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Carsia RV, McIlroy PJ, John-Alder HB. Invited review: Adrenocortical function in avian and non-avian reptiles: Insights from dispersed adrenocortical cells. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 281:111424. [PMID: 37080352 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111424] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Herein we review our work involving dispersed adrenocortical cells from several lizard species: the Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus), Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii), Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus) and the Yucatán Banded Gecko (Coleonyx elegans). Early work demonstrated changes in steroidogenic function of adrenocortical cells derived from adult S. undulatus associated with seasonal interactions with sex. However, new information suggests that both sexes operate within the same steroidogenic budget over season. The observed sex effect was further explored in orchiectomized and ovariectomized lizards, some supported with exogenous testosterone. Overall, a suppressive effect of testosterone was evident, especially in cells from C. elegans. Life stage added to this complex picture of adrenal steroidogenic function. This was evident when sexually mature and immature Sceloporus lizards were subjected to a nutritional stressor, cricket restriction/deprivation. There were divergent patterns of corticosterone, aldosterone, and progesterone responses and associated sensitivities of each to corticotropin (ACTH). Finally, we provide strong evidence that there are multiple, labile subpopulations of adrenocortical cells. We conclude that the rapid (days) remodeling of adrenocortical steroidogenic function through fluctuating cell subpopulations drives the circulating corticosteroid profile of Sceloporus lizard species. Interestingly, progesterone and aldosterone may be more important with corticosterone serving as essential supportive background. In the wild, the flux in adrenocortical cell subpopulations may be adversely susceptible to climate-change related disruptions in food sources and to xenobiotic/endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We urge further studies using native lizard species as bioindicators of local pollutants and as models to examine the broader eco-exposome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco V Carsia
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, 2 Medical Center Drive, Stratford, NJ 08084, United States.
| | - Patrick J McIlroy
- Department of Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University, 311 North Fifth Street, Camden, NJ 08102, United States
| | - Henry B John-Alder
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, The Pinelands Field Station Rutgers University, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
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Hennig A, Mohr L, Fehr M, Legler M. The B-type natriuretic peptide of the Congo and Timneh grey parrot. Vet Res Commun 2021; 45:329-333. [PMID: 34278549 PMCID: PMC8626375 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-021-09813-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In captivity, cardiovascular diseases are common in grey parrots. The diagnosis of these diseases in living birds is difficult, and new diagnostic possibilities would be desirable. The heart is an important endocrine organ in which cardiomyocytes synthetise B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and release it into the bloodstream. This hormone has a significant role in cardiovascular and body fluid regulation. The blood concentration of BNP is used in human medicine and small animal medicine as a diagnostic tool in the identification of heart diseases and as a prognostic marker for the risk of mortality. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of BNP was described in Congo (n = 4) and Timneh (n = 3) grey parrots by PCR after RNA isolation from the atria and ventricles. The results showed a high similarity between the nucleotide sequences of the grey parrots’ BNP and the already known sequence of this hormone in chickens. The amino acid sequence of the mature peptide region is consistent in these three species. BNP plasma concentration could be a possible blood parameter for identifying clinically manifest cardiovascular diseases in grey parrots as it is in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Hennig
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
| | - L Mohr
- Clinic for Poultry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - M Fehr
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - M Legler
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany
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Jensen B, Boukens BJ, Crossley DA, Conner J, Mohan RA, van Duijvenboden K, Postma AV, Gloschat CR, Elsey RM, Sedmera D, Efimov IR, Christoffels VM. Specialized impulse conduction pathway in the alligator heart. eLife 2018; 7:32120. [PMID: 29565246 PMCID: PMC5940360 DOI: 10.7554/elife.32120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammals and birds have a specialized cardiac atrioventricular conduction system enabling rapid activation of both ventricles. This system may have evolved together with high heart rates to support their endothermic state (warm-bloodedness) and is seemingly lacking in ectothermic vertebrates from which first mammals then birds independently evolved. Here, we studied the conduction system in crocodiles (Alligator mississippiensis), the only ectothermic vertebrates with a full ventricular septum. We identified homologues of mammalian conduction system markers (Tbx3-Tbx5, Scn5a, Gja5, Nppa-Nppb) and show the presence of a functional atrioventricular bundle. The ventricular Purkinje network, however, was absent and slow ventricular conduction relied on trabecular myocardium, as it does in other ectothermic vertebrates. We propose the evolution of the atrioventricular bundle followed full ventricular septum formation prior to the development of high heart rates and endothermy. In contrast, the evolution of the ventricular Purkinje network is strongly associated with high heart rates and endothermy. Mammals and birds are referred to as ‘warm-blooded’ animals, because they maintain a constant high body temperature. This requires a lot of energy, so their bodies need to be well supplied with blood at all times. The hearts of mammals and birds contain two important structures that help them do this. The first is a full wall of muscle – called the ventricular septum – that divides the heart into left and right sides. The second is an electrical circuit made of specialized muscle cells that ensures that the heart beats fast enough by sending rapid electrical signals to the rest of the heart muscle. The circuit contains one group of cells in the ventricular septum, called the bundle of His, and another group termed the Purkinje network. Reptiles, however, do not maintain high body temperatures and are instead often thought of as ‘cold-blooded’ animals. The hearts of reptiles do not need to pump blood around the body as quickly and have different structures from warm-blooded animals. For example, most reptile hearts do not have a fully developed ventricular septum. The only exceptions are crocodiles, alligators and their relatives (the ‘crocodilians’), which do. Jensen, Boukens et al. therefore wanted to determine if a crocodilian heart also contained a specialized electrical circuit like those of birds and mammals. Previous studies that attempted to answer this question using only anatomical and electrical methods had yielded ambiguous results. As such, Jensen, Boukens et al. combined these methods with genetic techniques for a more detailed study. First, the ventricular septum of American alligators, a species of crocodilian, was examined, and found to contain a narrow tissue structure that strongly resembled the bundle of His. Indeed, if this presumptive bundle of His was cut, the electrical circuit was broken. Additional genetic analysis of this structure confirmed that genes similar to those active in the mammalian bundle of His were also switched on in alligators. However, recordings of heart activity showed that heart rates and the spread of electrical signals were both slower in alligators than in warm-blooded animals. This suggests that, although alligators have evolved some specialized muscle cells (in the form of a bundle of His), their electrical circuit is still ‘incomplete’. The lack of a Purkinje network, for example, would explain why their heart rates remain slow like other reptiles’. Together these findings add to the current understanding of how the heart works in different animals with varying requirements for energy and blood flow. Also, since crocodiles and warm-blooded birds both evolved from ancient reptiles, detailed descriptions of their heart structures could shed more light on how warm-bloodedness first developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjarke Jensen
- Department of Medical Biology, Heart Failure Research Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology, Heart Failure Research Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Dane A Crossley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, United States
| | - Justin Conner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, United States
| | - Rajiv A Mohan
- Department of Medical Biology, Heart Failure Research Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karel van Duijvenboden
- Department of Medical Biology, Heart Failure Research Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alex V Postma
- Department of Medical Biology, Heart Failure Research Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christopher R Gloschat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Ruth M Elsey
- Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Grand Chenier, United States
| | - David Sedmera
- Institute of Anatomy, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, and Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Igor R Efimov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Heart Failure Research Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Keen AN, Shiels HA, Crossley DA. Cardiovascular function, compliance, and connective tissue remodeling in the turtle, Trachemys scripta, following thermal acclimation. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 311:R133-43. [PMID: 27101300 PMCID: PMC4967230 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00510.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Low temperature directly alters cardiovascular physiology in freshwater turtles, causing bradycardia, arterial hypotension, and a reduction in systemic blood pressure. At the same time, blood viscosity and systemic resistance increase, as does sensitivity to cardiac preload (e.g., via the Frank-Starling response). However, the long-term effects of these seasonal responses on the cardiovascular system are unclear. We acclimated red-eared slider turtles to a control temperature (25°C) or to chronic cold (5°C). To differentiate the direct effects of temperature from a cold-induced remodeling response, all measurements were conducted at the control temperature (25°C). In anesthetized turtles, cold acclimation reduced systemic resistance by 1.8-fold and increased systemic blood flow by 1.4-fold, resulting in a 2.3-fold higher right to left (R-L; net systemic) cardiac shunt flow and a 1.8-fold greater shunt fraction. Following a volume load by bolus injection of saline (calculated to increase stroke volume by 5-fold, ∼2.2% of total blood volume), systemic resistance was reduced while pulmonary blood flow and systemic pressure increased. An increased systemic blood flow meant the R-L cardiac shunt was further pronounced. In the isolated ventricle, passive stiffness was increased following cold acclimation with 4.2-fold greater collagen deposition in the myocardium. Histological sections of the major outflow arteries revealed a 1.4-fold higher elastin content in cold-acclimated animals. These results suggest that cold acclimation alters cardiac shunting patterns with an increased R-L shunt flow, achieved through reducing systemic resistance and increasing systemic blood flow. Furthermore, our data suggests that cold-induced cardiac remodeling may reduce the stress of high cardiac preload by increasing compliance of the vasculature and decreasing compliance of the ventricle. Together, these responses could compensate for reduced systolic function at low temperatures in the slider turtle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam N Keen
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; and
| | - Holly A Shiels
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; and
| | - Dane A Crossley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
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Maksimov VF, Korostyshevskaya IM. Morphogenesis and reaction to hypoxia of atrial myoendocrine cells in chick embryos (Gallus gallus). J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2013. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093013020151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Evolution and development of the building plan of the vertebrate heart. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2012; 1833:783-94. [PMID: 23063530 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Revised: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Early cardiac development involves the formation of a heart tube, looping of the tube and formation of chambers. These processes are highly similar among all vertebrates, which suggest the existence of evolutionary conservation of the building plan of the heart. From the jawless lampreys to man, T-box transcription factors like Tbx5 and Tbx20 are fundamental for heart formation, whereas Tbx2 and Tbx3 repress chamber formation on the sinu-atrial and atrioventricular borders. Also, electrocardiograms from different vertebrates are alike, even though the fish heart only has two chambers whereas the mammalian heart has four chambers divided by septa and in addition has much higher heart rates. We conclude that most features of the high-performance hearts of mammals and birds can be traced back to less developed traits in the hearts of ectothermic vertebrates. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cardiomyocyte biology: Cardiac pathways of differentiation, metabolism and contraction.
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Takei Y, Inoue K, Trajanovska S, Donald JA. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), not ANP, is the principal cardiac natriuretic peptide in vertebrates as revealed by comparative studies. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2011; 171:258-66. [PMID: 21362425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2011.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2010] [Revised: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The natriuretic peptide (NP) family consists of at least seven members; cardiac ANP, BNP and VNP and brain CNPs (CNP1-4). Phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses showed that CNP4 is the ancestral molecule of the family, from which CNP3 and CNP1/2 were duplicated in this order, and that the three cardiac NPs were generated from CNP3 by tandem duplication. Seven members existed at the divergence of ray-finned fishes and lobe-finned fishes (tetrapods), but some of the NP genes have disappeared during the course of evolution. In ray-finned fishes, all three cardiac NPs exist in chondrostei and some migratory teleost species, but VNP is generally absent and ANP is absent in a group of teleosts (Beloniformes). In tetrapods, ANP and BNP are present in mammals and amphibians, but ANP is usually absent in reptiles and birds. Thus, BNP is a ubiquitous cardiac NP in bony fishes and tetrapods though elasmobranchs and cyclostomes have only CNP3/4 as a cardiac NP. Functional studies indicate that cardiac NPs are essential Na(+)-extruding hormones throughout vertebrates; they play critical roles in seawater (SW) adaptation in teleosts, while they are important volume-depleting hormones in mammals as water and Na(+) are regulated in parallel in terrestrial animals. In mammals, cardiac NPs become prominent in pathological conditions such as heart failure where they are used in diagnosis and treatment. Although the functional role of BNP has not yet been fully elucidated compared with ANP in non-mammalian vertebrates, it appears that BNP plays pivotal roles in the cardiovascular and body fluid regulation as shown in mammals. ANP has previously been recognized as the principal cardiac NP in mammals and teleosts, but comparative studies have revealed that BNP is the only cardiac NP that exists in all tetrapods and teleosts. This is an excellent example showing that comparative studies have created new insights into the molecular and functional evolution of a hormone family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshio Takei
- Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8564, Japan.
