PUBLICATION

Disruption of tph1 genes demonstrates the importance of serotonin in regulating ventilation in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Authors
Pan, Y.K., Jensen, G., Perry, S.F.
ID
ZDB-PUB-201208-14
Date
2020
Source
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology   285: 103594 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Perry, Steve F.
Keywords
5-HT, Tryptophan hydroxylase, chemoreception, hypoxia, neuroepithelial cells, ventilation
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Branchial Region/cytology
  • Branchial Region/metabolism
  • Chemoreceptor Cells/metabolism*
  • Hypoxia/metabolism*
  • Larva/metabolism*
  • Merkel Cells/metabolism*
  • Neuroepithelial Cells/metabolism*
  • Respiratory Rate/physiology*
  • Serotonin/metabolism*
  • Skin/cytology
  • Skin/metabolism
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase/genetics
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish Proteins
PubMed
33271304 Full text @ Respir. Physiol. Neurobiol.
Abstract
Serotonergic neuroepithelial cells (NECs) in larval zebrafish are believed to be O2 chemoreceptors. Serotonin (5-HT) within these NECs has been implicated as a neurotransmitter mediating the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). Here, we use knockout approaches to discern the role of 5-HT in regulating the HVR by targeting the rate limiting enzyme for 5-HT synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase (Tph). Using transgenic lines, we determined that Tph1a is expressed in skin and pharyngeal arch NECs, as well as in pharyngeal arch Merkel-like cells (MLCs), whereas Tph1b is expressed predominately in MLCs. Knocking out the two tph1 paralogs resulted in similar changes in detectable serotonergic cell density between the two mutants, yet their responses to hypoxia (35 mmHg) were different. Larvae lacking Tph1a (tph1a-/- mutants) displayed a higher ventilation rate when exposed to hypoxia compared to wild-types, whereas tph1b-/- mutants exhibited a lower ventilation rate suggesting that 5-HT located in locations other than NECs, may play a dominant role in regulating the HVR.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping