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Hochberg R, Wallace RL, Walsh EJ, Araújo TQ. Ultrastructure of the extraordinary pedal gland in Asplanchna aff. herricki (Rotifera: Monogononta). J Morphol 2024; 285:e21765. [PMID: 39152664 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21765] [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: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Rotifers possess complex morphologies despite their microscopic size and simple appearance. Part of this complexity is hidden in the structure of their organs, which may be cellular or syncytial. Surprisingly, organs that are cellular in one taxon can be syncytial in another. Pedal glands are widespread across Rotifera and function in substrate attachment and/or egg brooding. These glands are normally absent in Asplanchna, which lack feet and toes that function as outlets for pedal glandular secretions in other rotifers. Here, we describe the ultrastructure of a pedal gland that is singular and syncytial in Asplanchna aff. herricki, but is normally paired and cellular in all other rotifers. Asplanchna aff. herricki has a single large pedal gland that is active and secretory; it has a bipartite, binucleate, syncytial body and a cytosol filled with rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and several types of secretory vesicles. The most abundant vesicle type is large and contains a spherical electron-dense secretion that appears to be produced through homotypic fusion of condensing vesicles produced by the Golgi. The vesicles appear to undergo a phase transition from condensed to decondensed along their pathway toward the gland lumen. Decondensation changes the contents to a mucin-like matrix that is eventually exocytosed in a "kiss-and-run" fashion with the plasma membrane of the gland lumen. Exocytosed mucus enters the gland lumen and exits through an epithelial duct that is an extension of the syncytial integument. This results in mucus that extends from the rotifer as a long string as the animal swims through the water. The function of this mucus is unknown, but we speculate it may function in temporary attachment, prey capture, or floatation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Hochberg
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth J Walsh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Thiago Q Araújo
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
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Datki Z, Darula Z, Vedelek V, Hunyadi-Gulyas E, Dingmann BJ, Vedelek B, Kalman J, Urban P, Gyenesei A, Galik-Olah Z, Galik B, Sinka R. Biofilm formation initiating rotifer-specific biopolymer and its predicted components. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127157. [PMID: 37778576 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127157] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The rotifer-specific biopolymer, namely Rotimer, is a recently discovered group of the biomolecule family. Rotimer has an active role in the biofilm formation initiated by rotifers (e.g., Euchlanis dilatata or Adineta vaga) or in the female-male sexual interaction of monogononts. To understand the Ca2+- and polarity-dependent formation of this multifunctional viscoelastic material, it is essential to explore its molecular composition. The investigation of the rotifer-enhanced biofilm and Rotimer-inductor conglomerate (RIC) formation yielded several protein candidates to predict the Rotimer-specific main components. The exudate of E. dilatata males was primarily applied from different biopolimer-containing samples (biofilm or RIC). The advantage of males over females lies in their degenerated digestive system and simple anatomy. Thus, their exudate is less contaminated with food and endosymbiont elements. The sequenced and annotated genome and transcriptome of this species opened the way for identifying Rotimer proteins by mass spectrometry. The predicted rotifer-biopolymer forming components are SCO-spondins and 14-3-3 protein. The characteristics of Rotimer are similar to Reissner's fiber, which is found in the central nervous system of vertebrates and is mainly formed from SCO-spondins. This molecular information serves as a starting point for its interdisciplinary investigation and application in biotechnology, biomedicine, or neurodegeneration-related drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Datki
- Micro-In Vivo Biomolecule Research Laboratory, Competence Centre of the Life Sciences Cluster of the Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation of the University of Szeged. Dugonics ter 13. H-6720, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Zsuzsanna Darula
- Single Cell Omics Advanced Core Facility, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, Szeged, Hungary; Proteomics Research Group, Core Facilities, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Eva Hunyadi-Gulyas
- Proteomics Research Group, Core Facilities, Biological Research Centre, ELKH, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Brian J Dingmann
- Department of Math Science and Technology, University of Minnesota Crookston, 2900 University Avenue, Crookston, MN 56716, United States of America
| | - Balazs Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Janos Kalman
- Department of Psychiatry, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Koranyi Fasor 8-10, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Peter Urban
- Szentagothai Research Center, Genomic and Bioinformatic Core Facility, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Attila Gyenesei
- Szentagothai Research Center, Genomic and Bioinformatic Core Facility, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Zita Galik-Olah
- Micro-In Vivo Biomolecule Research Laboratory, Competence Centre of the Life Sciences Cluster of the Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation of the University of Szeged. Dugonics ter 13. H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bence Galik
- Szentagothai Research Center, Genomic and Bioinformatic Core Facility, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, H-6726, Hungary
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Datki Z, Sinka R, Galik B, Galik-Olah Z. Particle-dependent reproduction and exogenic biopolymer secretion of protozoa co-cultured rotifers. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 211:669-677. [PMID: 35588974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.05.020] [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: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The rotifer-specific exogenic biopolymer, named Rotimer and its related molecular processes are affected by physical and chemical factors (e.g., temperature, pH or metal ions); however, the study of biological influences (e.g., the presence protozoa) concerning the particle-dependent reproduction (egg laying) and 'biopolymer producing capacity' (BPC) of rotifers is the objective of the present work. Non-planktonic rotifer species (Philodina acuticornis, Adineta vaga, Euchlanis dilatata, and Lecane bulla) were studied in paired micrometazoa-protozoa co-cultures involving Paramecium, Diplonema, and Amoeba. These protozoa can be beneficial food sources, enhancing reproduction, or even toxic factors for the above-mentioned animals, but can also function as particle-like mechanical stimulators. Furthermore, current studies reveal that bdelloids, similarly to monogonants, produce filamentous exudate; moreover, the body of bdelloids is covered by their exudate, unlike that of monogonants, especially in the case of A. vaga. A mathematical formula was developed as an improved version of a previously published viability marker to characterize the BPC and the relative amount of produced exudate in different conditions. Rotifer species secreting biopolymers appear to be a general trait indicating a common evolutionary background (e.g., calcium- and particle dependency) of such molecules; therefore, the BPC becomes an experiential sublethal influencing marker to these micrometazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Datki
- Micro-In Vivo Research Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Dugonics ter 13. H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Bence Galik
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Bioinformatics and Sequencing Core Facility, Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pecs, Ifjusag u. 20, H-7624 Pecs, Hungary; Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Medical University of Bialystok, ul.Jana Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Zita Galik-Olah
- Micro-In Vivo Research Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation Centre of Excellence, University of Szeged, Dugonics ter 13. H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
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The interacting rotifer-biopolymers are anti- and disaggregating agents for human-type beta-amyloid in vitro. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 201:262-269. [PMID: 34999044 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.12.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration-related human-type beta-amyloid 1-42 aggregates (H-Aβ) are one of the biochemical markers and executive molecules in Alzheimer's disease. The exogenic rotifer-specific biopolymer, namely Rotimer, has a protective effect against H-Aβ toxicity on Euchlanis dilatata and Lecane bulla monogonant rotifers. Due to the external particle-dependent secreting activity of these animals, this natural exudate exists in a bound form on the surface of epoxy-metal beads, named as Rotimer Inductor Conglomerate (RIC). In this current work the experiential in vitro molecular interactions between Rotimer and Aβs are presented. The RIC form was uniformly used against H-Aβ aggregation processes in stagogram- and fluorescent-based experiments. These well-known cell-toxic aggregates stably and quickly (only taking a few minutes) bind to RIC. The epoxy beads (as carriers) alone or the scrambled version of H-Aβ (with random amino acid sequence) were the ineffective and inactive negative controls of this experimental system. The RIC has significant interacting, anti-aggregating and disaggregating effects on H-Aβ. To detect these experiments, Bis-ANS and Thioflavin T were applied during amyloid binding, two aggregation-specific functional fluorescent dyes with different molecular characteristics. This newly described empirical interaction of Rotimer with H-Aβ is a potential starting point and source of innovation concerning targeted human- and pharmaceutical applications.
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