Arginine exposure alters ectonucleotidase activities and morphology of zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio)

Hyperargininemia is an inborn error of metabolism (IEM) characterized by tissue accumulation of arginine (Arg). Mental retardation and other neurological features are common symptoms in hyperargininemic patients. Considering purinergic signaling has a crucial role from the early stages of development and underlying mechanisms of this disease are poorly established, we investigated the effect of Arg administration on locomotor activity, morphological alterations, and extracellular nucleotide hydrolysis in larvae and adult zebrafish. We showed that 0.1 mM Arg was unable to promote changes in locomotor activity. In addition, 7-day-post-fertilization (dpf) larvae treated with Arg demonstrated a decreased body size. Arg exposure (0.1 mM) promoted an increase in ATP, ADP, and AMP hydrolysis when compared to control group. These findings demonstrated that Arg might affect morphological parameters and ectonucleotidase activities in zebrafish larvae, suggesting that purinergic system is a target for neurotoxic effects induced by Arg.

► Exposure to arginine was able to alter the body size of larval zebrafish.
► Arginine promoted an increase in nucleotide hydrolysis from larval zebrafish brain.
► The purinergic system is a target for neurotoxic effects induced by arginine.
► Arginine did not alter locomotion and nucleotide hydrolysis in adult zebrafish.
► Arginine treatment increased entpd2a.1 and entpd3 gene expression levels in zebrafish larvae.