Microarray-based analysis of differential gene expression profile in rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease zebrafish model

Abstract

Background & objectives: Despite much clinical and laboratory research that has been performed to explore the mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), its pathogenesis remains elusive to date. Therefore, this study aimed to identify possible regulators of neurodegeneration by performing microarray analysis of the zebrafish PD model’s brain following rotenone exposure. Methods: A total of 36 adult zebrafish were divided into two groups: control (n = 17) and rotenone-treated (n = 19). Fish were treated with rotenone water (5 µg/L water) for 28 days and subjected to locomotor behavior analysis. Total RNA was extracted from the brain tissue after rotenone treatment. The cDNA synthesized was subjected to microarray analysis and subsequently validated by qPCR. Results: Administration of rotenone has significantly reduced locomotor activity in zebrafish (p < 0.05), dysregulated dopamine-related gene expression (dat, th1, and th2, p < 0.001), and reduced dopamine level in the brain (p < 0.001). In the rotenone-treated group, genes involved in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (gzm3, cd8a, p < 0.001) and T cell receptor signaling (themis, lck, p < 0.001) were upregulated significantly. Additionally, gene expression involved in microgliosis regulation (tyrobp, p < 0.001), cellular response to IL-1 (ccl34b4, il2rb, p < 0.05), and regulation of apoptotic process (dedd1, p < 0.001) were also upregulated significantly. Conclusion: The mechanisms of T cell receptor signaling, microgliosis regulation, cellular response to IL-1, and apoptotic signaling pathways have potentially contributed to PD development in rotenone-treated zebrafish.