise to neurons in discrete brain regions. A critical process for maintaining NSC pools over long periods of time in the adult brain is NSC quiescence, a reversible and tightly regulated state of cell-cycle arrest. Recently, lysosomes were identified to regulate the NSC quiescence-proliferation balance. However, it remains controversial whether lysosomal activity promotes NSC proliferation or quiescence, and a finer influence of lysosomal activity on NSC quiescence duration or depth remains unexplored. Using RNA sequencing and pharmacological manipulations, we show that lysosomes are necessary for NSC quiescence maintenance. In addition, we reveal that expression of psap, encoding the lysosomal regulator Prosaposin, is enriched in quiescent NSCs (qNSCs) that reside upstream in the NSC lineage and display a deep/long quiescence phase in the adult zebrafish telencephalon. We show that shRNA-mediated psap knockdown increases the proportion of activated NSCs (aNSCs) as well as NSCs that reside in shallower quiescence states (signed by ascl1a and deltaA expression). Collectively, our results identify the lysosomal protein Psap as a (direct or indirect) quiescence regulator and unfold the interplay between lysosomal function and NSC quiescence heterogeneities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Labusch
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, 75015 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège doctoral, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Melina Thetiot
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Than-Trong
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, 75015 Paris, France
| | - David Morizet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, 75015 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège doctoral, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Marion Coolen
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Platform Biomics, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Rachel Legendre
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Platform Biomics, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sara Ortica
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Laure Mancini
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, 75015 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège doctoral, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Laure Bally-Cuif
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, 75015 Paris, France.
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22
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Tan VWT, Salmi TM, Karamalakis AP, Gillespie A, Ong AJS, Balic JJ, Chan YC, Bladen CE, Brown KK, Dawson MA, Cox AG. SLAM-ITseq identifies that Nrf2 induces liver regeneration through the pentose phosphate pathway. Dev Cell 2024; 59:898-910.e6. [PMID: 38366599 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The liver exhibits a remarkable capacity to regenerate following injury. Despite this unique attribute, toxic injury is a leading cause of liver failure. The temporal processes by which the liver senses injury and initiates regeneration remain unclear. Here, we developed a transgenic zebrafish model wherein hepatocyte-specific expression of uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT) enabled the implementation of SLAM-ITseq to investigate the nascent transcriptome during initiation of liver injury and regeneration. Using this approach, we identified a rapid metabolic transition from the fed to the fasted state that was followed by induction of the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) antioxidant program. We find that activation of Nrf2 in hepatocytes is required to induce the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and improve survival following liver injury. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that inhibition of the PPP disrupts nucleotide biosynthesis to prevent liver regeneration. Together, these studies provide fundamental insights into the mechanism by which early metabolic adaptation to injury facilitates tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky W T Tan
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Talhah M Salmi
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony P Karamalakis
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Andrea Gillespie
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Athena Jessica S Ong
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jesse J Balic
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Yih-Chih Chan
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Cerys E Bladen
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kristin K Brown
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Mark A Dawson
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre & Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Andrew G Cox
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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23
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Karas BF, Terez KR, Mowla S, Battula N, Flannery KP, Gural BM, Aboussleman G, Mubin N, Manzini MC. Removal of pomt1 in zebrafish leads to loss of α-dystroglycan glycosylation and dystroglycanopathy phenotypes. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:709-723. [PMID: 38272461 PMCID: PMC11000664 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Biallelic mutations in Protein O-mannosyltransferase 1 (POMT1) are among the most common causes of a severe group of congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs) known as dystroglycanopathies. POMT1 is a glycosyltransferase responsible for the attachment of a functional glycan mediating interactions between the transmembrane glycoprotein dystroglycan and its binding partners in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Disruptions in these cell-ECM interactions lead to multiple developmental defects causing brain and eye malformations in addition to CMD. Removing Pomt1 in the mouse leads to early embryonic death due to the essential role of dystroglycan during placental formation in rodents. Here, we characterized and validated a model of pomt1 loss of function in the zebrafish showing that developmental defects found in individuals affected by dystroglycanopathies can be recapitulated in the fish. We also discovered that pomt1 mRNA provided by the mother in the oocyte supports dystroglycan glycosylation during the first few weeks of development. Muscle disease, retinal synapse formation deficits, and axon guidance defects can only be uncovered during the first week post fertilization by generating knock-out embryos from knock-out mothers. Conversely, maternal pomt1 from heterozygous mothers was sufficient to sustain muscle, eye, and brain development only leading to loss of photoreceptor synapses at 30 days post fertilization. Our findings show that it is important to define the contribution of maternal mRNA while developing zebrafish models of dystroglycanopathies and that offspring generated from heterozygous and knock-out mothers can be used to differentiate the role of dystroglycan glycosylation in tissue formation and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany F Karas
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Kristin R Terez
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Shorbon Mowla
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Namarata Battula
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Kyle P Flannery
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Brian M Gural
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Grace Aboussleman
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Numa Mubin
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - M Chiara Manzini
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
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24
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Bitsikas V, Cubizolles F, Schier AF. A vertebrate family without a functional Hypocretin/Orexin arousal system. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1532-1540.e4. [PMID: 38490200 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The Hypocretin/Orexin signaling pathway suppresses sleep and promotes arousal, whereas the loss of Hypocretin/Orexin results in narcolepsy, including the involuntary loss of muscle tone (cataplexy).1 Here, we show that the South Asian fish species Chromobotia macracanthus exhibits a sleep-like state during which individuals stop swimming and rest on their side. Strikingly, we discovered that the Hypocretin/Orexin system is pseudogenized in C. macracanthus, but in contrast to Hypocretin-deficient mammals, C. macracanthus does not suffer from sudden behavioral arrests. Similarly, zebrafish mutations in hypocretin/orexin show no evident signs of cataplectic-like episodes. Notably, four additional species in the Botiidae family also lack a functional Hypocretin/Orexin system. These findings identify the first vertebrate family that does not rely on a functional Hypocretin/Orexin system for the regulation of sleep and arousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilis Bitsikas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabien Cubizolles
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander F Schier
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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25
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Seli DA, Prendergast A, Ergun Y, Tyagi A, Taylor HS. High NaCl Concentrations in Water Are Associated with Developmental Abnormalities and Altered Gene Expression in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4104. [PMID: 38612913 PMCID: PMC11012806 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Salt is frequently introduced in ecosystems, where it acts as a pollutant. This study examined how changes in salinity affect the survival and development of zebrafish from the two-cell to the blastocyst stage and from the blastocyst to the larval stage. Control zebrafish embryos were cultured in E3 medium containing 5 mM Sodium Chloride (NaCl), 0.17 mM Potassium Chloride (KCL), 0.33 mM Calcium Chloride (CaCl2), and 0.33 mM Magnesium Sulfade (MgSO4). Experiments were conducted using increasing concentrations of each individual salt at 5×, 10×, 50×, and 100× the concentration found in E3 medium. KCL, CaCl2, and MgSO4 did not result in lethal abnormalities and did not affect early embryo growth at any of the concentrations tested. Concentrations of 50× and 100× NaCl caused embryonic death in both stages of development. Concentrations of 5× and 10× NaCl resulted in uninflated swim bladders in 12% and 65% of larvae, compared to 4.2% of controls, and caused 1654 and 2628 genes to be differentially expressed in blastocysts, respectively. The ATM signaling pathway was affected, and the Sonic Hedgehog pathway genes Shh and Ptc1 implicated in swim bladder development were downregulated. Our findings suggest that increased NaCl concentrations may alter gene expression and cause developmental abnormalities in animals found in affected ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis A. Seli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Andrew Prendergast
- Yale Zebrafish Phenotyping Core, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yagmur Ergun
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVIRMA New Jersey, Marlton, NJ 08053, USA
| | - Antariksh Tyagi
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Hugh S. Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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26
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Gonzalez D, Cuenca X, Allende ML. Knockdown of tgfb1a partially improves ALS phenotype in a transient zebrafish model. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1384085. [PMID: 38644973 PMCID: PMC11032012 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1384085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) corresponds to a neurodegenerative disorder marked by the progressive degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons located in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. ALS can be broadly categorized into two main types: sporadic ALS (sALS), which constitutes approximately 90% of all cases, and familial ALS (fALS), which represents the remaining 10% of cases. Transforming growth factor type-β (TGF-β) is a cytokine involved in various cellular processes and pathological contexts, including inflammation and fibrosis. Elevated levels of TGF-β have been observed in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of both ALS patients and mouse models. In this perspective, we explore the impact of the TGF-β signaling pathway using a transient zebrafish model for ALS. Our findings reveal that the knockdown of tgfb1a lead to a partial prevention of motor axon abnormalities and locomotor deficits in a transient ALS zebrafish model at 48 h post-fertilization (hpf). In this context, we delve into the proposed distinct roles of TGF-β in the progression of ALS. Indeed, some evidence suggests a dual role for TGF-β in ALS progression. Initially, it seems to exert a neuroprotective effect in the early stages, but paradoxically, it may contribute to disease progression in later stages. Consequently, we suggest that the TGF-β signaling pathway emerges as an attractive therapeutic target for treating ALS. Nevertheless, further research is crucial to comprehensively understand the nuanced role of TGF-β in the pathological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gonzalez
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Terapia Ocupacional, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Xiomara Cuenca
- Escuela de Terapia Ocupacional, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel L. Allende
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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27
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Feng J, Xu L, Qi L, Fu Z, Hu Q. Polydopamine-Mediated Metal-Organic Frameworks Modification for Improved Biocompatibility. Macromol Biosci 2024:e2400071. [PMID: 38569562 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202400071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Engineered nanomaterials are promising in biomedical application. However, insufficient understanding of their biocompatibility at the cellular and organic levels prevents their widely biomedical applications. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this work, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and polydopamine (PDA)-modified ZIF-8 are chosen as model nanomaterials due to its emergent role in nanomedicine. In vitro, the results demonstrate that the PDA coating greatly alleviates the cytotoxicity of ZIF-8 to RAW264.7, LO2, and HST6, which represent three different cell types in liver organs. Mechanistically, ZIF-8 entering into the cells can greatly induce the reactive oxygen species generation, which subsequently induces cell cycle delay and autophagy, ultimately leads to enhanced cytotoxicity. Further, human umbilical vein endothelial cells model and zebrafish embryos assay also confirm that PDA can compromise the ZIF-8 toxicity significantly. This study reveals that PDA-coated MOFs nanomaterials show great potential in nano-based drug delivery systems .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Feng
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China
| | - Liwang Xu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China
| | - Lulu Qi
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China
| | - Zhengwei Fu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China
| | - Qinglian Hu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China
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28
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Zaupa M, Nagaraj N, Sylenko A, Baier H, Sawamiphak S, Filosa A. The Calmodulin-interacting peptide Pcp4a regulates feeding state-dependent behavioral choice in zebrafish. Neuron 2024; 112:1150-1164.e6. [PMID: 38295792 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Animals constantly need to judge the valence of an object in their environment: is it potential food or a threat? The brain makes fundamental decisions on the appropriate behavioral strategy by integrating external information from sensory organs and internal signals related to physiological needs. For example, a hungry animal may take more risks than a satiated one when deciding to approach or avoid an object. Using a proteomic profiling approach, we identified the Calmodulin-interacting peptide Pcp4a as a key regulator of foraging-related decisions. Food intake reduced abundance of protein and mRNA of pcp4a via dopamine D2-like receptor-mediated repression of adenylate cyclase. Accordingly, deleting the pcp4a gene made zebrafish larvae more risk averse in a binary decision assay. Strikingly, neurons in the tectum became less responsive to prey-like visual stimuli in pcp4a mutants, thus biasing the behavior toward avoidance. This study pinpoints a molecular mechanism modulating behavioral choice according to internal state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Zaupa
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13092 Berlin, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Biology, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nagarjuna Nagaraj
- Biochemistry Core Facility, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Anna Sylenko
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13092 Berlin, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Biology, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Herwig Baier
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Suphansa Sawamiphak
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13092 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Filosa
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13092 Berlin, Germany.
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29
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Chen J, Li Q, Fan L, Xie L, Zhang Q, Deng X. The impact of Lactococcus lactis KUST48 on the transcription profile of Aeromonas hydrophila-infected zebrafish spleen. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0392723. [PMID: 38441470 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03927-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila, an aquatic pathogenic bacterium, has been found to infect many fish species and cause huge aquaculture losses. Antibiotics are the most common drugs used to treat these infections. However, antibiotic abuse can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. Probiotics have the potential to replace antibiotics for preventing infections. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a model organism used to study the innate immune system and host-pathogen interactions. Currently, there is little information on how the fish immune system responds to A. hydrophila and probiotic treatment. To increase the understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the zebrafish defense against A. hydrophila and provide evidence that antibiotics can be replaced by probiotics, a transcriptome analysis of the zebrafish spleen was conducted 48 hours after infection by A. hydrophila, as well as after treatment using Lactococcus lactis KUST48 4 hours after infection. A total of 36,499 genes were obtained. There were 3,337 genes found to have significant differential expression between treatment and control groups. According to further annotation and enrichment analysis, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in signal transduction, endocrine system cancer, and the immune system. Insulin resistance disappeared in the zebrafish after treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to confirm the significant regulation of immune defense DEGs, the results of which were consistent with the RNA-sequencing data. These results could serve as a basis for future studies on the immune response to A. hydrophila and provide suggestions for probiotic alternatives to antibiotics, which will be of great significance to aquaculture and environmental protection.IMPORTANCEIn recent years, the unreasonable use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria, antibiotic residues, cross infection, toxic side effects, and so on, which has caused a serious threat to human food safety and life health. In recent years, many studies have demonstrated the potential of probiotics as a substitute for antibiotics, but there is still a lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying probiotic therapy. We conduct a research on the impact of Lactococcus lactis KUST48 on the transcription profile of Aeromonas hydrophila-infected zebrafish spleen. Mortality of zebrafish infected with A. hydrophila was significantly reduced after treatment with L. lactis KUST48. Our results can help to strengthen our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of zebrafish and provide a valuable reference for the molecular mechanisms of probiotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Chen
- Department of Modern Agriculture, Zunyi Vocational Technology College, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qiuyue Li
- Department of Modern Agriculture, Zunyi Vocational Technology College, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Lili Fan
- Department of Modern Agriculture, Zunyi Vocational Technology College, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Liqin Xie
- Department of Modern Agriculture, Zunyi Vocational Technology College, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qilin Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xianyu Deng
- Department of Modern Agriculture, Zunyi Vocational Technology College, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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30
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Abstract
Kidney disease is a devastating condition affecting millions of people worldwide, where over 100,000 patients in the United States alone remain waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Concomitant with a surge in personalized medicine, single-gene mutations, and polygenic risk alleles have been brought to the forefront as core causes of a spectrum of renal disorders. With the increasing prevalence of kidney disease, it is imperative to make substantial strides in the field of kidney genetics. Nephrons, the core functional units of the kidney, are epithelial tubules that act as gatekeepers of body homeostasis by absorbing and secreting ions, water, and small molecules to filter the blood. Each nephron contains a series of proximal and distal segments with explicit metabolic functions. The embryonic zebrafish provides an ideal platform to systematically dissect the genetic cues governing kidney development. Here, we review the use of zebrafish to discover nephrogenesis genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Nicole E Weaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Caroline M Lara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Thanh Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
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Zhou N, He M, Zhou G, Fan Q, Qi Y. Variant in EZR leads to defects in lens development. Ophthalmic Genet 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38563525 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2024.2330391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital cataract is a common cause of blindness. Genetic factors always play important role. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study identified a novel missense variant (c.1412C>T (p.P471L)) in the EZR gene in a four-generation Chinese family with nuclear cataract by linkage analysis and whole-exome sequencing. A knockout study in zebrafish using transcription activator-like effector nucleases was carried out to gain insight into candidate gene function. RESULTS Conservative and functional prediction suggests that the P-to-L substitution may impair the function of the human ezrin protein. Histology showed developmental delays in the ezrin-mutated zebrafish, manifesting as multilayered lens epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed abnormal proliferation patterns in mutant fish. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that ezrin may be involved in the enucleation and differentiation of lens epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Mingyan He
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Guangkai Zhou
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qiuyang Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yanhua Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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32
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Varma A, Udupa S, Sengupta M, Ghosh PK, Thirumalai V. A machine-learning tool to identify bistable states from calcium imaging data. J Physiol 2024; 602:1243-1271. [PMID: 38482722 DOI: 10.1113/jp284373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Mapping neuronal activation using calcium imaging in vivo during behavioural tasks has advanced our understanding of nervous system function. In almost all of these studies, calcium imaging is used to infer spike probabilities because action potentials activate voltage-gated calcium channels and increase intracellular calcium levels. However, neurons not only fire action potentials, but also convey information via intrinsic dynamics such as by generating bistable membrane potential states. Although a number of tools for spike inference have been developed and are currently being used, no tool exists for converting calcium imaging signals to maps of cellular state in bistable neurons. Purkinje neurons in the larval zebrafish cerebellum exhibit membrane potential bistability, firing either tonically or in bursts. Several studies have implicated the role of a population code in cerebellar function, with bistability adding an extra layer of complexity to this code. In the present study, we develop a tool, CaMLSort, which uses convolutional recurrent neural networks to classify calcium imaging traces as arising from either tonic or bursting cells. We validate this classifier using a number of different methods and find that it performs well on simulated event rasters as well as real biological data that it had not previously seen. Moreover, we find that CaMLsort generalizes to other bistable neurons, such as dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area of mice. Thus, this tool offers a new way of analysing calcium imaging data from bistable neurons to understand how they participate in network computation and natural behaviours. KEY POINTS: Calcium imaging, compriising the gold standard of inferring neuronal activity, does not report cellular state in neurons that are bistable, such as Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum of larval zebrafish. We model the relationship between Purkinje neuron electrical activity and its corresponding calcium signal to compile a dataset of state-labelled simulated calcium signals. We apply machine-learning methods to this dataset to develop a tool that can classify the state of a Purkinje neuron using only its calcium signal, which works well on real data even though it was trained only on simulated data. CaMLsort (Calcium imaging and Machine Learning based tool to sort intracellular state) also generalizes well to bistable neurons in a different brain region (ventral tegmental area) in a different model organism (mouse). This tool can facilitate our understanding of how these neurons carry out their functions in a circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalok Varma
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Sathvik Udupa
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Mohini Sengupta
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Prasanta Kumar Ghosh
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Vatsala Thirumalai
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
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Umeda K, Tanaka K, Chowdhury G, Nasu K, Kuroyanagi Y, Yamasu K. Evolutionarily conserved roles of foxg1a in the developing subpallium of zebrafish embryos. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:219-234. [PMID: 38378191 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The vertebrate telencephalic lobes consist of the pallium (dorsal) and subpallium (ventral). The subpallium gives rise to the basal ganglia, encompassing the pallidum and striatum. The development of this region is believed to depend on Foxg1/Foxg1a functions in both mice and zebrafish. This study aims to elucidate the genetic regulatory network controlled by foxg1a in subpallium development using zebrafish as a model. The expression gradient of foxg1a within the developing telencephalon was examined semi-quantitatively in initial investigations. Utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we subsequently established a foxg1a mutant line and observed the resultant phenotypes. Morphological assessment revealed that foxg1a mutants exhibit a thin telencephalon together with a misshapen preoptic area (POA). Notably, accumulation of apoptotic cells was identified in this region. In mutants at 24 h postfertilization, the expression of pallium markers expanded ventrally, while that of subpallium markers was markedly suppressed. Concurrently, the expression of fgf8a, vax2, and six3b was shifted ventrally, causing anomalous expression in regions typical of POA formation in wild-type embryos. Consequently, the foxg1a mutation led to expansion of the pallium and disrupted the subpallium and POA. This highlights a pivotal role of foxg1a in directing the dorsoventral patterning of the telencephalon, particularly in subpallium differentiation, mirroring observations in mice. Additionally, reduced expression of neural progenitor maintenance genes was detected in mutants, suggesting the necessity of foxg1a in preserving neural progenitors. Collectively, these findings underscore evolutionarily conserved functions of foxg1 in the development of the subpallium in vertebrate embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koto Umeda
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kaiho Tanaka
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Gazlima Chowdhury
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Aquatic Environment and Resource Management, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kouhei Nasu
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yuri Kuroyanagi
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kyo Yamasu
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
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Arévalo Cuaical A, Villaverde EM, Zurita-Paredes D, Pinto-Nogales ES, Bautista G, Calero J, Moreira S, Rosero D, Varela F, Romero-Carvajal A. Whole-Mount Histochemical Protocols in Zebrafish for a Hands-On Developmental Biology Practical Course in Ecuador. Zebrafish 2024; 21:119-127. [PMID: 38621203 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Research-based education at the undergraduate level is ideal for fostering the training of future scientists. In an undergraduate Developmental Biology course, this learning strategy requires the availability of model species and enough research reagents, not only for technique training but also for the development of student original projects. This might be challenging in most countries, where resources are limited. Hence, there is a need to develop low-cost solutions for use in the classroom. In this study, we describe the optimization and use of two low-cost protocols in zebrafish embryos for hands-on practical sessions and project-based learning in a Developmental Biology undergraduate course in Ecuador. These protocols were designed for the practical and experimental learning of vertebrate meroblastic cleavage, gastrulation, and neural crest differentiation. The proposed protocols have been previously described in the literature and use silver nitrate and alcian blue, two relatively inexpensive reagents, to label cell membranes and cartilage. The silver nitrate protocol allows the study of cell contact formation during cleavage and the identification of cellular changes during gastrulation, including yolk internalization and epiboly. The alcian blue staining allows the analysis of cranial mesenchymal differentiation into cartilage. These protocols are ideal for practical sessions due to their ease of application, quick results, adaptability to the class schedule, and robustness in the hands of beginning researchers. Finally, these protocols are adaptable for research-based class projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Arévalo Cuaical
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Daniela Zurita-Paredes
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Gabriela Bautista
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Josselyn Calero
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Sharon Moreira
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Daniela Rosero
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Felipe Varela
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Andrés Romero-Carvajal
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
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35
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Yinger RV, Evangelisto CJ, Tucker NC, Billingsley JM, Clair SLS. β-Estradiol Supplementation Regulates Cholesterol Synthesis Independent of Unsaturated Fat Consumption in Adult Zebrafish. Zebrafish 2024; 21:223-230. [PMID: 38621217 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a public health concern resulting in a variety of health complications, including heart disease and insulin resistance. Estrogens have been associated with a reduced risk of obesity, but this relationship remains incompletely understood. We assessed the role of 17β-estradiol (E2) in mitigating complications associated with obesity by supplementing E2 in the diets of overfed zebrafish. We report that dietary E2 supplementation protects against weight gain and modulates de novo cholesterol synthesis in a sex-specific manner. Our studies lead us to propose a model in which E2 regulates hmgcr expression independently of unsaturated fat consumption. These data can be used to develop sex-specific treatments for obesity-related health conditions.
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36
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McLeod JJ, Rothschild SC, Francescatto L, Kim H, Tombes RM. Specific CaMKIIs mediate convergent extension cell movements in early zebrafish development. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:390-403. [PMID: 37860955 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noncanonical Wnts are morphogens that can elevate intracellular Ca2+, activate the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, CaMKII, and promote cell movements during vertebrate gastrulation. RESULTS Zebrafish express seven CaMKII genes during embryogenesis; two of these, camk2b1 and camk2g1, are necessary for convergent extension (CE) cell movements. CaMKII morphant phenotypes were observed as early as epiboly. At the 1-3 somite stage, neuroectoderm and paraxial cells remained unconverged in both morphants. Later, somites lacked their stereotypical shape and were wider, more closely spaced, and body gap angles increased. At 24hpf, somite compression and notochord undulation coincided with a shorter and broader body axis. A camk2b1 crispant was generated which phenocopied the camk2b1 morphant. The levels of cell proliferation, apoptosis and paraxial and neuroectodermal markers were unchanged in morphants. Hyperactivation of CaMKII during gastrulation by transient pharmacological intervention (thapsigargin) also caused CE defects. Mosaically expressed dominant-negative CaMKII recapitulated these phenotypes and showed significant midline bifurcation. Finally, the introduction of CaMKII partially rescued Wnt11 morphant phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these data support a model whereby cyclically activated CaMKII encoded from two genes enables cell migration during the process of CE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie J McLeod
- Department of Biology and VCU Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sarah C Rothschild
- Department of Biology and VCU Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Haerin Kim
- Department of Biology and VCU Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Robert M Tombes
- Department of Biology and VCU Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Narasimman V, Ramachandran S. Purification, structural characterization, and neuroprotective effect of 3,6-diisobutyl-2,5-piperazinedione from Halomonas pacifica CARE-V15 against okadaic acid-induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish model. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2024; 38:e23708. [PMID: 38597299 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Halomonas pacifica CARE-V15 was isolated from the southeastern coast of India to determine its genome sequence. Secondary metabolite gene clusters were identified using an anti-SMASH server. The concentrated crude ethyl acetate extract was evaluated by GC-MS. The bioactive compound from the crude ethyl acetate extract was fractionated by gel column chromatography. HPLC was used to purify the 3,6-diisobutyl-2,5-piperazinedione (DIP), and the structure was determined using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Purified DIP was used in an in silico molecular docking analysis. Purified DIP exhibits a stronger affinity for antioxidant genes like glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GSR). Using in silco molecular docking analysis, the protein-ligand binding affinities of GSR (-4.70 kcal/mol), GST (-5.27 kcal/mol), and GPx (-5.37 kcal/mol) were measured. The expression of antioxidant genes were investigated by qRT-PCR. The in vivo reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation, and cell death levels were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased in OA-induced group, but all these levels were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased in the purified DIP pretreated group. Purified DIP from halophilic bacteria could thus be a useful treatment for neurological disorders associated with oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Narasimman
- Native Medicine and Marine Pharmacology Laboratory, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (Deemed to be University), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Saravanan Ramachandran
- Native Medicine and Marine Pharmacology Laboratory, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (Deemed to be University), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
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Carvan MJ, Hansen T, Hesselbach R, Zientek A, Berg C, Petering DH. Bringing Real Inquiry-Based Science to Diverse Secondary Educational Environments: A Virtual Zebrafish Laboratory to Investigate Environmental Health. Zebrafish 2024; 21:73-79. [PMID: 38621202 PMCID: PMC11035841 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The goal of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee WInSTEP SEPA program is to provide valuable and relevant research experiences to students and instructors in diverse secondary educational settings. Introducing an online experience allows the expansion of a proven instructional research program to a national scale and removes many common barriers. These can include lack of access to zebrafish embryos, laboratory equipment, and modern classroom facilities, which often deny disadvantaged and underrepresented students from urban and rural school districts valuable inquiry-based learning opportunities. An online repository of zebrafish embryo imagery was developed in the Carvan laboratory to assess the effects of environmental chemicals. The WInSTEP SEPA program expanded its use as an accessible online tool, complementing the existing classroom experience of our zebrafish module. This virtual laboratory environment contains images of zebrafish embryos grown in the presence of environmental toxicants (ethanol, caffeine, and nicotine), allowing students to collect data on 19 anatomical endpoints and generate significant amounts of data related to developmental toxicology and environmental health. This virtual laboratory offers students and instructors the choice of data sets that differ in the independent variables of chemical concentration and duration of postfertilization exposure. This enables students considerable flexibility in establishing their own experimental design to match the curriculum needs of each instructor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Carvan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Thomas Hansen
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Renee Hesselbach
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Amy Zientek
- Atlas Preparatory Academy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Craig Berg
- School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - David H. Petering
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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39
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Moisan GJ, Kamath N, Apgar S, Schwehr M, Vedmurthy P, Conner O, Hayes K, Toro CP. Alternative Splicing and Nonsense-Mediated Decay of a Zebrafish GABA Receptor Subunit Transcript. Zebrafish 2024; 21:198-205. [PMID: 37751193 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The superfamily of Cys-loop ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors includes those that detect GABA, glutamate, glycine, and acetylcholine. There is ample evidence that many Cys-loop receptor subunit genes include alternatively spliced exons. In this study, we report a novel example of alternative splicing (AS): we show that the 68-bp exon 3 in the zebrafish gabrr2b gene-which codes for the ρ2b GABAAR subunit-is an alternative cassette exon. Skipping of gabrr2b exon 3 results in a downstream frame shift and a premature termination codon (PTC). We provide evidence in larval zebrafish that transcripts containing the PTC are subject to degradation through nonsense-mediated decay. We also compile reports of AS of homologous exons in other Cys-loop receptor genes in multiple species. Our data add to a large body of research demonstrating that exon 3 in Cys-loop receptor genes is a conserved site for AS, the effects of which can vary from novel splice-isoform generation to downregulation of gene expression through transcript degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia J Moisan
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Nitika Kamath
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Shannon Apgar
- Biology Department, Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, USA
