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Kobayashi A, Hamada M, Yoshida MA, Kobayashi Y, Tsutsui N, Sekiguchi T, Matsukawa Y, Maejima S, Gingell JJ, Sekiguchi S, Hamamoto A, Hay DL, Morris JF, Sakamoto T, Sakamoto H. Vasopressin-oxytocin-type signaling is ancient and has a conserved water homeostasis role in euryhaline marine planarians. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk0331. [PMID: 35245108 PMCID: PMC8896804 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Vasopressin/oxytocin (VP/OT)-related peptides are essential for mammalian antidiuresis, sociosexual behavior, and reproduction. However, the evolutionary origin of this peptide system is still uncertain. Here, we identify orthologous genes to those for VP/OT in Platyhelminthes, intertidal planarians that have a simple bilaterian body structure but lack a coelom and body-fluid circulatory system. We report a comprehensive characterization of the neuropeptide derived from this VP/OT-type gene, identifying its functional receptor, and name it the "platytocin" system. Our experiments with these euryhaline planarians, living where environmental salinities fluctuate due to evaporation and rainfall, suggest that platytocin functions as an "antidiuretic hormone" and also organizes diverse actions including reproduction and chemosensory-associated behavior. We propose that bilaterians acquired physiological adaptations to amphibious lives by such regulation of the body fluids. This neuropeptide-secreting system clearly became indispensable for life even without the development of a vascular circulatory system or relevant synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoshi Kobayashi
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
| | - Mayuko Hamada
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
| | - Masa-aki Yoshida
- Oki Marine Biological Station, Shimane University, 194 Kamo, Okinoshima, Oki, Shimane 685-0024, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Kobayashi
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
- Laboratory for Aquatic Biology, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University, Nakamachi, Nara, Japan
| | - Naoaki Tsutsui
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
- Department of Marine Bioresources, Faculty of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Toshio Sekiguchi
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Division of Marine Environmental Studies, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-cho, Ishikawa 927-0553, Japan
- School of Biological Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yuta Matsukawa
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
| | - Sho Maejima
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
| | - Joseph J. Gingell
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Europe) Ltd., Milton Park, Abingdon OX11 4RW, UK
| | - Shoko Sekiguchi
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
| | - Ayumu Hamamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Kita-ku, Tsushimanaka, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Debbie L. Hay
- School of Biological Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | - John F. Morris
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetic, Le Gros Clark Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetic, Le Gros Clark Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
- Corresponding author.
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Inoue T, Agata K. Quantification of planarian behaviors. Dev Growth Differ 2021; 64:16-37. [PMID: 34866186 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Research on individual behaviors can help to reveal the processes and mechanisms that mediate an animal's habits and interactions with the environment. Importantly, individual behaviors arise as outcomes of genetic programs, morphogenesis, physiological processes, and neural functions; thus, behavioral analyses can be used to detect disorders in these processes. Planarians belong to an early branching bilateral group of organisms that possess a simple central nervous system. Furthermore, planarians display various behavioral responses to the environment via their nervous system. Planarians also have remarkable regenerative abilities, including whole-brain regeneration. Therefore, the combination of planarians' phylogenetic position, behavioral properties, regenerative ability, and genetic accessibility provides a unique opportunity to understand the basic mechanisms underlying the anatomical properties of neural morphogenesis and the dynamic physiological processes and neural function. Here, we describe a step-by-step protocol for conducting simple behavioral analyses in planarians with the aim of helping to introduce researchers to the utility of performing behavioral analyses in planarians. Since the conditions of planarians impact experimental results and reproducibility, this protocol begins with a method for maintaining planarians. Next, we introduce the behavioral tests as well as the methods for quantifying them using minimal and cost-effective equipment and materials. Finally, we present a unique RNAi technique that enables conditional silencing of neural activity in the brain of planarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Inoue
- Division of Adaptation Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Agata
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
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Almazan EMP, Ryan JF, Rouhana L. Regeneration of Planarian Auricles and Reestablishment of Chemotactic Ability. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:777951. [PMID: 34901022 PMCID: PMC8662385 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.777951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of chemical stimuli is crucial for living systems and also contributes to quality of life in humans. Since loss of olfaction becomes more prevalent with aging, longer life expectancies have fueled interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the development and maintenance of chemical sensing. Planarian flatworms possess an unsurpassed ability for stem cell-driven regeneration that allows them to restore any damaged or removed part of their bodies. This includes anteriorly-positioned lateral flaps known as auricles, which have long been thought to play a central role in chemotaxis. The contribution of auricles to the detection of positive chemical stimuli was tested in this study using Girardia dorotocephala, a North American planarian species known for its morphologically prominent auricles. Behavioral experiments staged under laboratory conditions revealed that removal of auricles by amputation leads to a significant decrease in the ability of planarians to find food. However, full chemotactic capacity is observed as early as 2 days post-amputation, which is days prior from restoration of auricle morphology, but correlative with accumulation of ciliated cells in the position of auricle regeneration. Planarians subjected to x-ray irradiation prior to auricle amputation were unable to restore auricle morphology, but were still able to restore chemotactic capacity. These results indicate that although regeneration of auricle morphology requires stem cells, some restoration of chemotactic ability can still be achieved in the absence of normal auricle morphology, corroborating with the initial observation that chemotactic success is reestablished 2-days post-amputation in our assays. Transcriptome profiles of excised auricles were obtained to facilitate molecular characterization of these structures, as well as the identification of genes that contribute to chemotaxis and auricle development. A significant overlap was found between genes with preferential expression in auricles of G. dorotocephala and genes with reduced expression upon SoxB1 knockdown in Schmidtea mediterranea, suggesting that SoxB1 has a conserved role in regulating auricle development and function. Models that distinguish between possible contributions to chemotactic behavior obtained from cellular composition, as compared to anatomical morphology of the auricles, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph F. Ryan
- Whitney Laboratory of Marine Biosciences, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Labib Rouhana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, United States
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Martinez O, Sire S, Saunier A, Malgouyres JM, Fournier A, Vignet C. Behavioral responses of three freshwater planaria species to light, visual and olfactory stimuli: Setting the stage for further ecotoxicological studies. Behav Processes 2020; 183:104295. [PMID: 33383124 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2020.104295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Planarians are freshwater flatworms commonly used as environmental bioindicator due to their sensitivity of response and their ease of culturing in lab. Nevertheless, to date, very few studies describing their behavior have been led. This work aims to fill the literature gap by providing preliminary results through six behavioral challenges (locomotion, exploration, light stress, planarian light/dark test, shoaling and foraging) conducted with three different species Dugesia tigrina, Schmidtea mediterranea and Schmidtea polychroa. The behavioral responses of every species in each of these six assays were recorded and differences between species were highlighted, depending on the assays and conditions. Schmidtea polychroa is less active than the two others and had the highest light aversion. Reactions observed in response to diverse and realistic stimuli helped us to select the most suitable tests and choose the species that seem the most appropriate for future ecotoxicological and neurophysiological tests. Four tests - out of the six tested- seem reliable in order to standardize planarian behavioral tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odile Martinez
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives (BTSB), EA7417, INU Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France
| | - Sacha Sire
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives (BTSB), EA7417, INU Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France
| | - Alice Saunier
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives (BTSB), EA7417, INU Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France
| | - Jean-Michel Malgouyres
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives (BTSB), EA7417, INU Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France
| | - Alice Fournier
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives (BTSB), EA7417, INU Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France
| | - Caroline Vignet
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives (BTSB), EA7417, INU Champollion, Place de Verdun, 81000, Albi, France.
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Mori M, Narahashi M, Hayashi T, Ishida M, Kumagai N, Sato Y, Bagherzadeh R, Agata K, Inoue T. Calcium ions in the aquatic environment drive planarians to food. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2019; 5:31. [PMID: 31720007 PMCID: PMC6836377 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-019-0147-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even subtle changes in environmental factors can exert behavioral effects on creatures, which may alter interspecific interactions and eventually affect the ecosystem. However, how changes in environmental factors impact complex behaviors regulated by neural processes is largely unknown. The freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica, a free-living flatworm, displays distinct behavioral traits mediated by sensitive perception of environmental cues. Planarians are thus useful organisms for examining interactions between environmental changes and specific behaviors of animals. RESULTS Here we found that feeding behavior was suppressed when the concentration of ions in the breeding water was low, while other behaviors were unaffected, resulting in differences in population size. Notably, the decline in feeding behavior was reversed in an ion-concentration-dependent manner soon after the planarians were moved to ion-containing water, which suggests that ions in environmental water rapidly promote feeding behavior in planarians. Moreover, the concentration of ions in the environmental water affected the feeding behavior by modulating the sensitivity of the response to foods. Finally, we found that calcium ions in the aquatic environment were required for the feeding behavior, and exposure to higher levels of calcium ions enhanced the feeding behavior, showing that there was a good correlation between the concentration of calcium ions and the responsiveness of planarians to foods. CONCLUSIONS Environmental calcium ions are indispensable for and potentiate the activity level of the feeding behavior of planarians. Our findings suggest that the ions in the aquatic environment profoundly impact the growth and survival of aquatic animals via modulating their neural activities and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Mori
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maria Narahashi
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsutaro Hayashi
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Miyuki Ishida
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Kumagai
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Sato
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Reza Bagherzadeh
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Banihashem, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Banihashem, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiyokazu Agata
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwake, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Science, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Takeshi Inoue
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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