Zebrafish Bioassay for Screening Therapeutic Candidates Based on Melanotrophic Activity.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we used the zebrafish animal model to establish a bioassay by which physiological efficacy differential of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analogues could be measured by melanosome dispersion in zebrafish larvae. Brain-skin connection research has purported the interconnectedness between the nervous system and skin physiology. Accordingly, the neuropeptide α-MSH is a key regulator in several physiological processes, such as skin pigmentation in fish. In mammals, α-MSH has been found to regulate motivated behavior, appetite, and emotion, including stimulation of satiety and anxiety. Several clinical and animal model studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have already demonstrated the effectiveness of α-MSH in restoring the social deficits of autism. Therefore,

SUBMITTER: Hong TI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8431389 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature