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Shulga UE, Kalachev AV. Hemal sinus basal laminae contact sites: a possible route between gonadal lumen and myoepithelial cells in the gonad of the sea star Patiria pectinifera. PROTOPLASMA 2025; 262:61-71. [PMID: 39141092 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-024-01979-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Sea stars are a group of marine invertebrates suitable for studying the hormonal regulation of reproduction and spawning. In spite of substantial progress in understanding how various substances such as 1-methyladenine act in their gonads, there are still many gaps concerning the fine details of their action. One such gap is how the gonadal wall contraction is induced. Recent literature data suggest that, upon 1-methyladenine stimulation, some cells within the gonadal lumen produce non-neuronal acetylcholine that, upon contact with the gonadal wall, induces contraction of myoepithelial cells. Our ultrastructural study of the gonads in the sea star Patiria pectinifera has shown, for the first time, that there are sites where the basal laminae bordering the hemal sinus directly contact one another and appear at this contact site as a single entity. These contact sites are often associated with hemidesmosome-like junctions that anchor male accessory cells or female follicle cells on one side of the site and myoepithelial cells on the opposite. We suggest that contraction-inducing substance is secreted from an accessory or follicle cell, passes through a basal lamina contact site, and on the opposite side of the contact site acts on a myoepithelial cell to induce its contraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uliana E Shulga
- Far Eastern Federal University, P. Ajax, 10, Russky Island, Vladivostok, 690922, Russia
| | - Alexander V Kalachev
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ul. Palchevskogo, 17, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia.
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2
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Piñon Gonzalez VM, Feng Y, Egertová M, Elphick MR. Neuropeptide expression and action in the reproductive system of the starfish Asterias rubens. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25585. [PMID: 38289190 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Reproductive processes are regulated by a variety of neuropeptides in vertebrates and invertebrates. In starfish (phylum Echinodermata), relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide triggers oocyte maturation and spawning. However, little is known about other neuropeptides as potential regulators of reproduction in starfish. To address this issue, here, we used histology and immunohistochemistry to analyze the reproductive system of the starfish Asterias rubens at four stages of the seasonal reproductive cycle in male and female animals, investigating the expression of eight neuropeptides: the corticotropin-releasing hormone-type neuropeptide ArCRH, the calcitonin-type neuropeptide ArCT, the pedal peptide-type neuropeptides ArPPLN1b and ArPPLN2h, the vasopressin/ocytocin-type neuropeptide asterotocin, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone-type neuropeptide ArGnRH, and the somatostatin/allatostatin-C-type neuropeptides ArSS1 and ArSS2. The expression of five neuropeptides, ArCRH, ArCT, ArPPLN1b, ArPPLN2h, and asterotocin, was detected in the gonoducts and/or gonads. For example, extensive ArPPLN2h expression was revealed in the coelomic epithelial layer of the gonads throughout the seasonal reproductive cycle in both males and females. However, seasonal and/or sexual differences in the patterns of neuropeptide expression were also observed. Informed by these findings, the in vitro pharmacological effects of neuropeptides on gonad preparations from male and female starfish were investigated. This revealed that ArSS1 causes gonadal contraction and that ArPPLN2h causes gonadal relaxation, with both neuropeptides being more effective on ovaries than testes. Collectively, these findings indicate that multiple neuropeptide signaling systems are involved in the regulation of reproductive function in starfish, with some neuropeptides exerting excitatory or inhibitory effects on gonad contractility that may be physiologically relevant when gametes are expelled during spawning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuling Feng
- School of Biological & Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Michaela Egertová
- School of Biological & Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Maurice R Elphick
- School of Biological & Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Mita M. Relaxin-like Gonad-Stimulating Peptides in Asteroidea. Biomolecules 2023; 13:781. [PMID: 37238650 PMCID: PMC10216564 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Starfish relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) is the first identified peptide hormone with gonadotropin-like activity in invertebrates. RGP is a heterodimeric peptide, comprising A and B chains with disulfide cross-linkages. Although RGP had been named a gonad-stimulating substance (GSS), the purified peptide is a member of relaxin-type peptide family. Thus, GSS was renamed as RGP. The cDNA of RGP encodes not only the A and B chains, but also signal and C-peptides. After the rgp gene is translated as a precursor, mature RGP is produced by eliminating the signal and C-peptides. Hitherto, twenty-four RGP orthologs have been identified or predicted from starfish in the orders Valvatida, Forcipulatida, Paxillosida, Spinulosida, and Velatida. The molecular evolution of the RGP family is in good accordance with the phylogenetic taxonomy in Asteroidea. Recently, another relaxin-like peptide with gonadotropin-like activity, RLP2, was found in starfish. RGP is mainly present in the radial nerve cords and circumoral nerve rings, but also in the arm tips, the gonoducts, and the coelomocytes. RGP acts on ovarian follicle cells and testicular interstitial cells to induce the production of 1-methyladenine (1-MeAde), a starfish maturation-inducing hormone. RGP-induced 1-MeAde production is accompanied by an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP levels. This suggests that the receptor for RGP (RGPR) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Two types of GPCRs, RGPR1 and RGPR2, have been postulated as candidates. Furthermore, 1-MeAde produced by RGP not only induces oocyte maturation, but also induces gamete shedding, possibly by stimulating the secretion of acetylcholine in the ovaries and testes. Thus, RGP plays an important role in starfish reproduction, but its secretion mechanism is still unknown. It has also been revealed that RGP is found in the peripheral adhesive papillae of the brachiolaria arms. However, gonads are not developed in the larvae before metamorphosis. It may be possible to discover new physiological functions of RGP other than gonadotropin-like activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Mita
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Hatanodai 8-5-1, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
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Tian J, Xu Y, Xiong Y, Zuo L, Zhou M, Cao C, Huang X, Wang J. Metabolomics combined with network pharmacology to explore the mechanisms of modified Guishen pill to ameliorate polycystic ovary syndrome. Comput Biol Med 2022; 148:105790. [PMID: 35839542 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The modified Guishen pill (MGP) has a prominent therapeutic effect on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, its mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to uncover the mechanism of MGP for PCOS treatment through a comprehensive strategy integrating metabolomics and network pharmacology. METHODS A letrozole-induced PCOS model was used to evaluate ovarian function in rats. Plasma metabolomics was used to authenticate differential metabolites and enriched related pathways using the MetaboAnalyst platform. Network pharmacology was utilized to explore the endogenous targets of MGP treatment for PCOS. Finally, the potential targets and related biological functions were verified experimentally. RESULTS MGP improved PCOS symptoms by regulating abnormal levels of sex hormones and alleviating ovarian pathological changes in rats; fifty-four potential differential metabolites involved in MGP treatment for PCOS, and the hub genes derived from network pharmacology were consistent with the metabolomic analysis results to varying degrees. The comprehensive analysis identified that a key novel target for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS/NOS3), five key metabolites (ornithine, citrulline, l-glutamic acid, acetylornithine, and hydroxyproline), and one pathway (arginine and proline metabolism) were related to the therapy of PCOS with MGP. Subsequently, we verified the localization and expression of eNOS in the ovaries, and it significantly improved insulin resistance, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in letrozole-induced PCOS rats. CONCLUSION Our work reveals the complex mechanism of MGP therapy for PCOS. This study is a successful paradigm for elucidating the pharmacological mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Tian
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, 400016, China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yanqiu Xu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, 400016, China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yu Xiong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, 400016, China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ling Zuo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, 400016, China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, 400016, China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chunhao Cao
- Department of Combination of Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xuekuan Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, 400016, China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Jianwei Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, 400016, China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Mita M, Osugi T, Takahashi T, Watanabe T, Satake H. Mechanism of gamete shedding in starfish: Involvement of acetylcholine in extracellular Ca 2+-dependent contraction of gonadal walls. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 290:113401. [PMID: 31981689 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Starfish are suitable animals for the study of hormonal regulatory mechanism of oocyte maturation and ovulation. Although contraction of the gonadal walls is essential for the shedding gametes, little was known about the mechanism. When ovaries of starfish Patiria pectinifera were incubated in Ca2+-free seawater in the presence of 1-methyladenine (1-MeAde), the germinal vesicles in oocytes broke down, but no ovulation occurred. Verapamil, a potent inhibitor of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, inhibited 1-MeAde-induced ovulation. These results suggest that extracellular Ca2+ and its influx are indispensable for gamete shedding. Furthermore, acetylcholine (ACh) was involved in extracellular Ca2+-dependent contractions of gonadal walls. Although 1-MeAde failed to induce contraction of the gonadal walls in normal seawater containing L-glutamic acid, application of ACh or carbachol, an agonist for ACh receptor, could bring about shedding of mature oocytes. Atropine, a competitive antagonist of the muscarinic ACh receptor, inhibited 1-MeAde-induced ovulation, but a nicotinic ACh receptor antagonist mecamylamine had no effect. Furthermore, ACh was detected in the ovaries and testes in P. pectinifera. These findings suggest that ACh acts on muscarinic ACh receptors in gonadal walls to induce peristaltic contractions caused by Ca2+ influx via Ca2+ channels in the gonadal wall muscle for gamete shedding. The present study also provides new insight into the regulatory mechanism that 1-MeAde acts on secretion of ACh in ovaries and testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Mita
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8, Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan; Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2, Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.
| | - Tomohiro Osugi
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto 619-0284, Japan
| | - Toshio Takahashi
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto 619-0284, Japan
| | - Takehiro Watanabe
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto 619-0284, Japan
| | - Honoo Satake
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, 8-1-1 Seikadai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto 619-0284, Japan
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Smith MK, Bose U, Mita M, Hall MR, Elizur A, Motti CA, Cummins SF. Differences in Small Molecule Neurotransmitter Profiles From the Crown-of-Thorns Seastar Radial Nerve Revealed Between Sexes and Following Food-Deprivation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:551. [PMID: 30374327 PMCID: PMC6196772 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmitters serve as chemical mediators of cell communication, and are known to have important roles in regulating numerous physiological and metabolic events in eumetazoans. The Crown-of-Thorns Seastar (COTS) is an asteroid echinoderm that has been the focus of numerous ecological studies due to its negative impact on coral reefs when in large numbers. Research devoted to its neural signaling, from basic anatomy to the key small neurotransmitters, would expand our current understanding of neural-driven biological processes, such as growth and reproduction, and offers a new approach to exploring the propensity for COTS population explosions and subsequent collapse. In this study we investigated the metabolomic profiles of small molecule neurotransmitters in the COTS radial nerve cord. Multivariate analysis shows differential abundance of small molecule neurotransmitters in male and female COTS, and in food-deprived individuals with significant differences between sexes in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), histamine and serotonin, and significant differences in histamine and serotonin between satiation states. Annotation established that the majority of biosynthesis enzyme genes are present in the COTS genome. The spatial distribution of GABA, histamine and serotonin in the radial nerve cord was subsequently confirmed by immunolocalization; serotonin is most prominent within the ectoneural regions, including unique neural bulbs, while GABA and histamine localize primarily within neuropil fibers. Glutamic acid, which was also found in high relative abundance and is a precursor of GABA, is known as a spawning inhibitor in seastars, and as such was tested for inhibition of ovulation ex-vivo which resulted in complete inhibition of oocyte maturation and ovulation induced by 1-Methyladenine. These findings not only advance our knowledge of echinoderm neural signaling processes but also identify potential targets for developing novel approaches for COTS biocontrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghan K. Smith
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, DC, Australia
| | - Utpal Bose
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, DC, Australia
| | - Masatoshi Mita
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, TWIns Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michael R. Hall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Abigail Elizur
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, DC, Australia
| | - Cherie A. Motti
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott F. Cummins
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, DC, Australia
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Mita M, Katayama H. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide in the starfish Patiria (Asterina) pectinifera. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 258:157-162. [PMID: 28859971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) from starfish Patiria (Asterina) pectinifera is the first identified invertebrate gonadotropin for final gamete maturation. Recently, we succeeded in obtaining specific antibodies against P. pectinifera RGP (PpeRGP). In this study, the antibodies were used for the development of a specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of PpeRGP. A biotin-conjugated peptide that binds to peroxidase-conjugated streptavidin is specifically detectable using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)/hydrogen peroxide as a substrate; therefore, biotin-conjugated RGP (biotin-PpeRGP) was synthesized chemically. Similarly to PpeRGP, synthetic biotin-PpeRGP bound to the antibody against PpeRGP. In binding experiments with biotin-PpeRGP using wells coated with the antibody, a displacement curve was obtained using serial concentrations of PpeRGP. The ELISA system showed that PpeRGP could be measured in the range 0.01-10pmol per 50µl assay buffer. On the contrary, the B-chains of PpeRGP, Asterias amurensis RGP, Aphelasterias japonica RGP, and human relaxin showed minimal cross-reactivity in the ELISA, except that the A-chain of PpeRGP affected it slightly. These results strongly suggest that this ELISA system is highly specific and sensitive with respect to PpeRGP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Mita
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Tokyo Gakugei University, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8501, Japan.
| | - Hidekazu Katayama
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, School of Engineering, Tokai University, Kitakaname 4-1-1, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
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