The chemosensorial and mechanosensorial organs of the adult teleosts undergo a continuous turnover and/or cellular regeneration partly controlled by growth factors. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an experimental model applied to detection of odours, hearing and deafness and, for the evaluation of new drugs. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most widely investigated member of the neurotrophin family together with TrkB, its related receptor. The neurotrophins (NTs) are a family of growth factors that promote development, survival, phenotypic differentiation of neuronal populations, and some non-neuronal tissues, acting throughout their specific transmembrane receptors with tyrosine kinase activity (Trk). Neurotrophins and their specific receptors are evolutionarily conserved among vertebrates, and they all were found in fishes. As a matter of a fact, the gene encoding for BDNF in zebrafish is about 90% identical to its mammalian counterpart and its respective protein has been found in developing and adult fish, including zebrafish. To our knowledge, information on the localization of BDNF in the chemo-sensory organs of zebrafish (taste buds and olfactory epithelium) are still scarce, and information on the role of the BDNF/ TrkB system in sensory patches of the inner ear and lateral line system remains unclear. This study was undertaken because the localization of the BDNF/TrkB system in chemo-sensory organs could help clarify the function of this neurotrophin and its potential role in regeneration. To do this, it might be useful to understand the potential functional interaction of BDNF with a calcium binding protein, calretinin. Calretinin, along with S100, and other members of the CaBPs family are involved in controlling the balance of calcium on which important cellular functions depend (e.g. gene expression, synaptic transmission, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis). In addition, the S100 protein, is recognized as a specific marker for sensory hair cells. Chemosensorial (olfactory organ and taste buds) and mechanosensorial (inner ear and lateral line system) epithelial by the morphological and immunohistochemical study have been investigated. The results showed the localization and expression of the BDNF/ TrkB system and calcium binding proteins in the chemo and mechanosensory epithelia of adult zebrafish and in the larval stage. These data could provide the basis for experimental studies such as exogenous administration of BDNF and identification of new cell-specific markers.

BDNF/TrkB system and Calcium Binding Protein expression in chemosensory and mechanosensory organs of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Morphological and immunohistochemical analysis

ARAGONA, MARIALUISA
2022-02-21

Abstract

The chemosensorial and mechanosensorial organs of the adult teleosts undergo a continuous turnover and/or cellular regeneration partly controlled by growth factors. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an experimental model applied to detection of odours, hearing and deafness and, for the evaluation of new drugs. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most widely investigated member of the neurotrophin family together with TrkB, its related receptor. The neurotrophins (NTs) are a family of growth factors that promote development, survival, phenotypic differentiation of neuronal populations, and some non-neuronal tissues, acting throughout their specific transmembrane receptors with tyrosine kinase activity (Trk). Neurotrophins and their specific receptors are evolutionarily conserved among vertebrates, and they all were found in fishes. As a matter of a fact, the gene encoding for BDNF in zebrafish is about 90% identical to its mammalian counterpart and its respective protein has been found in developing and adult fish, including zebrafish. To our knowledge, information on the localization of BDNF in the chemo-sensory organs of zebrafish (taste buds and olfactory epithelium) are still scarce, and information on the role of the BDNF/ TrkB system in sensory patches of the inner ear and lateral line system remains unclear. This study was undertaken because the localization of the BDNF/TrkB system in chemo-sensory organs could help clarify the function of this neurotrophin and its potential role in regeneration. To do this, it might be useful to understand the potential functional interaction of BDNF with a calcium binding protein, calretinin. Calretinin, along with S100, and other members of the CaBPs family are involved in controlling the balance of calcium on which important cellular functions depend (e.g. gene expression, synaptic transmission, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis). In addition, the S100 protein, is recognized as a specific marker for sensory hair cells. Chemosensorial (olfactory organ and taste buds) and mechanosensorial (inner ear and lateral line system) epithelial by the morphological and immunohistochemical study have been investigated. The results showed the localization and expression of the BDNF/ TrkB system and calcium binding proteins in the chemo and mechanosensory epithelia of adult zebrafish and in the larval stage. These data could provide the basis for experimental studies such as exogenous administration of BDNF and identification of new cell-specific markers.
21-feb-2022
Zebrafish, BDNF/TrkB system, Calcium Binding Protein, chemosensory organs, mechanosensory organs
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11570/3222640
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