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Jaenen V, Bijnens K, Heleven M, Artois T, Smeets K. Live Imaging in Planarians: Immobilization and Real-Time Visualization of Reactive Oxygen Species. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2680:209-229. [PMID: 37428380 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3275-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Imaging of living animals allows the study of metabolic processes in relation to cellular structures or larger functional entities. To enable in vivo imaging during long-term time-lapses in planarians, we combined and optimized existing protocols, resulting in an easily reproducible and inexpensive procedure. Immobilization with low-melting-point agarose eliminates the use of anesthetics, avoids interfering with the animal during imaging-functionally or physically-and allows recovering the organisms after the imaging procedure. As an example, we used the immobilization workflow to image the highly dynamic and fast-changing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living animals. These reactive signaling molecules can only be studied in vivo and mapping their location and dynamics during different physiological conditions is crucial to understand their role in developmental processes and regeneration. In the current protocol, we describe both the immobilization and ROS detection procedure. We used the intensity of the signals together with pharmacological inhibitors to validate the signal specificity and to distinguish it from the autofluorescent nature of the planarian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Jaenen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Karolien Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Martijn Heleven
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tom Artois
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Karen Smeets
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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Xie C, Li X, Guo Z, Dong Y, Zhang S, Li A, Ma S, Xu J, Pang Q, Peijnenburg WJGM, Lynch I, Zhang P. Graphene oxide disruption of homeostasis and regeneration processes in freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica via intracellular redox deviation and apoptosis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 249:114431. [PMID: 36521269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114431] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aquatic system is a major sink for engineered nanomaterials released into the environment. Here, we assessed the toxicity of graphene oxide (GO) using the freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica, an invertebrate model that has been widely used for studying the effects of toxins on tissue regeneration and neuronal development. GO not only impaired the growth of normal (homeostatic) worms, but also inhibited the regeneration processes of regenerating (amputated) worms, with LC10 values of 9.86 mg/L and 9.32 mg/L for the 48-h acute toxicity test, respectively. High concentration (200 mg/L) of GO killed all the worms after 3 (regenerating) or 4 (homeostasis) days of exposure. Whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) and immunofluorescence analyses suggest GO impaired stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and subsequently caused cell apoptosis and oxidative DNA damage during planarian regeneration. Mechanistic analysis suggests that GO disturbed the antioxidative system (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and energy metabolism in the planarian at both molecular and genetic levels, thus causing reactive oxygen species (ROS) over accumulation and oxidative damage, including oxidative DNA damage, loss of mitochondrial membrane integrity, lack of energy supply for cell differentiation and proliferation leading to retardance of neuron regeneration. The intrinsic oxidative potential of GO contributes to the GO-induced toxicity in planarians. These data suggest that GO in aquatic systems can cause oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in planarians. Overall, regenerated tissues are more sensitive to GO toxicity than homeostatic ones, suggesting that careful handling and appropriate decisions are needed in the application of GO to achieve healing and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjian Xie
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiling Guo
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Yuling Dong
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Shujing Zhang
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Ao Li
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Shan Ma
- Zibo Environment Monitoring Center, Zibo 25500, Shandong, China
| | - Jianing Xu
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China.
| | - Willie J G M Peijnenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands; National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Safety of Substances and Products, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
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Yang Y, Wang L, Zhao Y, Ma F, Lin Z, Liu Y, Dong Z, Chen G, Liu D. PBDEs disrupt homeostasis maintenance and regeneration of planarians due to DNA damage, proliferation and apoptosis anomaly. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 248:114287. [PMID: 36371889 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as brominated flame retardants in the manufacturing industry, belonging to persistent organic pollutants in the environment. Planarians are the freshwater worms, with strong regenerative ability and extreme sensitivity to environmental toxicants. This study aimed to evaluate the potential acute comprehensive effects of PBDE-47/-209 on freshwater planarians. Methods to detect the effects include: detection of oxidative stress, observation of morphology and histology, detection of DNA fragmentation, and detection of cell proliferation and apoptosis. In the PBDE-47 treatment group, planarians showed increased oxidative stress intensity, severe tissue damage, increased DNA fragmentation level, and increased cell proliferation and apoptosis. In the PBDE-209 treatment group, planarians showed decreased oxidative stress intensity, slight tissue damage, almost unchanged DNA fragmentation level and apoptosis, proliferation increased only on the first day after treatment. In conclusion, both PBDE-47 and PBDE-209 are dangerous environmental hazardous material that can disrupt planarians homeostasis, while the toxicity of PBDE-47 is sever than PBDE-209 that PBDE-47 can lead to the death of planarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Yang
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Yuhao Zhao
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Fuhao Ma
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Ziyi Lin
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Yingyu Liu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Zimei Dong
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China.
| | - Guangwen Chen
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China.
| | - Dezeng Liu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang City, 453007 Henan, China
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Zhang J, Shao X, Zhao B, Zhai L, Liu N, Gong F, Ma X, Pan X, Zhao B, Yuan Z, Zhang X. Neurotoxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid and post-exposure recovery due to blueberry anthocyanins in the planarians Dugesia japonica. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114471. [PMID: 32268227 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a widely used synthetic industrial chemical which accumulates in ecosystems and organisms. Our study have investigated the neurobehavioral effects of PFOA and the alleviation effects of PFOA-induced neurotoxicity by blueberry anthocyanins (ANT) in Dugesia japonica. The planarians were exposed to PFOA and ANT for ten days. Researchs showed that exposure to PFOA affected locomotor behavior and ANT significantly alleviated the reduction in locomotion induced by PFOA. The regeneration of eyespots and auricles was suppressed by PFOA and was promoted by ANT. Following exposure to PFOA, acetylcholinesterase activity continually decreased and was unaffected in the ANT group, but was elevated after combined administration of PFOA and ANT. Oxidative DNA damage was found in planarians exposed to PFOA and was attenuated after administration of ANT by the alkaline comet assay. Concentrations of three neurotransmitters increased following exposure to PFOA and decreased after administration of ANT. Furthermore, ANT promoted and PFOA inhibited neuronal regeneration. DjotxA, DjotxB, DjFoxG, DjFoxD and Djnlg associated with neural processes were up-regulated following exposure to PFOA. Our findings indicate that PFOA is a neurotoxicant while ANT can attenuate these detrimental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Xinxin Shao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Baoying Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Liming Zhai
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Na Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Fangbin Gong
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Xue Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Xiaolu Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Zuoqing Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
| | - Xiufang Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
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Zhang J, Wang B, Zhao B, Li Y, Zhao X, Yuan Z. Blueberry anthocyanin alleviate perfluorooctanoic acid-induced toxicity in planarian (Dugesia japonica) by regulating oxidative stress biomarkers, ATP contents, DNA methylation and mRNA expression. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 245:957-964. [PMID: 30682752 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Blueberry anthocyanin (BA) have strong health benefits as an active natural antioxidant and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can result in oxidative stress in animals. In our study, the protective effects of BA against stress induced by PFOA was investigated in the planarian Dugesia japonica using oxidative stress biomarkers, ATP contents, ATPase activity, DNA methylation and mRNA expression. PFOA exposure could resulted in malondialdehyde production. At the same time, treatment with BA decreased the production of malondialdehyde in BA-exposed and co-treatment planarians. PFOA caused activities increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and activities decrease in glutathione reductase (GR). PFOA exposure decreased the GSH and ATP contents. Additionally, it increased the GSSG contents and ATPase activity. BA administration increased the activities of GPx, GST and GR in BA and co-treatment planarians. Meanwhile BA maintained the contents of ATP, ATPase activity, GSH and GSSG by alleviating PFOA toxicity. Moreover, PFOA and BA increased the contents of 5-methylcytosine and decreased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in all group. In addition, PFOA and BA treated planarians significantly altered the expression of genes associated with above biochemical parameters. The results showed that the mRNA expression of gpx, Djgst, gr, Djnak and dnmt1 were significantly elevated in all groups. Alterations in the mRNA expression levels indicated a stress response to PFOA exposure and anthocyanin protection. These alterations regulated biomarkers of oxidative stress, energy metabolism and DNA methylation levels in planarians. These results indicate that BA attenuated PFOA-induced oxidative stress, energy metabolism, DNA methylation and gene expression disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China
| | - Bin Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China
| | - Yanqing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China
| | - Xiuyun Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China
| | - Zuoqing Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, China.
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Zhao B, Shao X, Zhao B, Yuan Z, Zhang J. Application of blueberry anthocyanins reduces perfluorooctane sulfonate toxicity on planarians (Dugesia japonica) in locomotion, regeneration, and gene expression and contents. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:22095-22105. [PMID: 29802614 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2127-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) which has been distributed worldwide is a persistent organic contaminant. Blueberry anthocyanins (ANT) are phytonutrients with antioxidant activities. The influence of different PFOS and ANT concentrations on the behavioral activities, regeneration of planarians (Dugesia japonica), and the expression levels and contents of Djnad6 and Djcox1 genes has been investigated. PFOS treatments affected the gene expression levels, induced a decrease in the planarians' locomotor velocity, and increased the time required for the regeneration of the transverse amputated fragments in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Additionally, ANT treatments, to a certain extent, alleviated the damage caused by PFOS to planarians. ANT increased the planarians' locomotor velocity and the percentage of regenerating planarians with eyespots and auricles. Furthermore, ANT alleviated the expression disorders of Djnad6 and Djcox1 induced by PFOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoying Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Xinxin Shao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Zuoqing Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, China.
| | - Jianyong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, China
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Yuan Z, Miao Z, Gong X, Zhao B, Zhang Y, Ma H, Zhang J, Zhao B. Changes on lipid peroxidation,enzymatic activities and gene expression in planarian (Dugesia japonica) following exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 145:564-568. [PMID: 28800531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-induced stress response in planarians. We administered different concentrations of PFOA to planarians for up to 10 d. PFOA exposure resulted in significant concentration-dependent elevations in lipid peroxidation, glutathione S-transferase and caspase-3 protease activities, and a significant decline in glutathione peroxidase activities compared with control groups. Exposure to PFOA significantly up-regulated the heat shock proteins hsp70 and hsp90, and p53, and down-regulated hsp40 compared with controls. PFOA exposure also increased HSP70 protein levels, as demonstrated by western blot analysis. These alterations indicated that PFOA exposure induced a stress response and affected the regulation of oxidative stress, enzymatic activities and gene expression. These results suggest that these sensitive parameters, together with other biomarkers, could be used for evaluating toxicity, for ecological risk assessment of PFOA in freshwaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoqing Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Zili Miao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Xiaoning Gong
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Baoying Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Hongdou Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Jianyong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China.
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China.
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Yuan Z, Zhang J, Tu C, Wang Z, Xin W. The protective effect of blueberry anthocyanins against perfluorooctanoic acid-induced disturbance in planarian (Dugesia japonica). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2016; 127:170-174. [PMID: 26836138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The influence of blueberry anthocyanins on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-induced stress response in planarian mitochondria was investigated. PFOA at 15mg/L and anthocyanins at 10 or 20mg/L were individually and simultaneously administered to planarians for up to 10d. The results showed PFOA treatment induced an increase in mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and a decrease antioxidant capacity and enzyme activities. In anthocyanin treated animals, the activity of succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase and monoamine oxidase increased, but mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening decreased and total antioxidant capacity increased. An improvement in above-mentioned physiological and biochemical parameters was found in the combined PFOA and anthocyanin treated animals, in a dose-dependent manner. Anthocyanins attenuated the PFOA induced toxicity; antioxidant capacity and enzyme activities are involved in the protective mechanism of anthocyanins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoqing Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 12 Zhangzhou Road, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Jianyong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 12 Zhangzhou Road, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China.
| | - Changchao Tu
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 12 Zhangzhou Road, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Zhijing Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 12 Zhangzhou Road, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
| | - Wenpeng Xin
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, No. 12 Zhangzhou Road, Zibo, Shandong 255049, China
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Hagstrom D, Cochet-Escartin O, Collins EMS. Planarian brain regeneration as a model system for developmental neurotoxicology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 3:65-77. [PMID: 27499880 PMCID: PMC4895328 DOI: 10.1002/reg2.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Freshwater planarians, famous for their regenerative prowess, have long been recognized as a valuable in vivo animal model to study the effects of chemical exposure. In this review, we summarize the current techniques and tools used in the literature to assess toxicity in the planarian system. We focus on the planarian's particular amenability for neurotoxicology and neuroregeneration studies, owing to the planarian's unique ability to regenerate a centralized nervous system. Zooming in from the organismal to the molecular level, we show that planarians offer a repertoire of morphological and behavioral readouts while also being amenable to mechanistic studies of compound toxicity. Finally, we discuss the open challenges and opportunities for planarian brain regeneration to become an important model system for modern toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Hagstrom
- Division of Biological Sciences University of California San Diego, La Jolla California 92093 USA
| | | | - Eva-Maria S Collins
- Division of Biological Sciences University of California San Diego, La Jolla California 92093 USA; Department of Physics University of California San Diego, La Jolla California 92093 USA
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Wheeler NJ, Agbedanu PN, Kimber MJ, Ribeiro P, Day TA, Zamanian M. Functional analysis of Girardia tigrina transcriptome seeds pipeline for anthelmintic target discovery. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:34. [PMID: 25600302 PMCID: PMC4304616 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0622-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neglected diseases caused by helminth infections impose a massive hindrance to progress in the developing world. While basic research on parasitic flatworms (platyhelminths) continues to expand, researchers have yet to broadly adopt a free-living model to complement the study of these important parasites. METHODS We report the high-coverage sequencing (RNA-Seq) and assembly of the transcriptome of the planarian Girardia tigrina across a set of dynamic conditions. The assembly was annotated and extensive orthology analysis was used to seed a pipeline for the rational prioritization and validation of putative anthelmintic targets. A small number of targets conserved between parasitic and free-living flatworms were comparatively interrogated. RESULTS 240 million paired-end reads were assembled de novo to produce a strictly filtered predicted proteome consisting of over 22,000 proteins. Gene Ontology annotations were extended to 16,467 proteins. 2,693 sequences were identified in orthology groups spanning flukes, tapeworms and planaria, with 441 highlighted as belonging to druggable protein families. Chemical inhibitors were used on three targets in pharmacological screens using both planaria and schistosomula, revealing distinct motility phenotypes that were shown to correlate with planarian RNAi phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS This work provides the first comprehensive and annotated sequence resource for the model planarian G. tigrina, alongside a prioritized list of candidate drug targets conserved among parasitic and free-living flatworms. As proof of principle, we show that a simple RNAi and pharmacology pipeline in the more convenient planarian model system can inform parasite biology and serve as an efficient screening tool for the identification of lucrative anthelmintic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas J Wheeler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010, USA.
| | - Prince N Agbedanu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010, USA.
| | - Michael J Kimber
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010, USA.
| | - Paula Ribeiro
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - Tim A Day
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010, USA.
| | - Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010, USA. .,Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada.
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