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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
08:22
Stereotaxic Microinjection of Viral Vectors Expressing Cre Recombinase to Study the Role of Target Genes in Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference
Published on: July 30, 2013
Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcripts in two percomorphs: evolutionary conservation and energy-status
Nikko Alvin R Cabillon1,2, Liat Koch3, Noam Mizrahi3,4
1Department of Poultry and Aquaculture, Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon LeTsiyon, Israel.
Frontiers in Endocrinology
|July 15, 2026
Summary
The cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (Cart) system in fish shows species-specific responses to food deprivation. Different Cart peptides may have specialized functions in energy homeostasis, particularly in Nile tilapia and gilthead seabream.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Comparative Genomics
- Aquaculture Science
Background:
- Cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (Cart) is a neuropeptide crucial for appetite and energy balance in vertebrates.
- The multigenic nature of Cart in fish presents challenges in understanding the specific functions of individual Cart peptides.
- Nile tilapia and gilthead seabream, important aquaculture species, exhibit distinct ecological niches and feeding habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the Cart gene family in Nile tilapia and gilthead seabream.
- To analyze the expression patterns and responses of Cart peptides to nutritional status in these species.
- To explore potential functional partitioning within the fish Cart system.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify and characterize Cart genes and peptide sequences.
- Protein structure modeling to assess disulfide bridge formation.
- Quantitative-PCR (qPCR) to determine Cart gene expression in various tissues under different feeding conditions.
Main Results:
- Seven Cart genes were identified in tilapia and six in seabream, showing high conservation with vertebrate orthologs.
- While Cart genes are primarily brain-expressed, some show expression in other tissues.
- Food deprivation led to decreased midbrain Cart expression in a species-specific manner, with varied forebrain and hindbrain responses.
Conclusions:
- The Cart system exhibits species-specific responses to energy status in Nile tilapia and gilthead seabream.
- Findings suggest potential functional specialization among Cart peptides in fish.
- This study provides insights into the regulation of energy homeostasis by the Cart system in aquaculture species.
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