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Gühmann M, Porter ML, Bok MJ. The Gluopsins: Opsins without the Retinal Binding Lysine. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152441. [PMID: 35954284 PMCID: PMC9368030 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Opsins allow us to see. They are G-protein-coupled receptors and bind as ligand retinal, which is bound covalently to a lysine in the seventh transmembrane domain. This makes opsins light-sensitive. The lysine is so conserved that it is used to define a sequence as an opsin and thus phylogenetic opsin reconstructions discard any sequence without it. However, recently, opsins were found that function not only as photoreceptors but also as chemoreceptors. For chemoreception, the lysine is not needed. Therefore, we wondered: Do opsins exists that have lost this lysine during evolution? To find such opsins, we built an automatic pipeline for reconstructing a large-scale opsin phylogeny. The pipeline compiles and aligns sequences from public sources, reconstructs the phylogeny, prunes rogue sequences, and visualizes the resulting tree. Our final opsin phylogeny is the largest to date with 4956 opsins. Among them is a clade of 33 opsins that have the lysine replaced by glutamic acid. Thus, we call them gluopsins. The gluopsins are mainly dragonfly and butterfly opsins, closely related to the RGR-opsins and the retinochromes. Like those, they have a derived NPxxY motif. However, what their particular function is, remains to be seen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gühmann
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Megan L. Porter
- Department of Biology, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Michael J. Bok
- Lund Vision Group, Department of Biology, University of Lund, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
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Vöcking O, Leclère L, Hausen H. The rhodopsin-retinochrome system for retinal re-isomerization predates the origin of cephalopod eyes. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:215. [PMID: 34844573 PMCID: PMC8628405 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01939-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The process of photoreception in most animals depends on the light induced isomerization of the chromophore retinal, bound to rhodopsin. To re-use retinal, the all-trans-retinal form needs to be re-isomerized to 11-cis-retinal, which can be achieved in different ways. In vertebrates, this mostly includes a stepwise enzymatic process called the visual cycle. The best studied re-isomerization system in protostomes is the rhodopsin-retinochrome system of cephalopods, which consists of rhodopsin, the photoisomerase retinochrome and the protein RALBP functioning as shuttle for retinal. In this study we investigate the expression of the rhodopsin-retinochrome system and functional components of the vertebrate visual cycle in a polyplacophoran mollusk, Leptochiton asellus, and examine the phylogenetic distribution of the individual components in other protostome animals. Results Tree-based orthology assignments revealed that orthologs of the cephalopod retinochrome and RALBP are present in mollusks outside of cephalopods. By mining our dataset for vertebrate visual cycle components, we also found orthologs of the retinoid binding protein RLBP1, in polyplacophoran mollusks, cephalopods and a phoronid. In situ hybridization and antibody staining revealed that L. asellus retinochrome is co-expressed in the larval chiton photoreceptor cells (PRCs) with the visual rhodopsin, RALBP and RLBP1. In addition, multiple retinal dehydrogenases are expressed in the PRCs, which might also contribute to the rhodopsin-retinochrome system. Conclusions We conclude that the rhodopsin-retinochrome system is a common feature of mollusk PRCs and predates the origin of cephalopod eyes. Our results show that this system has to be extended by adding further components, which surprisingly, are shared with vertebrates. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-021-01939-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Vöcking
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, 5008, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Thomas Hunt Morgan Building, 675 Rose Street, Lexington, KY, 40508, USA.
| | - Lucas Leclère
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Harald Hausen
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 55, 5008, Bergen, Norway
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Martin C, Gross V, Hering L, Tepper B, Jahn H, de Sena Oliveira I, Stevenson PA, Mayer G. The nervous and visual systems of onychophorans and tardigrades: learning about arthropod evolution from their closest relatives. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2017; 203:565-590. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-017-1186-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Kelber A. Colour in the eye of the beholder: receptor sensitivities and neural circuits underlying colour opponency and colour perception. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2016; 41:106-112. [PMID: 27649467 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Colour vision-the ability to discriminate spectral differences irrespective of variations in intensity-has two basic requirements: (1) photoreceptors with different spectral sensitivities, and (2) neural comparison of signals from these photoreceptors. Major progress has been made understanding the evolution of the basic stages of colour vision-opsin pigments, screening pigments, and the first neurons coding chromatic opponency, and similarities between mammals and insects point to general mechanisms. However, much work is still needed to unravel full colour pathways in various animals. While primates may have brain regions entirely dedicated to colour coding, animals with small brains, such as insects, likely combine colour information directly in parallel multisensory pathways controlling various behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almut Kelber
- Lund Vision Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden.
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Battelle BA. Simple Eyes, Extraocular Photoreceptors and Opsins in the American Horseshoe Crab. Integr Comp Biol 2016; 56:809-819. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icw093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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Battelle BA, Ryan JF, Kempler KE, Saraf SR, Marten CE, Warren WC, Minx PJ, Montague MJ, Green PJ, Schmidt SA, Fulton L, Patel NH, Protas ME, Wilson RK, Porter ML. Opsin Repertoire and Expression Patterns in Horseshoe Crabs: Evidence from the Genome of Limulus polyphemus (Arthropoda: Chelicerata). Genome Biol Evol 2016; 8:1571-89. [PMID: 27189985 PMCID: PMC4898813 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Horseshoe crabs are xiphosuran chelicerates, the sister group to arachnids. As such, they are important for understanding the most recent common ancestor of Euchelicerata and the evolution and diversification of Arthropoda. Limulus polyphemus is the most investigated of the four extant species of horseshoe crabs, and the structure and function of its visual system have long been a major focus of studies critical for understanding the evolution of visual systems in arthropods. Likewise, studies of genes encoding Limulus opsins, the protein component of the visual pigments, are critical for understanding opsin evolution and diversification among chelicerates, where knowledge of opsins is limited, and more broadly among arthropods. In the present study, we sequenced and assembled a high quality nuclear genomic sequence of L. polyphemus and used these data to annotate the full repertoire of Limulus opsins. We conducted a detailed phylogenetic analysis of Limulus opsins, including using gene structure and synteny information to identify relationships among different opsin classes. We used our phylogeny to identify significant genomic events that shaped opsin evolution and therefore the visual system of Limulus We also describe the tissue expression patterns of the 18 opsins identified and show that transcripts encoding a number, including a peropsin, are present throughout the central nervous system. In addition to significantly extending our understanding of photosensitivity in Limulus and providing critical insight into the genomic evolution of horseshoe crab opsins, this work provides a valuable genomic resource for addressing myriad questions related to xiphosuran physiology and arthropod evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara-Anne Battelle
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Departments of Neuroscience and Biology, University of Florida
| | - Joseph F Ryan
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Department of Biology, University of Florida
| | - Karen E Kempler
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Departments of Neuroscience and Biology, University of Florida
| | - Spencer R Saraf
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Departments of Neuroscience and Biology, University of Florida Present address: School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Catherine E Marten
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Departments of Neuroscience and Biology, University of Florida Present address: Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Wesley C Warren
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Patrick J Minx
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Michael J Montague
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Pamela J Green
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Marine Science and Policy, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware
| | - Skye A Schmidt
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Marine Science and Policy, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware
| | - Lucinda Fulton
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Nipam H Patel
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Integrative Genomics, University of California, Berkley
| | - Meredith E Protas
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Integrative Genomics, University of California, Berkley Present address: Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA
| | - Richard K Wilson
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
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The opsin repertoire of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Mar Genomics 2016; 29:61-68. [PMID: 27157882 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Antarctic krill Euphausia superba experiences almost all marine photic environments throughout its life cycle. Antarctic krill eggs hatch in the aphotic zone up to 1000m depth and larvae develop on their way to the ocean surface (development ascent) and are exposed to different quality (wavelength) and quantity (irradiance) of light. Adults show a daily vertical migration pattern, moving downward during the day and upward during the night within the top 200m of the water column. Seawater acts as a potent chromatic filter and animals have evolved different opsin photopigments to perceive photons of specific wavelengths. We have investigated the transcriptome of E. superba and, using a candidate gene approach, we identified six novel opsins. Five are r-type visual opsins: four middle-wavelength-sensitive (EsRh2, EsRh3, EsRh4 and EsRh5) and one long-wavelength-sensitive (EsRh6). Moreover, we have identified a non-visual opsin, the EsPeropsin. All these newly identified opsin genes were significantly expressed in compound eyes and brain, while only EsPeropsin and EsRh2 were clearly detected also in the abdomen. A temporal modulation in the transcription of these novel opsins was found, but statistically significant oscillations were only observed in EsRrh3 and EsPeropsin. Our results contribute to the dissection of the complex photoreception system of E. superba, which enables this species to respond to the daily and seasonal changes in irradiance and spectral composition in the Southern Ocean.
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Henze MJ, Oakley TH. The Dynamic Evolutionary History of Pancrustacean Eyes and Opsins. Integr Comp Biol 2015; 55:830-42. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icv100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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Molecular characterization and embryonic origin of the eyes in the common house spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum. EvoDevo 2015; 6:15. [PMID: 26034574 PMCID: PMC4450840 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-015-0011-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Two visual systems are present in most arthropod groups: median and lateral eyes. Most of our current knowledge about the developmental and molecular mechanisms involved in eye formation in arthropods comes from research in the model system Drosophila melanogaster. Here, a core set of retinal determination genes, namely, sine-oculis (so), eyes absent (eya), dachshund (dac), and the two pax6 orthologues eyeless (ey) and twin of eyeless (toy) govern early retinal development. By contrast, not much is known about the development of the up-to-eight eyes present in spiders. Therefore, we analyzed the embryonic expression of core retinal determination genes in the common house spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum. Results We show that the anlagen of the median and lateral eyes in P. tepidariorum originate from different regions of the non-neurogenic ectoderm in the embryonic head. The median eyes are specified as two individual anlagen in an anterior median position in the developing head and subsequently move to their final position following extensive morphogenetic movements of the non-neurogenic ectoderm. The lateral eyes develop from a more lateral position. Intriguingly, they are specified as a unique field of cells that splits into the three individual lateral eyes during late embryonic development. Using gene expression analyses, we identified a unique combination of determination gene expression in the anlagen of the lateral and median eyes, respectively. Conclusions This study of retinal determination genes in the common house spider P. tepidariorum represents the first comprehensive analysis of the well-known retinal determination genes in arthropods outside insects. The development of the individual lateral eyes via the subdivision of one single eye primordium might be the vestige of a larger composite eye anlage, and thus supports the notion that the composite eye is the plesiomorphic state of the lateral eyes in arthropods. The molecular distinction of the two visual systems is similar to the one described for compound eyes and ocelli in Drosophila, suggesting that a unique core determination network for median and lateral eyes, respectively, might have been in place already in the last common ancestor of spiders and insects. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13227-015-0011-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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