Download Distribution of isl1-GFP, vGlut2a-GFP, parvalbumin, substanceP

Distribution of isl1-GFP, vGlut2a-GFP, parvalbumin, substanceP, and tyrosine
hydroxaylase (TH) expressing neurons suggests a conserved organization of the
zebrafish forebrain:
Porter, B., Mueller, T., Kansas State University, Division of Biology, Manhattan, Kansas
1. Background and Objective
In vertebrates, the striatum and the pallidum form ventral forebrain structures comprised as the
“basal ganglia” mediating motivated behaviors and emotion. Zebrafish is an important genetic
model organism to investigate the brain function, yet a clear-cut anatomical definition of its basal
ganglia organization is missing.
2. Methods
To identify striatopallidal territories in zebrafish, we analyze a combination of markers in the
transgenic line tg(isl1:GFP) using immunohistology on brain sections of adult zebrafish.
Specifically, we analyzed the distribution of isl1-GFP, substance P, and tyrosine hydroxylase
(TH).
3. Results
Our results suggest that the candidate striatopallidum is smaller than previously thought
(reviewed in Mueller and Wullimann, 2004). In fact, we identify a dorsal subpallial region that we
consider part of the extended subpallial amygdala homologous to the central amygdala, medial
amygdala, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.
4. Discussion and Conclusions
More detailed analyses of molecularly defined neuronal phenotypes and behavioral studies are
needed to test our hypotheses on the functional significance of these striatopallidal and
amygdaloid nuclei. We are establishing behavioral paradigms in conjunction with pERK neural
activity assays to test basic functions of the re-defined basal ganglia and amygdaloid territories.
Future studies shall facilitate the use of zebrafish as a model to study neural mechanisms of
emotion and motivation.
*P20GM103418 KINBRE