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Jiang Y, Li Y, Lee W, Xu X, Zhang Y, Zhao R, Zhang Y, Wang W. Venom gland transcriptomes of two elapid snakes (Bungarus multicinctus and Naja atra) and evolution of toxin genes. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:1. [PMID: 21194499 PMCID: PMC3023746 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kraits (genus Bungarus) and cobras (genus Naja) are two representative toxic genera of elapids in the old world. Although they are closely related genera and both of their venoms are very toxic, the compositions of their venoms are very different. To unveil their detailed venoms and their evolutionary patterns, we constructed venom gland cDNA libraries and genomic bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries for Bungarus multicinctus and Naja atra, respectively. We sequenced about 1500 cDNA clones for each of the venom cDNA libraries and screened BAC libraries of the two snakes by blot analysis using four kinds of toxin probes; i.e., three-finger toxin (3FTx), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), kunitz-type protease inhibitor (Kunitz), and natriuretic peptide (NP). RESULTS In total, 1092 valid expressed sequences tags (ESTs) for B. multicinctus and 1166 ESTs for N. atra were generated. About 70% of these ESTs can be annotated as snake toxin transcripts. 3FTx (64.5%) and β bungarotoxin (25.1%) comprise the main toxin classes in B. multicinctus, while 3FTx (95.8%) is the dominant toxin in N. atra. We also observed several less abundant venom families in B. multicinctus and N. atra, such as PLA2, C-type lectins, and Kunitz. Peculiarly a cluster of NP precursors with tandem NPs was detected in B. multicinctus. A total of 71 positive toxin BAC clones in B. multicinctus and N. atra were identified using four kinds of toxin probes (3FTx, PLA2, Kunitz, and NP), among which 39 3FTx-positive BACs were sequenced to reveal gene structures of 3FTx toxin genes. CONCLUSIONS Based on the toxin ESTs and 3FTx gene sequences, the major components of B. multicinctus venom transcriptome are neurotoxins, including long chain alpha neurotoxins (α-ntx) and the recently originated β bungarotoxin, whereas the N. atra venom transcriptome mainly contains 3FTxs with cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity (short chain α-ntx). The data also revealed that tandem duplications contributed the most to the expansion of toxin multigene families. Analysis of nonsynonymous to synonymous nucleotide substitution rate ratios (dN/dS) indicates that not only multigene toxin families but also other less abundant toxins might have been under rapid diversifying evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- CAS-Max Planck Junior Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Graduate University of Chinese Academy Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yan Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan 625014, China
| | - Wenhui Lee
- Biotoxin Units, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Xun Xu
- CAS-Max Planck Junior Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- CAS-Max Planck Junior Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Ruoping Zhao
- CAS-Max Planck Junior Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Biotoxin Units, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Wen Wang
- CAS-Max Planck Junior Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
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Tota B, Cerra MC, Gattuso A. Catecholamines, cardiac natriuretic peptides and chromogranin A: evolution and physiopathology of a 'whip-brake' system of the endocrine heart. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 213:3081-103. [PMID: 20802109 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.027391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the past 50 years, extensive evidence has shown the ability of vertebrate cardiac non-neuronal cells to synthesize and release catecholamines (CA). This formed the mindset behind the search for the intrinsic endocrine heart properties, culminating in 1981 with the discovery of the natriuretic peptides (NP). CA and NP, co-existing in the endocrine secretion granules and acting as major cardiovascular regulators in health and disease, have become of great biomedical relevance for their potent diagnostic and therapeutic use. The concept of the endocrine heart was later enriched by the identification of a growing number of cardiac hormonal substances involved in organ modulation under normal and stress-induced conditions. Recently, chromogranin A (CgA), a major constituent of the secretory granules, and its derived cardio-suppressive and antiadrenergic peptides, vasostatin-1 and catestatin, were shown as new players in this framework, functioning as cardiac counter-regulators in 'zero steady-state error' homeostasis, particularly under intense excitatory stimuli, e.g. CA-induced myocardial stress. Here, we present evidence for the hypothesis that is gaining support, particularly among human cardiologists. The actions of CA, NP and CgA, we argue, may be viewed as a hallmark of the cardiac capacity to organize 'whip-brake' connection-integration processes in spatio-temporal networks. The involvement of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)/nitric oxide (NO) system in this configuration is discussed. The use of fish and amphibian paradigms will illustrate the ways that incipient endocrine-humoral agents have evolved as components of cardiac molecular loops and important intermediates during evolutionary transitions, or in a distinct phylogenetic lineage, or under stress challenges. This may help to grasp the old evolutionary roots of these intracardiac endocrine/paracrine networks and how they have evolved from relatively less complicated designs. The latter can also be used as an intellectual tool to disentangle the experimental complexity of the mammalian and human endocrine hearts, suggesting future investigational avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Tota
