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Anselmi C, Fuller GK, Stolfi A, Groves AK, Manni L. Sensory cells in tunicates: insights into mechanoreceptor evolution. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1359207. [PMID: 38550380 PMCID: PMC10973136 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1359207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Tunicates, the sister group of vertebrates, offer a unique perspective for evolutionary developmental studies (Evo-Devo) due to their simple anatomical organization. Moreover, the separation of tunicates from vertebrates predated the vertebrate-specific genome duplications. As adults, they include both sessile and pelagic species, with very limited mobility requirements related mainly to water filtration. In sessile species, larvae exhibit simple swimming behaviors that are required for the selection of a suitable substrate on which to metamorphose. Despite their apparent simplicity, tunicates display a variety of mechanoreceptor structures involving both primary and secondary sensory cells (i.e., coronal sensory cells). This review encapsulates two decades of research on tunicate mechanoreception focusing on the coronal organ's sensory cells as prime candidates for understanding the evolution of vertebrate hair cells of the inner ear and the lateral line organ. The review spans anatomical, cellular and molecular levels emphasizing both similarity and differences between tunicate and vertebrate mechanoreception strategies. The evolutionary significance of mechanoreception is discussed within the broader context of Evo-Devo studies, shedding light on the intricate pathways that have shaped the sensory system in chordates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Anselmi
- Hopkins Marine Station, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, United States
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Gwynna K. Fuller
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Alberto Stolfi
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Andrew K. Groves
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lucia Manni
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
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2
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Cheng J, Li S, Li X, Zhan A. Influence of calcium concentration on larval adhesion in a highly invasive fouling ascidian: From morphological changes to molecular mechanisms. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116119. [PMID: 38325201 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Calcium ion (Ca2+) is involved in the protein-mediated larval adhesion of fouling ascidians, yet the effects of environmental Ca2+ on larval adhesion remain largely unexplored. Here, the larvae of fouling ascidian C. robusta were exposed to different concentrations of Ca2+. Exposures to low-concentration (0 mM and 5 mM) and high-concentration (20 mM and 40 mM) Ca2+ significantly decreased the adhesion rate of larvae, which was primarily attributed to the decreases in adhesive structure length and curvature. Changes in the expressions of genes encoding adhesion-, microvilli-, muscle contraction-, and collagen-related proteins provided a molecular-level explanation for adhesion rate reduction. Additionally, larvae likely prioritized their energy towards immunomodulation in response to Ca2+ stresses, ultimately leading to adhesion reduction. These findings advance our understanding of the influencing mechanisms of environmental Ca2+ on larval adhesion, which are expected to provide references for the development of precise antifouling strategies against ascidians and other fouling species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Cheng
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shiguo Li
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Xi Li
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Aibin Zhan
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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3
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Totsuka NM, Kuwana S, Sawai S, Oka K, Sasakura Y, Hotta K. Distribution changes of non-self-test cells and self-tunic cells surrounding the outer body during Ciona metamorphosis. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:1363-1374. [PMID: 37341471 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.636] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ascidians significantly change their body structure through metamorphosis, but the spatio-temporal cell dynamics in the early metamorphosis stage has not been clarified. A natural Ciona embryo is surrounded by maternally derived non-self-test cells before metamorphosis. However, after metamorphosis, the juvenile is surrounded by self-tunic cells derived from mesenchymal cell lineages. Both test cells and tunic cells are thought to be changed their distributions during metamorphosis, but the precise timing is unknown. RESULTS Using a metamorphosis induction by mechanical stimulation, we investigated the dynamics of mesenchymal cells during metamorphosis in a precise time course. After the stimulation, two-round Ca2+ transients were observed. Migrating mesenchymal cells came out through the epidermis within 10 min after the second phase. We named this event "cell extravasation." The cell extravasation occurred at the same time as the backward movement of posterior trunk epidermal cells. Timelapse imaging of transgenic-line larva revealed that non-self-test cells and self-tunic cells temporarily coexist outside the body until the test cells are eliminated. At the juvenile stage, only extravasated self-tunic cells remained outside the body. CONCLUSIONS We found that mesenchymal cells extravasated following two-round Ca2+ transients, and distributions of test cells and tunic cells changed in the outer body after tail regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomu M Totsuka
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuwana
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Sawai
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Oka
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
- Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Sasakura
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kohji Hotta
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Lin B, Shi W, Lu Q, Shito TT, Yu H, Dong B. Establishment of a developmental atlas and transgenetic tools in the ascidian Styela clava. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 5:435-454. [PMID: 38045543 PMCID: PMC10689645 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-023-00200-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The ascidian Styela clava is an ecologically important species that is distributed along coastal regions worldwide. It has a long history as a model animal for evolutionary and developmental biology research owing to its phylogenetic position between vertebrates and invertebrates, and its classical mosaic expression patterns. However, the standard developmental atlas and protocols and tools for molecular manipulation of this organism are inadequate. In this study, we established a standard developmental table and provided a web-based digital image resource for S. clava embryogenesis at each developmental stage from fertilized eggs to hatching larvae by utilizing confocal laser microscopy and 3D reconstruction images. It takes around 10 h for fertilized eggs to develop into swimming larvae and 20-30 min to complete the tail regression processes at the metamorphic stage. We observed that the notochord cells in S. clava embryos did not produce an extracellular lumen like Ciona robusta, but showed polarized elongation behaviors, providing us an ideal comparative model to study tissue morphogenesis. In addition, we established a chemical-washing procedure to remove the chorion easily from the fertilized eggs. Based on the dechorionation technique, we further realized transgenic manipulation by electroporation and successfully applied tissue-specific fluorescent labeling in S. clava embryos. Our work provides a standard imaging atlas and powerful genetic tools for investigating embryogenesis and evolution using S. clava as a model organism. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-023-00200-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Lin
- Fang Zongxi Center, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Wenjie Shi
- Fang Zongxi Center, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Qiongxuan Lu
- Fang Zongxi Center, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Takumi T. Shito
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, 223-8522 Japan
| | - Haiyan Yu
- Fang Zongxi Center, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Bo Dong
- Fang Zongxi Center, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, 266237 China
- MoE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
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5
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Johnson CJ, Kulkarni A, Buxton WJ, Hui TY, Kayastha A, Khoja AA, Leandre J, Mehta VV, Ostrowski L, Pareizs EG, Scotto RL, Vargas V, Vellingiri RM, Verzino G, Vohra R, Wakade SC, Winkeljohn VM, Winkeljohn VM, Rotterman TM, Stolfi A. Using CRISPR/Cas9 to identify genes required for mechanosensory neuron development and function. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio060002. [PMID: 37589291 PMCID: PMC10497037 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060002] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tunicates are marine, non-vertebrate chordates that comprise the sister group to the vertebrates. Most tunicates have a biphasic lifecycle that alternates between a swimming larva and a sessile adult. Recent advances have shed light on the neural basis for the tunicate larva's ability to sense a proper substrate for settlement and initiate metamorphosis. Work in the highly tractable laboratory model tunicate Ciona robusta suggests that sensory neurons embedded in the anterior papillae transduce mechanosensory stimuli to trigger larval tail retraction and initiate the process of metamorphosis. Here, we take advantage of the low-cost and simplicity of Ciona by using tissue-specific CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis to screen for genes potentially involved in mechanosensation and metamorphosis, in the context of an undergraduate 'capstone' research course. This small screen revealed at least one gene, Vamp1/2/3, which appears crucial for the ability of the papillae to trigger metamorphosis. We also provide step-by-step protocols and tutorials associated with this course, in the hope that it might be replicated in similar CRISPR-based laboratory courses wherever Ciona are available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Akhil Kulkarni
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - William J. Buxton
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Tsz Y. Hui
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Anusha Kayastha
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Alwin A. Khoja
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Joviane Leandre
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Vanshika V. Mehta
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Logan Ostrowski
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Erica G. Pareizs
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Scotto
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Vanesa Vargas
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Raveena M. Vellingiri
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Giulia Verzino
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Rhea Vohra
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Saurabh C. Wakade
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | | | | | - Travis M. Rotterman
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Alberto Stolfi
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
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6
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Johnson CJ, Kulkarni A, Buxton WJ, Hui TY, Kayastha A, Khoja AA, Leandre J, Mehta VV, Ostrowski L, Pareizs EG, Scotto RL, Vargas V, Vellingiri RM, Verzino G, Vohra R, Wakade SC, Winkeljohn VM, Winkeljohn VM, Rotterman TM, Stolfi A. Using CRISPR/Cas9 to identify genes required for mechanosensory neuron development and function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.08.539861. [PMID: 37214826 PMCID: PMC10197531 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.08.539861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tunicates are marine, non-vertebrate chordates that comprise the sister group to the vertebrates. Most tunicates have a biphasic lifecycle that alternates between a swimming larva and a sessile adult. Recent advances have shed light on the neural basis for the tunicate larva's ability to sense a proper substrate for settlement and initiate metamorphosis. Work in the highly tractable laboratory model tunicate Ciona robusta suggests that sensory neurons embedded in the anterior papillae of transduce mechanosensory stimuli to trigger larval tail retraction and initiate the process of metamorphosis. Here, we take advantage of the low-cost and simplicity of Ciona by using tissue-specific CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis to screen for genes potentially involved in mechanosensation and metamorphosis, in the context of an undergraduate "capstone" research course. This small screen revealed at least one gene, Vamp1/2/3 , that appears crucial for the ability of the papillae to trigger metamorphosis. We also provide step-by-step protocols and tutorials associated with this course, in the hope that it might be replicated in similar CRISPR-based laboratory courses wherever Ciona are available.
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7
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Sakamoto A, Hozumi A, Shiraishi A, Satake H, Horie T, Sasakura Y. The
TRP
channel
PKD2
is involved in sensing the mechanical stimulus of adhesion for initiating metamorphosis in the chordate
Ciona. Dev Growth Differ 2022; 64:395-408. [DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aya Sakamoto
- Shimoda Marine Research Center University of Tsukuba, Shimoda Shizuoka Japan
| | - Akiko Hozumi
- Shimoda Marine Research Center University of Tsukuba, Shimoda Shizuoka Japan
| | - Akira Shiraishi
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences Kyoto Japan
| | - Honoo Satake
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences Kyoto Japan
| | - Takeo Horie
- Shimoda Marine Research Center University of Tsukuba, Shimoda Shizuoka Japan
| | - Yasunori Sasakura
- Shimoda Marine Research Center University of Tsukuba, Shimoda Shizuoka Japan
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8
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Hashimura H, Morimoto YV, Hirayama Y, Ueda M. Calcium responses to external mechanical stimuli in the multicellular stage of Dictyostelium discoideum. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12428. [PMID: 35859163 PMCID: PMC9300675 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16774-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium acts as a second messenger to regulate many cellular functions, including cell motility. In Dictyostelium discoideum, the cytosolic calcium level oscillates synchronously, and calcium waves propagate through the cell population during the early stages of development, including aggregation. In the unicellular phase, the calcium response through Piezo channels also functions in mechanosensing. However, calcium dynamics during multicellular morphogenesis are still unclear. Here, live imaging of cytosolic calcium revealed that calcium wave propagation, depending on cAMP relay, disappeared at the onset of multicellular body (slug) formation. Later, other forms of occasional calcium bursts and their propagation were observed in both anterior and posterior regions of migrating slugs. This calcium signaling also occurred in response to mechanical stimuli. Two pathways—calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum via IP3 receptor and calcium influx from outside the cell—were involved in calcium signals induced by mechanical stimuli. These data suggest that calcium signaling is involved in mechanosensing in both the unicellular and multicellular phases of Dictyostelium development using different molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Hashimura
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka, 565-0874, Japan.,Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Yusuke V Morimoto
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka, 565-0874, Japan. .,Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 680-4 Kawazu, Iizuka, Fukuoka, 820-8502, Japan. .,Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.
| | - Yusei Hirayama
- Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 680-4 Kawazu, Iizuka, Fukuoka, 820-8502, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ueda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka, 565-0874, Japan.,Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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9
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Effects of Exposure to Trade Antifouling Paints and Biocides on Larval Settlement and Metamorphosis of the Compound Ascidian Botryllus schlosseri. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10020123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the effects of antifouling paints and biocides on larval settlement and metamorphosis, newly hatched swimming larvae of the compound ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, a dominant species of soft-fouling in coastal communities, were exposed to (i) substrata coated with seven antifouling paints on the market containing different biocidal mixtures and types of matrices and (ii) sea water containing various concentrations of eight biocidal constituents. All antifouling paints showed high performance, causing 100% mortality and metamorphic inhibition, with ≥75% not-settled dead larvae. All antifouling biocides prevented the settlement of larvae. The most severe larval malformations, i.e., (i) the formation of a bubble encasing the cephalenteron and (ii) the inhibition of tail resorption, were observed after exposure to metal and organometal compounds, including tributyltin (TBT) at 1 μM (325.5 µg L−1), zinc pyrithione (ZnP) at 1 μM (317.7 µg L−1), and CuCl at 0.1 μM (98.99 µg L−1), and to antimicrobials and fungicides, including Sea-Nine 211 at 1 μM (282.2 µg L−1) and Chlorothalonil at 1 μM (265.9 µg L−1). The herbicides seemed to be less active. Irgarol 1051 was not lethal at any of the concentrations tested. Diuron at 250 μM (58.2 mg L−1) and 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulphonyl)pyridine (TCMS pyridine) at 50 μM (14.8 mg L−1) completely inhibited larval metamorphosis. These results may have important implications for the practical use of different antifouling components, highlighting the importance of their testing for negative impacts on native benthic species.
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10
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Akahoshi T, Utsumi MK, Oonuma K, Murakami M, Horie T, Kusakabe TG, Oka K, Hotta K. A single motor neuron determines the rhythm of early motor behavior in Ciona. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabl6053. [PMID: 34890229 PMCID: PMC8664258 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl6053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Recent work in tunicate supports the similarity between the motor circuits of vertebrates and basal deuterostome lineages. To understand how the rhythmic activity in motor circuits is acquired during development of protochordate Ciona, we investigated the coordination of the motor response by identifying a single pair of oscillatory motor neurons (MN2/A10.64). The MN2 neurons had Ca2+ oscillation with an ~80-s interval that was cell autonomous even in a dissociated single cell. The Ca2+ oscillation of MN2 coincided with the early tail flick (ETF). The spikes of the membrane potential in MN2 gradually correlated with the rhythm of ipsilateral muscle contractions in ETFs. The optogenetic experiments indicated that MN2 is a necessary and sufficient component of ETFs. These results indicate that MN2 is indispensable for the early spontaneous rhythmic motor behavior of Ciona. Our findings shed light on the understanding of development and evolution of chordate rhythmical locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taichi Akahoshi
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Kohoku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Madoka K. Utsumi
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Kohoku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Kouhei Oonuma
- Institute for Integrative Neurobiology and Department of Biology, Konan University, Kobe 658-8501, Japan
| | - Makoto Murakami
- Institute for Integrative Neurobiology and Department of Biology, Konan University, Kobe 658-8501, Japan
| | - Takeo Horie
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda 415-0025, Japan
| | - Takehiro G. Kusakabe
- Institute for Integrative Neurobiology and Department of Biology, Konan University, Kobe 658-8501, Japan
| | - Kotaro Oka
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Kohoku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Kohji Hotta
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Kohoku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
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