| | - Megan Schwehr
- Biology Department, Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, USA
| | - Pooja Vedmurthy
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Olivya Conner
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Kyler Hayes
- Biology Department, Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, USA
| | - Cecilia Phillips Toro
- Biology Department, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
- Biology Department, Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, USA
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Xiao B, Landesman-Bollag E, Feng H. What value do zebrafish have to anticancer drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:369-375. [PMID: 38327017 PMCID: PMC10950524 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2313454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Boyuan Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Esther Landesman-Bollag
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
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Santos Oliveira L, Kueirislene Amâncio Ferreira M, Wagner de Queiroz Almeida-Neto F, Wlisses da Silva A, Ivo Lima Pinto Filho J, Nunes da Rocha M, Machado Marinho E, Henrique Ferreira Ribeiro W, Machado Marinho M, Silva Marinho E, Eire Silva Alencar de Menezes J, Dos Santos HS. Synthesis, molecular docking, ADMET, and evaluation of the anxiolytic effect in adult zebrafish of synthetic chalcone (E)-3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one: An in vivo and in silico approach. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024; 38:290-306. [PMID: 37845792 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders represent the complex interaction between biological, psychological, temperamental, and environmental factors; drugs available to treat anxiety such as benzodiazepines (BZDs) are associated with several unwanted side effects. Although there are useful treatments, there is still a need for more effective anxiolytics with better safety profiles than BZDs. Chalcones or 1,3-diphenyl-2-proper-1-ones can be an alternative since this class of compounds has shown therapeutic potential mainly due to interactions with GABAA receptors and serotonergic system. OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the anxiolytic potential of chalcone (E)-3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (C2OHPDA) in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) (ZFa). METHODS Each animal (n = 6/group) was treated intraperitoneally (i.p.; 20 μL) with the chalcone (4, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and with the vehicle (DMSO 3%; 20 μL), being submitted to the tests of locomotor activity and 96-h acute toxicity. The light/dark test was also performed, and the serotonergic mechanism (5-HT) was evaluated through the antagonists of the 5-HTR1 , 5-HTR2A/2C , and 5-HTR3A/3B receptors. It was investigated the prediction of the chalcone's position and preferential orientation concerning its receptor, as well as the pharmacokinetic parameters (ADMET) involved in the process after administration. RESULTS As a result, C2OHPDA was not toxic and reduced the locomotor activity of ZFa. Furthermore, chalcone demonstrated an anxiolytic effect on the central nervous system (CNS), mediated by the serotonergic system, with action on 5-HT2A and 5-HTR3A/3B receptors. The interaction of C2OHPDA with 5-HT2A R and 5-HT3A receptors was confirmed by molecular docking study, the affinity energy observed was -8.7 and -9.1 kcal/mol, respectively. CONCLUSION Thus, this study adds new evidence and highlights that chalcone can potentially be used to develop compounds with anxiolytic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Santos Oliveira
- Science and Technology, Graduate Program in Natural Sciences, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | | | - Antonio Wlisses da Silva
- Northeast Biotechnology Network, Graduate Program of Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Matheus Nunes da Rocha
- Science and Technology, Graduate Program in Natural Sciences, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle Machado Marinho
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | | | - Emmanuel Silva Marinho
- Science and Technology, Graduate Program in Natural Sciences, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Hélcio Silva Dos Santos
- Science and Technology, Graduate Program in Natural Sciences, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Northeast Biotechnology Network, Graduate Program of Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
- Chemistry Course, State University of Vale do Acaraú, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil
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42
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Coltogirone RA, Kuhn SL, Freeland SP, Bergeron SA. Fish in a Dish: Using Zebrafish in Authentic Science Research Experiences for Under-represented High School Students from West Virginia. Zebrafish 2024; 21:80-91. [PMID: 37449810 PMCID: PMC11035852 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2022.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Early research experiences positively affect students' interest in STEM careers, and develop practical science and critical thinking skills. However, outreach opportunities are not equally accessible for all students. In states like West Virginia, where many students live in rural Appalachian communities, opportunities for engaging in STEM experiences are limited. In addition, rural teachers may not be equipped to provide authentic research experiences for students due to lack of resources or support. For many students in West Virginia, the Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA) is a major opportunity for STEM engagement. Since its inception in 1998, HSTA has spread to 26 of 55 counties in West Virginia. The program recruits first-generation, low-socioeconomic status, rurally living, and African American high school students who are under-represented in STEM fields. Our research laboratory partnered with HSTA to implement an innovative, hands-on research camp using zebrafish for students participating in their annual junior-level biomedical sciences summer camp. Our camp was held in-person and adapted to an online format during the Covid-19 pandemic. We used pre-post surveys in both camps to assess impacts on science confidence and to collect information about general perceptions of zebrafish, research, and STEM fields. We found that students participating in the in-person and online camps experienced similar overall gains in science confidence. We also identified strong interest in zebrafish, research, and STEM degrees among online students. Online students did not prefer virtual learning experiences; however, they still enjoyed our camp. We also surveyed high school teachers volunteering for HSTA to identify factors that would encourage use of zebrafish in classrooms. The most prominent needs include classroom supplies, experience, and funding. Our successful science-education partnership demonstrates that zebrafish research experiences foster positive outcomes for under-represented students, and can inform future outreach efforts and collaborations with teachers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Summer L. Kuhn
- Health Sciences Center & Health Sciences Technology Academy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Sean P. Freeland
- Health Sciences Center & Health Sciences Technology Academy, 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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Bhavsar H, Robinson Z, Benson M, Getachew F, González-Rosa JM, Lafontant PJ. Lectins As Effective Tools in the Study of the Biliary Network and the Parenchymal Architecture of the Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) Liver. Zebrafish 2024; 21:177-180. [PMID: 38621207 PMCID: PMC11035847 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with specific affinity to glycoconjugates expressed in various tissues. Lectins are of substantial utility as research, histochemical, and diagnostic tools in mammalian systems. Reactivity of 12 commonly used plant-based lectins was studied in zebrafish liver. Four lectins, tomato lectin (TL), wheat germ agglutinin, concanavalin A, and Jacalin showed strong reactivity to hepatic parenchymal structures. Importantly, TL reacted to glycoconjugates within segments of the larval and adult intrahepatic biliary network, from canaliculi to bile ducts. We provide evidence that lectins can serve as important histochemical tools to investigate the structural and functional characteristics of the zebrafish liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden Bhavsar
