PUBLICATION

Altered Visual Function in a Larval Zebrafish Knockout of Neurodevelopmental Risk Gene pdzk1

Authors
Xie, J., Jusuf, P.R., Bui, B.V., Dudczig, S., Sztal, T.E., Goodbourn, P.T.
ID
ZDB-PUB-210323-12
Date
2021
Source
Investigative ophthalmology & visual science   62: 29 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Dudczig, Stefanie, Jusuf, Patricia, Sztal, Tamar Esther, Xie, Jiaheng
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
  • Contrast Sensitivity/physiology
  • Electroretinography
  • Gene Knockout Techniques*
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Larva
  • PDZ Domains/genetics*
  • Psychomotor Performance/physiology*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism
  • Retina/metabolism
  • Retina/physiopathology*
  • Serotonin/metabolism
  • Vision Disorders/genetics*
  • Vision Disorders/metabolism
  • Vision Disorders/physiopathology
  • Zebrafish
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics*
PubMed
33749720 Full text @ Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.
Abstract
The human PDZK1 gene is located in a genomic susceptibility region for neurodevelopmental disorders. A genome-wide association study identified links between PDZK1 polymorphisms and altered visual contrast sensitivity, an endophenotype for schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. The PDZK1 protein is implicated in neurological functioning, interacting with synaptic molecules including postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95), N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRFR1), and serotonin 2A receptors. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the role of PDZK1.
We generated pdzk1-knockout (pdzk1-KO) zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas-9 genome editing. Visual function of 7-day-old fish was assessed at behavioral and functional levels using the optomotor response and scotopic electroretinogram (ERG). We also quantified retinal morphology and densities of PSD-95, NMDAR1, CRFR1, and serotonin in the synaptic inner plexiform layer at 7 days, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks of age. Standard RT-PCR and nonsense-mediated decay interference treatment were also performed to assess genetic compensation in mutants.
Relative to wild-type, pdzk1-KO larvae showed spatial frequency tuning functions with increased amplitude (likely due to abnormal gain control) and reduced ERG b-waves (suggestive of inner retinal dysfunction). No synaptic phenotypes, but possible morphological retinal phenotypes, were identified. We confirmed that the absence of major histological phenotypes was not attributable to genetic compensatory mechanisms.
Our findings point to a role for pdzk1 in zebrafish visual function, and our model system provides a platform for investigating other genes associated with abnormal visual behavior.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping