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Mercurio S, Gattoni G, Scarì G, Ascagni M, Barzaghi B, Elphick MR, Croce JC, Schubert M, Benito-Gutiérrez E, Pennati R. A feather star is born: embryonic development and nervous system organization in the crinoid Antedon mediterranea. Open Biol 2024; 14:240115. [PMID: 39165121 PMCID: PMC11336682 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.240115] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Crinoids belong to the Echinodermata, marine invertebrates with a highly derived adult pentaradial body plan. As the sister group to all other extant echinoderms, crinoids occupy a key phylogenetic position to explore the evolutionary history of the whole phylum. However, their development remains understudied compared with that of other echinoderms. Therefore, the aim here was to establish the Mediterranean feather star (Antedon mediterranea) as an experimental system for developmental biology. We first set up a method for culturing embryos in vitro and defined a standardized staging system for this species. We then optimized protocols to characterize the morphological and molecular development of the main structures of the feather star body plan. Focusing on the nervous system, we showed that the larval apical organ includes serotonergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, which develop within a conserved anterior molecular signature. We described the composition of the early post-metamorphic nervous system and revealed that it has an anterior signature. These results further our knowledge on crinoid development and provide new techniques to investigate feather star embryogenesis. This will pave the way for the inclusion of crinoids in comparative studies addressing the origin of the echinoderm body plan and the evolutionary diversification of deuterostomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mercurio
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Gattoni
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Giorgio Scarì
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Miriam Ascagni
- Unitech NOLIMITS, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Benedetta Barzaghi
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurice R. Elphick
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jenifer C. Croce
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), Institut de la Mer de Villefranche (IMEV), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Michael Schubert
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), Institut de la Mer de Villefranche (IMEV), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Elia Benito-Gutiérrez
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Roberta Pennati
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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2
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Esposito MC, Riva L, Russo GL, Punta C, Corsi I, Tosti E, Gallo A. Reproductive toxicity assessment of cellulose nanofibers, citric acid, and branched polyethylenimine in sea urchins: Eco-design of nanostructured cellulose sponge framework (Part B). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:123934. [PMID: 38588971 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123934] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
In the framework of a safe-by-design approach, we previously assessed the eco-safety of nanostructured cellulose sponge (CNS) leachate on sea urchin reproduction. It impaired gamete quality, gamete fertilization competence, and embryo development possibly due to the leaching of chemical additives used during the CNS synthesis process. To extend this observation and identify the component(s) that contribute to CNS ecotoxicity, in the present study, we individually screened the cytotoxic effects on sea urchin Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus gametes and embryos of the three main constituents of CNS, namely cellulose nanofibers, citric acid, and branched polyethylenimine. The study aimed to minimize any potential safety risk of these components and to obtain an eco-safe CNS. Among the three CNS constituents, branched polyethylenimine resulted in the most toxic agent. Indeed, it affected the physiology and fertilization competence of male and female gametes as well as embryo development in both sea urchin species. These results are consistent with those previously reported for CNS leachate. Moreover, the characterisation of CNS leachate confirmed the presence of detectable branched polyethylenimine in the conditioned seawater even though in a very limited amount. Altogether, these data indicate that the presence of branched polyethylenimine is a cause-effect associated with a significant risk in CNS formulations due to its leaching upon contact with seawater. Nevertheless, the suggested safety protocol consisting of consecutive leaching treatments and conditioning of CNS in seawater can successfully ameliorate the CNS ecotoxicity while maintaining the efficacy of its sorbent properties supporting potential environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Consiglia Esposito
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Riva
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Russo
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, via Roma 64, 83100, Avellino, Italy
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Tosti
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gallo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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3
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Costantini M, Esposito R, Ruocco N, Caramiello D, Cordella A, Ventola GM, Zupo V. De Novo Assembly of the Genome of the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1685. [PMID: 38338963 PMCID: PMC10855541 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031685] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The Mediterranean purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816) is a remarkable model system for molecular, evolutionary and cell biology studies, particularly in the field of developmental biology. We sequenced the genome, performed a de novo assembly, and analysed the assembly content. The genome of P. lividus was sequenced using Illumina NextSeq 500 System (Illumina) in a 2 × 150 paired-end format. More than 30,000 open reading frames (ORFs), (more than 8000 are unique), were identified and analysed to provide molecular tools accessible for the scientific community. In particular, several genes involved in complex innate immune responses, oxidative metabolism, signal transduction, and kinome, as well as genes regulating the membrane receptors, were identified in the P. lividus genome. In this way, the employment of the Mediterranean sea urchin for investigations and comparative analyses was empowered, leading to the explanation of cis-regulatory networks and their evolution in a key developmental model occupying an important evolutionary position with respect to vertebrates and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Costantini
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Via Ammiraglio Ferdinando Acton n. 55, 80133 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Roberta Esposito
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Via Ammiraglio Ferdinando Acton n. 55, 80133 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Nadia Ruocco
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Calabria Marine Centre, C.da Torre Spaccata, 87071 Amendolara, Italy;
| | - Davide Caramiello
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Villa Comunale, 1, 80121 Naples, Italy;
| | - Angela Cordella
- Genomix4Life S.r.l., Baronissi, 84081 Salerno, Italy; (A.C.); (G.M.V.)
- Genome Research Center for Health-CRGS, Baronissi, 84081 Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Valerio Zupo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Ischia Marine Centre, 80121 Naples, Italy
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4
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Hudson J, Egan S. Marine diseases and the Anthropocene: Understanding microbial pathogenesis in a rapidly changing world. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14397. [PMID: 38217393 PMCID: PMC10832532 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthy marine ecosystems are paramount for Earth's biodiversity and are key to sustaining the global economy and human health. The effects of anthropogenic activity represent a pervasive threat to the productivity of marine ecosystems, with intensifying environmental stressors such as climate change and pollution driving the occurrence and severity of microbial diseases that can devastate marine ecosystems and jeopardise food security. Despite the potentially catastrophic outcomes of marine diseases, our understanding of host-pathogen interactions remains an understudied aspect of both microbiology and environmental research, especially when compared to the depth of information available for human and agricultural systems. Here, we identify three avenues of research in which we can advance our understanding of marine disease in the context of global change, and make positive steps towards safeguarding marine communities for future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Hudson
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Suhelen Egan
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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5
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Drozdov A, Lebedev E, Adonin L. Comparative Analysis of Bivalve and Sea Urchin Genetics and Development: Investigating the Dichotomy in Bilateria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17163. [PMID: 38138992 PMCID: PMC10742642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417163] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review presents a comparative analysis of early embryogenesis in Protostomia and Deuterostomia, the first of which exhibit a mosaic pattern of development, where cells are fated deterministically, while Deuterostomia display a regulatory pattern of development, where the fate of cells is indeterminate. Despite these fundamental differences, there are common transcriptional mechanisms that underline their evolutionary linkages, particularly in the field of functional genomics. By elucidating both conserved and unique regulatory strategies, this review provides essential insights into the comparative embryology and developmental dynamics of these groups. The objective of this review is to clarify the shared and distinctive characteristics of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. This will contribute to the extensive areas of functional genomics, evolutionary biology and developmental biology, and possibly lay the foundation for future research and discussion on this seminal topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoliy Drozdov
- Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Egor Lebedev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia;
| | - Leonid Adonin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia;
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 119121 Moscow, Russia
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6
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Lažetić V, Batachari LE, Russell AB, Troemel ER. Similarities in the induction of the intracellular pathogen response in Caenorhabditis elegans and the type I interferon response in mammals. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300097. [PMID: 37667453 PMCID: PMC10694843 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Although the type-I interferon (IFN-I) response is considered vertebrate-specific, recent findings about the Intracellular Pathogen Response (IPR) in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans indicate that there are similarities between these two transcriptional immunological programs. The IPR is induced during infection with natural intracellular fungal and viral pathogens of the intestine and promotes resistance against these pathogens. Similarly, the IFN-I response is induced by viruses and other intracellular pathogens and promotes resistance against infection. Whether the IPR and the IFN-I response evolved in a divergent or convergent manner is an unanswered and exciting question, which could be addressed by further studies of immunity against intracellular pathogens in C. elegans and other simple host organisms. Here we highlight similar roles played by RIG-I-like receptors, purine metabolism enzymes, proteotoxic stressors, and transcription factors to induce the IPR and IFN-I response, as well as the similar consequences of these defense programs on organismal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Lažetić
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesThe George Washington UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Lakshmi E. Batachari
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alistair B. Russell
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Emily R. Troemel
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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7
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Jonusaite S, Oulhen N, Izumi Y, Furuse M, Yamamoto T, Sakamoto N, Wessel G, Heyland A. Identification of the genes encoding candidate septate junction components expressed during early development of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, and evidence of a role for Mesh in the formation of the gut barrier. Dev Biol 2023; 495:21-34. [PMID: 36587799 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.12.007] [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: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Septate junctions (SJs) evolved as cell-cell junctions that regulate the paracellular barrier and integrity of epithelia in invertebrates. Multiple morphological variants of SJs exist specific to different epithelia and/or phyla but the biological significance of varied SJ morphology is unclear because the knowledge of the SJ associated proteins and their functions in non-insect invertebrates remains largely unknown. Here we report cell-specific expression of nine candidate SJ genes in the early life stages of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. By use of in situ RNA hybridization and single cell RNA-seq we found that the expression of selected genes encoding putatively SJ associated transmembrane and cytoplasmic scaffold molecules was dynamically regulated during epithelial development in the embryos and larvae with different epithelia expressing different cohorts of SJ genes. We focused a functional analysis on SpMesh, a homolog of the Drosophila smooth SJ component Mesh, which was highly enriched in the endodermal epithelium of the mid- and hindgut. Functional perturbation of SpMesh by both CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis and vivo morpholino-mediated knockdown shows that loss of SpMesh does not disrupt the formation of the gut epithelium during gastrulation. However, loss of SpMesh resulted in a severely reduced gut-paracellular barrier as quantitated by increased permeability to 3-5 kDa FITC-dextran. Together, these studies provide a first look at the molecular SJ physiology during the development of a marine organism and suggest a shared role for Mesh-homologous proteins in forming an intestinal barrier in invertebrates. Results have implications for consideration of the traits underlying species-specific sensitivity of marine larvae to climate driven ocean change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sima Jonusaite
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Nathalie Oulhen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, United States
| | - Yasushi Izumi
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Mikio Furuse
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, 444-8787, Japan; Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Naoaki Sakamoto
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Gary Wessel
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, United States
| | - Andreas Heyland
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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8
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Varrella S, Danovaro R, Corinaldesi C. Assessing the eco-compatibility of new generation sunscreen products through a combined microscopic-molecular approach. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120212. [PMID: 36152716 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120212] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
There is now unequivocal evidence that sunscreen can severely affect marine ecosystems. However, so far, most studies have focused on the impact of single sunscreen ingredients rather than on the whole sunscreen products, which are released into the marine environment. In the present work, we investigated the ecological impact of six formulations, which represent the "new generation" organic UV filters such as diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), ethylhexyl triazone (EHT), and bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), which are progressively replacing the "old generation" organic UV filters (e.g., oxybenzone, octinoxate) banned in several countries of the world. The six formulations tested were characterized by a different combination of ingredients, on a model species particularly sensitive to environmental alterations: the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus. We investigated the sea urchin responses both in terms of gene expression and anomalies in embryonic development. We found that all sunscreen products containing only MBBT, DHHB, BEMT, and EHT as UV filters, are more eco-compatible than those also containing also ES, or other ingredients such as emollients and texturizing compounds, which may act synergistically causing molecular stress, morphological anomalies, and ultimately possible death. Overall, the results presented here provide new insights on the effects of sunscreen products based on "new generation" UV filters, and highlights the urgency of testing complete formulations, rather than just specific UV filters to ascertain the eco-compatibility of sunscreen products, to effectively minimize their impact on marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Varrella
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy; Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Roberto Danovaro
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Corinaldesi
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy.
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9
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Gene Expression Detects the Factors Influencing the Reproductive Success and the Survival Rates of Paracentrotus lividus Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112790. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in the demand for Paracentrotus lividus roe, a food delicacy, causes increased pressure on its wild stocks. In this scenario, aquaculture facilities will mitigate the effects of anthropogenic pressures on the wild stocks of P. lividus. Consequently, experimental studies should be conducted to enhance techniques to improve efficient aquaculture practices for these animals. Here, we for the first time performed molecular investigations on cultured sea urchins. We aimed at understanding if maternal influences may significantly impact the life of future offspring, and how the culture conditions may impact the development and growth of cultured specimens. Our findings demonstrate that the outcomes of in vitro fertilization of P. lividus are influenced by maternal influences, but these effects are largely determined by culture conditions. In fact, twenty-three genes involved in the response to stress and skeletogenesis, whose expressions were measured by Real Time qPCR, were differently expressed in sea urchins cultured in two experimental conditions, and the results were largely modified in offspring deriving from two groups of females. The findings herein reported will be critical to develop protocols for the larval culture of the most common sea urchin, both for research and industrial production purposes for mass production.