- Biology Department, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, USA
| | - Zoe Robinson
- Biology Department, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, USA
| | - Matthew Benson
- Biology Department, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, USA
| | - Feven Getachew
- Biology Department, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Pascal J. Lafontant
- Biology Department, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, USA
- Department of Biology, DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, USA
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44
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Purifoy EJ, Mruk K. Differential Roles of Diet on Development and Spinal Cord Regeneration in Larval Zebrafish. Zebrafish 2024; 21:214-222. [PMID: 38621204 PMCID: PMC11035855 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is a powerful model organism for studying development and regeneration. However, there is a lack of a standardized reference diet for developmental and regeneration experiments. Most studies evaluate the rate of growth, survival, and fecundity. In this study, we compare three diets and their effects on growth and regeneration after a spinal cord injury (SCI). Fish were fed daily for 1 week with daily measurements of overall length and width of spinal injury. Fish fed a live rotifer diet grew 32%, whereas a commercially available diet only led to a 4% increase in body length. Similarly, differences in rate of regeneration were observed with over 80% of rotifer-fed larvae forming a glial bridge after injury compared to <10% of zebrafish fed with the commercial diet. Our data highlight the need for establishing a standardized diet for regeneration studies to improve research reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Purifoy
- Wyoming Research Scholars Program and University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
| | - Karen Mruk
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
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45
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Srivastava R, Davison CW, Krull AG, Entriken SM, Zumbrock A, Cortes Hidalgo MD, Adair KJ, Escherich AM, Lara JN, Neverman EC, Hodnefield M, McElligtot E, Sandquist EJ, Ogilvie C, Lafontant P, Essner JJ. An Undergraduate Course in CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing in Zebrafish. Zebrafish 2024; 21:162-170. [PMID: 38621214 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
We have developed a one-credit semester-long research experience for undergraduate students that involves the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to edit genes in zebrafish. The course is available to students at all stages of their undergraduate training and can be taken up to four times. Students select a gene of interest to edit as the basis of their semester-long project. To select a gene, exploration of developmental processes and human disease is encouraged. As part of the course, students use basic bioinformatic tools, design guide RNAs, inject zebrafish embryos, and analyze both the molecular consequences of gene editing and phenotypic outcomes. Over the 10 years we have offered the course, enrollment has grown from less than 10 students to more than 60 students per semester. Each year, we choose a different gene editing strategy to explore based on recent publications of gene editing methodologies. These have included making CRISPants, targeted integrations, and large gene deletions. In this study, we present how we structure the course and our assessment of the course over the past 3 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renu Srivastava
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Connor W Davison
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Abigail G Krull
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Seth M Entriken
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Amanda Zumbrock
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Kiernan J Adair
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Anna M Escherich
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Jonathan N Lara
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Emma C Neverman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Megan Hodnefield
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Elyse McElligtot
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Craig Ogilvie
- The Graduate School, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey J Essner
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
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46
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Davison C, Harzman H, Nicholson J, Entriken S, Mobley K, Krull A, Singhal M, Skow C, Matthews N, Kopp L, Gillette B, Weide TJ, Hukvari JR, Stumpf SC, Feldmann OM, McGrail M, Srivastava R, Essner JJ. Tagging the tjp1a Gene in Zebrafish with Monomeric Red Fluorescent Protein Using Biotin Homology Arms. Zebrafish 2024; 21:191-197. [PMID: 38621205 PMCID: PMC11035848 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Tjp1a and other tight junction and adherens proteins play important roles in cell-cell adhesion, scaffolding, and forming seals between cells in epithelial and endothelial tissues. In this study, we labeled Tjp1a of zebrafish with the monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP) using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted integration of biotin-labeled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) generated templates. Labeling Tjp1a with RFP allowed us to follow membrane and junctional dynamics of epithelial and endothelial cells throughout zebrafish embryo development. For targeted integration, we used short 35 bp homology arms on each side of the Cas9 genomic target site at the C-terminal of the coding sequence in tjp1a. Through PCR using 5' biotinylated primers containing the homology arms, we generated a double-stranded template for homology directed repair containing a flexible linker followed by RFP. Cas9 protein was complexed with the tjp1a gRNA before mixing with the repair template and microinjected into one-cell zebrafish embryos. We confirmed and recovered a precise integration allele at the desired site at the tjp1a C-terminus. Examination of fluorescence reveals RFP cell-cell junctional labeling using confocal imaging. We are currently using this stable tjp1a-mRFPis86 line to examine the behavior and interactions between cells during vascular formation in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Davison
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Hamelynn Harzman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Jessie Nicholson
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Seth Entriken
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Kierinn Mobley
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Abigail Krull
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Manik Singhal
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Caleb Skow
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Nathan Matthews
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Lindsey Kopp
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Benjamin Gillette
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Tyler J. Weide
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Jana R. Hukvari
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Sofia C.P. Stumpf
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Olivia M. Feldmann
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Maura McGrail
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Renu Srivastava
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Jeffrey J. Essner
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
