Work

Cross-species RNA sequencing identifies candidate lateralized genes in teleost brains

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Brain lateralization is widespread across vertebrates and contributes to hemispheric specialization. We compared left-right gene expression in the telencephalon and hindbrain of four phylogenetically distant teleosts: zebrafish, medaka, stickleback, and cichlid. Cross-species RNA sequencing identified five candidate genes with consistent directional expression biases. Although no genes remained significant after within-species FDR correction, Fisher's combined probability test supported directional asymmetry of five candidate genes. Notably, ddc and ntn1b were more highly expressed in the left hindbrain in three species and showed similar trends in the remaining species. GO analysis revealed shared functional categories associated with lateralized expression, including transport-related functions in the right-biased telencephalon and nervous system and developmental functions in the left-biased hindbrain. In situ HCR showed more ddc -expressing cells in the left median and dorsal raphe nuclei of medaka. These findings identify candidate molecular signatures associated with shared patterns of brain asymmetry across phylogenetically distant teleosts.

Source: iScience

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.117858

Authors: Yuichi Takeuchi, Chika Fujimori, Satoshi Ansai, Jun Kitano

Institutions: Hokkaido University, Okayama University, Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University, National Institute of Genetics

Language: English

Topic: Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,240