scholarly journals Time-Dependent Effects of Acute Handling on the Brain Monoamine System of the Salmonid Coregonus maraena

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Martorell-Ribera ◽  
Marzia Tindara Venuto ◽  
Winfried Otten ◽  
Ronald M. Brunner ◽  
Tom Goldammer ◽  
...  

The immediate stress response involves the activation of the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems including serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in particular areas of the fish brain. We chose maraena whitefish as a stress-sensitive salmonid species to investigate the influence of acute and chronic handling on the neurochemistry of monoamines in the brain. Plasma cortisol was quantified to assess the activation of the stress axis. In addition, we analyzed the expression of 37 genes related to the monoamine system to identify genes that could be used as markers of neurophysiological stress effects. Brain neurochemistry responded to a single handling (1 min netting and chasing) with increased serotonergic activity 3 h post-challenge. This was accompanied by a modulated expression of monoaminergic receptor genes in the hindbrain and a significant increase of plasma cortisol. The initial response was compensated by an increased monoamine synthesis at 24 h post-challenge, combined with the modulated expression of serotonin-receptor genes and plasma cortisol concentrations returning to control levels. After 10 days of repeated handling (1 min per day), we detected a slightly increased noradrenaline synthesis and a down-regulated expression of dopamine-receptor genes without effect on plasma cortisol levels. In conclusion, the changes in serotonergic neurochemistry and selected gene-expression profiles, together with the initial plasma cortisol variation, indicate an acute response and a subsequent recovery phase with signs of habituation after 10 days of daily exposure to handling. Based on the basal expression patterns of particular genes and their significant regulation upon handling conditions, we suggest a group of genes as potential biomarkers that indicate handling stress on the brain monoamine systems.

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-393
Author(s):  
Dallas W Henderson ◽  
Brian C Small

The turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri is an increasingly popular model species for comparative vertebrate research, and the basic physiology including responses to stressful stimuli are of primary interest. We exposed adult killifish to a single or repeated periods of acute confinement followed by analysis of tissue cortisol and plasma cortisol concentrations. Individuals were also sampled for messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone ( CRH), mineralocorticoid receptor ( MR), and glucocorticoid receptor ( GR) in the brain to examine the effects of repeated stress events on constitutive expression of these important stress axis components. Following a single 30-minute confinement stress, male plasma cortisol significantly differed from baseline ( p = 0.04). Both male and female whole-body cortisol were significantly increased ( p = 0.004 and p = 0.04, respectively) at 15 and 30 minutes poststress. Despite obvious dimorphic behavior and morphology, cortisol concentrations did not differ between the sexes. Exposure to daily repeated confinement for one week altered the cortisol response in both sexes. Time 0, 15, and 60 minutes poststress cortisol concentrations were depressed in repeatedly stressed males ( p ≤ 0.05), and times 0, 30 and 120 minutes poststress cortisol concentrations were depressed in repeatedly stressed females ( p ≤ 0.05). Constitutive expression of CRH, MR, and GR mRNA in the brain following one week of repeated stress events did not differ among treatments or sexes. This study introduces the first description of hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis activity in this important model species. Reduced cortisol production in repeatedly stressed adult killifish suggests acclimation to repeated stressors. Furthermore, acclimation was rapid, and plasma cortisol concentrations altered significantly in as little as one week.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana V. Basova ◽  
James P. Kesby ◽  
Marcus Kaul ◽  
Svetlana Semenova ◽  
Maria Cecilia Garibaldi Marcondes

Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse is common among humans with immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV-1 regulatory protein, trans-activator of transcription (Tat), has been described to induce changes in brain gene transcription that can result in impaired reward circuitry, as well as in inflammatory processes. In transgenic mice with doxycycline-induced Tat protein expression in the brain, i.e., a mouse model of neuroHIV, we tested global gene expression patterns induced by Meth sensitization. Meth-induced locomotor sensitization included repeated daily Meth or saline injections for seven days and Meth challenge after a seven-day abstinence period. Brain samples were collected 30 min after the Meth challenge. We investigated global gene expression changes in the caudate putamen, an area with relevance in behavior and HIV pathogenesis, and performed pathway and transcriptional factor usage predictions using systems biology strategies. We found that Tat expression alone had a very limited impact in gene transcription after the Meth challenge. In contrast, Meth-induced sensitization in the absence of Tat induced a global suppression of gene transcription. Interestingly, the interaction between Tat and Meth broadly prevented the Meth-induced global transcriptional suppression, by maintaining regulation pathways, and resulting in gene expression profiles that were more similar to the controls. Pathways associated with mitochondrial health, initiation of transcription and translation, as well as with epigenetic control, were heavily affected by Meth, and by its interaction with Tat in anti-directional ways. A series of systems strategies have predicted several components impacted by these interactions, including mitochondrial pathways, mTOR/RICTOR, AP-1 transcription factor, and eukaryotic initiation factors involved in transcription and translation. In spite of the antagonizing effects of Tat, a few genes identified in relevant gene networks remained downregulated, such as sirtuin 1, and the amyloid precursor protein (APP). In conclusion, Tat expression in the brain had a low acute transcriptional impact but strongly interacted with Meth sensitization, to modify effects in the global transcriptome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yani Dong ◽  
Likang Lyu ◽  
Haishen Wen ◽  
Bao Shi

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified to be involved in half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) reproduction. However, studies of their roles in reproduction have focused mainly on the ovary, and their expression patterns and potential roles in the brain and pituitary are unclear. Thus, to explore the mRNAs and lncRNAs that are closely associated with reproduction in the brain and pituitary, we collected tongue sole brain and pituitary tissues at three stages for RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), the 5,135 and 5,630 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs and 378 and 532 DE lncRNAs were identified in the brain and pituitary, respectively. The RNA-seq results were verified by RT-qPCR. Moreover, enrichment analyses were performed to analyze the functions of DE mRNAs and lncRNAs. Interestingly, their involvement in pathways related to metabolism, signal transduction and endocrine signaling was revealed. LncRNA-target gene interaction networks were constructed based on antisense, cis and trans regulatory mechanisms. Moreover, we constructed competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. In summary, this study provides mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles in the brain and pituitary to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating tongue sole reproduction.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 836
Author(s):  
Kim F. Bornhöfft ◽  
Joan Martorell Ribera ◽  
Torsten Viergutz ◽  
Marzia T. Venuto ◽  
Ulrike Gimsa ◽  
...  

The cellular glycocalyx of vertebrates is frequently decorated with sialic acid residues. These sialylated structures are recognized by sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins (Siglecs) of immune cells, which modulate their responsiveness. Fifteen Siglecs are known to be expressed in humans, but only four Siglecs are regularly present in fish: Siglec1, CD22, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), and Siglec15. While several studies have dealt with the physiological roles of these four Siglecs in mammals, little is known about Siglecs in fish. In the present manuscript, the expression landscapes of these Siglecs were determined in the two salmonid species Oncorhynchus mykiss and Coregonus maraena and in the percid fish Sander lucioperca. This gene-expression profiling revealed that the expression of MAG is not restricted to neuronal cells but is detectable in all analyzed blood cells, including erythrocytes. The teleostean MAG contains the inhibitory motif ITIM; therefore, an additional immunomodulatory function of MAG is likely to be present in fish. Besides MAG, Siglec1, CD22, and Siglec15 were also expressed in all analyzed blood cell populations. Interestingly, the expression profiles of genes encoding Siglecs and particular associated enzymes changed in a gene- and tissue-specific manner when Coregonus maraena was exposed to handling stress. Thus, the obtained data indicate once more that stress directly affects immune-associated processes.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Monesson-Olson ◽  
Jon J. McClain ◽  
Abigail E. Case ◽  
Hanna E. Dorman ◽  
Daniel R. Turkewitz ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTGABA is a robust regulator of both developing and mature neural networks. It exerts many of its effects through GABAA receptors, which are heteropentamers assembled from a large array of subunits encoded by distinct genes. In mammals, there are 19 different GABAA subunit types, which are divided into the α, β, γ, δ, ε, π, θ and ρ subfamilies. The immense diversity of GABAA receptors is not fully understood. However, it is known that specific isoforms, with their distinct biophysical properties and expression profiles, tune responses to GABA. Although larval zebrafish are well-established as a model system for neural circuit analysis, little is known about GABAA receptors diversity and expression in this system. Here, using database analysis, we show that the zebrafish genome contains at least 23 subunits. All but the mammalian θ and ε subunits have at least one zebrafish ortholog, while five mammalian GABAA subunits have two zebrafish orthologs. Zebrafish contain one subunit, β4, which does not have a clear mammalian ortholog. Similar to mammalian GABAA receptors, the zebrafish α subfamily is the largest and most diverse of the subfamilies. In zebrafish there are eight α subunits, and RNA in situ hybridization across early zebrafish development revealed that they demonstrate distinct patterns of expression in the brain, spinal cord, and retina. Some subunits were very broadly distributed, whereas others were restricted to small populations of cells. Subunit-specific expression patterns were similar between zebrafish, frogs and rodents, which suggests that the roles of different GABAA receptor isoforms are largely conserved among vertebrates. This study provides a platform to examine isoform specific roles of GABAA receptors within zebrafish neural circuits and it highlights the potential of this system to better understand the remarkable heterogeneity of GABAA receptors.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Xu ◽  
Shuping Zhang ◽  
Yujun Guo ◽  
Wen Chen ◽  
Yanqun Huang

Abstract Background: The CDS gene encodes the CDP-diacylglycerol synthase enzyme that catalyzes the formation of CDP-diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) from phosphatidic acid. At present, there are no reports of CDS2 in birds. Here, we identified chicken CDS2 transcripts, explored the spatio-temporal expression profiles of total CDS2 and the longest transcript variant CDS2-4, and investigated the effect of exogenous insulin on total the mRNA level of CDS2.Results: Four transcripts of chicken CDS2 (CDS2-1, -2, -3, and -4) were identified, which were alternatively spliced at the 3′-untranslated region (UTR). Chicken CDS2 was located at chr.22, where there was a chromosomal fusion/break event in the evolution of mammals and birds. CDS2 was widely expressed in all tissues examined and the longest variant CDS2-4 was the major transcript. Both total CDS2 and CDS2-4 were prominently expressed in adipose tissue and the heart, and exhibited low expression in the liver and pectoralis of 49 day-old chickens. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that total CDS2 and CDS2-4 had different spatio-temporal expression patterns in chicken. Total CDS2 exhibited a similar temporal expression tendancy with a high level in the later period of incubation (embryonic day 19 [E19] or 1-day-old) in the brain, liver, and pectoralis. While CDS2-4 presented a distinct temporal expression pattern in these tissues, CDS2-4 levels peaked at 21 days in the brain and pectoralis, while liver CDS2-4 mRNA levels were highest at the early stage of hatching (E10). Total CDS2 (P < 0.001) and CDS2-4 (P = 0.0090) mRNA levels in the liver were differentially regulated throughout development of the chicken. Exogenous insulin significantly downregulated the level of total CDS2 at 240 min in the pectoralis of Silky chickens (P < 0.01). Total CDS2 levels in the liver of Silky chickens were higher than that of the broiler in the basal state and after insulin stimulation.Conclusion: Chicken CDS2 has multiple transcripts with variation at the 3′-UTR, which was prominently expressed in adipose tissue. Total CDS2 and CDS2-4 presented distinct spatio-temporal expression patterns, and they were differentially regulated with age in liver. Insulin could regulate chicken CDS2 levels in a breed- and tissue-specific manner.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 722-734
Author(s):  
Adele Soltani ◽  
Arefeh Jafarian ◽  
Abdolamir Allameh

micro (mi)-RNAs are vital regulators of multiple processes including insulin signaling pathways and glucose metabolism. Pancreatic &#946;-cells function is dependent on some miRNAs and their target mRNA, which together form a complex regulative network. Several miRNAs are known to be directly involved in &#946;-cells functions such as insulin expression and secretion. These small RNAs may also play significant roles in the fate of &#946;-cells such as proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis. Among the miRNAs, miR-7, miR-9, miR-375, miR-130 and miR-124 are of particular interest due to being highly expressed in these cells. Under diabetic conditions, although no specific miRNA profile has been noticed, the expression of some miRNAs and their target mRNAs are altered by posttranscriptional mechanisms, exerting diverse signs in the pathobiology of various diabetic complications. The aim of this review article is to discuss miRNAs involved in the process of stem cells differentiation into &#946;-cells, resulting in enhanced &#946;-cell functions with respect to diabetic disorders. This paper will also look into the impact of miRNA expression patterns on in vitro proliferation and differentiation of &#946;-cells. The efficacy of the computational genomics and biochemical analysis to link the changes in miRNA expression profiles of stem cell-derived &#946;-cells to therapeutically relevant outputs will be discussed as well.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1312
Author(s):  
Jia Liu ◽  
Weicong Qi ◽  
Haiying Lu ◽  
Hongbo Shao ◽  
Dayong Zhang

Salt tolerance is an important trait in soybean cultivation and breeding. Plant responses to salt stress include physiological and biochemical changes that affect the movement of water across the plasma membrane. Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) localize to the plasma membrane and regulate the water and solutes flow. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR and yeast two-hybridization were engaged to analyze the early gene expression profiles and interactions of a set of soybean PIPs (GmPIPs) in response to salt stress. A total of 20 GmPIPs-encoding genes had varied expression profiles after salt stress. Among them, 13 genes exhibited a downregulated expression pattern, including GmPIP1;6, the constitutive overexpression of which could improve soybean salt tolerance, and its close homologs GmPIP1;7 and 1;5. Three genes showed upregulated patterns, including the GmPIP1;6 close homolog GmPIP1;4, when four genes with earlier increased and then decreased expression patterns. GmPIP1;5 and GmPIP1;6 could both physically interact strongly with GmPIP2;2, GmPIP2;4, GmPIP2;6, GmPIP2;8, GmPIP2;9, GmPIP2;11, and GmPIP2;13. Definite interactions between GmPIP1;6 and GmPIP1;7 were detected and GmPIP2;9 performed homo-interaction. The interactions of GmPIP1;5 with GmPIP2;11 and 2;13, GmPIP1;6 with GmPIP2;9, 2;11 and GmPIP2;13, and GmPIP2;9 with itself were strengthened upon salt stress rather than osmotic stress. Taken together, we inferred that GmPIP1 type and GmPIP2 type could associate with each other to synergistically function in the plant cell; a salt-stress environment could promote part of their interactions. This result provided new clues to further understand the soybean PIP–isoform interactions, which lead to potentially functional homo- and heterotetramers for salt tolerance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqian Zhang ◽  
Chang Li ◽  
Bingzhou Zhang ◽  
Zhonghua Li ◽  
Wei Zeng ◽  
...  

AbstractThe variant virulent porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strain (YN15) can cause severe porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED); however, the attenuated vaccine-like PEDV strain (YN144) can induce immunity in piglets. To investigate the differences in pathogenesis and epigenetic mechanisms between the two strains, differential expression and correlation analyses of the microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA in swine testicular (ST) cells infected with YN15, YN144, and mock were performed on three comparison groups (YN15 vs Control, YN144 vs Control, and YN15 vs YN144). The mRNA and miRNA expression profiles were obtained using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the differentially expressed (DE) (p-value < 0.05) mRNA and miRNA were obtained using DESeq R package. mRNAs targeted by DE miRNAs were predicted using the miRanda algortithm. 8039, 8631 and 3310 DE mRNAs, and 36, 36, and 22 DE miRNAs were identified in the three comparison groups, respectively. 14,140, 15,367 and 3771 DE miRNA–mRNA (targeted by DE miRNAs) interaction pairs with negatively correlated expression patterns were identified, and interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape. Six DE miRNAs and six DE mRNAs were randomly selected to verify the sequencing data by real-time relative quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Based on bioinformatics analysis, we discovered the differences were mostly involved in host immune responses and viral pathogenicity, including NF-κB signaling pathway and bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, etc. This is the first comprehensive comparison of DE miRNA–mRNA pairs in YN15 and YN144 infection in vitro, which could provide novel strategies for the prevention and control of PED.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaudia Pawlina-Tyszko ◽  
Maria Oczkowicz ◽  
Artur Gurgul ◽  
Tomasz Szmatoła ◽  
Monika Bugno-Poniewierska

Abstract Background MicroRNAs indirectly orchestrate myriads of essential biological processes. A wide diversity of miRNAs of the neurodevelopmental importance characterizes the brain tissue, which, however, exhibits region-specific miRNA profile differences. One of the most conservative regions of the brain is periaqueductal grey (PAG) playing vital roles in significant functions of this organ, also those observed to be sex-influenced. The domestic pig is an important livestock species but is also believed to be an excellent human model. This is of particular importance for neurological research because of the similarity of pig and human brains as well as difficult access to human samples. However, the pig PAG profile has not been characterized so far. Moreover, molecular bases of sex differences connected with brain functioning, including miRNA expression profiles, have not been fully deciphered yet. Methods Thus, in this study, we applied next-generation sequencing to characterize pig PAG expressed microRNAs. Furthermore, we performed differential expression analysis between females and males to identify changes of the miRNA profile and reveal candidates underlying sex-related differences. Results As a result, known brain-enriched, and new miRNAs which will expand the available profile, were identified. The downstream analysis revealed 38 miRNAs being differentially expressed (DE) between female and male samples. Subsequent pathway analysis showed that they enrich processes vital for neuron growth and functioning, such as long-term depression and axon guidance. Among the identified sex-influenced miRNAs were also those associated with the PAG physiology and diseases related to this region. Conclusions The obtained results broaden the knowledge on the porcine PAG miRNAome, along with its dynamism reflected in different isomiR signatures. Moreover, they indicate possible mechanisms associated with sex-influenced differences mediated via miRNAs in the PAG functioning. They also provide candidate miRNAs for further research concerning, i.e., sex-related bases of physiological and pathological processes occurring in the nervous system. Graphical abstract


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