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Zheng Y, Cong X, Liu H, Storey KB, Chen M. Neuronal cell populations in circumoral nerve ring of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: Ultrastructure and transcriptional profile. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2024; 52:101263. [PMID: 38850626 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
The echinoderm nervous system has been studied as a model for understanding the evolution of the chordate nervous system. Neuronal cells are essential groups that release a 'cocktail' of messenger molecules providing a spectrum of biological actions in the nervous system. Among echinoderms, most evidence on neuronal cell types has been obtained from starfish and sea urchin. In sea cucumbers, most research has focused on the location of neuronal cells, whereas their transcriptional features have rarely been investigated. Here, we observed the ultrastructure of neuronal cells in the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. The transcriptional profile of neuronal cells from the circumoral nerve ring (CNR) was investigated using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and a total of six neuronal cell types were identified. 26 neuropeptide precursor genes (NPPs) and 28 G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) were expressed in the six neuronal cell types, comprising five NPP/NP-GPCR pairs. Unsupervised pseudotime analysis of neuronal cells showed their different differentiation status. We also located the neuronal cells in the CNR by immunofluorescence (IF) and identified the potential hub genes of key cell populations. This broad resource serves as a valuable support in the development of cell-specific markers for accurate cell-type identification in sea cucumbers. It also contributes to facilitating comparison across species, providing a deeper understanding of the evolutionary processes of neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqiu Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China. https://twitter.com/Yingqiu_Zheng
| | - Xiao Cong
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Huachen Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Muyan Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China.
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García-Arrarás JE, Lázaro-Peña MI, Díaz-Balzac CA. Holothurians as a Model System to Study Regeneration. Results Probl Cell Differ 2018; 65:255-283. [PMID: 30083924 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-92486-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Echinoderms possess an incredible regenerative capacity. Within this phylum, holothurians, better known as sea cucumbers, can regenerate most of their internal and external organs. While regeneration has been studied in several species, the most recent and extensive studies have been done in the species Holothuria glaberrima, the focus of most of our discussion. This chapter presents the model system and integrates the work that has been done to determine the major steps that take place, during regeneration of the intestinal and nervous system, from wound healing to the reestablishment of original function. We describe the cellular and molecular events associated with the regeneration processes and also describe the techniques that have been used, discuss the results, and explain the gaps in our knowledge that remain. We expect that the information provided here paves the road for new and young investigators to continue the study of the amazing potential of regeneration in members of the Echinodermata and how these studies will shed some light into the mechanisms that are common to many regenerative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- José E García-Arrarás
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
| | - María I Lázaro-Peña
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Carlos A Díaz-Balzac
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA
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Rosado-Olivieri EA, Ramos-Ortiz GA, Hernández-Pasos J, Díaz-Balzac CA, Vázquez-Rosa E, Valentín-Tirado G, Vega IE, García-Arrarás JE. A START-domain-containing protein is a novel marker of nervous system components of the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 214:57-65. [PMID: 28864221 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
One of the main challenges faced by investigators studying the nervous system of members of the phylum Echinodermata is the lack of markers to identify nerve cells and plexi. Previous studies have utilized an antibody, RN1, that labels most of the nervous system structures of the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima and other echinoderms. However, the antigen recognized by RN1 remained unknown. In the present work, the antigen has been characterized by immunoprecipitation, tandem mass spectrometry, and cDNA cloning. The RN1 antigen contains a START lipid-binding domain found in Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) proteins and other lipid-binding proteins. Phylogenetic tree assembly showed that the START domain is highly conserved among echinoderms. We have named this antigen HgSTARD10 for its high sequence similarity to the vertebrate orthologs. Gene and protein expression analyses revealed an abundance of HgSTARD10 in most H. glaberrima tissues including radial nerve, intestine, muscle, esophagus, mesentery, hemal system, gonads and respiratory tree. Molecular cloning of HgSTARD10, consequent protein expression and polyclonal antibody production revealed the STARD10 ortholog as the antigen recognized by the RN1 antibody. Further characterization into this START domain-containing protein will provide important insights for the biochemistry, physiology and evolution of deuterostomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin A Rosado-Olivieri
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, San Juan PR 00931, Puerto Rico.
| | - Gibram A Ramos-Ortiz
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, San Juan PR 00931, Puerto Rico.
| | - Josué Hernández-Pasos
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, San Juan PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - Carlos A Díaz-Balzac
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, San Juan PR 00931, Puerto Rico.
| | - Edwin Vázquez-Rosa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus, San Juan PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - Griselle Valentín-Tirado
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, San Juan PR 00931, Puerto Rico
| | - Irving E Vega
- Translational Science & Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States
| | - José E García-Arrarás
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, San Juan PR 00931, Puerto Rico.
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Díaz-Balzac CA, Lázaro-Peña MI, Vázquez-Figueroa LD, Díaz-Balzac RJ, García-Arrarás JE. Holothurian Nervous System Diversity Revealed by Neuroanatomical Analysis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151129. [PMID: 26987052 PMCID: PMC4795612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Echinodermata comprise an interesting branch in the phylogenetic tree of deuterostomes. Their radial symmetry which is reflected in their nervous system anatomy makes them a target of interest in the study of nervous system evolution. Until recently, the study of the echinoderm nervous system has been hindered by a shortage of neuronal markers. However, in recent years several markers of neuronal and fiber subpopulations have been described. These have been used to identify subpopulations of neurons and fibers, but an integrative study of the anatomical relationship of these subpopulations is wanting. We have now used eight commercial antibodies, together with three antibodies produced by our group to provide a comprehensive and integrated description and new details of the echinoderm neuroanatomy using the holothurian Holothuria glaberrima (Selenka, 1867) as our model system. Immunoreactivity of the markers used showed: (1) specific labeling patterns by markers in the radial nerve cords, which suggest the presence of specific nerve tracts in holothurians. (2) Nerves directly innervate most muscle fibers in the longitudinal muscles. (3) Similar to other deuterostomes (mainly vertebrates), their enteric nervous system is composed of a large and diverse repertoire of neurons and fiber phenotypes. Our results provide a first blueprint of the anatomical organization of cells and fibers that form the holothurian neural circuitry, and highlight the fact that the echinoderm nervous system shows unexpected diversity in cell and fiber types and their distribution in both central and peripheral nervous components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A. Díaz-Balzac
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Ullmann Room 709, Bronx, New York, 10461, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico–Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23360, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, 00931–3360, Puerto Rico
| | - María I. Lázaro-Peña
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Ullmann Room 709, Bronx, New York, 10461, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico–Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23360, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, 00931–3360, Puerto Rico
| | - Lionel D. Vázquez-Figueroa
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico–Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23360, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, 00931–3360, Puerto Rico
| | - Roberto J. Díaz-Balzac
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico–Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23360, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, 00931–3360, Puerto Rico
| | - José E. García-Arrarás
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico–Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23360, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, 00931–3360, Puerto Rico
- * E-mail:
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Hagel KR, Beriont J, Tessier CR. Drosophila Cbp53E Regulates Axon Growth at the Neuromuscular Junction. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132636. [PMID: 26167908 PMCID: PMC4500412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium is a primary second messenger in all cells that functions in processes ranging from cellular proliferation to synaptic transmission. Proper regulation of calcium is achieved through numerous mechanisms involving channels, sensors, and buffers notably containing one or more EF-hand calcium binding domains. The Drosophila genome encodes only a single 6 EF-hand domain containing protein, Cbp53E, which is likely the prototypic member of a small family of related mammalian proteins that act as calcium buffers and calcium sensors. Like the mammalian homologs, Cbp53E is broadly though discretely expressed throughout the nervous system. Despite the importance of calcium in neuronal function and growth, nothing is known about Cbp53E's function in neuronal development. To address this deficiency, we generated novel null alleles of Drosophila Cbp53E and examined neuronal development at the well-characterized larval neuromuscular junction. Loss of Cbp53E resulted in increases in axonal branching at both peptidergic and glutamatergic neuronal terminals. This overgrowth could be completely rescued by expression of exogenous Cbp53E. Overexpression of Cbp53E, however, only affected the growth of peptidergic neuronal processes. These findings indicate that Cbp53E plays a significant role in neuronal growth and suggest that it may function in both local synaptic and global cellular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly R. Hagel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jane Beriont
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Charles R. Tessier
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Tossas K, Qi-Huang S, Cuyar E, García-Arrarás JE. Temporal and spatial analysis of enteric nervous system regeneration in the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 1:10-26. [PMID: 27499861 PMCID: PMC4895299 DOI: 10.1002/reg2.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
There is limited information on the regeneration of the enteric nervous system (ENS) following major reconstruction of the digestive tract. We have studied ENS regeneration in the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima which undergoes an organogenic process forming a new digestive tract at the tip of the mesentery. Our results show that (1) a degeneration of nerve fibers occurs early in the regeneration process, prior to eventual regeneration; (2) nerve fibers that innervate the regenerating intestine are of extrinsic and intrinsic origin; (3) innervation by extrinsic fibers occurs in a gradient that begins in the proximal area of the regenerate; (4) late events include the appearance of nerve fibers that project from the serosa into the connective tissue and of nerve bundles in the mesothelial layer; (5) neurons and neuroendocrine cells appear early following the formation of the epithelial layers. Our results provide not only a comparative biological approach to study ENS regeneration but also an alternative point of view for the study of enteric neuropathologies and for the innervation of organs made in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Tossas
- Department of Biology University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Puerto Rico 00931
| | - Sunny Qi-Huang
- Department of Biology University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Puerto Rico 00931
| | - Eugenia Cuyar
- Department of Biology University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Puerto Rico 00931
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Díaz-Balzac CA, Vázquez-Figueroa LD, García-Arrarás JE. Novel markers identify nervous system components of the holothurian nervous system. INVERTEBRATE NEUROSCIENCE 2014; 14:113-25. [PMID: 24740637 DOI: 10.1007/s10158-014-0169-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Echinoderms occupy a key position in the evolution of deuterostomes. As such, the study of their nervous system can shed important information on the evolution of the vertebrate nervous system. However, the study of the echinoderm nervous system has lagged behind when compared to that of other invertebrates due to the lack of tools available. In this study, we tested three commercially available antibodies as markers of neural components in holothurians. Immunohistological experiments with antibodies made against the mammalian transcription factors Pax6 and Nurr1, and against phosphorylated histone H3 showed that these markers identified cells and fibers within the nervous system of Holothuria glaberrima. Most of the fibers recognized by these antibodies were co-labeled with the well-known neural marker, RN1. Additional experiments showed that similar immunoreactivity was found in the nervous tissue of three other holothurian species (Holothuria mexicana, Leptosynapta clarki and Sclerodactyla briareus), thus extending our findings to the three orders of Holothuroidea. Furthermore, these markers identified different subdivisions of the holothurian nervous system. Our study presents three additional markers of the holothurian nervous system, expanding the available toolkit to study the anatomy, physiology, development and evolution of the echinoderm nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Díaz-Balzac
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Ullmann Room 807, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA,
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Manca P, Caria MA, Blasi J, Martín-Satué M, Mameli O. Cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase immunoreactivity and molecular expression in the cerebellar nuclei of adult male rats. J Chem Neuroanat 2012; 45:18-25. [PMID: 22800812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2012.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Revised: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Several probes have been developed to identify steroidogenic activity in the brain of vertebrates. However, the presence of the cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase (P450C(17)), an enzyme that converts pregnenolone and progesterone into dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, in specific areas of the cerebellum such as the deep cerebellar nuclei, remains virtually unexplored. Using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, we found molecular expression of P450C(17) in the lateral, interposed and medial deep cerebellar nuclei. Moreover, double immunofluorescence procedures enabled localization of P450C(17) mainly in neurons, axons and glutamatergic synapses. Taken together, these data demonstrate the occurrence of P450C(17) in the deep cerebellar nuclei, and enable the chemical characterization of the cells that express the cytochrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Manca
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Human Physiology, University of Sassari, Italy.
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