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Çakmak E, Koc-Bilican B, Avila-Poveda OH, Karaduman T, Cansaran-Duman D, Williams ST, Kaya M. Discovery of protein-based natural hydrogel from the girdle of the 'sea cockroach' Chiton articulatus (Chitonida: Chitonidae). PeerJ 2022; 10:e13386. [PMID: 35573172 PMCID: PMC9097651 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are widely used materials in biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural fields. However, these hydrogels are usually formed synthetically via a long and complicated process involving crosslinking natural polymers. Herein, we describe a natural hydrogel isolated using a 'gentle' acid treatment from the girdle of a chiton species (Chiton articulatus). This novel hydrogel is shown to have a proliferative effect on mouse fibroblast cells (cell line, L929). The swelling capacity of this natural hydrogel was recorded as approximately 1,200% in distilled water, which is within desired levels for hydrogels. Detailed characterizations reveal that the hydrogel consists predominantly (83.93%) of protein. Considering its non-toxicity, proliferative effect and swelling properties, this natural hydrogel is an important discovery for material sciences, with potential for further applications in industry. Whether the girdle has some hydrogel activity in the living animal is unknown, but we speculate that it may enable the animal to better survive extreme environmental conditions by preventing desiccation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Çakmak
- Vegetable and Animal Production, Güzelyurt Vocational School, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey,Science and Technology Application and Research Center, ASUBTAM - Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Behlül Koc-Bilican
- Science and Technology Application and Research Center, ASUBTAM - Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey,Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and Letters, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Omar Hernando Avila-Poveda
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México,Programa Investigadoras e Investigadores por Mexico, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Ciudad de México, México,Proyecto Quitón del Pacífico Tropical Mexicano, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México
| | - Tuğçe Karaduman
- Science and Technology Application and Research Center, ASUBTAM - Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey,Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and Letters, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
| | | | - Suzanne T. Williams
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, Cromwell Road, United Kingdom
| | - Murat Kaya
- Science and Technology Application and Research Center, ASUBTAM - Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey,Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and Letters, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
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Lobo-da-Cunha A, Alves Â, Oliveira E, Calado G. Functional morphology of the glandular esophageal pouches of chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora). J Morphol 2020; 282:355-367. [PMID: 33314288 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The esophageal pouches of Chaetopleura angulata and Acanthochitona fascicularis were investigated using light and transmission electron microscopy. These pouches linked to the posterior region of the esophagus are known as sugar glands as they contain a fluid rich in polysaccharide digesting enzymes. They are the second largest glands in the digestive system of chitons, just after the digestive gland. In both species, the pouches contain a dense array of finger-shaped villi. The villi epithelium includes absorptive cells, basophilic secretory cells, mucus-secreting cells, and basal cells. Some absorptive cells were bordered by a dense cover of long microvilli, whereas other absorptive cells had short and sparse microvilli. Absorptive cells contain several lysosomes, mitochondria, peroxisomes, a few small Golgi stacks, some lipid droplets, and large amounts of glycogen. The basophilic secretory cells are characterized by the presence of many electron-dense vesicles, with a glycoprotein content, a large number of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, and a highly developed Golgi apparatus. Mucus-secreting cells are characterized by large vesicles containing acid polysaccharides and wide Golgi stacks. Basal cells that were found at the base of the epithelium in contact with the basal lamina exhibit histological and ultrastructural features of enteroendocrine cells. We suggest that these glandular pouches are involved in extracellular and intracellular digestion, and accumulate lipid and glycogen reserves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Lobo-da-Cunha
- Department of Microscopy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Ângela Alves
- Department of Microscopy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Multidisciplinary Unit for Biomedical Research (UMIB), ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Elsa Oliveira
- Department of Microscopy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Multidisciplinary Unit for Biomedical Research (UMIB), ICBAS, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Calado
- Department of Life Sciences, Lusofona University, Lisbon, Portugal.,MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Caparica, Portugal
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Madeira D, Mendonça V, Madeira C, Gaiteiro C, Vinagre C, Diniz MS. Molecular assessment of wild populations in the marine realm: Importance of taxonomic, seasonal and habitat patterns in environmental monitoring. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 654:250-263. [PMID: 30447573 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Scientists are currently faced with the challenge of assessing the effects of anthropogenic stressors on aquatic ecosystems. Cellular stress response (CSR) biomarkers are ubiquitous and phylogenetically conserved among metazoans and have been successfully applied in environmental monitoring but they can also vary according to natural biotic and abiotic factors. The reported variability may thus limit the wide application of biomarkers in monitoring, imposing the need to identify variability levels in the field. Our aim was to carry out a comprehensive in situ assessment of the CSR (heat shock protein 70 kDa, ubiquitin, antioxidant enzymes) and oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation) in wild populations across marine taxa by collecting fish, crustaceans, mollusks and cnidarians during two different seasons (spring and summer) and two habitat types (coast and estuary). CSR end-point patterns were different between taxa with mollusks having higher biomarker levels, followed by the cnidarians, while fish and crustaceans showed lower biomarker levels. The PCA showed clear clusters related to mobility/sessile traits with sessile organisms showing greater levels (>2-fold) of CSR proteins and oxidative damage. Mean intraspecific variability in the CSR measured by the coefficient of variation (% CV) (including data from all seasons and sites) was elevated (35-94%). Overall, there was a seasonal differentiation in biomarker patterns across taxonomic groups, especially evident in fish and cnidarians. A differentiation in biomarker patterns between habitat types was also observed and associated with phenotypic plasticity or local adaptation. Overall, specimens collected in the estuary had lower biomarker levels when compared to specimens collected in the coast. This work highlights the importance of assessing baseline biomarker levels across taxa, seasons and habitats prior to applying biomarker analyses in environmental monitoring. Selecting bioindicator species, defining sampling strategies, and identifying confounding factors are crucial preliminary steps that ensure the success of biomarkers as powerful tools in biomonitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Madeira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia & CESAM & ECOMARE, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Vanessa Mendonça
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina Madeira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Gaiteiro
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Vinagre
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mário S Diniz
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
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