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Calabria, 87030, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
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10
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Fry BG, Winter K, Norman JA, Roelants K, Nabuurs RJA, van Osch MJP, Teeuwisse WM, van der Weerd L, McNaughtan JE, Kwok HF, Scheib H, Greisman L, Kochva E, Miller LJ, Gao F, Karas J, Scanlon D, Lin F, Kuruppu S, Shaw C, Wong L, Hodgson WC. Functional and structural diversification of the Anguimorpha lizard venom system. Mol Cell Proteomics 2010; 9:2369-90. [PMID: 20631207 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m110.001370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom has only been recently discovered to be a basal trait of the Anguimorpha lizards. Consequently, very little is known about the timings of toxin recruitment events, venom protein molecular evolution, or even the relative physical diversifications of the venom system itself. A multidisciplinary approach was used to examine the evolution across the full taxonomical range of this ∼130 million-year-old clade. Analysis of cDNA libraries revealed complex venom transcriptomes. Most notably, three new cardioactive peptide toxin types were discovered (celestoxin, cholecystokinin, and YY peptides). The latter two represent additional examples of convergent use of genes in toxic arsenals, both having previously been documented as components of frog skin defensive chemical secretions. Two other novel venom gland-overexpressed modified versions of other protein frameworks were also recovered from the libraries (epididymal secretory protein and ribonuclease). Lectin, hyaluronidase, and veficolin toxin types were sequenced for the first time from lizard venoms and shown to be homologous to the snake venom forms. In contrast, phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the lizard natriuretic peptide toxins were recruited independently of the form in snake venoms. The de novo evolution of helokinestatin peptide toxin encoding domains within the lizard venom natriuretic gene was revealed to be exclusive to the helodermatid/anguid subclade. New isoforms were sequenced for cysteine-rich secretory protein, kallikrein, and phospholipase A(2) toxins. Venom gland morphological analysis revealed extensive evolutionary tinkering. Anguid glands are characterized by thin capsules and mixed glands, serous at the bottom of the lobule and mucous toward the apex. Twice, independently this arrangement was segregated into specialized serous protein-secreting glands with thick capsules with the mucous lobules now distinct (Heloderma and the Lanthanotus/Varanus clade). The results obtained highlight the importance of utilizing evolution-based search strategies for biodiscovery and emphasize the largely untapped drug design and development potential of lizard venoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan G Fry
- Venomics Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Mazza R, Imbrogno S, Tota B. The interplay between chromogranin A-derived peptides and cardiac natriuretic peptides in cardioprotection against catecholamine-evoked stress. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 165:86-94. [PMID: 20594992 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2010.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Revised: 05/20/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Chromogranin A (CgA) is the major soluble protein co-stored and co-released with catecholamines (CAs) from secretory vesicles in the adrenal medulla chromaffin cells. Present in the diffuse neuroendocrine system, it has also been detected in rat and human cardiac secretory granules where it co-stores with natriuretic peptide hormones (NPs). Mounting evidence shows that CgA is a marker of cardiovascular dysfunctions (essential hypertension, hypertrophic and dilatative cardiomyopathy, heart failure) and precursor of the cardioactive peptides vasostatin-1 (VS-1) and catestatin (Cts). This review focuses on recent knowledge regarding the myocardial, coronary and anti-adrenergic actions of VS-1. In particular, the negative inotropism, lusitropism and coronary dilation effects of rat CgA1-64 (rCgA) and human recombinant STACgA1-78 (hrSTACgA1-78) are summarized with attention on their counteracting isoproterenol- and endothelin-1-induced positive inotropism, as well as ET-1-dependent coronary constriction. The interactions between vasostatins (VSs), NPs and CA receptors are proposed as a paradigm of the heart capacity to organize complex connection-integration processes for maintaining homeostasis under intense cardio-excitatory stimuli (myocardial stress).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Mazza
- Dept of Cell Biology, University of Calabria, 87030 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy.
