A zebrafish model of manganism reveals reversible and treatable symptoms that are independent of neurotoxicity.

ABSTRACT: Manganese (manganese ion; referred to as Mn) is essential for neuronal function, yet it is toxic at high concentrations. Environmental and occupational exposure to high concentrations of Mn causes manganism, a well-defined movement disorder in humans, with symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease (PD). However, manganism is distinct from PD and the neural basis of its pathology is poorly understood. To address this issue, we generated a zebrafish model of manganism by incubating larvae in rearing medium containing Mn. We find that Mn-treated zebrafish larvae exhibit specific postural and locomotor defects. Larvae begin to float on their sides, show a curved spine and swim in circles. We discovered that treatment with Mn causes postural defects by interfering with mechanotransduction at the

SUBMITTER: Bakthavatsalam S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4213728 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature