Project description:For analysis of gene expression changes in the zebrafish larvae heart in response to TCDD exposure, three replicate samples of heart tissue were collected at 73, 74, 76 and 84 hours post fertilization from larvae exposed to 1 ng/ml TCDD or vehicle from 72 - 73 hours post fertilization. For analysis of gene expression changes in the extracardiac tissue in response to TCDD exposure, three replicate samples of zebrafish larvae bodies with the heart tissue removed were collected at 73, 74, 76 and 84 hours post fertilization from larvae exposed to 1 ng/ml TCDD or vehicle from 72 - 73 hours post fertilization.
Project description:The opioid epidemic has introduced significant public health challenges with little knowledge regarding the consequences of opioid exposure during embryonic development. While neurobehavioral effects of developmental opioid exposure are well-documented, early effects of exposure remain largely unexplored. We investigated the effects of oxycodone and fentanyl exposure on gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos using whole embryo RNA sequencing. Embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant (Oxycodone HCl 10.6pg/mL and Fentanyl Citrate 0.629pg/mL) and therapeutically relevant (Oxycodone HCl 35.14ng/mL and Fentanyl Citrate 3.14ng/mL) from 2 to 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf), followed by another 24hrs of opioid-free development. RNA sequencing at 48hpf revealed dose and drug specific gene expression changes. Lower doses of oxycodone and fentanyl both induced more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than higher doses, potentially indicative of opioid receptor desensitization occurring at higher concentrations. In total, 892 DEGs were identified across all conditions indicating continued differential gene expression well after cessation of opioid exposure. Gene ontology analysis revealed changes in gene expression relating to extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, cell adhesion, and visual and nervous system formation. Key pathways include axon guidance, synapse formation, and ECM biosynthesis/remodeling all of which have potential implications on neural connectivity and sensory development. These findings demonstrate that developmental exposure to opioids induced persistent transcriptomic changes which may have lasting implications for structural integrity and function in vertebrate nervous systems, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of opioid-induced alterations during development.
Project description:This project aimed at identifying developmental stage specific transcript profiles for catecholaminergic neurons in embryos and early larvae of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Catecholaminergic neurons were labeled using transgenic zebrafish strains to drive expression of GFP. At stages 24, 36, 72 and 96 hrs post fertilization, embryos were dissociated and GFP expressing cells sorted by FACS. Isolated RNAs were processed using either polyA selection and libray generation or NanoCAGE. This is the first effort to determine stage specific mRNA profiles of catecholaminergic neurons in zebrafish.
Project description:The phenylpyrazole fipronil is a widely used insecticide designed to inhibit γ -amino-butyric acid (GABA) receptors, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Fipronil has been detected in some water systems in the ng/L range, and is reported to be neurotoxic. To address the risks associated with fipronil exposure, we measured morphological, physiological, and molecular responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos following a 48 hour exposure (20 ng/L – 2 mg/L). Survival was not different than controls following treatments below 200 µg fipronil/L but was ~20% higher with concentrations above 200 µg fipronil/L. Once the embryos hatched, they underwent a 7 day depuration phase. At 9 days post-fertilization (9 dpf), body length and notochord length were not different than controls for any dose. To assess sub-lethal effects, transcriptome profiling was conducted in 9 dpf larvae following 48 hour exposure + 7 dpf depuration to environmentally relevant concentrations of fipronil (200 ng fipronil/L), as well as two higher concentrations of the pesticide (200 µg fipronil/L and 2 mg fipronil/L). Transcriptome profiling revealed that all three concentrations affected pathways related to chromosome condensation and the metabolism of estrogens and androgens as well as genes related to methylation. In addition, 200 ng fipronil/L down-regulated genes related to the circadian clock, histone and DNA methylation, and histone acetylation, while the highest dose increased networks related to immune function (e.g. lectin-induced complement pathway and the alternative complement pathway). The two highest concentrations of fipronil increased the expression of transcriptional networks associated with mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction and mitochondrial protein transport. As such, we exposed 24 hpf embryos to fipronil for 24 hours and measured oxygen consumption rate to assess mitochondrial function. There were no differences in basal and maximal respiration in the embryos nor ATP production, and fipronil did not affect mitochondrial bioenergetics. This study suggests that fipronil at environmentally relevant concentrations does not adversely affect the survival or morphology of fish embryos, however sub-lethal endpoints should be examined to more fully characterize the long term effects of fipronil exposure in larval fish.
Project description:Comparison of gene expression profiles from Danio rerio muscle of wiltype (AB) and homozygote/heterozygote tert mutants (AB tert(-/-), AB tert(+/)). The RNA-seq data comprise 3 groups. Jena Centre for Systems Biology of Ageing - JenAge (www.jenage.de)
Project description:Comparison of gene expression profiles from Danio rerio liver of wiltype (AB) and homozygote/heterozygote tert mutants (AB tert(-/-), AB tert(+/)). The RNA-seq data comprise 3 groups. Jena Centre for Systems Biology of Ageing - JenAge (www.jenage.de)