PUBLICATION
Zebrafish neurotransmitter systems as potential pharmacological and toxicological targets
- Authors
- Rico, E.P., Rosemberg, D.B., Seibt, K.J., Capiotti, K.M., Da Silva, R.S., and Bonan, C.D.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-110920-6
- Date
- 2011
- Source
- Neurotoxicology and teratology 33(6): 608-17 (Review)
- Registered Authors
- Bonan, Carla Denise
- Keywords
- zebrafish, contaminants, neurotransmission, neurotoxicity
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Central Nervous System/drug effects*
- Central Nervous System/metabolism
- Models, Animal*
- Neurotransmitter Agents
- Pharmacology/methods*
- Synaptic Transmission/drug effects
- Toxicology/methods*
- Zebrafish/metabolism*
- PubMed
- 21907791 Full text @ Neurotoxicol. Teratol.
Citation
Rico, E.P., Rosemberg, D.B., Seibt, K.J., Capiotti, K.M., Da Silva, R.S., and Bonan, C.D. (2011) Zebrafish neurotransmitter systems as potential pharmacological and toxicological targets. Neurotoxicology and teratology. 33(6):608-17.
Abstract
toxicological events. Neurotransmitters are substances that relay, amplify, and modulate electrical signals between neurons and other cells. Neurotransmitter signaling mediates rapid intercellular communication by interacting with cell surface receptors, activating second messenger systems and regulating the activity of ion channels. Changes in the functional balance of neurotransmitters have been implicated in the failure of central nervous system function. In addition, abnormalities in neurotransmitter production or functioning can be induced by several toxicological compounds, many of which are found in the environment. The zebrafish has been increasingly used as an animal model for biomedical research, primarily due to its genetic tractability and ease of maintenance. These features make this species a versatile tool for pre-clinical drug discovery and toxicological investigations. Here, we present a review regarding the role of different excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems in zebrafish, such as dopaminergic, serotoninergic, cholinergic, purinergic, histaminergic, nitrergic, glutamatergic, glycinergic, and GABAergic systems, and emphasizing their features as pharmacological and toxicological targets. The increase in the global knowledge of neurotransmitter systems in zebrafish and the elucidation of their pharmacological and toxicological aspects may lead to new strategies and appropriate research priorities to offer insights for biomedical and environmental research.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping