PUBLICATION

Expression and Localization of BDNF/TrkB System in the Zebrafish Inner Ear

Authors
Germanà, A., Guerrera, M.C., Laurà, R., Levanti, M., Aragona, M., Mhalhel, K., Germanà, G., Montalbano, G., Abbate, F.
ID
ZDB-PUB-200819-7
Date
2020
Source
International Journal of Molecular Sciences   21(16): (Journal)
Registered Authors
Germanà, Antonino, Guerrera, Maria Cristina, Mhalhel, Kamel, Montalbano, Giuseppe
Keywords
TrkB, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, development, inner ear, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism*
  • Ear, Inner/anatomy & histology
  • Ear, Inner/metabolism*
  • Ear, Inner/ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Larva/genetics
  • RNA, Messenger/genetics
  • RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  • Receptor, trkB/genetics
  • Receptor, trkB/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism*
PubMed
32806650 Full text @ Int. J. Mol. Sci.
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family, is involved in multiple and fundamental functions of the central and peripheral nervous systems including sensory organs. Despite recent advances in knowledge on the functional significance of BDNF and TrkB in the regulation of the acoustic system of mammals, the localization of BDNF/TrkB system in the inner ear of zebrafish during development, is not well known. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to analyze the age-dependent changes using RT-PCR, Western Blot and single and double immunofluorescence of the BDNF and its specific receptor in the zebrafish inner ear. The results showed the mRNA expression and the cell localization of BDNF and TrkB in the hair cells of the crista ampullaris and in the neuroepithelium of the utricle, saccule and macula lagena, analyzed at different ages. Our results demonstrate that the BDNF/TrkB system is present in the sensory cells of the inner ear, during whole life. Therefore, this system might play a key role in the development and maintenance of the hair cells in adults, suggesting that the zebrafish inner ear represents an interesting model to study the involvement of the neurotrophins in the biology of sensory cells.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping