scholarly journals A mutation in monoamine oxidase (MAO) affects the evolution of stress behavior in the blind cavefish Astyanax mexicanus

2020 ◽  
Vol 223 (18) ◽  
pp. jeb226092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance Pierre ◽  
Naomie Pradère ◽  
Cynthia Froc ◽  
Patricia Ornelas-García ◽  
Jacques Callebert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Astyanax Mexicanus ◽  
Excellent Candidate ◽  
Cave Environment ◽  
Blind Cave ◽  
Blind Cavefish ◽  
Subterranean Environment

ABSTRACTThe neurotransmitter serotonin controls a variety of physiological and behavioral processes. In humans, mutations affecting monoamine oxidase (MAO), the serotonin-degrading enzyme, are highly deleterious. Yet, blind cavefish of the species Astyanax mexicanus carry a partial loss-of-function mutation in MAO (P106L) and thrive in their subterranean environment. Here, we established four fish lines, corresponding to the blind cave-dwelling and the sighted river-dwelling morphs of this species, with or without the mutation, in order to decipher the exact contribution of mao P106L in the evolution of cavefish neurobehavioral traits. Unexpectedly, although mao P106L appeared to be an excellent candidate for the genetic determinism of the loss of aggressive and schooling behaviors in cavefish, we demonstrated that it was not the case. Similarly, the anatomical variations in monoaminergic systems observed between cavefish and surface fish brains were independent from mao P106L, and rather due to other, morph-dependent developmental processes. However, we found that mao P106L strongly affected anxiety-like behaviors. Cortisol measurements showed lower basal levels and an increased amplitude of stress response after a change of environment in fish carrying the mutation. Finally, we studied the distribution of the P106L mao allele in wild populations of cave and river A. mexicanus, and discovered that the mutant allele was present – and sometimes fixed – in all populations inhabiting caves of the Sierra de El Abra. The possibility that this partial loss-of-function mao allele evolves under a selective or a neutral regime in the particular cave environment is discussed.

scholarly journals A mutation in monoamine oxidase (MAO) affects the evolution of stress behavior in the blind cavefish Astyanax mexicanus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance Pierre ◽  
Naomie Pradère ◽  
Cynthia Froc ◽  
Patricia Ornelas-García ◽  
Jacques Callebert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Astyanax Mexicanus ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Cave Environment ◽  
Blind Cave ◽  
Blind Cavefish ◽  
Subterranean Environment

AbstractThe neurotransmitter serotonin controls a great variety of physiological and behavioral processes. In humans, mutations affecting the monoamine oxidase or MAO, the serotonin-degrading enzyme, are highly deleterious. Yet, blind cavefish of the species A. mexicanus carry a partial loss-of-function mutation in MAO (P106L) and seem to thrive in their subterranean environment. Here, we established 4 fish lines, corresponding to the blind cave-dwelling and the sighted river-dwelling morphs of this species, with or without the mutation, in order to decipher the exact contribution of mao P106L in the evolution of cavefish neuro-behavioral traits. Unexpectedly, although mao P106L appeared as an excellent candidate for the genetic determinism of the loss of aggressive and schooling behaviors in cavefish, we demonstrated that it was not the case. Similarly, the anatomical variations in monoaminergic systems observed between cavefish and surface fish brains were independent from mao P106L, and rather due other, morph-dependent developmental processes. On the other hand, we found that mao P106L strongly affected anxiety-like behaviors. Cortisol measurements showed lower basal levels and an increased amplitude of stress response after a change of environment in fish carrying the mutation. Finally, we studied the distribution of the P106L mao allele in wild populations of cave and river A. mexicanus, and discovered that the mutant allele was present - and sometimes fixed - in all populations inhabiting caves of the Sierra de El Abra. The possibility that this partial loss-of-function mao allele evolves under a selective or a genetic drift regime in the particular cave environment is discussed.

scholarly journals A Hypomorphic Cystathionine ß-Synthase Gene Contributes to Cavefish Eye Loss by Disrupting Optic Vasculature

