Otx2 expression and implications for olfactory imprinting in the anemonefish, Amphiprion percula

Citation

Veilleux HD, van Herwerden L, Cole NJ, Don EK, De Santis C, Dixson DL, Wenger AS & Munday PL (2013) Otx2 expression and implications for olfactory imprinting in the anemonefish, Amphiprion percula. Biology Open, 2 (9), pp. 907-915. https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.20135496

Abstract
The otx2 gene encodes a transcription factor (OTX2) essential in the formation of the brain and sensory systems. Specifically, OTX2-positive cells are associated with axons in the olfactory system of mice and otx2 is upregulated in odour-exposed zebrafish, indicating a possible role in olfactory imprinting. In this study, otx2 was used as a candidate gene to investigate the molecular mechanisms of olfactory imprinting to settlement cues in the coral reef anemonefish, Amphiprion percula. The A. percula otx2 (Ap-otx2) gene was elucidated, validated, and its expression tested in settlement-stage A. percula by exposing them to behaviourally relevant olfactory settlement cues in the first 24 hours post-hatching, or daily throughout the larval phase. In-situ hybridisation revealed expression of Ap-otx2 throughout the olfactory epithelium with increased transcript staining in odour-exposed settlement-stage larval fish compared to no-odour controls, in all scenarios. This suggests that Ap-otx2 may be involved in olfactory imprinting to behaviourally relevant settlement odours in A. percula.

Keywords
Olfaction; Coral reef fish; Habitat selection; Memory; Candidate gene; In-situ hybridisation

Journal
Biology Open: Volume 2, Issue 9