Using fluorescent lipids in live zebrafish larvae

Abstract

Lipids serve essential functions in cells as signaling molecules, membrane components, and sources of energy. Defects in lipid metabolism are implicated in a number of pandemic human diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia. Many aspects of how fatty acids and cholesterol are absorbed and processed by intestinal cells remain unclear and present a hurdle to developing approaches for disease prevention and treatment. Numerous studies have shown that the zebrafish is an excellent model for vertebrate lipid metabolism. In this chapter, we review commercially available fluorescent lipids that can be deployed in live zebrafish to better understand lipid signaling and metabolism. In this chapter, we present criteria one should consider when selecting specific fluorescent lipids for the study of digestive physiology or lipid metabolism in larval zebrafish.

Cu2+selective chelators relieve copper-induced oxidative stressin vivo

“… 88 – 90 Pathways related to redox signaling and lipid metabolism in zebrafish are highly analogous to those in humans. 91 , 92 According to literature reports zebrafish have an enhanced oxidative stress response. 93 – 95 One of the major factors responsible for the increased oxidative stress response is the presence of comparatively high levels of unsaturated fatty acids that help fish maintain the fluidity of cell membranes at lower temperatures.…”

A Great Catch for Investigating Inborn Errors of Metabolism—Insights Obtained from Zebrafish

“…Zebrafish tools and transgenic lines are available that simplify the investigation of lipid processing, such as Oil-Red-O. Another method involves the use of fluorescently labeled lipids used to track both lipid metabolism and transport in vivo [ 120 ].…”

Nano-Sampling and Reporter Tools to Study Metabolic Regulation in Zebrafish

“…In addition to genetically encoded metabolite probes, fluorescently labeled carbon sources such as glucose, lactate, and lipids analogs can be used to trace their uptake into cells in vivo in zebrafish embryos [(Marin-Juez et al, 2015; Anderson et al, 2016) and unpublished data; YF]. There is also increasing interest in developing novel fluorescent chemical probes for various metabolites, ions and redox species.…”