PUBLICATION

Light and melatonin schedule neuronal differentiation in the habenular nuclei

Authors
de Borsetti, N.H., Dean, B.J., Bain, E.J., Clanton, J.A., Taylor, R.W., and Gamse, J.T.
ID
ZDB-PUB-110816-29
Date
2011
Source
Developmental Biology   358(1): 251-61 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Clanton, Joshua, Dean, Benjamin, Gamse, Josh, Taylor, Robert
Keywords
epithalamus, photoperiod, circadian rhythm, neuropil, zebrafish, neurogenesis, pineal organ
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation/physiology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation/radiation effects
  • Habenula/cytology*
  • Habenula/physiology
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Light*
  • Melatonin/metabolism*
  • Neurogenesis/physiology*
  • Neurons/physiology*
  • Photoperiod
  • Receptors, Melatonin/genetics
  • Receptors, Melatonin/metabolism
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
PubMed
21840306 Full text @ Dev. Biol.
Abstract
The formation of the embryonic brain requires the production, migration, and differentiation of neurons to be timely and coordinated. Coupling to the photoperiod could synchronize the development of neurons in the embryo. Here, we consider the effect of light and melatonin on the differentiation of embryonic neurons in zebrafish. We examine the formation of neurons in the habenular nuclei, a paired structure found near the dorsal surface of the brain adjacent to the pineal organ. Keeping embryos in constant darkness causes a temporary accumulation of habenular precursor cells, resulting in late differentiation and a long-lasting reduction in neuronal processes (neuropil). Because constant darkness delays the accumulation of the neurendocrine hormone melatonin in embryos, we looked for a link between melatonin signaling and habenular neurogenesis. A pharmacological block of melatonin receptors delays neurogenesis and reduces neuropil similarly to constant darkness, while addition of melatonin to embryos in constant darkness restores timely neurogenesis and neuropil. We conclude that light and melatonin schedule the differentiation of neurons and the formation of neural processes in the habenular nuclei.
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