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ma ◽  
Aniket V. Gore ◽  
Daniel Castranova ◽  
Janet Shi ◽  
Mandy Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Deficiency ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Astyanax Mexicanus ◽  
Transsulfuration Pathway ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Surface Dwelling ◽  
Blind Cave ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
Blind Cavefish

AbstractVestigial structures are key indicators of evolutionary descent but the mechanisms underlying their development are poorly understood. This study examines vestigial eye formation in the teleost Astyanax mexicanus, which consists of a sighted surface-dwelling morph and different populations of blind cave morphs. Cavefish embryos initially develop optic primordia but vestigial eyes are formed during larval development. Multiple genetic factors are involved in cavefish eye loss but none of the mutated genes have been identified. Here we identify cystathionine ß-synthase (cbsa), which encodes the key enzyme of the transsulfuration pathway, as a mutated gene responsible for eye degeneration in multiple cavefish populations. The inactivation of cbsa affects eye development by inducing accumulation of the transsulfuration intermediate homocysteine and defects in optic vasculature, including aneurysms and eye hemorrhages, leading to oxygen deficiency. Our findings suggest that localized modifications in the circulatory system and hypoxia had important roles in the evolution of vestigial eyes in blind cavefish.

scholarly journals Evolutionary increases in catecholamine signaling may underlie the emergence of adaptive traits and behaviors in the blind cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Gallman ◽  
Daihana Rivera ◽  
Daphne Soares
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory System ◽  
Adaptive Traits ◽  
Astyanax Mexicanus ◽  
Catecholaminergic Neurons ◽  
Defensive Responses ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Blind Cave ◽  
Food Seeking ◽  
Blind Cavefish ◽  
The Brain

AbstractEvolutionary changes in catecholamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline can lead to habitat specific behaviors. We used tyrosine hydroxylase, a conserved precursor to the biosynthesis of dopamine and noradrenaline, to compare catecholaminergic neurons in the brain of a species undergoing allopatric speciation. The teleost fish Astyanax mexicanus is extant in two readily available forms, an ancestral river dwelling form (surface) and various derived blind cave forms (cavefish). Adaptation to nutrient poor cave life without predation has led to marked differences in the behavior of this species. The cavefish has lost defensive responses, such as stimulus aversion, found in the ancestral surface fish and instead displays enhanced food seeking behaviors. This is reflected by an increase in catecholamine immunoreactivity in the cavefish brain in regions associated with non-visual sensory perception, motor control pathways, attention, and endocrine release. These neuroanatomical regions include the olfactory system, the basal telencephalon, the preoptic nuclei, the posterior tuberculum, caudal hypothalamus, and isthmus. These results indicate that the evolutionary shift from aversive defensive responses to attractive exploratory behaviors was driven by increases in the size and/or quantity of catecholaminergic neurons in the cavefish brain.

scholarly journals Evolution of acoustic communication in blind cavefish

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Hyacinthe ◽  
Joël Attia ◽  
Sylvie Rétaux
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Acoustic Communication ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Astyanax Mexicanus ◽  
The Social ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Blind Cave ◽  
Blind Cavefish

Abstract Acoustic communication allows the exchange of information within specific contexts and during specific behaviors. The blind, cave-adapted and the sighted, river-dwelling morphs of the species Astyanax mexicanus have evolved in markedly different environments. During their evolution in darkness, cavefish underwent a series of morphological, physiological and behavioral changes, allowing the study of adaptation to drastic environmental change. Here we discover that Astyanax is a sonic species, in the laboratory and in the wild, with sound production depending on the social contexts and the type of morph. We characterize one sound, the “Sharp Click”, as a visually-triggered sound produced by dominant surface fish during agonistic behaviors and as a chemosensory-, food odor-triggered sound produced by cavefish during foraging. Sharp Clicks also elicit different reactions in the two morphs in play-back experiments. Our results demonstrate that acoustic communication does exist and has evolved in cavefish, accompanying the evolution of its behaviors.

scholarly journals Roles for RNA export factor, Nxt1, in ensuring muscle integrity and normal RNA expression in Drosophila

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin van der Graaf ◽  
Katia Jindrich ◽  
Robert Mitchell ◽  
Helen White-Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Export ◽  
Rna Stability ◽  
Muscle Degeneration ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Export Pathway ◽  
Pathway Gene ◽  
Rna Export

