PUBLICATION

Approaches to Test the Neurotoxicity of Environmental Contaminants in the Zebrafish Model - From Behavior to Molecular Mechanisms

Authors
Fitzgerald, J.A., Könemann, S., Krümpelmann, L., Županič, A., Vom Berg, C.
ID
ZDB-PUB-201208-12
Date
2020
Source
Environmental toxicology and chemistry   40(4): 989-1006 (Review)
Registered Authors
vom Berg, Colette
Keywords
behavioral toxicology, ecotoxicology, neurotoxicity, teleost, toxicity mechanism
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Ecosystem
  • Larva
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical*/toxicity
  • Zebrafish*
PubMed
33270929 Full text @ Environ. Toxicol. Chem.
Abstract
The occurrence of neuroactive chemicals in the aquatic environment is on the rise and poses a potential threat to aquatic biota of currently unpredictable outcome. In particular, subtle changes caused by these chemicals to an organism's sensation or behavior are difficult to tackle with current test systems that focus on rodents or with in vitro test systems omitting whole animal responses. In recent years, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a popular model organism for toxicological studies and testing strategies, such as the standardized use of zebrafish early life stages in the OECD guideline 236. In terms of neurotoxicity, the zebrafish provides a powerful model to investigate changes to the nervous system from several different angles, offering the ability to tackle the mechanisms of action of chemicals in detail. The mechanistic understanding gained through the analysis of this model species provides a good basic knowledge of how neuroactive chemicals might interact with a teleost nervous system. Such information can help infer potential effects occurring to other species exposed to neuroactive chemicals in their aquatic environment and predicting potential risks of a chemical for the aquatic ecosystem. In the present article, we highlight approaches ranging from behavioral to structural, functional and molecular analysis of the larval zebrafish nervous system, providing a holistic view of potential neurotoxic outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping