Project description:Zebrafish is a model system being used in a variety of basic research and biomedical studies. Understanding the neurotranscriptomic architecture will greatly facilitate and enhance interpretation of research projects. Studies have reported that there are strain and sex-specific behavioral variation particulary in response to stress and anxiety-inducing scenarios. Capitalizing on previously documented behavioral variation by strains and sex of zebrafish, this study seeks to understand the neurotranscriptomic mechanisms potentially underlying this variation. Through RNA-sequencing (4 biological replicates per strain further subdivided into 2 biological replicates per sex) we analyzed the whole-brain transcriptomic profiles of four strains of zebrafish and relate transcriptional differences to phenotypic differences (e.g. behavioral or morphological) of the strains. Using a balanced block design, all 16 samples were multiplexed and run across 16 lanes on an Illumina GAIIx. Resulting reads (approximately 52 million reads per biological replicate) were aligned to the Zv9 genome build. We subsequently performed differential gene expression analysis and weighted gene coexpression network analysis to identify genes and gene networks associated with a phenotype. The goal of the study is to identify neurotranscriptomic mechanisms underlying phenotypic (e.g. morphological, behavioral) variation in zebrafish. Through RNA-sequencing we quantified whole-brain transcriptome levels of protein-coding genes for four strains of zebrafish (AB, Scientific Hatcheries, High Stationary Behavior, and Low Stationary Behavior). Each line has 4 biological replicates (2 biological replicates for each sex). Each biological replicate is comprised of a pool of 10 same-sex and age-matched individuals. Using a balanced block design, the samples were mulitplexed and run across 16 lanes on an Illumina GAIIx. Reads that passed default quality control filters were aligned using GSNAP and quantified with HTSEQ. We used edgeR and WGCNA for subsequent differential gene expression and network analyses. qRT–PCR validation was performed using SYBR Green assays

Project description:Domesticated animal populations often show profound reductions in predator avoidance and fear-related behavior compared to wild populations. These reductions are remarkably consistent and have been observed in a diverse array of taxa including fish, birds, and mammals. Experiments conducted in common environments indicate that these behavioral differences have a genetic basis. In this study, we quantified differences in fear-related behavior between wild and domesticated zebrafish strains and used microarray analysis to identify genes that may be associated with this variation. Compared to wild zebrafish, domesticated zebrafish spent more time near the water surface and were more likely to occupy the front of the aquarium nearest a human observer. Microarray analysis of the brain transcriptome identified high levels of population variation in gene expression, with 1,749 genes significantly differentially expressed among populations. Genes that varied among populations belonged to functional categories that included DNA repair, DNA photolyase activity, response to light stimulus, neuron development and axon guidance, cell death, iron-binding, chromatin reorganization, and homeobox genes. Comparatively fewer genes (112) differed between domesticated and wild strains with notable genes including gpr177 (wntless), selenoprotein P1a, synaptophysin and synaptoporin, and acyl-CoA binding domain containing proteins (acbd3 and acbd4). Microarray analysis identified a large number of genes that differed among zebrafish populations and may underlie behavioral domestication. Comparisons with similar microarray studies of domestication in rainbow trout and canids identified sixteen evolutionarily or functionally related genes that may represent components of shared molecular mechanisms underlying convergent behavioral evolution during vertebrate domestication. However, this conclusion must be tempered by limitations associated with comparisons among microarray studies and the low level of population-level replication inherent to these studies. RNA was extracted from the brains of fish from four behaviorally distinct strains of zebrafish and hybridized on Affymetrix microarrays. Brains from 2-5 individual fish of the same sex were pooled and homogenized together, for a total of two biological replicate pools per sex per strain (16 microarrays total).

Project description:Domesticated animal populations often show profound reductions in predator avoidance and fear-related behavior compared to wild populations. These reductions are remarkably consistent and have been observed in a diverse array of taxa including fish, birds, and mammals. Experiments conducted in common environments indicate that these behavioral differences have a genetic basis. In this study, we quantified differences in fear-related behavior between wild and domesticated zebrafish strains and used microarray analysis to identify genes that may be associated with this variation. Compared to wild zebrafish, domesticated zebrafish spent more time near the water surface and were more likely to occupy the front of the aquarium nearest a human observer. Microarray analysis of the brain transcriptome identified high levels of population variation in gene expression, with 1,749 genes significantly differentially expressed among populations. Genes that varied among populations belonged to functional categories that included DNA repair, DNA photolyase activity, response to light stimulus, neuron development and axon guidance, cell death, iron-binding, chromatin reorganization, and homeobox genes. Comparatively fewer genes (112) differed between domesticated and wild strains with notable genes including gpr177 (wntless), selenoprotein P1a, synaptophysin and synaptoporin, and acyl-CoA binding domain containing proteins (acbd3 and acbd4). Microarray analysis identified a large number of genes that differed among zebrafish populations and may underlie behavioral domestication. Comparisons with similar microarray studies of domestication in rainbow trout and canids identified sixteen evolutionarily or functionally related genes that may represent components of shared molecular mechanisms underlying convergent behavioral evolution during vertebrate domestication. However, this conclusion must be tempered by limitations associated with comparisons among microarray studies and the low level of population-level replication inherent to these studies.

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Neurotranscriptome profiles of four zebrafish strains

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