# Gene expression correlates and mechanistic insights into electric organ discharge duration changes in mormyrid electric fish

## TL;DR

This study identifies genes linked to changes in electric signals in mormyrid fish, revealing how hormones influence these signals.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific genes and cellular processes associated with androgen-induced EOD duration changes in mormyrid fish.

## Key findings

- 44 genes showed expression changes correlated with EOD elongation.
- Genes related to actin filaments, microtubules, and ion channels were affected.
- Androgen hormones modulate electrocyte morphology and ion channel activity.

## Abstract

Electric organ discharge (EOD) duration in African weakly electric fish (Mormyridae) is the most variable waveform component between species and the basis for distinguishing species-specific signals. EOD duration is thought to be influenced by morphological and physiological features of electrocytes (the cells that comprise the electric organ), but the mechanistic details are poorly understood. It has long been known that EOD duration is modulated by androgen hormones, affording an opportunity to identify gene expression correlates of EOD duration differences. We induced EOD elongation in the mormyrid Brienomyrus brachyistius by administering 17α-methyltestosterone (17αMT) to three treatment groups: control (no 17αMT exposure), T1day and T8day (samples taken 1 and 8 days after a single exposure to 17αMT, respectively). We then performed RNAseq, differential gene expression and functional enrichment analysis to detect gene expression changes during EOD duration change. Our analyses indicate 44 genes whose expression changed in tandem with EOD elongation and include genes responsible for actin filaments and microtubules, extracellular matrix organization and membrane lipid metabolism. Additionally, we found expression changes in one Na+ channel β-subunit, and five voltage-gated K+ channels. Together, these genes point toward specific cellular processes that contribute to morphological and physiological changes that contribute to EOD duration changes.

Summary: Androgen hormones drive gene expression changes that shape electrocyte morphology and ion channel activity, unlocking the molecular mechanisms behind electric signal duration elongation in mormyrid fish.