Winter 2008-2009 - Mayo Clinic

Center for Tobacco-Free Living
Zebrafish provide clues
to nicotine dependency
Nicotine is the substance in tobacco that drives the
addiction. A major genetic component has an important
role in nicotine’s ability to lead to tobacco dependence in
some individuals and not others. However, many questions
remain about the pathways and processes that underlie
these genetic differences.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, led by Stephen
Ekker, Ph.D., a professor of biochemistry and molecular
biology, are using zebrafish to help understand the genetics
behind different responses to nicotine. Zebrafish provide
a useful model for studying genetics because these fish
reproduce prolifically, develop rapidly, are transparent
early in their development, and have a number of organs
and tissues that are comparable to humans. Using
sophisticated techniques for studying genetics, researchers
have identified genes that, when expressed, make zebrafish
more responsive to nicotine. Because these genes are
similarly active in humans, further study may help to
identify more effective and individualized treatments
for people addicted to nicotine.
youtube.com/mayoclinic
Visit Mayo Clinic’s YouTube channel to view these
videos:
• “I’m so happy I quit smoking”
• “Help to stop smoking”
• “Stop smoking — why it’s so hard”
During their first two months on YouTube, these
videos were viewed 3,200 times.
At current smoking rates, more
than 1 billion people are expected
to die in the 21st century from
tobacco-induced illness.
Laura Moore, a family nurse practitioner and tobacco treatment
specialist at the Nicotine Dependence Center, showed her daughter,
Halle, the zebrafish aquarium during the open house of the Center
for Tobacco-Free Living.
14 | Mayo Alumni Winter 2009