Facing the Challenges of Neuropeptide Gene Knockouts: Why Do They Not Inhibit Reproduction in Adult Teleost Fish?

Genetic manipulation of teleost endocrine systems started with transgenic overexpression of pituitary growth hormone. Such strategies enhance growth and reduce fertility, but the fish still breed. Genome editing using transcription activator-like effector nuclease in zebrafish and medaka has establi...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Vance L. Trudeau
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2018-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnins.2018.00302/full
_version_ 1818970660591894528
author Vance L. Trudeau
author_facet Vance L. Trudeau
author_sort Vance L. Trudeau
collection DOAJ
description Genetic manipulation of teleost endocrine systems started with transgenic overexpression of pituitary growth hormone. Such strategies enhance growth and reduce fertility, but the fish still breed. Genome editing using transcription activator-like effector nuclease in zebrafish and medaka has established the role of follicle stimulating hormone for gonadal development and luteinizing hormone for ovulation. Attempts to genetically manipulate the hypophysiotropic neuropeptidergic systems have been less successful. Overexpression of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gnrh) antisense in common carp delays puberty but does not block reproduction. Knockout of Gnrh in zebrafish does not impact either sex, while in medaka this blocks ovulation in females without affecting males. Spawning success is not reduced by knockout of the kisspeptins and receptors, agouti-related protein, agouti signaling peptide or spexin. Hypotheses for the lack of effect of these genome edits are presented. Over evolutionary time, teleosts have lost the median eminence typical of mammals. There is consequently direct innervation of gonadotrophs, with the possibility of independent regulation by >20 neurohormones. Removal of a few may have minimal impact. Neuropeptide knockout could leave co-expressed stimulators of gonadotropins functionally intact. Genetic compensation in response to loss of protein function may maintain sufficient reproduction. The species differences in hypothalamo-hypophysial anatomy could be an example of compensation over the evolutionary timescale as teleosts diversified and adapted to new ecological niches. The key neuropeptidergic systems controlling teleost reproduction remain to be uncovered. Classical neurotransmitters are also regulators of luteinizing hormone release, but have yet to be targeted by genome editing. Their essentiality for reproduction should also be explored.
first_indexed 2024-12-20T14:40:01Z
format Article
id doaj.art-ca4c05d6f69348549d5057e9edae0543
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1662-453X
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-20T14:40:01Z
publishDate 2018-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Neuroscience
spelling doaj.art-ca4c05d6f69348549d5057e9edae05432022-12-21T19:37:21ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2018-05-011210.3389/fnins.2018.00302363510Facing the Challenges of Neuropeptide Gene Knockouts: Why Do They Not Inhibit Reproduction in Adult Teleost Fish?Vance L. TrudeauGenetic manipulation of teleost endocrine systems started with transgenic overexpression of pituitary growth hormone. Such strategies enhance growth and reduce fertility, but the fish still breed. Genome editing using transcription activator-like effector nuclease in zebrafish and medaka has established the role of follicle stimulating hormone for gonadal development and luteinizing hormone for ovulation. Attempts to genetically manipulate the hypophysiotropic neuropeptidergic systems have been less successful. Overexpression of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gnrh) antisense in common carp delays puberty but does not block reproduction. Knockout of Gnrh in zebrafish does not impact either sex, while in medaka this blocks ovulation in females without affecting males. Spawning success is not reduced by knockout of the kisspeptins and receptors, agouti-related protein, agouti signaling peptide or spexin. Hypotheses for the lack of effect of these genome edits are presented. Over evolutionary time, teleosts have lost the median eminence typical of mammals. There is consequently direct innervation of gonadotrophs, with the possibility of independent regulation by >20 neurohormones. Removal of a few may have minimal impact. Neuropeptide knockout could leave co-expressed stimulators of gonadotropins functionally intact. Genetic compensation in response to loss of protein function may maintain sufficient reproduction. The species differences in hypothalamo-hypophysial anatomy could be an example of compensation over the evolutionary timescale as teleosts diversified and adapted to new ecological niches. The key neuropeptidergic systems controlling teleost reproduction remain to be uncovered. Classical neurotransmitters are also regulators of luteinizing hormone release, but have yet to be targeted by genome editing. Their essentiality for reproduction should also be explored.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnins.2018.00302/fullneuropeptidesneurotransmittersluteinizing hormoneGnRHkisspeptinstransgenic
spellingShingle Vance L. Trudeau
Facing the Challenges of Neuropeptide Gene Knockouts: Why Do They Not Inhibit Reproduction in Adult Teleost Fish?
Frontiers in Neuroscience
neuropeptides
neurotransmitters
luteinizing hormone
GnRH
kisspeptins
transgenic
title Facing the Challenges of Neuropeptide Gene Knockouts: Why Do They Not Inhibit Reproduction in Adult Teleost Fish?
title_full Facing the Challenges of Neuropeptide Gene Knockouts: Why Do They Not Inhibit Reproduction in Adult Teleost Fish?
title_fullStr Facing the Challenges of Neuropeptide Gene Knockouts: Why Do They Not Inhibit Reproduction in Adult Teleost Fish?
title_full_unstemmed Facing the Challenges of Neuropeptide Gene Knockouts: Why Do They Not Inhibit Reproduction in Adult Teleost Fish?
title_short Facing the Challenges of Neuropeptide Gene Knockouts: Why Do They Not Inhibit Reproduction in Adult Teleost Fish?
title_sort facing the challenges of neuropeptide gene knockouts why do they not inhibit reproduction in adult teleost fish
topic neuropeptides
neurotransmitters
luteinizing hormone
GnRH
kisspeptins
transgenic
url http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnins.2018.00302/full
work_keys_str_mv AT vanceltrudeau facingthechallengesofneuropeptidegeneknockoutswhydotheynotinhibitreproductioninadultteleostfish