Abstract The mRNA export pathway is responsible for the transport of mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and thus is essential for protein production and normal cellular functions. A partial loss of function allele of the mRNA export factor Nxt1 in Drosophila shows reduced viability and sterility. A previous study has shown that the male fertility defect is due to a defect in transcription and RNA stability, indicating the potential for this pathway to be implicated in processes beyond the known mRNA transport function. Here we investigate the reduced viability of Nxt1 partial loss of function mutants, and describe a defect in growth and maintenance of the larval muscles, leading to muscle degeneration. RNA-seq revealed reduced expression of a set of mRNAs, particularly from genes with long introns in Nxt1 mutant carcass. We detected differential expression of circRNA, and significantly fewer distinct circRNAs expressed in the mutants. Despite the widespread defects in gene expression, muscle degeneration was rescued by increased expression of the costamere component tn (abba) in muscles. This is the first report of a role for the RNA export pathway gene Nxt1 in the maintenance of muscle integrity. Our data also links the mRNA export pathway to a specific role in the expression of mRNA and circRNA from common precursor genes, in vivo.

scholarly journals Ras controls growth, survival and differentiation in the Drosophila eye by different thresholds of MAP kinase activity

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (9) ◽  
pp. 1687-1696 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Halfar ◽  
C. Rommel ◽  
H. Stocker ◽  
E. Hafen
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Photoreceptor Cells ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Mapk Activity ◽  
Dividing Cells

Ras mediates a plethora of cellular functions during development. In the developing eye of Drosophila, Ras performs three temporally separate functions. In dividing cells, it is required for growth but is not essential for cell cycle progression. In postmitotic cells, it promotes survival and subsequent differentiation of ommatidial cells. In the present paper, we have analyzed the different roles of Ras during eye development by using molecularly defined complete and partial loss-of-function mutations of Ras. We show that the three different functions of Ras are mediated by distinct thresholds of MAPK activity. Low MAPK activity prolongs cell survival and permits differentiation of R8 photoreceptor cells while high or persistent MAPK activity is sufficient to precociously induce R1-R7 photoreceptor differentiation in dividing cells.

Genetic analysis of laminin A reveals diverse functions during morphogenesis in Drosophila

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Henchcliffe ◽  
L. Garcia-Alonso ◽  
J. Tang ◽  
C.S. Goodman
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Complete Loss ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Multidomain Structure ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Wing Structure

In order to dissect the functions of laminin A in vivo, we have undertaken a molecular and genetic characterization of the laminin A subunit (lamA) gene in Drosophila. Sequence analysis predicts a multidomain structure similar to mammalian homologs. We generated a series of complete and partial loss-of-function mutant alleles of the lamA gene; complete loss-of-function mutations lead to late embryonic lethality. Certain combinations of partial loss-of-function lamA alleles give rise to escaper adults, which have rough eyes associated with changes in cell fate and pattern, misshapen legs and defects in wing structure. These phenotypes suggest that laminin A has diverse functions during morphogenesis in Drosophila.

scholarly journals T118M Variant of PMP22 Gene Presents with Painful Peripheral Neuropathy and Varying Charcot-Marie-Tooth Features: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwo Wei David Ho ◽  
Nivedita U. Jerath
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Clinical Effect ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Pmp22 Gene ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Charcot Marie Tooth ◽  
Electrophysiological Studies

The clinical effect of T118M variant of the PMP22 gene has been controversial. Several studies have suggested that it may be autosomal recessive, partial loss of function, or a benign variant. Here we report three cases in further support that the T118M variant of the PMP22 gene is a partial loss of function variant. These three unrelated cases were heterozygotes with the T118M variant of the PMP22 gene. All three cases presented with painful peripheral neuropathy and varying degrees of Charcot-Marie-Tooth exam features. Electrophysiological studies revealed polyneuropathy with axonal and demyelinating features in one case, but there were minimal electrophysiological changes in the other two cases. We propose that the T118M variant can cause painful peripheral neuropathy, which may be an underrecognized feature of this variant.

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