Acronym NA
Category
Fisheries
Title Parasite control of host behaviour: Revealing a neurobiological mechanism for active manipulation Programme National Programme
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National Coordinator Øyvind Øverli Coordinator email NA
Coordinator institution
NMBU - Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norway)
Institutions involved
NA
Start year 2015 End year 2019 Funding (€) € 990,415 Website https://prosjektbanken.forskningsradet.no/project/FORISS/240116?Kilde=FORISS&distribution=Ar&chart=bar&calcType=funding&Sprak=no&sortBy=date&sortOrder=desc&resultCount=30&offset=240&TemaEmne.2=Marin+bioteknologi&source=FORISS&projectId=303149 Summary Numerous species of parasites affect the behaviour of their hosts in ways which enhance parasite fitness. Infected intermediate hosts show increased risk-taking behavior and expose themselves to enhanced predation by final hosts, or seek microhabitats suited for parasite dispersal. While long remaining only a theoretical possibility, possible examples of neurobiological manipulation by way of parasite-derived neuroactive substances are now emerging. In vertebrates, it has however so far only been indicated that parasites enhance the activity of signalling substances already produced by their hosts. One example is provided by the brain-dwelling protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which induce production of excessive quantities of dopamine (DA). We recently employed mass-spectrometry based metabolomics and bioinformatics technology in a classic model system: The California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) and its brain parasite, the trematode Euhaplorchis californiensis. E. californiensis has previously been shown to inhibit brain serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurotransmission in infected fish, while also stimulating DA. The results indicate that 5-HT producing cells in the raphe nuclei of infected fish contain a number of metabolites which are not observed in an uninfected control group. The structural identities of these substances remain unresolved. We will perform high resolution characterisation of metabolite composition and targeted metabolite analysis in order to identify the exact nature of the parasite derived neuroactive agents. The mode of action on the brain on the transcriptomic level will also be described. Ascertaining that hitherto unknown neuroactive agents of parasite origin do indeed alter brain function in a vertebrate model will end a century-long debate. Such a finding would also potentially open up a massive front of exciting new research opportunities regarding both fundamental and applied aspects.
Keywords
Parasite;
Genetic;
Fish health;
Fish biology;
Marine Region
76
Not associated to marine areas
0
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