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Behavioral Approaches to Studying Innate Stress in Zebrafish
Published on: May 1, 2019
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Unpredictable Chronic Stress Alters Adenosine Metabolism in Zebrafish Brain
F F Zimmermann1, S Altenhofen1, L W Kist2
1Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga, 6681, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brazil.
Molecular Neurobiology
|June 18, 2015
Summary
Unpredictable chronic stress in zebrafish decreased ecto-adenosine deaminase activity but increased brain adenosine levels. This suggests adenosine may counteract stress, aiding homeostasis restoration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Stress Research
Background:
- Stress is a known risk factor for human disorders.
- Limited data exists on unpredictable chronic stress (UCS) effects on purinergic signaling.
- Ectonucleotidases and adenosine deaminase (ADA) regulate adenosine levels, crucial for signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate UCS effects on ectonucleotidase and ADA pathways in zebrafish brain.
- To analyze ATP metabolism and ADA gene expression under UCS.
- To understand stress-induced alterations in purinergic signaling.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of zebrafish to unpredictable chronic stress (UCS).
- Measurement of ectonucleotidase and soluble ADA activities in brain homogenates.
- Assay of ecto-ADA activity in brain membranes.
- Analysis of ATP metabolism and adenosine levels.
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for ADA gene expression.
Main Results:
- UCS did not alter ectonucleotidase or soluble ADA activities.
- Ecto-ADA activity significantly decreased (26.8%) in brain membranes of UCS-exposed zebrafish.
- No significant changes in ADA gene expression were observed post-UCS.
- UCS exposure led to a marked increase in brain adenosine (ADO) levels.
Conclusions:
- UCS alters purinergic signaling in the zebrafish brain, specifically decreasing ecto-ADA activity.
- Increased extracellular adenosine levels in the brain may be a compensatory mechanism to counteract stress.
- Elevated adenosine could play a role in mitigating stress effects and restoring homeostasis.
