Unpredictable chronic stress (UCS) has been established to cause behavioral changes in previous studies. These behavioral changes come about as a result of epigenetic modifications within the brain that lead to differential expression of proteins responsible for a host of functions. Multiple publications have investigated the impact of UCS on rodent models, but few have explored the emerging zebrafish model. Zebrafish’s high level of gene homology to humans, low cost of maintenance, and predictable behavioral responses make them ideal models for these experiments. To assess the impact of UCS on zebrafish, there are two main areas of interest: the telencephalon and optic tectum. While the telencephalon is primarily responsible for learning and cognitive processes, the optic tectum is responsible for receiving and processing environmental stimuli, making both regions likely candidates for epigenetic responses to UCS. Here, we used a 14-day UCS model and examined epigenetic markers post-mortem. Western Blots and Immunohistochemistry were used to identify histone modifications in telencephalon and optic tectum while real-time PCR was used to identify mRNA levels for histone modifying enzymes.<br/>

Effects of unpredictable chronic stress on the epigenome of the Zebrafish brain

2019 Spring National Meeting

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