In Parkinson's patient-derived dopamine neurons, the triplication of α-synuclein locus induces distinctive firing pattern by impeding D2 receptor autoinhibition.

Pathophysiological changes in dopamine neurons precede their demise and contribute to the early phases of Parkinson's disease (PD). Intracellular pathological inclusions of the protein α-synuclein within dopaminergic neurons are a cardinal feature of PD, but the mechanisms by which α-synuclein contributes to dopaminergic neuron vulnerability remain unknown. The inaccessibility to diseased tissue has been a limitation in studying progression of pathophysiology prior to degeneration of dopamine neurons.

Transgenerational hypocortisolism and behavioral disruption are induced by the antidepressant fluoxetine in male zebrafish .

The global prevalence of depression is high during childbearing. Due to the associated risks to the mother and baby, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (FLX) is often the first line of treatment. Given that FLX readily crosses the placenta, a fetus may be susceptible to the disruptive effects of FLX during this highly plastic stage of development.

Part B: Morphometric and transcriptomic responses to sub-chronic exposure to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon phenanthrene in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas).

Phenanthrene is a tricyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and environmental contaminant found in high concentrations around urban catchments and in the vicinity of oil extraction activities. Fish exposed to phenanthrene can exhibit altered reproductive hormone profiles and/or differences within gonadosomatic index and altered gamete proportions, but the mechanisms underlying these changes are not fully understood. In this study, we conducted a sub-chronic bioassay and measured transcriptional responses in the liver, the major tissue involved in generating lipids for oocyte growth.

Secretoneurin A Directly Regulates the Proteome of Goldfish Radial Glial Cells .

Radial glial cells (RGCs) are the main macroglia in the teleost brain and have established roles in neurogenesis and neurosteroidogenesis. They are the only brain cell type expressing aromatase B (), the enzyme that synthesizes estrogens from androgen precursors. There are few studies on the regulation of RGC functions, but our previous investigations demonstrated that dopamine stimulates expression in goldfish RGCs, while secretoneurin A (SNa) inhibits the expression of this enzyme.

Dieldrin Augments mTOR Signaling and Regulates Genes Associated with Cardiovascular Disease in the Adult Zebrafish Heart ().

Dieldrin is a legacy organochlorine pesticide that is persistent in the environment, despite being discontinued from use in North America since the 1970s. Some epidemiologic studies suggest that exposure to dieldrin is associated with increased risks of neurodegenerative disease and breast cancer by inducing inflammatory responses in tissues as well as oxidative stress. However, the direct effects of organochlorine pesticides on the heart have not been adequately addressed to date given that these chemicals are detectable in human serum and are environmentally persistent; thus, individuals may show latent adverse effects in the cardiovascular system due to long-term, low-dose exposure over time.

Gene expression changes in female zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain in response to acute exposure to methylmercury.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxicant and endocrine disruptor that accumulates in aquatic systems. Previous studies have shown suppression of hormone levels in both male and female fish, suggesting effects on gonadotropin regulation in the brain. The gene expression profile in adult female zebrafish whole brain induced by acute (96 h) MeHg exposure was investigated.

Sex- and tissue-specific effects of waterborne estrogen on estrogen receptor subtypes and E2-mediated gene expression in the reproductive axis of goldfish.

This research examined the gene expression profile of three goldfish estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes in multiple tissues in relation to mRNA levels of aromatase B and vitellogenin (VTG) following waterborne estrogen exposures. The protocol consisted of: i) adult male goldfish in late gonadal recrudescence exposed to 1 nM 17beta-estradiol (E2); ii) adult male and female goldfish in early sexual regression exposed to 1 nM E2 for 3, 6, 12 and 24h; and, iii) sexually mature, adult male goldfish exposed to 0.3 nM 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) for 24h.