Many of the drugs that target human brain chemistry, such as antidepressants, are still biologically active when they leave the body. These substances and their metabolites can persist in wastewater and eventually end up in the sea, rivers, or other aquatic environments. Because fish also use the same neurotransmitters as humans, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, pharmaceuticals designed to interact with these chemical signals in humans can also interfere with fish’s biological processes, potentially affecting both behavior and physiology.
The researchers first identified and cloned genes encoding DAT, NET, and two types of SERT (SERTa and SERTb) from both fish species. The team produced these transporters in the lab by culturing genetically engineered human cells and then exposed them to a range of commonly used antidepressants. By measuring how effectively the transporters took up a fluorescent marker, the researchers could determine how strongly each drug inhibited transporter activity.
Because the study included two fish species that are only distantly related, the shared sensitivity pattern observed suggests this heightened vulnerability to antidepressants may extend beyond a single fish species.
Source: Eurek Alert!
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