Fluoxetine modulates the transcription of genes involved in serotonin, dopamine and adrenergic signalling in zebrafish embryos

Cunha, V. and Rodrigues, P. and Santos, M. M. and Moradas-Ferreira, P. and Ferreira, Marta (2018) Fluoxetine modulates the transcription of genes involved in serotonin, dopamine and adrenergic signalling in zebrafish embryos. Chemosphere, 191 (Supple). pp. 954-961. ISSN 0045-6535

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Abstract

Neurotransmitters pathways in fish and mammals are phylogenetically conserved. Therefore, the envi-
ronmental presence of psychopharmaceuticals, such as fluoxetine (FLU), are likely to interact with fish
serotonergic, dopaminergic and adrenergic systems, affecting their response and associated biological
functions. Hence, the present work aimed at evaluating the effects of FLU in the transcription of genes
involved in serotonin, dopamine and adrenergic transporters and receptors signalling in early stages of
Danio rerio development. Embryos (1 hpf) were exposed for 80 h to different concentrations of FLU
(0.0015, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 0.8 mM) and mRNA levels of sert, 5-ht1a, 5-ht2c, dat, drd1b, drd2b, net, adra2a,
adra2b, adra2c, vmat and mao were evaluated. A sensorimotor reflex assay was also performed
demonstrating a significant decrease in tail reflex at 0.1 and 0.5 mM. The transcription levels of seroto-
nergic and dopaminergic transporters (sert and dat) and vmat were down-regulated at environmentally
relevant concentration (0.0015 mM). Receptors 5-ht2c, drd2b adra2b and adra2c mRNA levels also dis-
played a down regulation pattern after FLU exposure. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the
interaction of FLU with the neurotransmission system at environmentally relevant concentrations by
changing transcription patterns. Therefore, given the importance of these signalling pathways it is
possible that their disruption can ultimately disturb the escape behaviour and biological functions in fish.
Hence, evaluating the presence of this psychopharmaceutical in the aquatic environment should be
implemented in future monitoring programmes.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Marine Studies
Depositing User:	Marta Ferreira
Date Deposited:	04 Jun 2018 23:22
Last Modified:	04 Jun 2018 23:22
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10555

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