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Kreshchenko ND, Ermakov AM. Morphometric analysis and functional insights into the serotonergic system of Girardia tigrina (Tricladida, Platyhelminthes). J Morphol 2024; 285:e21756. [PMID: 39086183 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Using immunocytochemistry, serotonergic nerve elements were documented in the nervous system of the planarian Girardia tigrina. Serotonin-immunopositive components were observed in the brain, ventral, dorsal and longitudinal nerve cords, transverse nerve commissures connecting the nerve cords, and in the nerve plexus. Whole-mount preparations of G. tigrina were analyzed by fluorescent and confocal laser scanning microscopy. An essential quantitative morphometric measurement of serotonin-immunopositive structures was conducted in three body regions (anterior, middle, and posterior) of the planarian. The number of serotonin neurons was maximal in the head region. The ventral nerve cords gradually decreased in thickness from anterior to posterior body ends. Physiological action of exogenously applied serotonin was studied in G. tigrina for the first time. It was found that serotonin (0.1 and 1 µmol L-1) accelerated eye regeneration. The transcriptome sequencing performed for the first time for the planarian G. tigrina revealed the transcripts of the tryptophan hydroxylase (trph), amino acid decarboxylase (aadc) and serotonin transporter (sert) genes. The data obtained indicate the presence of the components of serotonin pathway in G. tigrina. The identified transcripts can take part in serotonin turnover and participate in the realization of biological effects of serotonin in planarians, associated with eyes regeneration and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia D Kreshchenko
- Laboratory of the Mechanisms of Cell Redox-Ragulation, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Artem M Ermakov
- Laboratory of Genome Researches, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
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Terenina NB, Kreshchenko ND, Movsesyan SO. Serotonergic elements in the nervous system of parasite of acipenserid fishes, Acrolichanus auriculatus (Digenea: Allocreadiidae). Micron 2024; 185:103690. [PMID: 38991625 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2024.103690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
The trematode Acrolichanus auriculatus is a widely distributed intestine parasite of acipenserid fishes. For the first time the localization and distribution of the serotonergic nerve elements in A. auriculatus was studied using immunocytochemical method and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The study revealed the presence of biogenic amine, serotonin, in the central and peripheral nervous systems of A. auriculatus, that is in the neurons and neurites of the brain ganglia, brain commissure, the longitudinal nerve cords, and the connective nerve commissures. The innervation of the attachment organs, pharynx, oesophagus and distal regions of the reproductive system by the serotonergic nerve elements is observed. The distribution of serotonergic neurons in A. auriculatus is schematically marked. The comparative analysis of findings obtained in A. auriculatus with those recorded for other digeneans reveals the presence of both conservative and distinctive features in the organization of the serotonergic nervous system in various representatives of trematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda B Terenina
- Center of Parasitology, А.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prosp., 33, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Natalia D Kreshchenko
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskya str., 3, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia.
| | - Sergey O Movsesyan
- Center of Parasitology, А.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prosp., 33, Moscow, Russia
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Discovery of a body-wide photosensory array that matures in an adult-like animal and mediates eye-brain-independent movement and arousal. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021426118. [PMID: 33941643 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021426118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to respond to light has profoundly shaped life. Animals with eyes overwhelmingly rely on their visual circuits for mediating light-induced coordinated movements. Building on previously reported behaviors, we report the discovery of an organized, eye-independent (extraocular), body-wide photosensory framework that allows even a head-removed animal to move like an intact animal. Despite possessing sensitive cerebral eyes and a centralized brain that controls most behaviors, head-removed planarians show acute, coordinated ultraviolet-A (UV-A) aversive phototaxis. We find this eye-brain-independent phototaxis is mediated by two noncanonical rhabdomeric opsins, the first known function for this newly classified opsin-clade. We uncover a unique array of dual-opsin-expressing photoreceptor cells that line the periphery of animal body, are proximal to a body-wide nerve net, and mediate UV-A phototaxis by engaging multiple modes of locomotion. Unlike embryonically developing cerebral eyes that are functional when animals hatch, the body-wide photosensory array matures postembryonically in "adult-like animals." Notably, apart from head-removed phototaxis, the body-wide, extraocular sensory organization also impacts physiology of intact animals. Low-dose UV-A, but not visible light (ocular-stimulus), is able to arouse intact worms that have naturally cycled to an inactive/rest-like state. This wavelength selective, low-light arousal of resting animals is noncanonical-opsin dependent but eye independent. Our discovery of an autonomous, multifunctional, late-maturing, organized body-wide photosensory system establishes a paradigm in sensory biology and evolution of light sensing.
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Kreshchenko ND. A Study of the Mechanisms of Action of FMRF-Like Peptides in Inducing Muscle Contraction in Planarians (Platyhelminthes). Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s000635092103009x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Grosbusch AL, Bertemes P, Egger B. The serotonergic nervous system of prolecithophorans shows a closer similarity to fecampiids than to triclads (Platyhelminthes). J Morphol 2021; 282:574-587. [PMID: 33569841 PMCID: PMC7986211 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Prolecithophora is a poorly studied flatworm order belonging to the adiaphanidan clade, together with Tricladida and Fecampiida. The phylogenetic position of the three orders within this clade is not yet resolved. Additionally, no obvious synapomorphy other than an opaque epidermis could be found so far. In this study, the serotonergic nervous system of six different prolecithophoran species has been studied for the first time with a fluorescent immunocytochemical technique. We found that all six species show a similar pattern of the serotonergic nervous system. The typical prolecithophoran serotonergic nervous system consists of a cephalic ganglion in the anterior body part from which a pair of dorsal, ventral, and lateral longitudinal nerve cords originate. Furthermore, the three longitudinal nerve cords of one body side are connected to each other at the posterior body part by a conspicuous commissure. The ventral cords, which we consider the main cords, are most prominent and show double brain roots. A comparison of the nervous system within Adiaphanida shows clearly that prolecithophorans and fecampiids are much more similar in this regard than prolecithophorans and triclads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Grosbusch
- Research Unit, Evolutionary Developmental BiologyInstitute of Zoology, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Philip Bertemes
- Research Unit, Evolutionary Developmental BiologyInstitute of Zoology, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Bernhard Egger
- Research Unit, Evolutionary Developmental BiologyInstitute of Zoology, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
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Effect of (-)-epicatechin, a flavonoid on the NO and NOS activity of Raillietina echinobothrida. Acta Trop 2018; 178:311-317. [PMID: 29208358 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
(-)-Epicatechin, a natural flavonoid reportedly has huge pharmacological properties. In this study the cestocide effect of (-)-epicatechin is demonstrated in Raillietina echinobothrida. Although the antiparasitic activity of (-)-epicatechin has been demonstrated against protozoa, helminths and ectoparasites, in the present study the cestocide activity of (-)-epicatechin is shown to be related to a decrease in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production. On exposure to 0.53mg/ml each of epicatechin, reference drug praziquantel and Ѡ Nitro-l- Arginine Methyl Ester (NOS inhibitor), the parasites attained paralysis at 10.15, 0.27 and 11.21h followed by death at 30.15, 1.21 and 35.18h respectively. Biochemical analysis showed a significant decrease in activity of NOS (57.360, 36.040 and 44.615%) and NO (41.579, 19.078 and 24.826%) in comparison to the controls. NADPH-diaphorase histochemical staining (a selective marker for NOS in neuronal tissue) demonstrated a pronounced decline in the visible staining activity in the tegument, subtegument and the peripheral nerve regions following exposure to the treatments. Strong binding affinity of (-)-epicatechin with NOS protein was also revealed through docking studies. The results strongly define the probable anthelmintic activity of our compound through its influence on the NOS activity.
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Some details of muscles innervations by FMRF-like nerve elements in planarian Girardia tigrina. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-017-0392-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Quiroga SY, Carolina Bonilla E, Marcela Bolaños D, Carbayo F, Litvaitis MK, Brown FD. Evolution of flatworm central nervous systems: Insights from polyclads. Genet Mol Biol 2015; 38:233-48. [PMID: 26500427 PMCID: PMC4612602 DOI: 10.1590/s1415-475738320150013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The nervous systems of flatworms have diversified extensively as a consequence of the broad range of adaptations in the group. Here we examined the central nervous system (CNS) of 12 species of polyclad flatworms belonging to 11 different families by morphological and histological studies. These comparisons revealed that the overall organization and architecture of polyclad central nervous systems can be classified into three categories (I, II, and III) based on the presence of globuli cell masses -ganglion cells of granular appearance-, the cross-sectional shape of the main nerve cords, and the tissue type surrounding the nerve cords. In addition, four different cell types were identified in polyclad brains based on location and size. We also characterize the serotonergic and FMRFamidergic nervous systems in the cotylean Boninia divae by immunocytochemistry. Although both neurotransmitters were broadly expressed, expression of serotonin was particularly strong in the sucker, whereas FMRFamide was particularly strong in the pharynx. Finally, we test some of the major hypothesized trends during the evolution of the CNS in the phylum by a character state reconstruction based on current understanding of the nervous system across different species of Platyhelminthes and on up-to-date molecular phylogenies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigmer Y. Quiroga
- Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - E. Carolina Bonilla
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - D. Marcela Bolaños
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fernando Carbayo
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marian K. Litvaitis
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Federico D. Brown
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Marinha, Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
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Serotonergic and SCPb-like innervation of the atrial complex in Gyratrix hermaphroditus (Platyhelminthes, Kalyptorhynchia) revealed with CLSM. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-009-0086-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Cebrià F. Organization of the nervous system in the model planarian Schmidtea mediterranea: an immunocytochemical study. Neurosci Res 2008; 61:375-84. [PMID: 18499291 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2008.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2008] [Revised: 04/14/2008] [Accepted: 04/15/2008] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Freshwater planarians are an emerging model in which to study regeneration at the molecular level. These animals can regenerate a complete central nervous system (CNS) in only a few days. In recent years, hundreds of genes expressed in the nervous system have been identified in two popular planarian species used by several laboratories: Dugesia japonica and Schmidtea mediterranea. Functional analyses of some of those neural genes have allowed the process of CNS regeneration to begin to be elucidated in those animals. However, additional work is required to characterize the different neuronal populations. Thus, the identification or generation of antibodies that act as markers for specific neuronal cell types would be extremely useful not only in obtaining a more detailed characterization of the planarian nervous system but also for the analysis of phenotypes obtained by RNA interference. Here, I have used five different antibodies to describe different neuronal populations in the freshwater planarian S. mediterranea. This study represents a first step in characterizing the organization of the nervous system of this species at the cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Cebrià
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, and Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, edifici annex planta 1, 08028 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
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Cebrià F. Regenerating the central nervous system: how easy for planarians! Dev Genes Evol 2007; 217:733-48. [PMID: 17999079 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-007-0188-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2007] [Accepted: 10/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The regenerative capabilities of freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes) are very difficult to match. A fragment as tiny as 1/279th of the planarian body is able to regenerate a whole animal within very few days [Morgan. Arch Entwm 7:364-397 (1898)]. Although the planarian central nervous system (CNS) may appear quite morphologically simple, recent studies have shown it to be more complex at the molecular level, revealing a high degree of molecular compartmentalization in planarian cephalic ganglia. Planarian neural genes include homologues of well-known transcription factors and genes involved in human diseases, neurotransmission, axon guidance, signaling pathways, and RNA metabolism. The availability of hundreds of genes expressed in planarian neurons coupled with the ability to silence them through the use of RNA interference makes it possible to start unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying CNS regeneration. In this review, I discuss current knowledge on the planarian nervous system and the genes involved in its regeneration, and I discuss some of the important questions that remain to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Cebrià
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
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Cardona A, Hartenstein V, Romero R. The embryonic development of the triclad Schmidtea polychroa. Dev Genes Evol 2004; 215:109-31. [PMID: 15599763 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-004-0455-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2004] [Accepted: 11/14/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Triclad flatworms are well studied for their regenerative properties, yet little is known about their embryonic development. We here describe the embryonic development of the triclaty 120d Schmidtea polychroa, using histological and immunocytochemical analysis of whole-mount preparations and sections. During early cleavage (stage 1), yolk cells fuse and enclose the zygote into a syncytium. The zygote divides into blastomeres that dissociate and migrate into the syncytium. During stage 2, a subset of blastomeres differentiate into a transient embryonic epidermis that surrounds the yolk syncytium, and an embryonic pharynx. Other blastomeres divide as a scattered population of cells in the syncytium. During stage 3, the embryonic pharynx imbibes external yolk cells and a gastric cavity is formed in the center of the syncytium. The syncytial yolk and the blastomeres contained within it are compressed into a thin peripheral rind. From a location close to the embryonic pharynx, which defines the posterior pole, bilaterally symmetric ventral nerve cord pioneers extend forward. Stage 4 is characterized by massive proliferation of embryonic cells. Large yolk-filled cells lining the syncytium form the gastrodermis. During stage 5 the external syncytial yolk mantle is resorbed and the embryonic cells contained within differentiate into an irregular scaffold of muscle and nerve cells. Epidermal cells differentiate and replace the transient embryonic epidermis. Through stages 6-8, the embryo adopts its worm-like shape, and loosely scattered populations of differentiating cells consolidate into structurally defined organs. Our analysis reveals a picture of S. polychroa embryogenesis that resembles the morphogenetic events underlying regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Cardona
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, C/Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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Fernandes MC, Alvares EP, Gama P, Silveira M. Serotonin in the nervous system of the head region of the land planarian Bipalium kewense. Tissue Cell 2003; 35:479-86. [PMID: 14580361 DOI: 10.1016/s0040-8166(03)00074-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The presence and distribution of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) in the head region of the land planarian Bipalium kewense has been investigated by an indirect immunofluorescence technique combined with confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM), and also by immunogold labeling at ultrastructural level. Serotonin immunoreactivity (IR) was restricted to elements of the nervous system, such as the cerebral ganglion, and the peripheral nerve net. Most of 5-HT-immunoreactive neurons are at the periphery of the brain; they were identified as unipolar, bipolar, and multipolar neurons. The ultrastructural results using immunogold labeling confirm the location of 5-HT within electron-dense vesicles (50-120 nm in diameter), clustered both in the cell bodies and in their processes. The intense 5-HT-IR herein demonstrated for B. kewense adds new data to the poorly studied nervous system of land planarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Fernandes
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil
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