Effect of pterois volitans (lionfish) venom on cholinergic and dopaminergic systems

[Display omitted] •Venom of P. volitans inhibits the growth of D. rerio embryos.•Venom of P. volitans affects dopaminergic neurons.•Venom of P. volitans mainly affects the α2 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.•Venom of P. volitans had an inhibitory effect on human neuronal α3β2 receptors.•Venom of P. volitans increased levels of acetylcholinesterase mRNA. Pterois volitans venom induces muscular fibrillation, which results from nerve transmission caused by the presence of acetylcholine (ACh). It also has cardiovascular effects that are due to its actions on muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. In this study, we characterized the effects of P. volitans venom on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and dopaminergic neurons. After exposure to P. volitans venom, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mRNA levels and the expression of the α2 subunit of nAChR increased in zebrafish embryos (15–20 somites). In addition, the lionfish venom blocked zebrafish α2 nAChR subunit functional expression and the ACh-induced response of human neuronal α3β2 receptors. The latter receptor was blocked by a protein fraction named F2, which was isolated from P. volitans venom using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). This venom causes death in dopaminergic neurons, and affects the cholinergic system. The effect of these two systems may result in retarded embryonic development of zebrafish, since the two systems function in a related manner to control growth hormone secretion.