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Furukawa F, Aoyagi A, Sano K, Sameshima K, Goto M, Tseng YC, Ikeda D, Lin CC, Uchida K, Okumura SI, Yasumoto K, Jimbo M, Hwang PP. Gluconeogenesis in the extraembryonic yolk syncytial layer of the zebrafish embryo. PNAS Nexus 2024; 3:pgae125. [PMID: 38585339 PMCID: PMC10997050 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Yolk-consuming (lecithotrophic) embryos of oviparous animals, such as those of fish, need to make do with the maternally derived yolk. However, in many cases, yolk possesses little carbohydrates and sugars, including glucose, the essential monosaccharide. Interestingly, increases in the glucose content were found in embryos of some teleost fishes; however, the origin of this glucose has been unknown. Unveiling new metabolic strategies in fish embryos has a potential for better aquaculture technologies. In the present study, using zebrafish, we assessed how these embryos obtain the glucose. We employed stable isotope (13C)-labeled substrates and injected them to the zebrafish embryos. Our liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based isotope tracking revealed that among all tested substrate, glutamate was most actively metabolized to produce glucose in the zebrafish embryos. Expression analysis for gluconeogenic genes found that many of these were expressed in the yolk syncytial layer (YSL), an extraembryonic tissue found in teleost fishes. Generation 0 (G0) knockout of pck2, a gene encoding the key enzyme for gluconeogenesis from Krebs cycle intermediates, reduced gluconeogenesis from glutamate, suggesting that this gene is responsible for gluconeogenesis from glutamate in the zebrafish embryos. These results showed that teleost YSL undergoes gluconeogenesis, likely contributing to the glucose supplementation to the embryos with limited glucose source. Since many other animal lineages lack YSL, further comparative analysis will be interesting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiya Furukawa
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan ROC
| | - Akihiro Aoyagi
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Kaori Sano
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Josai University, 1-1 Keyakidai, Sakado, Saitama 350-0295, Japan
| | - Keita Sameshima
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Miku Goto
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Yung-Che Tseng
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan ROC
| | - Daisuke Ikeda
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Ching-Chun Lin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan ROC
| | - Katsuhisa Uchida
- Department of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen Kibanadai-Nishi, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Sei-ichi Okumura
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Ko Yasumoto
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Jimbo
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Pung-Pung Hwang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan ROC
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48
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Lin Y, Hu L, Li X, Ma J, Li Q, Yuan X, Zhang Y. The beneficial and toxic effects of selenium on zebrafish. A systematic review of the literature. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae062. [PMID: 38645626 PMCID: PMC11031411 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Selenium is an important and essential trace element in organisms, but its effects on organisms are also a "double-edged sword". Selenium deficiency or excess can endanger the health of humans and animals. In order to thoroughly understand the nutritional value and toxicity hazards of selenium, researchers have conducted many studies on the model animal zebrafish. However, there is a lack of induction and summary of relevant research on which selenium acts on zebrafish. This paper provides a review of the reported studies. Firstly, this article summarizes the benefits of selenium on zebrafish from three aspects: Promoting growth, Enhancing immune function and anti-tumor ability, Antagonizing some pollutants, such as mercury. Then, three aspects of selenium toxicity to zebrafish are introduced: nervous system and behavior, reproductive system and growth, and damage to some organs. This article also describes how different forms of selenium compounds have different effects on zebrafish health. Finally, prospects for future research directions are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanshan Lin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Liyun Hu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Xinhang Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Qipeng Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofan Yuan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
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49
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Sree Kumar H, Wisner AS, Schiefer IT, Alviter Plata A, Zubcevic J. Chronotropic and vasoactive properties of the gut bacterial short chain fatty acids in larval zebrafish. Physiol Genomics 2024. [PMID: 38557279 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00013.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the gut bacteria have been associated with cardiovascular dysfunction in humans and rodents. However, studies exploring effects of SCFAs on cardiovascular parameters in the zebrafish, an increasingly popular model in cardiovascular research, remain limited. Here, we performed fecal bacterial 16S sequencing and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the composition and abundances of gut microbiota and SCFAs in adult zebrafish. Following this, the acute effects of major SCFAs on heart rate and vascular tone were measured in anaesthetized zebrafish larvae using fecal concentrations of butyrate, acetate, and propionate. Lastly, we investigated if co-incubation with butyrate may lessen the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) and phenylephrine (PE) on vascular tone in anaesthetized zebrafish larvae. We found that the abundance in Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Fusobacteria phyla in the adult zebrafish resembled those reported in rodents and humans. SCFA levels with highest concentration of acetate (27.43µM), followed by butyrate (2.19µM) and propionate (1.65µM) were observed in the fecal samples of adult zebrafish. Immersion in butyrate and acetate produced a ~20% decrease in heart rate (HR), respectively, with no observed effects of propionate. Butyrate alone also produced a ~25% decrease in the cross-sectional width of the dorsal aorta (DA) at 60 min (*P<0.05), suggesting compensatory vasoconstriction, with no effects of either acetate or propionate. In addition, butyrate significantly alleviated the decrease in DA cross-sectional width produced by both Ang II and PE. We demonstrate the potential for zebrafish in investigation of host-microbiota interactions in cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemaa Sree Kumar
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Alexander S Wisner
- Department of Medicinal & Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Isaac T Schiefer
- Department of Medicinal & Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | | | - Jasenka Zubcevic
- Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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50
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Fiegl M, Kimmel RA. Laboratory Course Using Zebrafish to Uncover Changing Roles of Wnt Signaling in Early Vertebrate Development. Zebrafish 2024; 21:128-136. [PMID: 38621212 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Coordinated signaling pathway activity directs early patterning to set up the vertebrate body plan. Perturbations in the timing or location of signal molecule expression impacts embryo morphology and organ formation. In this study, we present a laboratory course to use zebrafish for studying the role of Wnt signaling in specifying the early embryonic axes. Students are exposed to basic techniques in molecular and developmental biology, including embryo manipulation, fluorescence microscopy, image processing, and data analysis. Furthermore, this course incorporates student-designed experiments to stimulate independent inquiry and improve scientific learning, providing an experience resembling graduate-level laboratory research. Students appreciated following vertebrate development in real-time, and principles of embryogenesis were reinforced by observing the morphological changes that arise due to signaling alterations. Scientific and research skills were enhanced through practice in experimental design, interpretation, and presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Fiegl
- Institute of Molecular Biology/CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Cardiac Surgery Research Lab, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Robin A Kimmel
- Institute of Molecular Biology/CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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