The neuropeptide Pth2 modulates social behavior and anxiety in zebrafish.

ABSTRACT: Behavior is context-dependent and often modulated by an animal's internal state. In particular, different social contexts can alter anxiety levels and modulate social behavior. The vertebrate-specific neuropeptide parathyroid hormone 2 (pth2) is regulated by the presence of conspecifics in zebrafish. As its cognate receptor, the parathyroid hormone 2 receptor (pth2r), is widely expressed across the brain, we tested fish lacking the functional Pth2 peptide in several anxiety-related and social behavior paradigms. Here, we show that the propensity to react to sudden stimuli with an escape response was increased in pth2 ^-/- zebrafish, consistent with an elevated anxiety level. While overall social preference for conspecifics was maintained in pth2 ^-/-

SUBMITTER: Anneser L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8861652 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature