Molecular genetic approaches to dissect complex behaviors in zebrafish

Xu, Jiale; Guo, Su

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-817528-6.00014-0

Cited by 2 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 163 publications

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“…Thigmotaxis or centrophobism, i.e., the tendency of animals to avoid the center area of an open field or arena and instead to spend more time in its periphery, is a behavioral response that is evolutionary conserved from Drosophila ( Besson and Martin, 2005 ; Mohammad et al, 2016 ) to zebrafish ( Colwill and Creton, 2011 ; Richendrfer et al, 2012 ; Schnörr et al, 2012 ; Pietri et al, 2013 ; Zhang et al, 2017 ; Xu and Guo, 2020 ) and mammals ( Hall, 1934 ; Denenberg, 1969 ; Treit and Fundytus, 1988 ; Prut and Belzung, 2003 ), including humans ( Walz et al, 2016 ; Gromer et al, 2021 ). Although a natural behavioral tendency across species, it has been suggested that thigmotaxis is indicative of an anxiety-like state in both larval and adult zebrafish ( Maximino et al, 2010 ; Richendrfer et al, 2012 ; Schnörr et al, 2012 ; Pietri et al, 2013 ; Zhang et al, 2017 ; Abreu et al, 2020 ; Xu and Guo, 2020 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…That Dc larvae show an increased thigmotaxis relative to zebrafish during the light ( Figure 2F ), together with a strong startle response during a dark to light switch ( Figures 2C,D and Supplementary Figures 1C,D ), and the observation that Dc preferentially occupy the lower zone of a water column ( Rajan et al, 2022b , see also below) appears to be indicating that Dc may generally favor a rather dark over a light environment. Since thigmotaxis has also been associated with an anxiety-like behavior ( Maximino et al, 2010 ; Richendrfer et al, 2012 ; Schnörr et al, 2012 ; Pietri et al, 2013 ; Zhang et al, 2017 ; Abreu et al, 2020 ; Xu and Guo, 2020 ), increased thigmotaxis of Dc relative to zebrafish during the light periods could also be indicating increased levels of anxiety in Dc . Although we cannot exclude this possibility, ascribing heightened levels of anxiety to Dc compared to zebrafish based solely on a single behavioral parameter appears to be premature, which is why we currently favor a natural habitat or environmental-based hypothesis as a more plausible explanation for the observed phenomena.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…10.3389/fnbeh.2022.885775 anxiety-like state in both larval and adult zebrafish (Maximino et al, 2010;Richendrfer et al, 2012;Schnörr et al, 2012;Pietri et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2017;Abreu et al, 2020;Xu and Guo, 2020).…”

Section: Danionella Show Increased Thigmotaxis Relative To Zebrafish ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comparative analysis of Danionella cerebrum and zebrafish (Danio rerio) larval locomotor activity in a light-dark test

Lindemann

Kalix

Possiel

et al. 2022

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

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The genus Danionella comprises some of the smallest known vertebrate species and is evolutionary closely related to the zebrafish, Danio rerio. With its optical translucency, rich behavioral repertoire, and a brain volume of just 0.6 mm3, Danionella cerebrum (Dc) holds great promise for whole-brain in vivo imaging analyses with single cell resolution of higher cognitive functions in an adult vertebrate. Little is currently known, however, about the basic locomotor activity of adult and larval Danionella cerebrum and how it compares to the well-established zebrafish model system. Here, we provide a comparative developmental analysis of the larval locomotor activity of Dc and AB wildtype as well as crystal zebrafish in a light-dark test. We find similarities but also differences in both species, most notably a striking startle response of Dc following a sudden dark to light switch, whereas zebrafish respond most strongly to a sudden light to dark switch. We hypothesize that the different startle responses in both species may stem from their different natural habitats and could represent an opportunity to investigate how neural circuits evolve to evoke different behaviors in response to environmental stimuli.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comparative analysis of Danionella cerebrum and zebrafish (Danio rerio) larval locomotor activity in a light-dark test

Lindemann

Kalix

Possiel

et al. 2022

Front. Behav. Neurosci.

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show abstract

“…According to Xu and Guo [ 234 ], several attributes of zebrafish suggest that they can be a powerful model for complementing GWAS in humans and rodents. The zebrafish genome is fully sequenced and it shows about 70% of its genes having at least one human orthologue [ 235 ].…”

Section: Filling the Translational Gap Between Rats And Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Comparative genomic analyses between zebrafish and humans have revealed double-conserved synteny (DCS) blocks that are represented in each human chromosome [ 235 ]. Taken together, the available biological evidence and recent technological advancements point to the experimental testing of GWAS strategies, with a subsequent translation of zebrafish findings back to humans, as a highly promising tool [ 234 ].…”

Section: Filling the Translational Gap Between Rats And Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hunting for Genes Underlying Emotionality in the Laboratory Rat: Maps, Tools and Traps

Ramos

Granzotto

Kremer

et al. 2023

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Scientists have systematically investigated the hereditary bases of behaviors since the 19th century, moved by either evolutionary questions or clinically-motivated purposes. The pioneer studies on genetic selection of laboratory animals had already indicated, one hundred years ago, the immense complexity of analyzing behaviors that were influenced by a large number of small-effect genes and an incalculable amount of environmental factors. Merging Mendelian, quantitative and molecular approaches in the 1990s made it possible to map specific rodent behaviors to known chromosome regions. From that point on, Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analyses coupled with behavioral and molecular techniques, which involved in vivo isolation of relevant blocks of genes, opened new avenues for gene mapping and characterization. This review aims at examining the QTL strategy applied to the behavioral study of emotionality, with a focus on the laboratory rat. We discuss challenges, advances and limitations of the search for Quantitative Trait Genes (QTG) playing a role in the regulation of emotionality. For the past 25 years, we have marched the long journey from emotionality-related behaviors to genes. In this context, our experiences are used to illustrate why and how one should move forward in the molecular understanding of complex psychiatric illnesses. The promises of exploring genetic links between immunological and emotional responses are also discussed. New strategies based on humans, rodents and other animals (such as zebrafish) are also acknowledged, as they are likely to allow substantial progress to be made in the near future.

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Molecular genetic approaches to dissect complex behaviors in zebrafish

Cited by 2 publications

References 163 publications

A comparative analysis of Danionella cerebrum and zebrafish (Danio rerio) larval locomotor activity in a light-dark test

A comparative analysis of Danionella cerebrum and zebrafish (Danio rerio) larval locomotor activity in a light-dark test

Hunting for Genes Underlying Emotionality in the Laboratory Rat: Maps, Tools and Traps

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