Zebrafish models of epigenetic regulation of CNS functions

Anton M Lakstygal; Murilo S de Abreu; Allan V Kalueff

doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.08.022

Zebrafish models of epigenetic regulation of CNS functions

Brain Res Bull. 2018 Sep:142:344-351. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.08.022. Epub 2018 Sep 1.

Authors

Anton M Lakstygal¹, Murilo S de Abreu², Allan V Kalueff³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia.
² Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium, Slidell, LA, USA.
³ School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg, Russia; Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia; ZENEREI Research Center, Slidell, LA, USA. Electronic address: avkalueff@gmail.com.

PMID: 30179679
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.08.022

Abstract

Epigenetic regulation has become a key focus of neuroscience and biopsychiatry, implicating DNA methylation, histone modification and other epigenetic mechanisms in various CNS disorders. Animal (experimental) models are a useful tool for epigenetic studies. Although most such research has been performed in rodents, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is rapidly emerging as a new promising model organism in neuroscience. These fish are particularly suitable for genetic and epigenetic studies due to their fully sequenced genome, easiness of genetic analyses and high physiological and genetic homology with humans. Here, we discuss mounting evidence of epigenetic regulation of CNS functions in zebrafish, and outline future directions of translational research in this field.

Keywords: Behavior; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Histone modification; Translational psychiatry; Zebrafish.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Central Nervous System / metabolism*
Epigenesis, Genetic*
Models, Animal
Zebrafish* / genetics
Zebrafish* / metabolism