Search

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (Hif-1α), an important transcription factor regulating cellular responses to reductions in O2, previously was shown to improve hypoxia tolerance in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Here, we examined the contribution of Hif-1α to hypoxic survival, focusing on the benefit of aquatic surface respiration (ASR). Wild-type and Hif-1α knockout lines of adult zebrafish were exposed to two levels (moderate or severe) of intermittent hypoxia. Survival was significantly compromised in Hif-1α knockout zebrafish prevented from accessing the surface during severe (16 mmHg) but not moderate (23 mmHg) hypoxia. When allowed access to the surface in severe hypoxia, survival times did not differ between wild-type and Hif-1α knockouts. Performing ASR mitigated the negative effects of the loss of Hif-1α with the knockouts initiating ASR at a higher PO2 threshold and performing ASR for longer than wild-types. The loss of Hif-1α had little impact on survival in fish between 1 and 5 days post-fertilization, but as the larvae aged, their reliance on Hif-1α increased. Similar to adult fish, ASR compensated for the loss of Hif-1α on survival. Together, these results demonstrate that age, hypoxia severity and, in particular, the ability to perform ASR significantly modulate the impact of Hif-1α on survival in hypoxic zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adrenergic regulation, acting via the sympathetic nervous system, provides a major mechanism to control cardiac function. It has recently been shown that hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (Hif‐1α) is necessary for normal development of sympathetic innervation and control of cardiac function in the mouse. To investigate whether this may represent a fundamental trait shared across vertebrates, we assessed adrenergic regulation of the heart in wild‐type and Hif‐1α knockout (hif‐1α−/−) zebrafish (Danio rerio). Wild‐type and hif‐1α−/− zebrafish larvae (aged 4 and 7 days postfertilisation) exhibited similar routine heart rates within a given age group, and β‐adrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol universally reduced heart rate to comparable levels, indicating similar adrenergic tone in both genotypes. In adult fish, in vivo heart rate measured during anaesthesia was identical between genotypes. Treatment of spontaneously beating hearts in vitro with adrenaline revealed a similar positive chronotropic effect and similar maximum heart rates in both genotypes. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy demonstrated that the bulbus arteriosus (outflow tract of the teleost heart) of adult fish was particularly well innervated by sympathetic nerves, and nerve density (as a percentage of bulbus arteriosus area) was similar between wild‐types and hif‐1α−/− mutants. In summary, we did not find any evidence that adrenergic cardiac control was perturbed in larval or adult zebrafish lacking Hif‐1α. We conclude that Hif‐1α is not essential for the normal development of cardiovascular control or adult sympathetic cardiac innervation in zebrafish, although it is possible that it plays a redundant or auxiliary role. Research Highlights: Hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (Hif‐1α) is involved in the development of cardiac innervation in mammals.By contrast, cardiac adrenergic control in Hif‐1α knockout zebrafish is similar to wild‐type, indicating that Hif‐1α is nonessential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated that hypoxia tolerance is improved in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae after prior exposure to lowered ambient O2 levels. Such improved hypoxia performance was attributed in part, to increased levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (Hif-1α) exerting downstream effects on various physiological processes including promotion of trunk skin angiogenesis. Since O2 uptake ( M ˙ O 2 ) in larvae is facilitated largely by O2 diffusion across the skin, enhanced cutaneous vascularization is expected to enhance M ˙ O 2 during hypoxia and thus contribute to improved hypoxia tolerance. In this study, we used the scanning micro-optrode technique together with quantification of cutaneous vascularity in wild types (WT) and Hif-1α knockouts (hif1aa−/−ab−/−) to test the hypothesis that improved hypoxia tolerance after hypoxia acclimation in larvae at 4 or 7 days post-fertilization (dpf) was associated with Hif-1α-dependent increases in skin vascularity and regional cutaneous O2 fluxes (JO2). Hypoxia tolerance, as determined by measurements of critical PO2 (Pcrit), was unaltered by hypoxia pre-exposure in larvae at 4 dpf and there were no significant differences in Pcrit between WT and hif1aa−/−ab−/− larvae at this developmental stage. However, at 7 dpf there was a significant effect of genotype with WT larvae showing a lower Pcrit than hif1aa−/−ab−/− larvae, an effect that was being driven by a reduced Pcrit in the WT larvae after hypoxia pre-exposure (19.2 ± 1.9 mmHg) compared to hif1aa−/−ab−/− fish (35.5 ± 3.5 mmHg). Regardless of genotype, pre-exposure status or developmental age, JO2 decreased along the body in the anterior-to-posterior direction. Neither hypoxia pre-exposure nor genotype affected JO2 at any region along the body. The lack of any effect of hypoxia pre-exposure or genotype on JO2 was consistent with the lack of any effect on skin vascularity as measured in Tg(fli1:EGFP)yl transgenic larvae. Thus, the decreased hypoxia performance (increased Pcrit) at 7 dpf in the hif1aa−/−ab−/− larvae did not appear to be reliant on changes in trunk vascularity or cutaneous O2 diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fishes, branchial cytosolic carbonic anhydrase (CA) plays an important role in ion and acid-base regulation. The Ca17a isoform in zebrafish (Danio rerio) is expressed abundantly in Na+-absorbing/H+-secreting H+-ATPase-rich (HR) cells. The present study aimed to identify the role of Ca17a in ion and acid-base regulation across life stages using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. However, in preliminary experiments, we established that ca17a knockout is lethal with ca17a-/- mutants exhibiting a significant decrease in survival beginning at ~12 days postfertilization (dpf) and with no individuals surviving past 19 dpf. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that ca17a-/- mutants would display alterations in ion and acid-base balance and that these physiological disturbances might underlie their early demise. Na+ uptake rates were significantly increased by up to 300% in homozygous mutants compared with wild-type individuals at 4 and 9 dpf; however, whole body Na+ content remained constant. While Cl- uptake was significantly reduced in ca17a-/- mutants, Cl- content was unaffected. Reduction of CA activity by Ca17a morpholino knockdown or ethoxzolamide treatments similarly reduced Cl- uptake, implicating Ca17a in the mechanism of Cl- uptake by larval zebrafish. H+ secretion, O2 consumption, CO2 excretion, and ammonia excretion were generally unaltered in ca17a-/- mutants. In conclusion, while the loss of Ca17a caused marked changes in ion uptake rates, providing strong evidence for a Ca17a-dependent Cl- uptake mechanism, the underlying causes of the lethality of this mutation in zebrafish remain unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordination of the hypoxic response is attributed, in part, to hypoxiainducible factor 1α (Hif-1α), a regulator of hypoxia-induced transcription. After the teleost-specific genome duplication, most teleost fishes lost the duplicate copy of Hif-1α, except species in the cyprinid lineage that retained both paralogues of Hif-1α (Hif1aa and Hif1ab). Little is known about the contribution of Hif-1α, and specifically of each paralogue, to hypoxia tolerance. Here, we examined hypoxia tolerance in wild-type (Hif1aa+/+ab+/+) and Hif-1α knockout lines (Hif1aa−/−; Hif1ab−/−; Hif1aa−/−ab−/−) of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Critical O2 tension (Pcrit; the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) at which O2 consumption can no longer be maintained) and time to loss of equilibrium (LOE), two indices of hypoxia tolerance, were assessed in larvae and adults. Knockout of both paralogues significantly increased Pcrit (decreased hypoxia tolerance) in larval fish. Prior exposure of larvae to hypoxia decreased Pcrit in wild-type fish, an effect mediated by the Hif1aa paralogue. In adults, individuals with a knockout of either paralogue exhibited significantly decreased time to LOE but no difference in Pcrit. Together, these results demonstrate that in zebrafish, tolerance to hypoxia and improved hypoxia tolerance after pre-exposure to hypoxia (pre-conditioning) are mediated, at least in part, by Hif-1α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of acute exposure to acidic water on Na+ and Cl- homeostasis, and the mechanisms underlying their compensatory regulation, were investigated in the larval zebrafish Danio rerio. Exposure to acidic water (pH 4.0; control pH 7.6) for 2 h significantly reduced Na+ uptake and whole body Na+ content. Nevertheless, the capacity for Na+ uptake was substantially increased in fish preexposed to acidic water but measured in control water. Based on the accumulation of the Na+-selective dye, Sodium Green, two ionocyte subtypes exhibited intracellular Na+ enrichment after preexposure to acidic water: H+-ATPase rich (HR) cells, which coexpress the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3b (NHE3b), and a non-HR cell population. In fish experiencing Na+-Cl- cotransporter (NCC) knockdown, we observed no Sodium Green accumulation in the latter cell type, suggesting the non-HR cells were NCC cells. Elimination of NHE3b-expressing HR cells did not prevent the increased Na+ uptake following acid exposure. On the other hand, the increased Na+ uptake was abolished when the acidic water was enriched with Na+ and Cl-, but not with Na+ only, indicating that the elevated Na+ uptake after acid exposure was associated with the compensatory regulation of Cl-. Further examinations demonstrated that acute acid exposure also reduced whole body Cl- levels and increased the capacity for Cl- uptake. Moreover, knockdown of NCC prevented the increased uptake of both Na+ and Cl- after exposure to acidic water. Together, the results of the present study revealed a novel role of NCC in the compensatory regulation of Na+ and Cl- uptake following acute acidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous neurotransmitter produced from the breakdown of heme via heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1; hypoxia-inducible isoform) and heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2; constitutively expressed isoform). In mammals, CO is involved in modulating cardiac function. The role of the HO-1/CO system in the control of heart function in fish, however, is unknown and investigating its physiological function in lower vertebrates will provide a better understanding of the evolution of this regulatory mechanism. We explored the role of the HO-1/CO system in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) in vivo by investigating the impact of translational gene knockdown of HO-1 on cardiac function. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of HO-1 in the pacemaker cells of the heart at 4 days post-fertilization and thus the potential for CO production at these sites. Sham-treated zebrafish larvae (experiencing normal levels of HO-1) significantly increased heart rate ( fH) when exposed to hypoxia (PwO2=30 mmHg). Zebrafish larvae lacking HO-1 expression after morpholino knockdown (morphants) exhibited significantly higher fH under normoxic (but not hypoxic) conditions when compared with sham-treaded fish. The increased fH in HO-1 morphants was rescued ( fH was restored to control levels) after treatment of larvae with a CO-releasing molecule (40 μmol l-1 CORM). The HO-1-deficient larvae developed significantly larger ventricles and when exposed to hypoxia they displayed higher cardiac output (Q) and stroke volume (SV). These results suggest that under hypoxic conditions, HO-1 regulates Q and SV presumably via the production of CO. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of the role of the HO-1/CO system in controlling heart function in lower vertebrates. We demonstrate for the first time the ability for CO to be produced in presumptive pacemaker cells of the heart where it plays an inhibitory role in setting the resting cardiac frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study tested the hypothesis that zebrafish (Danio rerio) aquaporin-1a1 (AQP1a1) serves as a multi-functional channel for the transfer of the small gaseous molecules, CO2 and ammonia, as well as water, across biological membranes. Zebrafish embryos were microinjected with a translation-blocking morpholino oligonucleotide targeted to AQP1a1. Knockdown of AQP1a1 significantly reduced rates of CO2 and ammonia excretion, as well as water fluxes, in larvae at 4 days post fertilization (dpf). Because AQP1a1 is expressed both in ionocytes present on the body surface and in red blood cells, the haemolytic agent phenylhydrazine was used to distinguish between the contributions of AQP1a1 to gas transfer in these two locations. Phenylhydrazine treatment had no effect on AQP1a1-linked excretion of CO2 or ammonia, providing evidence that AQP1a1 localized to the yolk sac epithelium, rather than red blood cell AQP1a1, is the major site of CO2 and ammonia movements. The possibility that AQP1a1 and the rhesus glycoprotein Rhcg1, which also serves as a dual CO2 and ammonia channel, act in concert to facilitate CO2 and ammonia excretion was explored. Although knockdown of each protein did not affect the abundance of mRNA and protein of the other protein under control conditions, impairment of ammonia excretion by chronic exposure to high external ammonia triggered a significant increase in the abundance of AQP1a1 mRNA and protein in 4 dpf larvae experiencing Rhcg1 knockdown. Collectively, these results suggest that AQP1a1 in zebrafish larvae facilitates the movement of CO2 and ammonia, as well as water, in a physiologically relevant fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous neurotransmitter, which, in adult mammals, modulates the acute hypoxic ventilatory response; its role in the control of breathing in fish during development is unknown.We addressed the interactive effects of developmental age and NO in the control of piscine breathing by measuring the ventilatory response of zebrafish (Danio rerio) adults and larvae to NO donors and by inhibiting endogenous production of NO. In adults, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, inhibited ventilation; the extent of the ventilatory inhibition was related to the pre-existing ventilatory drive, with the greatest inhibition exhibited during exposure to hypoxia (PO2=5.6 kPa). Inhibition of endogenous NO production using L-NAME suppressed the hypoventilatory response to hyperoxia, supporting an inhibitory role of NO in adult zebrafish. Neuroepithelial cells (NECs), the putative oxygen chemoreceptors of fish, contain neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). In zebrafish larvae at 4 days post-fertilization, SNP increased ventilation in a concentrationdependent manner. Inhibition of NOS activity with L-NAME or knockdown of nNOS inhibited the hypoxic (PO2=3.5 kPa) ventilatory response. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of nNOS in the NECs of larvae. Taken together, these data suggest that NO plays an inhibitory role in the control of ventilation in adult zebrafish, but an excitatory role in larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can act as a signalling molecule for various ion channels and/or transporters, however, little is known about its potential involvement in Ca2+ balance. Using developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an in vivo model system, the present study demonstrated that acute exposure to H2S donors increased Ca2+ influx at 4 days post fertilization (dpf) while chronic (3-day) exposure caused a rise in whole-body Ca2+ levels. The mRNA expression of Ca2+-transport related genes was unaffected by H2S exposure, suggesting that post-transcriptional modifications were responsible for the altered rates of Ca2+ uptake. Indeed, treatment of fish with the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 abolished the H2S-mediated stimulation of Ca2+ influx, suggesting that H2S increased Ca2+ influx by activating cAMP-PKA pathways. Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) are two key enzymes in the endogenous synthesis of H2S. Using an antisense morpholino knockdown approach, we demonstrated that Ca2+ influx was reduced in CBSb- but not in CSE-deficient fish. Interestingly, the reduction in Ca2+ influx in CBSb-deficient fish was observed only in fish that were acclimated to low Ca2+ water (i.e., 25 μM Ca2+; control: 250 μM Ca2+). Similarly, mRNA expression of cbsb but not cse was increased in fish acclimated to low Ca2+ water. Results from whole-mount immunohistochemistry further revealed that CBSb was expressed in Na+/K+-ATPase-rich cells (NaR cells), which are implicated in Ca2+ uptake in zebrafish larvae. Collectively, the present study suggests a novel role for H2S in promoting Ca2+ influx, particularly in a low Ca2+ environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although adult fish excrete their nitrogenous waste primarily as ammonia, larval fish may excrete a higher proportion as urea, an evolutionary strategy that lessens nitrogenous waste toxicity during early development. Previous studies firmly established that ammonia excretion is inhibited in adult fish acutely exposed to alkaline water. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that total nitrogen excretion is maintained in larval zebrafish raised in alkaline water (pH ~ 10.0) as a result of compensatory adjustments to urea and/or ammonia transport pathways. Raising zebrafish in alkaline water from 0 to 4 d postfertilization (dpf) reduced ammonia excretion at 4 dpf, whereas urea excretion was elevated by 141%. The increase in urea excretion at 4 dpf served to maintain total nitrogen excretion constant, despite the persistent inhibition of ammonia excretion. Whole body ammonia and urea contents were not significantly altered by exposure to alkaline water. Protein and mRNA expression of Rhcg1, an apically expressed ammonia-conducting channel, were significantly elevated after 4-d exposure to alkaline water, whereas the mRNA expression of Rhag, Rhbg, and urea transporter were unaffected. The acute exposure to alkaline water of 4-dpf larvae reared in control water caused a rapid inhibition of ammonia excretion that had partially recovered within 6 h of continued exposure. The partial recovery of ammonia excretion despite continued exposure to alkaline water suggested an increased ammonia excretion capacity. In agreement with an increased capacity to excrete ammonia, the transfer of larvae back to the control (normal pH) water was accompanied by increased rates of ammonia excretion. Urea excretion was not stimulated during 6-h exposure to alkaline water. Following both chronic and acute exposure to alkaline water, the rate of uptake of methylamine (anammonia analog) was significantly elevated, consistent with increased protein expression of the apical ammonia channel, Rhcg1. Taken together, this study demonstrates a complex interplay between ammonia and urea excretion in larval zebra-fish exposed to alkaline water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ontogeny of carbon dioxide (C02) sensing in zebrafish (Danio rerio) has not been examined. In this study, C02-mediated increases in heart rate were used to gauge the capacity of zebrafish larvae to sense C02. C02 is thought to be detected via neuroepithelial cells (NECs), which are homologous to mammalian carotid body glomus cells. Larvae at 5 days post-fertilization (d.p.f.) exhibited tachycardia when exposed for 30 min to 0.75% C02 (-5.63 mmHg); at 7 d.p.f., tachycardia was elicited by 0.5% C02 (-3.75 mmHg). Based on pharmacological evidence using p-adrenergic receptor (P-AR) antagonists, and confirmed by Pi-AR translational gene knockdown using morpholinos, the reflex tachycardia accompanying hypercapnia was probably mediated by the interaction of catecholamines with cardiac Pi receptors. Because the cardiac response to hypercapnia was abolished by the ganglionic blocker hexamethonium, it is probable that the reflex cardio-acceleration was mediated by catecholamines derived from sympathetic adrenergic neurons. Owing to its likely role in facilitating intracellular acidification during exposure to hypercapnia, it was hypothesized that carbonic anhydrase (CA) is involved in C02 sensing, and that inhibition of CA activity would blunt the downstream responses. Indeed, the cardiac response to hypercapnia (0.75% C02) was reduced in fish at 5 d.p.f. exposed to acetazolamide, a CA inhibitor, and in fish experiencing zCAc (CA2-like a) knockdown. Successful knockdown of zCAc was confirmed by CA activity measurements, western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Co-injection of embryos with zCAc morpholino and mRNA modified at the morpholino binding site restored normal levels of CA activity and protein levels, and restored (rescued) the usual cardiac responses to hypercapnia. These data, combined with the finding that zCAc is expressed in NECs located on the skin, suggest that the afferent limb of the C02-induced cardiac reflex in zebrafish larvae is initiated by coetaneous C02-sensing neuroepithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) to Na+ uptake was investigated in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). At 4 days post fertilization (dpf), the level of whole-body angiotensin-II (ANG-II) was significantly increased after 1- or 3-h exposure to acidic (pH=4.0) or ion-poor water (20-fold dilution of Ottawa tapwater), suggesting rapid activation of the RAS. Long-term (24 h) treatment of 3 dpf larvae with ANG-I or ANG-II significantly increased Na+ uptake which was accompanied by an increase in mRNA expression of the Na+-Cl- cotransporter (zslc12a10.2). Induction of Na+ uptake by exposure to ANG-I was blocked by simultaneously treating larvae with lisinopril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor). Acute (2 h) exposure to acidic water or ion-poor water led to significant increase in Na+ uptake which was partially blocked by the ANG-II receptor antagonist, telmisartan. Consistent with these data, translational knockdown of renin prevented the stimulation of Na+ uptake following exposure to acidic or ion-poor water. The lack of any effects of pharmacological inhibition (using RU486), or knockdown of glucocorticoid receptors on the stimulation of Na+ uptake during acute exposure to acidic or ion-poor environments, indicates that the acute effects of RAS occur independently of cortisol signaling. The results of this study demonstrate that the RAS is involved in Na+ homeostasis in larval zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kumai Y, Kwong RW, Perry SF. The role of cAMP-mediated intracellular signaling in regulating Na+ uptake in zebrafish larvae. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 306: R51-R60, 2014. First published November 20, 2013; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00317.2013.--In the current study, the role of cAMP in stimulating Na+ uptake in larval zebrafish was investigated. Treating larvae at 4 days postfertilization (dpf) with 10 μM forskolin or 1 μM 8-bromo cAMP significantly increased Na+ uptake by three-fold and twofold, respectively. The cAMP-dependent stimulation of Na+ uptake was probably unrelated to protein trafficking via microtubules because pretreatment with 200 μM colchicine or 30 μM nocodazole did not attenuate the magnitude of the response. Na+ uptake was stimulated markedly following acute (2 h) exposure to acidic water. The acid-induced increase in Na+ uptake was accompanied by a twofold elevation in whole body cAMP levels and attenuated by inhibiting PKA with 10 μM H-89. Knockdown of Na+-H+ exchanger 3b (NHE3b) attenuated, but did not abolish, the stimulation of Na+ uptake during forskolin treatment. In glial cell missing 2 morphants, in which the role of NHE3b in Na+ uptake is diminished and the Na+-Cl- cotransporter (NCC) becomes the predominant route of Na+ entry, forskolin treatment continued to increase Na+ uptake. These data suggest that at least NHE3b and NCC are targeted by cAMP in zebrafish larvae. Staining of larvae with fluorescent forskolin and propranolol revealed the presence of transmembrane adenylyl cyclase within multiple subtypes of ionocytes expressing β-adrenergic receptors. Taken together, results of the present study demonstrate that cAMP-mediated intracellular signaling may regulate multiple Na+ transporters and plays an important role in regulating Na+ uptake in zebrafish larvae during acute exposure to an acidic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teleost fish living in freshwater are challenged by passive water influx; however the molecular mechanisms regulating water influx in fish are not well understood. The potential involvement of aquaporins (AQP) and epithelial tight junction proteins in the regulation of transcellular and paracellular water movement was investigated in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). We observed that the half-time for saturation of water influx (Ku) was 4.3±0.9 min, and reached equilibrium at approximately 30 min. These findings suggest a high turnover rate of water between the fish and the environment. Water influx was reduced by the putative AQP inhibitor phloretin (100 or 500 μM). Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy revealed that AQP1a1 protein was expressed in cells on the yolk sac epithelium. A substantial number of these AQP1a1-positive cells were identified as ionocytes, either H+-ATPase-rich cells or Na+/K+-ATPase-rich cells. AQP1a1 appeared to be expressed predominantly on the basolateral membranes of ionocytes, suggesting its potential involvement in regulating ionocyte volume and/or water flux into the circulation. Additionally, translational gene knockdown of AQP1a1 protein reduced water influx by approximately 30%, further indicating a role for AQP1a1 in facilitating transcellular water uptake. On the other hand, incubation with the Ca2+-chelator EDTA or knockdown of the epithelial tight junction protein claudin-b significantly increased water influx. These findings indicate that the epithelial tight junctions normally act to restrict paracellular water influx. Together, the results of the present study provide direct in vivo evidence that water movement can occur through transcellular routes (via AQP); the paracellular routes may become significant when the paracellular permeability is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional role of the tight junction protein claudin-b in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) was investigated. We showed that claudin-b protein is expressed at epithelial cell-cell contacts on the skin. Translational gene knockdown of claudin-b protein expression caused developmental defects, including edema in the pericardial cavity and yolk sac. Claudin-b morphants exhibited an increase in epithelial permeability to the paracellular marker polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) and fluorescein isothiocyanate- dextran (FD-4). Accumulation of FD-4 was confined mainly to the yolk sac and pericardial cavity in the claudin-b morphants, suggesting these regions became particularly leaky in the absence of claudin-b expression. Additionally, Na+ efflux was substantially increased in the claudin-b morphants, which contributed to a significant reduction in whole-body Na+ levels. These results indicate that claudin-b normally acts as a paracellular barrier to Na+. Nevertheless, the elevated loss of Na+ in the morphants was compensated by an increase in Na+ uptake. Notably, we observed that the increased Na+ uptake in the morphants was attenuated in the presence of the selective Na+/Cl--cotransporter (NCC) inhibitor metolazone, or during exposure to Cl--free water. These results suggested that the increased Na+ uptake in the morphants was, at least in part, mediated by NCC. Furthermore, treatment with an H+-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 was found to reduce Na+ uptake in the morphants, suggesting that H+-ATPase activity was essential to provide a driving force for Na+ uptake. Overall, the results suggest that claudin-b plays an important role in regulating epithelial permeability and Na+ handling in zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Adrenergic receptors (βARs) are crucial for maintaining the rate and force of cardiac muscle contraction in vertebrates. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have one β1AR gene and two β2AR genes (β2aAR and β2bAR). We examined the roles of these receptors in larval zebrafish in vivo by assessing the impact of translational gene knockdown on cardiac function. Zebrafish larvae lacking β1AR expression by morpholino knockdown displayed lower heart rates than control fish, whereas larvae deficient in both β2aAR and β2bAR expression exhibited significantly higher heart rates than controls. These results suggested a potential inhibitory role for one or both β2AR genes. By using cultured HEK293 cells transfected with zebrafish βARs, we demonstrated that stimulation with adrenaline or procaterol (a β2AR agonist) resulted in an increase in intracellular cAMP levels in cells expressing any of the three zebrafish βARs. In comparison with its human βAR counterpart, zebrafish β2aAR expressed in HEK293 cells appeared to exhibit a unique binding affinity profile for adrenergic ligands. Specifically, zebrafish β2aAR had a high binding affinity for phenylephrine, a classical a-adrenergic receptor agonist. The zebrafish receptors also had distinct ligand binding affinities for adrenergic agonists when compared with human βARs in culture, with zebrafish β2aAR being distinct from human β2AR and zebrafish β2bAR. Overall, this study provides insight into the function and evolution of both fish and mammalian β-adrenergic receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the effects of direct ammonia (NH3)-carbon dioxide (CO2) competition experiments in adult zebrafish and the impact of translational knockdowns of rhesus (Rh) proteins in larvae in Ottawa, Ontario. Adult zebrafish, Danio rerio, that were raised at the core aquatic facility of the University of Ottawa were the subject of the study. Findings of the study provide in vivo evidence for a dual function of Rh proteins as ammonia and CO2 channels, also highlighting that Rh proteins in zebrafish may be common pathways for transport of NH3 and CO2.

While adult zebrafish, Danlo rerlo, possess ammonia and urea transporters (Rh and UT proteins, respectively) in a number of tissues, they are most heavily concentrated within the gills. UT has a diffuse expression pattern within Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA)-type mitochondrion-rich cells and Rh proteins form a network similar to the arrangement seen in pufferfish gills (Nakada et al., 2007b). Rhag expression appeared to be limited to the pillar cells lining the blood spaces of the lamellae while Rhbg was localized to the outer layer of both the lamellae and the filament, upon the pavement cells. Exposure to high external ammonia (HEA) or phloretin increased tissue levels of ammonia and urea, respectively, in adult and juvenile zebrafish; however, the responses to these stressors were age dependent. HEA increased mRNA levels for a number of Rh proteins in embryos and larvae but did not elicit similar effects in adult gills, which appear to compensate for the unfavourable ammonia excretory gradient by increasing expression of V-type H+-ATPase. Phloretin exposure increased UT mANA levels in embryos and larvae but was without effect in adult gill tissue. Surprisingly, in both adults and juveniles, HEA increased the mRNA expression of UT and phloretin increased the mRNA expression of Rh proteins. These results imply that, in zebrafish, there may be a tighter link between ammonia and urea excretion than is thought to occur in most teleosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish exposed to hypoxia develop decreased heart rate, or bradycardia, the physiological significance of which remains unknown. The general muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine abolishes the development of this hypoxic bradycardia, suggesting the involvement of muscarinic receptors. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the hypoxic bradycardia is mediated specifically by stimulation of the M2 muscarinic receptor, the most abundant subtype in the vertebrate heart. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were reared at two levels of hypoxia (30 and 40 Torr Po2) from the point of fertilization. in hypoxic fish, the heart rate was significantly lower than in normoxic controls from 2 to 10 days post-fertilization (dpf). At the more severe level of hypoxia (30 Ton Po2), there were significant increases in the relative mRNA expression of M2 and the cardiac type β-adrenergic receptors (β1AR, β2aAR, and β2bAR) at 4 dpf. The hypoxic bradycardia was abolished (at 40 Ton Po2) or significantly attenuated (at 30 Torr Po2) in larvae experiencing M2 receptor knockdown (using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides). Sham-injected larvae exhibited typical hypoxic bradycardia in both hypoxic regimens. The expression of β1AR, β2aAR, β2bAR, and M2 mRNA was altered at various stages between 1 and 4 dpf in larvae experiencing M2 receptor knockdown. Interestingly, M2 receptor knockdown revealed a cardioinhibitory role for the β2-adrenergic receptor. This is the first study to demonstrate a specific role of the M2 muscarinic receptor in the initiation of hypoxic bradycardia in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) family are important regulators of cytosolic Ca2+ in myriad tissues and are highly conserved across a wide range of species. Three distinct NCX genes and numerous splice variants exist in mammals, many of which have been characterized in a variety of heterologous expression systems. Recently, however, we discovered a fourth NCX gene (NCX4), which is found exclusively in teleost, amphibian, and reptilian genomes. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) NCX4a encodes for a protein of 939 amino acids and shows a high degree of identity with known NCXs. Although knockdown of NCX4a activity in zebrafish embryos has been shown to alter left-right patterning, it has not been demonstrated that NCX4a functions as a NCX. In this study, we 1) demonstrated, for the first time, that this gene encodes for a novel NCX; 2) characterized the tissue distribution of zebrafish NCX4a; and 3) evaluated its kinetic and transport properties. While ubiquitously expressed, the highest levels of NCX4a expression occurred in the brain and eyes. NCX4a exhibits modest levels of Na+-dependent inactivation and requires much higher levels of regulatory Ca2+ to activate outward exchange currents. NCX4a also exhibited extremely fast recovery from Na+-dependent inactivation of outward currents, faster than any previously characterized wild-type exchanger. While this result suggests that the Na+-dependent inactive state of NCX4a is far less stable than in other NCX family members, this exchanger was still strongly inhibited by 2 μM exchanger inhibitory peptide. We demonstrated that a new putative member of the NCX gene family, NCX4a, encodes for a NCX with unique functional properties. These data will be useful in understanding the role that NCX4a plays in embryological development as well as in the adult, where it is expressed ubiquitously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In zebrafish (Danio rerio), the ammonia-transporting Rhesus glycoprotein Rhcgb is implicated in mechanisms of ammonia excretion and Na+ uptake. In particular, Rhcgb is thought to play an important role in maintaining ammonia excretion in response to alkaline conditions and high external ammonia (HEA) exposure, in addition to facilitating Na+ uptake via a functional metabolon with the Na+/H+-exchanger Nhe3b, specifically under low Na+ conditions. In the present study, we hypothesized that CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of rhcgb would reduce ammonia excretion and Na+ uptake capacity, particularly under the conditions listed above that have elicited increases in Rhcgb-mediated ammonia excretion and/or Na+ uptake. Contrary to this hypothesis, however, larval and juvenile rhcgb knockout (KO) mutants showed no reductions in ammonia excretion or Na+ uptake under any of the conditions tested in our study. In fact, under control conditions, rhcgb KO mutants generally displayed an increase in ammonia excretion, potentially due to increased transcript abundance of another rh gene, rhbg. Under alkaline conditions, rhcgb KO mutants were also able to maintain ammonia excretion, similar to wild-type fish, and stimulation of ammonia excretion after HEA exposure also was not affected by rhcgb KO. Surprisingly, ammonia excretion and Na+ uptake were unaffected by rhcgb or nhe3b KO in juvenile zebrafish acclimated to normal (800 μmol/L) or low (10 μmol/L) Na+ conditions. These results demonstrate that Rhcgb is expendable for ammonia excretion and Na+ uptake in zebrafish, highlighting the plasticity and flexibility of these physiological systems in this species. Unlabelled Image • The ammonia-transporting protein Rhcgb was knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. • Ammonia excretion rates were elevated in rhcgb knockout (KO) mutant zebrafish. • Transcript abundance of another rh gene, rhbg , was increased in rhcgb KO mutants. • rhcgb KO had no effect on ammonia excretion in response to high pH or ammonia •.Na+ uptake and Na+ balance were unaffected by rhcgb or nhe3b KO in mature zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) is an emerging model for integrative physiological research. In this mini-review, we discuss recent advances in the neuroendocrine control of ionic balance in this species, and identify current knowledge gaps and issues that would benefit from further investigation. Zebrafish inhabit a hypo-ionic environment and therefore are challenged by a continual loss of ions to the water. To maintain ionic homeostasis, they must actively take up ions from the water and reduce passive ion loss. The adult gill or the skin of larvae are the primary sites of ionic regulation. Current models for the uptake of major ions in zebrafish incorporate at least three types of ion transporting cells (also called ionocytes); H + -ATPase-rich cells for Na + uptake, Na + /K + -ATPase-rich cells for Ca 2+ uptake, and Na + /Cl − -cotransporter expressing cells for both Na + and Cl − uptake. The precise molecular mechanisms regulating the paracellular loss of ions remain largely unknown. However, epithelial tight junction proteins, including claudins, are thought to play a critical role in reducing ion losses to the surrounding water. Using the zebrafish model, several key neuroendocrine factors were identified as regulators of epithelial ion movement, including the catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline), cortisol, the renin-angiotensin system, parathyroid hormone and prolactin. Increasing evidence also suggests that gasotransmitters, such as H 2 S, are involved in regulating ion uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teleost fish living in freshwater are challenged by passive water influx; however the molecular mechanisms regulating water influx in fish are not well understood. The potential involvement of aquaporins (AQP) and epithelial tight junction proteins in the regulation of transcellular and paracellular water movement was investigated in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). We observed that the half-time for saturation of water influx (Ku) was 4.3±0.9 min, and reached equilibrium at approximately 30 min. These findings suggest a high turnover rate of water between the fish and the environment. Water influx was reduced by the putative AQP inhibitor phloretin (100 or 500 μM). Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy revealed that AQP1a1 protein was expressed in cells on the yolk sac epithelium. A substantial number of these AQP1a1-positive cells were identified as ionocytes, either H+-ATPase-rich cells or Na+/K+-ATPase-rich cells. AQP1a1 appeared to be expressed predominantly on the basolateral membranes of ionocytes, suggesting its potential involvement in regulating ionocyte volume and/or water flux into the circulation. Additionally, translational gene knockdown of AQP1a1 protein reduced water influx by approximately 30%, further indicating a role for AQP1a1 in facilitating transcellular water uptake. On the other hand, incubation with the Ca2+-chelator EDTA or knockdown of the epithelial tight junction protein claudin-b significantly increased water influx. These findings indicate that the epithelial tight junctions normally act to restrict paracellular water influx. Together, the results of the present study provide direct in vivo evidence that water movement can occur through transcellular routes (via AQP); the paracellular routes may become significant when the paracellular permeability is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Discrete time domains of the hypoxic ventilatory response in adult zebrafish. • Dominant time domain is hypoxic ventilatory decline during sustained hypoxia. • Pronounced hypoventilation during recovery following sustained hypoxia. • Hif-1α plays only minor role in regulating hypoxic ventilatory patterns. In the current study, adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to 72 h hypoxia (90 mmHg) to assess the time domains of the hypoxia ventilatory response (HVR) and the consequence on a subsequent more severe (40 mmHg) bout of acute hypoxia. Experiments were performed on wild-type fish and mutants in which one or both paralogs of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (hif-1α) were knocked out. Although there were subtle differences among the wild-type and knockout fish, resting f V was reestablished after 2–8 h of continuous hypoxia in both groups, a striking example of hypoxic ventilatory decline (HVD). When fish were subsequently exposed to more severe hypoxia, a rapid increase in f V was observed, the magnitude of which was independent of genotype or prior exposure history. During recovery, fish that had been exposed to 72 h of 90 mmHg hypoxia exhibited a pronounced undershoot in f V , which was absent in the hif-1α double knockouts. Overall, the results revealed distinct time domains of the HVR in zebrafish that were largely Hif-1α-independent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tph1a is expressed in skin and & pharyngeal arch neuroepithelial cells (NECs), and in pharyngeal arch Merkel-like cells (MLCs). • Tph1b is expressed predominately in pharyngeal arch MLCs and sporadically in skin NECs. • Knockout of tph1 resulted in similar changes of serotonergic cell density in tph1a −/−, tph1b −/− and tph1a −/− b -/- mutants. • tph1a −/− and tph1b −/− mutants showed markedly different ventilatory response when exposed to hypoxia. Serotonergic neuroepithelial cells (NECs) in larval zebrafish are believed to be O 2 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Unlike other freshwater fish previously examined, zebrafish are capable of increasing their rate of Na+ uptake during chronic exposure to acidic water (pH 4). In the present study, the potential role of cortisol in the induction of Na+ uptake during acid-exposure was investigated. When zebrafish larvae (4days post-fertilization) were treated with waterborne cortisol, the rate of Na+ uptake was significantly increased; this effect was blocked by co-incubating larvae with RU-486, an antagonist selective for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). A similar induction in Na+ uptake, which was also blocked by RU-486, was observed when larvae were treated with dexamethasone, a selective GR agonist. Conversely, treating larvae with aldosterone, a selective agonist for the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) had no effect on Na+ uptake. Acid-exposure increased whole body cortisol levels and translational knockdown of GR using antisense morpholinos prevented the full induction of Na+ uptake during exposure to acidic water, further confirming the role of cortisol and GR in Na+ uptake stimulation. Using immunohistochemistry, GR was localized to ionocytes known to be responsible for Na+ uptake (HR-cells). Knockdown of Rhcg1, an apical membrane ammonia channel or Na+/H+ exchanger 3b (NHE3b), proteins known to play an important role in facilitating Na+ uptake in acidic water, prevented the stimulatory effects of cortisol treatment on Na+ uptake, suggesting that cortisol regulates Na+ uptake by stimulating an Rhcg1–NHE3b “functional metabolon”. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of high external ammonia (HEA) exposure on breathing and the potential involvement of ammonia transporting Rh proteins in ammonia sensing were assessed in larval and adult zebrafish. Acute exposure of adults to either 250 or 500 μM (NH 4) 2 SO 4 caused increases in ventilation amplitude (A VENT) without affecting frequency (f VENT), resembling the ventilatory response to hypercapnia rather than hypoxia, during which f VENT was increased exclusively. The hyperventilatory response to HEA was prevented by hyperoxia, indicating that control of breathing through ammonia sensing is likely secondary to O 2 chemoreception. Neuroepithelial cells (NECs) isolated from gill filaments exhibited a significant increase of intracellular [Ca2+] in response to 1 mM NH 4 Cl but this response was small (roughly 30%) compared to the response to hypercapnia (37.5 mmHg; ~800% increase). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) failed to reveal the presence of Rh proteins (Rhcgb, Rhbg or Rhag) in gill filament NECs. Knockout of rhcgb did not affect the ventilatory response of adults to HEA. Larvae at 4 days post fertilization (dpf) responded to HEA with increases in f VENT (A VENT was not measured). The hyperventilatory response of larvae to HEA was attenuated (60% reduction) after treatment from 0 to 4 dpf with the sympathetic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. In larvae, Rhcgb, Rhbg and Rhag were undetectable by IHC in cutaneous NECs yet the f VENT to HEA following Rhbg knockdown was slightly (22%) attenuated. Thus, the hyperventilatory response to external ammonia in adult zebrafish, while apparently initiated by activation of NECs, does not require Rhcgb, nor is the entry of ammonia into NECs reliant on other Rh proteins. The lack of colocalization of Rh proteins with NECs suggests that the entry of ammonia into NECs in larvae, also is not facilitated by this family of ammonia channels. Unlabelled Image • Zebrafish larvae and adults respond to high environmental ammonia by increasing ventilation. • In adults, the response to ammonia is driven by changes in breathing amplitude and resembles the response to hypercapnia. • Ammonia entry into the putative ammonia-sensing neuroepithelial cells (NECs) is not dependent on the presence of Rh proteins. • The presence of Rh proteins does not appear to be a prerequisite for the stimulatory effect of ammonia on ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater (FW) fishes inhabit dilute environments and must actively absorb ions in order to counteract diffusive salt loss. Neuroendocrine control of ion uptake in FW fishes is an important feature of ion homeostasis and several important neuroendocrine factors have been identified. The role of serotonin (5-HT), however, has received less attention despite several studies pointing to a role for 5-HT in the control of ion balance. Here, we used a gene knockout approach to elucidate the role of 5-HT in regulating Na+ and Ca2+ uptake rates in larval zebrafish. Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is the rate-limiting step in 5-HT synthesis and we therefore hypothesized that ion uptake rates would be altered in zebrafish larvae carrying knockout mutations in tph genes. We first examined the effect of tph1b knockout (KO) and found that tph1bKO larvae, obtained from Harvard University, had reduced rates of Na+ and Ca2+ uptake compared to wild-type (WT) larvae from our institution (uOttawa WT), lending support to our hypothesis. However, further experiments controlling for differences in genetic background demonstrated that WT larvae from Harvard University (Harvard WT) had lower ion uptake rates than those of uOttawa WT, and that ion uptake rate between Harvard WT and tph1bKO larvae were not significantly different. Therefore, our initial observation that tph1bKO larvae (Harvard source) had reduced ion uptake rates relative to uOttawa WT was a function of genetic background and not of knockout itself. These data provide a cautionary tale of the importance of controlling for genetic background in gene knockout experiments. Graphical abstractUnlabelled Image • We hypothesized that serotonin (5-HT) regulates ion uptake in zebrafish. • Zebrafish lines lacking tryptophan hydroxylase (tph1a or tph1b) were used. • Initial results showed tph1b knockout reduced ion uptake in larvae. • Reduced ion uptake was later attributed to differences in genetic background. • Results show importance of controlling for genetic background in knockout studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]