PUBLICATION

Serotonin antagonists induce anxiolytic and anxiogenic-like behaviour in zebrafish in a receptor-subtype dependent manner

Authors
Nowicki, M., Tran, S., Muraleetharan, A., Markovic, S., Gerlai, R.
ID
ZDB-PUB-141007-6
Date
2014
Source
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior   126: 170-80 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Gerlai, Robert T.
Keywords
Anxiety, Behaviour, Novel environment, Serotonin antagonist, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Aminopyridines/pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacology*
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents/therapeutic use
  • Anxiety/chemically induced*
  • Anxiety/drug therapy
  • Benzamides/pharmacology
  • Ketanserin/pharmacology
  • Ondansetron/pharmacology
  • Piperazines/pharmacology
  • Pyridines/pharmacology
  • Receptors, Serotonin/metabolism*
  • Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology*
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology*
  • Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology*
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
25284132 Full text @ Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.
Abstract
Motor function and anxiety-like responses are easily quantifiable in zebrafish, a novel model organism for behavioural pharmacology. Activation of serotonin receptors through the use of selective agonists have been shown to alter anxiety-like behaviours in zebrafish. However, few studies have examined the effect of blockade of specific serotonin receptors. In the current study, we examine the effect of 4 serotonin receptor antagonists selective for 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B/D, 5-HT2, and 5-HT3 receptors on zebrafish motor and anxiety-like responses. Exposure to the receptor antagonists did not change baseline motor responses. However, when placed in a novel environment, zebrafish previously exposed to GR 55562 (5-HT1B/D antagonist) exhibited reduced anxiety-like behaviour, whereas zebrafish previously exposed to p-MPPF (5-HT1A antagonist), Ketanserin (5-HT2 antagonist), or Ondasetron (5-HT3 antagonist) exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviours. These results show that drugs developed for mammalian serotonin receptors are efficacious in the zebrafish too, a finding that demonstrates evolutionary conservation of the serotoninergic system. The results also imply that zebrafish may be an appropriate animal model for examining the serotonergic neurotransmitter system in vertebrates.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping