Study of Intracellular Peptides of the Central Nervous System of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) in a Parkinson's Disease Model.

Fiametti LO, Franco CA, Nunes LOC, de Castro LM, Santos-Filho NA

International journal of molecular sciences26 Feb 2025Cited by 2 (Europe PMC)

PMID40076641PMCIDPMC11900122DOI10.3390/ijms26052017PepBankPUB-40076641

Summary

Although peptides have been shown to have biological functions in neurodegenerative diseases, their role in Parkinson's disease has been understudied. A previous study by our group, which used a 6-hydroxydopamine zebrafish model, suggested that nine intracellular peptides may play a part in this condition. In this context, our aim is to better understand the role of five of these nine peptides. The selection of peptides was made based on their precursor proteins, which are fatty acid binding protein 7, mitochondrial ribosomal protein S36, MARCKS-related protein 1-B, excitatory amino acid transporter 2 and thymosin beta-4. The peptides were chemically synthesized in solid phase and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Circular dichroism was performed to determine the secondary structure of each peptide, which showed that all five peptides maintain a random structure in the aqueous solutions that were studied. Two molecules show a helical profile in trifluoroethanol, a known structuring agent. Cell viability by the MTT assay indicates that all five peptides are not cytotoxic in all concentrations tested in both mouse and human cell lines. Behavioral assay using a 6-OHDA zebrafish larvae model suggest that all peptides help in the recovery of motor function with 24 h treatment at two concentrations. Three peptides showed a complete recovery from the 6-OHDA-induced motor impairment. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanism of action of these peptides and whether they are truly a potential ally against Parkinson's disease.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).

01AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In 6-OHDA zebrafish larvae, the five peptides (pooled) were suggested to help recovery of motor function after 24 h treatment at two concentrations.
In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae with a Parkinson's-like model, five peptides together appeared to help movement recover.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseMotor function recovery
Study
zebrafishn: not reported in source
6-OHDA zebrafish larvae
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
Behavioral assay using a 6-OHDA zebrafish larvae model suggest that all peptides help in the recovery of motor function with 24 h treatment at two concentrations.
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4007664102
02AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In 6-OHDA zebrafish larvae, three of the five peptides showed complete recovery from the 6-OHDA-induced motor impairment.
In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae with a Parkinson's-like model, three of five peptides gave full recovery of movement.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseComplete recovery from motor impairment
Study
zebrafishn: not reported in source
6-OHDA zebrafish larvae
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
Three peptides showed a complete recovery from the 6-OHDA-induced motor impairment.
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4007664103
03LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Safety outcome
In mouse and human cell lines, the five synthetic intracellular peptides (pooled) were not cytotoxic at any concentration tested.
In plain wordsIn mouse and human cells, five synthetic peptides from brain proteins, pooled, were not toxic at any tested level.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeCell viability (MTT assay)
Study
mouse and humann: not reported in source
mouse and human cell lines
Outcome group
Adverse events · Pharmacology
Source sentences
Summary
Cell viability by the MTT assay indicates that all five peptides are not cytotoxic in all concentrations tested in both mouse and human cell lines.
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4007664101

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 01:52 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
12 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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