maria_sosaDr. María A. Sosa-Lloréns

Professor
Med Sci Campus Main Bldg, Office A535
Institute of Neurobiology, Lab 315, Office 218
maria.sosa@upr.edu
787-758-2525 x1514 x1503; 787-723-8410 (IN lab)

Interests: Neural basis of interactive behaviors in invertebrate animal model systems.

We are interested in understanding the neural basis of aggressive behavior and the establishment of dominance hierarchies, and the manner in which the underlying mechanisms may be modulated. We use as an experimental animal model the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Besides providing the well known benefits of other invertebrate model systems (e.g., simpler nervous systems, large identifiable neurons, stereotyped behaviors, etc.), this prawn has the added advantage of establishing dominance hierarchies on the basis of claw morphotype, a fixed characteristic, rather than only the basis of body size. Adult prawns progress through three claw morphotypes (small, yellow and blue) each corresponding to a higher level of dominance within a group.

Our research project integrates a variety of experimental approaches, including immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, in situ hybridization, western blot analysis, electrophysiology, video recorded behavioral observation, proteomics and molecular biology (cloning, RT-PCR, expression). Rotating students can become involved in any of the ongoing projects and get exposed to any or all of these techniques.

We have characterized the location and distribution of various neurotransmitters/modulators (e.g., serotonin, octapamine, dopamine, GABA, glutamate, FMRF, proctolin, etc.) in the central nervous systems (CNS) of all three male and female morphotypes, as well as colocalizations and other forms of interactions among neurotransmitters systems, within each morphotype (e.g., dopamine and serotonin colocalization in single neurons, interactions between serotonin and dopamine neurons and octopamine and FMRF neurons, etc.).

We have used behavioral observation experiments to characterize interactive behaviors amongst morphotypes and have shown that the typical behavior of a morphotype can be manipulated to change into those of another morphotypes through systemic injections of neurotransmitters or agonists and antagonist of specific receptors.

Molecular biology techniques have been used to clone the fist crustacean aminergic receptors (two serotonergic and one octopaminergic). Antibodies and molecular probes have been raised against these cloned receptors and used to map their location and distribution in the prawn’s CNS, using immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy and in situ hybridization techniques. Quantitative Western blot analysis and real-time RT-PCR techniques are being used to measure levels of expression of these receptors in different regions of the CNS of the three morphotypes of the prawn.

Other lines of experiments presently in progress include the expression and characterization of the cloned aminergic receptors, the cloning of other crustacean transmitter and neuropeptide receptors, the use of techniques of differential expression to isolate other target molecules that may be present in higher or lower amounts in each morphotype, and the isolation and identification of water-borne messenger molecules that communicate information on dominance status to animals with a group.

A new project being developed in the lab concerns studying the impact of anthropogenic changes in Puerto Rico urban rivers on behavior and underlying neural circuitry of fish and crustacean species. This project compares the effects of urbanization on Puerto Rican rivers and its aquatic fauna. To do this, we first analyze three representative rivers in which we identify and quantify extraneous chemicals. Four animal models, zebrafish, mosquitofish, and two types of prawn, will be exposed to pollutants found in the three rivers followed by monitoring of their fast-start escape response and associated behaviors and assessment of the integrity of the underlying neural networks. Thus, this project will accomplish three objectives: 1) assess the levels of heavy metals and storm sewer runoff contaminants on acutely and chronically contaminated urban rivers in comparison with those of undeveloped areas; 2) monitor the effect of heavy metals and storm sewer runoff contaminants on the fast-start escape response and associated interactive behaviors in fish and freshwater prawn; and finally 3) we will determine the effect of heavy metals and storm sewer runoff contaminants on survival and integrity of the neural networks involved in the fast-start escape response and associated interactive behaviors in fish and freshwater prawn.

Selected Publications:

  • Colón-Cruz L, Kristofco L, Crooke-Rosado J, Acevedo A, Torrado A, Brooks BW, Sosa MA, Behra M (2018) Alterations of larval photo-dependent swimming responses (PDR): New endpoints for rapid and diagnostic screening of aquatic contamination. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 147:670-680 PMID: 28934711
  • Ortiz-Colón AI, Piñero LE, Rivera NM, Sosa MA (2016) Assessment of concentrations of heavy metals and phthalates in two urban rivers of the Northeast of Puerto Rico. J Environ Anal Toxicol, 6:2 pii: 1000353  PMID: 27148470
  • Jezzini SH, Reyes-Colón D, Sosa MA (2014) Characterization of a prawn OA/TA receptor in Xenopus oocytes suggests functional selectivity between octopamine and tyramine. PLOS One, Oct 28;9(10):e111314. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111314. PMID:25350749
  • Jezzini SH, Reyes-Colón D, Sosa MA (2014) Characterization of a prawn OA/TA receptor in Xenopus oocytes suggests functional selectivity between octopamine and tyramine. PLOS One, Oct 28;9(10):e111314. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111314. PMID:25350749
  • Dalynés Reyes-Colón, Nietzell Vázquez-Acevedo, Nilsa M. Rivera, Sami H. Jezzini, Joshua C. Rosenthal, Eduardo A. Ruiz-Rodríguez, Andrea B. Kohn, Leonid L. Moroz, and María A. Sosa. (2014) Differential expression of the 5-HT1Mac, 5-HT2Mac, and OA/TAMac receptors in the CNS of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in the context of agonistic behavior. In preparation for submission to J. Exp. Biol.
  • Nietzell Vázquez-Acevedo, Nilsa M. Rivera, Eduardo A. Ruíz-Rodríguez and María A. Sosa. (2014) Effects of GYRKPPFNGSIFamide (Gly-SIFamide) co-injected with serotonin and octopamine on aggressive behavior in the Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii.In preparation for submission to Biol Bull.
  • Nietzell Vázquez-Acevedo, Nilsa M. Rivera, Eduardo A. Ruíz-Rodríguez and María A. Sosa. (2014) Role of GAWNKFQGSWamide and APALRLRFamide, a novel B-type Allatostatin and a Short Neuropeptide F, in modulating aggression in the Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In preparation for submission J. Exp. Biol.
  • Reyes-Colón D, Vázquez-Acevedo N, Rivera NM, Jezzini S, Rosenthal J, Ruiz-Rodriguez EA, Baro DJ, Kohn A, Moroz L, Sosa MA (2010) Cloning and distribution of a putative octopamine/tyramine receptor in the central nervous system of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Brain Res. 1348:42-54. PMID: 20558147
  • Nietzell Vázquez-Acevedo, Nilsa M. Rivera, Alejandra M. Torres-González, Yarely Rullan-Matheu, Eduardo A. Ruíz-Rodríguez and María A. Sosa. (2009) GYRKPPFNGSIFamide (Gly-SIFamide) modulates aggression in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Biol Bull. 217(3):313-326. PMID: 20040755
  • Vázquez-Acevedo N, Reyes-Colón D, Ruiz-Rodríguez EA, Rivera NM, Rosenthal J, Kohn AB, Moroz LL, Sosa MA (2009) Cloning and immunoreactivity of the 5-HT1Mac and 5-HT2Mac receptors in the central nervous system of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. J Comp Neurol 513(4):399-416.
  • Sosa MA, Spitzer N, Edwards DH, Baro DJ. (2004) A crustacean serotonin receptor: Cloning and distribution in the thoracic ganglia of crayfish and freshwater prawn. J Comp Neurol, 473: 526-537.
  • Clark MC, Dever TE, Dever JJ, Xu P, Rehder V, Sosa MA, Baro DJ (2004). Arthropod 5-HT2 receptors: A neurohormonal receptor in Decapod crustaceans that displays agonist independent activity resulting from an evolutionary alteration of the DRY motif. J Neurosci, 24:3421-3435.
  • Sosa MA, Baro DJ (2002) Amine effects on aggression in the giant tropical freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In: The Crustacean Nervous System, (K. Wiese, ed.). Springer-Verlag Berlin-Heidelberg, pp. 143-155.
  • Perez Nivia L, Sosa MA, Kuffler DP (1997) Growth cones turn up concentration gradients of diffusible peripheral target-derived factors. J. Exp. Neurol., 145:196-202.
  • Blagburn JM, Sosa MA, Blanco RE (1996) Specificity of identified central synapses in the embryonic cockroach: appropriate connections form before the onset of spontaneous afferent activity. J. Comp. Neurol., 373:511-528.
  • Sosa MA, Blagburn JM (1995) Competitive interactions between supernumerary and normal sensory neurons in the cockroach are mediated through a change in quantal content and not quantal size.  J.  Neurophysiol., 104(4):1573-1582.
  • Zengel JE, Sosa MA, Poage RE, Mosier DR (1994) Role of intracellular Ca2+ in stimulation-induced increases in transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction.  J.  Gen.  Physiol, 104(2):337-355.
  • Zengel JE, Sosa MA (1994) Changes in MEPP frequency during depression of evoked release at the frog neuromuscular junction. J. Physiol. (London), 477.2:267-277.
  • Zengel JE, Lee DT, Sosa MA, Mosier DR (1993) Effects of calcium channel blockers on stimulation-induced changes in transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction. Synapse, 15:251-262.
  • Sosa MA, Zengel JE (1993) Effect of glycerol treatment on transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction. Brain Res., 621:17-24.
  • Sosa MA, Zengel JE (1993) Use of mu-conotoxin GIIIA for the study of synaptic transmission at the frog neuromuscular junction. Neurosci. Lett., 157(1-2):235-238.
  • Zengel JE, Sosa MA, Poage RE (1993) Omega-conotoxin reduces facilitation of transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction. Brain Res., 611:25-30.

Selected abstracts/presentations:

  • Vázquez N, Pérez J, Meléndez L, Duan F, Rivera N, Torres A, Rullan Y, Ruiz E, Sosa M (2009) Differential expression of prawn brain proteins in the context of dominance hierarchies. Exp. Biol. Abst., FASEB J.

  • Reyes D, Rivera NM, Kohn AB, Moroz L, Sosa MA (2008) Octopamine and tyramine/octopamine receptor distribution in the ventral nerve cord of the freshwater prawn. Soc. Neuro. Abstr. 30.1.
  • Vázquez-Acevedo N, Rivera NM, Ruíz-Rodríguez EA, Sosa MA (2008) Effects of Gly-SIFamide on aggression in a crustacean. Soc. Neuro. Abstr. 30.4.
  • Reyes-Colón D, Vázquez-Acevedo N, Rivera-Cheverez NM, Sosa MA (2008) Mapping of the octopaminergic system in the CNS of the freshwater prawn in the context of agonistic behavior. IBNS.
  • Vázquez-Acevedo N, Reyes D, Rivera NM, Ruiz EA, Kohn AB, Moroz L, Sosa MA (2007) Cloning, distribution, and differential expression of a crustacean CNS Tyr/Oct receptor. Exp. Biol. Abst., FASEB J. 2007 21:622.7.
  • Reyes D, Vázquez N, Rivera NM, Kohn AB, Moroz L, Sosa MA (2006) Differential expression of serotonin receptors in the CNS of the freshwater prawn in the context of agonistic behavior. Soc. Neuro. Abstr., 129.14, p.16 (Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner).
  • Vázquez N, Reyes D, Rivera NM, Kohn AB, Moroz L, Sosa MA (2006) Cloning, distribution, and differential expression of a tyramine/octopamine receptor in the central nervous system of the freshwater prawn in the context of agonistic behavior. Soc. Neuro. Abstr., 129.13, p. 16 (Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner).
  • Reyes D, Vázquez N, Kohn AB, Rivera NM, Sosa MA (2005) Differential expression of biogenic amines in the CNS of Macrobrachium rosenbergii and analysis of cDNA library. 14th Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference Abst., p. 8.
  • Sosa MA, Hernández CM, Rivera N, Rolón S (2003) Tyrosine hydroxylase and FMRF immunohistochemistry in the CNS of the freshwater prawn macrobrachium rosenbergii. 23rd Annual RCM Research & Education Forum, No. A-35, p36.
  • Sosa MA, Hernández CM, Rivera N, Rolón S (2002) Tyrosine hydroxylase and FMRF immunohistochemistry in the CNS of the freshwater prawn macrobrachium rosenbergii. Soc. Neuro. Abst., Program No. 59.2.
  • Sosa MA, Baro DJ (2001) Distribution of serotonin receptor immunoreactivity in the ventral nerve cord of the freshwater prawn. Soc. Neuro. Abst., Program No. 806.11.
  • Grafals M, Sosa MA, Hernandez CM, Inserni JA (2001) Role of serotonin and octopamine in aggressive behavior in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Exp. Biol. Abst., p. A808.
  • Sosa MA, Hernandez CM, Torres AS, Luciano AM, Grafals M (2000) GABA in the freshwater prawn: CNS immunoreactivity and effects on aggressive behavior. Soc. Neuro. Abst., Vol. 26, p. 1167.
  • Sosa MA, Baro DJ (1999) Comparison of 5-HT receptor mRNA expression in the ventral nerve cord of the male morphotypes of the giant tropical freshwater prawn. Soc. Neuro. Abst., Vol. 25, p. 1704.
  • Sosa MA, Hernandez CM (1998) Mapping of 5-HT-like imunoreactivity in the central nervous system of a tropical freshwater prawn. Soc. Neuro. Abst., Vol. 24, p. 361.
  • Sosa MA, Blagburn JM (1997) Establishment of whole embryo cultures to study synapse formation in the cercal sensory system of the cockroach. Soc. Neuro. Abs., Vol. 23, p. 1982.
  • Sosa MA, Blagburn JM (1997) Development of facilitation and depression in synapses between identified sensory neurons and interneuorns. 18th Annual RCM Research & Education Forum.
  • Sosa MA, Blagburn JM (1996) Depression and paired-pulse facilitation of EPSP amplitude during embryonic development in the cercal sensory system of the cockroach. Soc. Neuro. Abs., p. 294.