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Nobata S, Ventura A, Kaiya H, Takei Y. Diversified cardiovascular actions of six homologous natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, VNP, CNP1, CNP3, and CNP4) in conscious eels. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2010; 298:R1549-59. [PMID: 20357024 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00789.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The natriuretic peptide (NP) family consists of seven paralogs [atrial NP (ANP), brain NP (BNP), ventricular NP (VNP), and C-type NP 1-4 (CNP1-4)] in teleosts, but relative biological activity of the seven NPs has not been comprehensively examined using homologous peptides. In this study, we newly identified CNP3 and CNP4 in eels to use homologous peptides, but the CNP2 gene may have been silenced in this species. The CNP4 gene was expressed exclusively in the brain as CNP1, but the CNP3 gene, from which cardiac ANP, BNP, and VNP were generated by tandem duplication, was most abundantly expressed in the pituitary, suggesting its local action. All NPs induced hypotension dose dependently after intra-arterial injection with a potency order of ANP > VNP > BNP > CNP4 > CNP1 = CNP3. The degree of hypotension was similar at the ventral and dorsal aorta, indicating similar actions on the branchial and systemic circulation. The hypotension induced by cardiac NPs was longer lasting than CNPs, probably because of the difference in preferential receptors. Among cardiac NPs, the hypotensive effect of VNP lasted much longer than those of ANP and BNP, even though VNP disappeared from the blood more quickly than ANP. To analyze the unique effect of VNP, we examined possible involvement of the autonomic nervous system using ANP, VNP, and CNP3. Beta-adrenergic blockade diminished hypotensive effects of all three NPs, but alpha-adrenergic and cholinergic blockade enhanced only the effect of VNP, suggesting a specific mechanism for the VNP action. The NP-induced tachycardia was diminished by all blockers examined. Furthermore, the cardiovascular action of VNP was not impaired by a blocker of NP receptor, HS-142-1. Taken together, the homologous NPs exhibit diverse cardiovascular actions in eels partially through the autonomic nervous system, and the unique VNP action may be mediated by a novel receptor that has not been identified in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigenori Nobata
- Laboratory of Physiology, Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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Cramp RL, De Vries I, Gary Anderson W, Franklin CE. Hormone-dependent dissociation of blood flow and secretion rate in the lingual salt glands of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. J Comp Physiol B 2010; 180:825-34. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-010-0464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2009] [Revised: 02/23/2010] [Accepted: 02/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Reptilian heart development and the molecular basis of cardiac chamber evolution. Nature 2009; 461:95-8. [PMID: 19727199 PMCID: PMC2753965 DOI: 10.1038/nature08324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2008] [Accepted: 07/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of terrestrial life witnessed the need for more sophisticated circulatory systems. This has evolved in birds, mammals, and crocodilians into complete septation of the heart into left and right sides, allowing separate pulmonary and systemic circulatory systems, a key requirement for the evolution of endothermy1–3. However, the evolution of the amniote heart is poorly understood. Reptilian hearts have been the subject of debate in the context of the evolution of cardiac septation: do they possess a single ventricular chamber or two incompletely septated ventricles4–7? We examined heart development in the red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans (a chelonian), and the green anole, Anolis carolinensis (a squamate), focusing on gene expression in the developing ventricles. Both reptiles initially form a ventricular chamber that homogenously expresses the T-box transcription factor gene Tbx5. In contrast, in birds and mammals, Tbx5 is restricted to left ventricle precursors8,9. In later stages, Tbx5 expression in the turtle (but not anole) heart is gradually restricted to a distinct left ventricle, forming a left-right gradient. This suggests that Tbx5 expression was refined during evolution to pattern the ventricles. In support of this hypothesis, we show that loss of Tbx5 in the mouse ventricle results in a single chamber lacking distinct identity, indicating a requirement for Tbx5 in septation. Importantly, misexpression of Tbx5 throughout the developing myocardium to mimic the reptilian expression pattern also results in a single mispatterned ventricular chamber lacking septation. Thus, ventricular septation is established by a steep and correctly positioned Tbx5 gradient. Our findings provide a molecular mechanism for the evolution of the amniote ventricle, and support the concept that altered expression of developmental regulators is a key mechanism of vertebrate evolution.
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Arjamaa O, Nikinmaa M. Natriuretic peptides in hormonal regulation of hypoxia responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2008; 296:R257-64. [PMID: 19005014 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.90696.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The possibility that natriuretic peptides' effects are important in hypoxia responses of vertebrates is reviewed. Both the transcription and release of natriuretic peptides are affected by oxygen tension. Furthermore, many of the effects observed in hypoxia, such as diuresis and a reduction of plasma volume, are also caused by treatment of the animal with natriuretic peptides. Also, several clinical observations about changes in natriuretic peptide levels in, e.g., sleep apnea and cyanotic congenital heart disease, are consistent with the idea that hypoxia is involved in the etiology of conditions, in which natriuretic peptide levels increase. Virtually all published information on the relationship between oxygen and natriuretic peptides is based on human studies. Because hypoxic conditions are more common in aquatic than terrestrial environments, future studies about the possible role of natriuretic peptides in hypoxia, as well as the role of hypoxia in the evolution of natriuretic peptides, including the different subtypes, should increasingly involve also aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olli Arjamaa
- Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
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