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10
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Martino C, Chianese T, Chiarelli R, Roccheri MC, Scudiero R. Toxicological Impact of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) on the Reproduction and Development of Aquatic Organisms Using Sea Urchins as Biological Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052876. [PMID: 35270017 PMCID: PMC8911218 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing presence of lanthanides in the environment has drawn the attention of the scientific community on their safety and toxicity. The sources of lanthanides in the environment include diagnostic medicine, electronic devices, permanent magnets, etc. Their exponential use and the poor management of waste disposal raise serious concerns about the quality and safety of the ecosystems at a global level. This review focused on the impact of lanthanides in marine organisms on reproductive fitness, fertilization and embryonic development, using the sea urchin as a biological model system. Scientific evidence shows that exposure to lanthanides triggers a wide variety of toxic insults, including reproductive performance, fertilization, redox metabolism, embryogenesis, and regulation of embryonic gene expression. This was thoroughly demonstrated for gadolinium, the most widely used lanthanide in diagnostic medicine, whose uptake in sea urchin embryos occurs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, correlates with decreased calcium absorption and primarily affects skeletal growth, with incorrect regulation of the skeletal gene regulatory network. The results collected on sea urchin embryos demonstrate a variable sensitivity of the early life stages of different species, highlighting the importance of testing the effects of pollution in different species. The accumulation of lanthanides and their emerging negative effects make risk assessment and consequent legislative intervention on their disposal mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Martino
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.); (R.C.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Teresa Chianese
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Roberto Chiarelli
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.); (R.C.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Maria Carmela Roccheri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.); (R.C.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Rosaria Scudiero
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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11
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McDonald M, Griffin NP, Howell E, Li D, Harnew-Spradley S, Rodriguez P, Lancaster A, Umutoni F, Besh J, Shelley C. Effects of neurotransmitter receptor antagonists on sea urchin righting behavior and tube foot motility. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:274563. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sea urchins, as echinoderms, occupy an interesting position in animal phylogeny in that they are genetically closer to vertebrates than the vast majority of all other invertebrates but have a nervous system that lacks a brain or brain-like structure. Despite this, very little is known about neurobiology of the adult sea urchin, and how the nervous system, is utilized to produced behavior. Here we investigate effects on the righting response of antagonists of ionotropic receptors for the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, GABA, and glycine, and antagonists of metabotropic receptors for the amines dopamine and norepinephrine. Antagonists slowed the righting response in a dose-dependent manner, with a rank order of potency of strychnine>haloperidol>propranolol>bicuculline>hexamethonium, with RT50s (concentrations that slowed righting time by 50%) ranging from 4.3 µM for strychnine to 7.8 mM for hexamethonium. It is also shown that both glycine and adrenergic receptors are needed for actual tube foot movement, and this may explain the slowed righting seen when these receptors are inhibited. Conversely, inhibition of dopamine receptors slowed the righting response but had no effect on tube foot motility, indicating that these receptors play roles more in the neural processing involved in the righting behavior, rather than the actual physical righting. Our results identity the first effects of inhibiting the glycinergic, dopaminergic, and adrenergic neurotransmitter systems in adult sea urchins and distinguish between the ability of sea urchins to right themselves, and the ability of sea urchins to move their tube feet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan McDonald
- Biology Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 37383, USA
| | | | - Emma Howell
- Biology Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 37383, USA
| | - Dingchen Li
- Biology Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 37383, USA
| | | | - Patrick Rodriguez
- Biology Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 37383, USA
| | - Abigail Lancaster
- Biology Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 37383, USA
| | - Feza Umutoni
- Biology Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 37383, USA
| | - Jordan Besh
- Biology Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 37383, USA
| | - Chris Shelley
- Biology Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 37383, USA
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12
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Panyushev N, Okorokova L, Danilov L, Adonin L. Pattern of Repetitive Element Transcription Segregate Cell Lineages during the Embryogenesis of Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1736. [PMID: 34829966 PMCID: PMC8615465 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Repetitive elements (REs) occupy a significant part of eukaryotic genomes and are shown to play diverse roles in genome regulation. During embryogenesis of the sea urchin, a large number of REs are expressed, but the role of these elements in the regulation of biological processes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the RE expression at different stages of embryogenesis. REs occupied 44% of genomic DNA of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The most prevalent among these elements were the unknown elements-in total, they contributed 78.5% of REs (35% in total genome occupancy). It was revealed that the transcription pattern of genes and REs changes significantly during gastrulation. Using the de novo transcriptome assembly, we showed that the expression of RE is independent of its copy number in the genome. We also identified copies that are expressed. Only active RE copies were used for mapping and quantification of RE expression in the single-cell RNA sequencing data. REs expression was observed in all cell lineages and they were detected as population markers. Moreover, the primary mesenchyme cell (PMC) line had the greatest diversity of REs among the markers. Our data suggest a role for RE in the organization of developmental domains during the sea urchin embryogenesis at the single-cell resolution level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Panyushev
- Bioinformatics Institute, 197342 St. Petersburg, Russia; (N.P.); (L.O.)
| | - Larisa Okorokova
- Bioinformatics Institute, 197342 St. Petersburg, Russia; (N.P.); (L.O.)
| | - Lavrentii Danilov
- St. Petersburg State University, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Leonid Adonin
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Group of Mechanisms for Nanosystems Targeted Delivery, 119121 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia
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