Transcriptome remodelling and changes in growth and cardiometabolic phenotype result following Grb10a knockdown in the early life of the zebrafish

TL;DR

Knocking down the Grb10a gene in zebrafish embryos leads to long-term changes in growth, metabolism, and heart function.

Contribution

This study shows that early-life disruption of a single gene causes lasting transcriptomic and cardiometabolic changes in zebrafish.

Findings

Grb10a knockdown increases embryonic growth and metabolic rate but decreases heart rate.

Transcriptome remodelling persists into adulthood, affecting growth, cardiac, and metabolic pathways.

Adult zebrafish with Grb10a knockdown have increased body size, cardiac muscle content, and fasting glucose.

Abstract

Embryonic growth trajectory is a risk factor for chronic metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Grb10 is a negative regulator of the main pathways driving embryonic growth. This study has characterised growth, cardiometabolic status, and the impact on co-ordination of gene expression following morpholino-induced embryonic and early larval knockdown (KD) of grb10a expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Grb10 knockdown was associated with increased embryonic growth and metabolic rate, and decreased heart rate in early life. Juvenile growth rate was also elevated. The transcriptome was assessed over 5 to 30 days post fertilisation, coinciding with major changes in zebrafish (ZF) maturation and development. Significant and persistent organisational and functional changes in the whole transcriptome over this time were evident, including dysregulation of multiple growth, cardiac, and metabolic pathways. In adulthood (18 months), KD ZF had greater body length and mass than controls, with elevated cardiac muscle content, an increased aerobic scope, and higher fasting glucose levels. This study demonstrates that early life disruption of a single gene in zebrafish can result in long-term transcriptomic remodelling and alterations to the adult cardiometabolic phenotype.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-025-05784-9.

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