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Tamori M, Yamada A. Possible Mechanisms of Stiffness Changes Induced by Stiffeners and Softeners in Catch Connective Tissue of Echinoderms. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21030140. [PMID: 36976189 PMCID: PMC10053443 DOI: 10.3390/md21030140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The catch connective, or mutable collagenous, tissue of echinoderms changes its mechanical properties in response to stimulation. The body wall dermis of sea cucumbers is a typical catch connective tissue. The dermis assumes three mechanical states: soft, standard, and stiff. Proteins that change the mechanical properties have been purified from the dermis. Tensilin and the novel stiffening factor are involved in the soft to standard and standard to stiff transitions, respectively. Softenin softens the dermis in the standard state. Tensilin and softenin work directly on the extracellular matrix (ECM). This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding such stiffeners and softeners. Attention is also given to the genes of tensilin and its related proteins in echinoderms. In addition, we provide information on the morphological changes of the ECM associated with the stiffness change of the dermis. Ultrastructural study suggests that tensilin induces an increase in the cohesive forces with the lateral fusion of collagen subfibrils in the soft to standard transition, that crossbridge formation between fibrils occurs in both the soft to standard and standard to stiff transitions, and that the bond which accompanies water exudation produces the stiff dermis from the standard state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Tamori
- School of Life Science and Technology, W3-42, Tokyo Institute of Technology, O-okayama 2-12-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Akira Yamada
- National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, 4-2-1, Nukui-Kitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8795, Japan
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Perricone V, Grun TB, Marmo F, Langella C, Candia Carnevali MD. Constructional design of echinoid endoskeleton: main structural components and their potential for biomimetic applications. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2020; 16:011001. [PMID: 32927446 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/abb86b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The endoskeleton of echinoderms (Deuterostomia: Echinodermata) is of mesodermal origin and consists of cells, organic components, as well as an inorganic mineral matrix. The echinoderm skeleton forms a complex lattice-system, which represents a model structure for naturally inspired engineering in terms of construction, mechanical behaviour and functional design. The sea urchin (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) endoskeleton consists of three main structural components: test, dental apparatus and accessory appendages. Although, all parts of the echinoid skeleton consist of the same basic material, their microstructure displays a great potential in meeting several mechanical needs according to a direct and clear structure-function relationship. This versatility has allowed the echinoid skeleton to adapt to different activities such as structural support, defence, feeding, burrowing and cleaning. Although, constrained by energy and resource efficiency, many of the structures found in the echinoid skeleton are optimized in terms of functional performances. Therefore, these structures can be used as role models for bio-inspired solutions in various industrial sectors such as building constructions, robotics, biomedical and material engineering. The present review provides an overview of previous mechanical and biomimetic research on the echinoid endoskeleton, describing the current state of knowledge and providing a reference for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Perricone
- Dept. of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Aversa, Italy
| | - Tobias B Grun
- Dept. of Invertebrate Paleontology, University of Florida, Florida Museum, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Francesco Marmo
- Dept. of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Carla Langella
- Dept. of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Aversa, Italy
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Wilkie IC, Fassini D, Cullorà E, Barbaglio A, Tricarico S, Sugni M, Del Giacco L, Candia Carnevali MD. Mechanical properties of the compass depressors of the sea-urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata, Echinoidea) and the effects of enzymes, neurotransmitters and synthetic tensilin-like protein. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120339. [PMID: 25786033 PMCID: PMC4365025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The compass depressors (CDs) of the sea-urchin lantern are ligaments consisting mainly of discontinuous collagen fibrils associated with a small population of myocytes. They are mutable collagenous structures, which can change their mechanical properties rapidly and reversibly under nervous control. The aims of this investigation were to characterise the baseline (i.e. unmanipulated) static mechanical properties of the CDs of Paracentrotus lividus by means of creep tests and incremental force-extension tests, and to determine the effects on their mechanical behaviour of a range of agents. Under constant load the CDs exhibited a three-phase creep curve, the mean coefficient of viscosity being 561±365 MPa.s. The stress-strain curve showed toe, linear and yield regions; the mean strain at the toe-linear inflection was 0.86±0.61; the mean Young's modulus was 18.62±10.30 MPa; and the mean tensile strength was 8.14±5.73 MPa. Hyaluronidase from Streptomyces hyalurolyticus had no effect on creep behaviour, whilst chondroitinase ABC prolonged primary creep but had no effect on secondary creep or on any force-extension parameters; it thus appears that neither hyaluronic acid nor sulphated glycosaminoglycans have an interfibrillar load transfer function in the CD. Acetylcholine, the muscarinic agonists arecoline and methacholine, and the nicotinic agonists nicotine and 1-[1-(3,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-ethyl]-piperazine produced an abrupt increase in CD viscosity; the CDs were not differentially sensitive to muscarinic or nicotinic agonists. CDs showed either no, or no consistent, response to adrenaline, L-glutamic acid, 5-hydroxytryptamine and γ-aminobutyric acid. Synthetic echinoid tensilin-like protein had a weak and inconsistent stiffening effect, indicating that, in contrast to holothurian tensilins, the echinoid molecule may not be involved in the regulation of collagenous tissue tensility. We compare in detail the mechanical behaviour of the CD with that of mammalian tendon and highlight its potential as a model system for investigating poorly understood aspects of the ontogeny and phylogeny of vertebrate collagenous tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain C. Wilkie
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Dario Fassini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cullorà
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alice Barbaglio
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Serena Tricarico
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Sugni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Evolution of a novel muscle design in sea urchins (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). PLoS One 2012; 7:e37520. [PMID: 22624043 PMCID: PMC3356314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The sea urchin (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) masticatory apparatus, or Aristotle's lantern, is a complex structure composed of numerous hard and soft components. The lantern is powered by various paired and unpaired muscle groups. We describe how one set of these muscles, the lantern protractor muscles, has evolved a specialized morphology. This morphology is characterized by the formation of adaxially-facing lobes perpendicular to the main orientation of the muscle, giving the protractor a frilled aspect in horizontal section. Histological and ultrastructural analyses show that the microstructure of frilled muscles is largely identical to that of conventional, flat muscles. Measurements of muscle dimensions in equally-sized specimens demonstrate that the frilled muscle design, in comparison to that of the flat muscle type, considerably increases muscle volume as well as the muscle's surface directed towards the interradial cavity, a compartment of the peripharyngeal coelom. Scanning electron microscopical observations reveal that the insertions of frilled and flat protractor muscles result in characteristic muscle scars on the stereom, reflecting the shapes of individual muscles. Our comparative study of 49 derived "regular" echinoid species using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows that frilled protractor muscles are found only in taxa belonging to the families Toxopneustidae, Echinometridae, and Strongylocentrotidae. The onset of lobe formation during ontogenesis varies between species of these three families. Because frilled protractor muscles are best observed in situ, the application of a non-invasive imaging technique was crucial for the unequivocal identification of this morphological character on a large scale. Although it is currently possible only to speculate on the functional advantages which the frilled muscle morphology might confer, our study forms the anatomical and evolutionary framework for future analyses of this unusual muscle design among sea urchins.
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Barbaglio A, Tricarico S, Ribeiro A, Ribeiro C, Sugni M, Di Benedetto C, Wilkie I, Barbosa M, Bonasoro F, Candia Carnevali MD. The mechanically adaptive connective tissue of echinoderms: its potential for bio-innovation in applied technology and ecology. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2012; 76:108-113. [PMID: 21864892 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2011] [Revised: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Echinoderms possess unique connective tissues, called mutable collagenous tissues (MCTs), which undergo nervously mediated, drastic and reversible or irreversible changes in their mechanical properties. Connective tissue mutability influences all aspects of echinoderm biology and is a key-factor in the ecological success of the phylum. Due to their sensitivity to endogenous or exogenous agents, MCTs may be targets for a number of common pollutants, with potentially drastic effects on vital functions. Besides its ecological relevance, MCT represents a topic with relevance to several applied fields. A promising research route looks at MCTs as a source of inspiration for the development of novel biomaterials. This contribution presents a review of MCT biology, which incorporates recent ultrastructural, biomolecular and biochemical analyses carried out in a biotechnological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Barbaglio
- Biology Dept., University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Wilkie IC. Mutable collagenous tissue: overview and biotechnological perspective. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 39:221-50. [PMID: 17152700 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-27683-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The mutable collagenous tissue (MCT) of echinoderms can undergo extreme changes in passive mechanical properties within a timescale of less than 1 s to a few minutes, involving a mechanism that is under direct neural control and coordinated with the activities of muscles. MCT occurs at a variety of anatomical locations in all echinoderm classes, is involved in every investigated echinoderm autotomy mechanism, and provides a mechanism for the energy-sparing maintenance of posture. It is therefore crucially important for the biology of extant echinoderms. This chapter summarises current knowledge of the physiology and organisation of MCT, with particular attention being given to its molecular organisation and the molecular mechanism of mutability. The biotechnological potential of MCT is discussed. It is argued that MCT could be a source of, or inspiration for, (1) new pharmacological agents and strategies designed to manipulate therapeutically connective tissue mechanical properties and (2) new composite materials with biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- I C Wilkie
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, 70 Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 OBA, Scotland, UK.
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Functional morphology of the compass-rotular ligament of Echinus esculentus (Echinodermata: Echinoida): a non-mutable collagenous component of Aristotle?s lantern. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-005-0107-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Wilkie IC. Is muscle involved in the mechanical adaptability of echinoderm mutable collagenous tissue? J Exp Biol 2002; 205:159-65. [PMID: 11821482 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.205.2.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
The mutable collagenous tissue (MCT) of echinoderms has the capacity to change its mechanical properties in a time scale of less than 1 s to a few minutes under the influence of the nervous system. Although accumulating evidence indicates that the mechanical adaptability of MCT is due primarily to the modulation of interactions between components of the extracellular matrix, the presence of muscle in a few mutable collagenous structures has led some workers to suggest that contractile cells may play an important role in the phenomenon of variable tensility and to call for a re-evaluation of the whole MCT concept. This contribution summarises present information on MCT and appraises the argument implicating muscle in its unique mechanical behaviour. It is concluded that there is no evidence that the variability of the passive mechanical properties of any mutable collagenous structure is due to muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- I C Wilkie
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, Scotland.
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Wilkie IC, Carnevali MDC, Andrietti F. Mechanical properties of the peristomial membrane of the cidaroid sea-urchinStylocidaris affinis. J Zool (1987) 1996. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1996.tb05413.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Bonasoro F, Carnevali MDC, Wilkie IC. The peristomial membrane of regular sea‐urchins: Functional morphology of the epidermis and coelomic lining inParacentrotus lividus(Lamarck). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1995. [DOI: 10.1080/11250009509356060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Wilkie IC, Carnevali MC, Andrietti F. Microarchitecture and mechanics of the sea‐urchin peristomial membrane. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1994. [DOI: 10.1080/11250009409355857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Andrietti F, Carnevali MDC, Wilkie IC. A biomechanical comparison of the lantern of the cidarid sea-urchinStylocidaris affiniswith the typical camarodont lantern. J Zool (1987) 1993. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1993.tb01941.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Candia Carnevali MD, Wilkie IC, Lucca E, Andrietti F, Melone G. The Aristotle's lantern of the sea-urchin Stylocidaris affinis (Echinoida, Cidaridae): functional morphology of the musculo-skeletal system. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 1993. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00394858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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