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Malekhayati H, Bargahi A, Khorami S, Khataminejad M, Fouladvand M. Anti- Trichomonas vaginalis Activity of Marine Ascidians (Tunicates; Ascidiacea) from the Bushehr Province, Iran. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2024; 48:21-26. [PMID: 38449363 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2023.96658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Objective The aim of the current research is to evaluate the antiparasite effects of compounds isolated from marine ascidian tunicates on Trichomonas vaginalis. Methods Ascidian tunicates after collection were cut into small pieces, freeze-dried, and powdered. The resulting material was subjected to extraction in double-distilled water, ethanol, n-hexane, and dichloromethane. To fractionate the extracts and identify the most bioactive compound, silica gel column chromatography and GC-M/S analysis were used. Results Fraction 18 of silica gel column chromatography of ethanol extract was the most effective against T. vaginalis. The respective IC50, CC50, and SI values for fraction 18 were 28.62 μg/mL, ˃800 μg/mL, and ˃27.95. GC-M/S analysis of this fraction identified a major phenolic compound (2, 4-bis (1, 1-dimethyl ethyl), whose toxicity against vero cells was only 10.15%. Conclusion The ethanolic fraction containing phenol-2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl), which has a potent lethality effect on T. vaginalis, may be considered as an antiparasite drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Malekhayati
- Bushehr University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Department of Laboratory Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Afshar Bargahi
- Bushehr University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Bushehr, Iran
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Soleiman Khorami
- Bushehr University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Department of Laboratory Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mohsen Khataminejad
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Moradali Fouladvand
- Bushehr University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Bushehr, Iran
- The Persian Gulf Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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Gallo A, Penna YM, Russo M, Rosapane M, Tosti E, Russo GL. An organic extract from ascidian Ciona robusta induces cytotoxic autophagy in human malignant cell lines. Front Chem 2024; 12:1322558. [PMID: 38389727 PMCID: PMC10881676 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1322558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The last decades have seen an increase in the isolation and characterization of anticancer compounds derived from marine organisms, especially invertebrates, and their use in clinical trials. In this regard, ascidians, which are included in the subphylum Tunicata, represent successful examples with two drugs, Aplidine© and Yondelis© that reached the market as orphan drugs against several malignancies. Here, we report that an organic extract prepared from homogenized tissues of the Mediterranean ascidian Ciona robusta inhibited cell proliferation in HT-29, HepG2, and U2OS human cells with the former being the most sensitive to the extract (EC50 = 250 μg/mL). We demonstrated that the ascidian organic extract was not cytotoxic on HT-29 cells that were induced to differentiate with sodium butyrate, suggesting a preference for the mixture for the malignant phenotype. Finally, we report that cell death induced by the organic extract was mediated by the activation of a process of cytotoxic autophagy as a result of the increased expression of the LC3-II marker and number of autophagic vacuoles, which almost doubled in the treated HT-29 cells. In summary, although the detailed chemical composition of the Ciona robusta extract is still undetermined, our data suggest the presence of bioactive compounds possessing anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Gallo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Maria Russo
- National Research Council, Institute of Food Sciences, Avellino, Italy
| | - Marco Rosapane
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute of Food Sciences, Avellino, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Tosti
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Russo
- National Research Council, Institute of Food Sciences, Avellino, Italy
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3
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Jessus C, Laudet V. Henri de Lacaze-Duthiers and the ascidian hypothesis. J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol 2024; 342:7-20. [PMID: 37973214 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
In 1830, Cuvier and Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire confronted each other in a famous debate on the unity of the animal kingdom, which permeated the zoology of the 19th century. From that time, a growing number of naturalists attempted to understand the large-scale relationships among animals. And among all the questions, that of the origin of vertebrates was one of the most controversial. Analytical methods based on comparative anatomy, embryology and paleontology were developed to identify convincing homologies that would reveal a logical sequence of events for the evolution of an invertebrate into the first vertebrate. Within this context, several theories have clashed on the question of the identity of the ancestor of vertebrates. Among the proposals, a group of rather discrete organisms, the ascidians, played a central role. Because he had discovered an ascidian with a particularly atypical larval development, the Molgula, Henri de Lacaze-Duthiers, a rigorous and meticulous naturalist, became involved in the ascidian hypothesis. While the visionary mind of Lacaze-Duthiers led him to establish a particularly innovative methodology and the first marine biology station in Europe, at Roscoff, the tailless tadpole of the Molgula prevented him from recognizing the ancestor of vertebrates. This old 19th century story echoes the ever-present questions driving the field of Eco-Evo-Devo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Jessus
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, LBD-IBPS, Sorbonne University, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology (ICOB), Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Nydam ML, Saffo MB, Di Gregorio A. Women in tunicate research: Pioneers of the past and their present legacy. Genesis 2023; 61:e23578. [PMID: 38009445 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
The search for female scientists who pioneered the research on tunicates is hindered by the tradition of reporting only the first initials of authors' names on scientific publications using only the initials of their first names. While this practice has the theoretical merit of broadening the readership by preventing the possible bias that could be caused by the gender of the author(s) in some of the readers, it rendered the identification of female researchers active in, or before, the first half of the 20th century quite challenging. Sifting through several dozen electronic records, and with the help of references and/or quotes found online, we have stitched together the information that we were able to retrieve on the life of female scientists who authored some of the earliest publications on tunicates, and we have organized them in (approximate) chronological order. We have also compiled brief synopses of the findings of scientists active in the field of tunicate biology in more recent times, and organized them by subdiscipline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie L Nydam
- Life Sciences Concentration, Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, California, USA
| | | | - Anna Di Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA
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Mondal J. V. K. Meenakshi: The first lady of ascidian research in India. Active: 1994-present. Genesis 2023; 61:e23547. [PMID: 37735943 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jhimli Mondal
- Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Bento ADA, Maciel MC, Bezerra FF, Mourão PADS, Pavão MSG, Stelling MP. Extraction, Isolation, Characterization, and Biological Activity of Sulfated Polysaccharides Present in Ascidian Viscera Microcosmus exasperatus. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1401. [PMID: 37895872 PMCID: PMC10609765 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ascidians are marine invertebrates that synthesize sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within their viscera. Ascidian GAGs are considered analogues of mammalian GAGs and possess great potential as bioactive compounds, presenting antitumoral and anticoagulant activity. Due to its worldwide occurrence and, therefore, being a suitable organism for large-scale mariculture in many marine environments, our main objectives are to study Microcosmus exasperatus GAGs regarding composition, structure, and biological activity. We also aim to develop efficient protocols for sulfated polysaccharides extraction and purification for large-scale production and clinical applications. GAGs derived from M. exasperatus viscera were extracted by proteolytic digestion, purified by ion-exchange liquid chromatography, and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis and enzymatic treatments. Anticoagulant activity was evaluated by APTT assays. Antitumoral activity was assessed in an in vitro model of tumor cell culture using MTT, clonogenic, and wound healing assays, respectively. Our results show that M. exasperatus presents three distinct polysaccharides; among them, two were identified: a dermatan sulfate and a fucosylated dermatan sulfate. Antitumoral activity was confirmed for the total polysaccharides (TP). While short-term incubation does not affect tumor cell viability at low concentrations, long-term TP incubation decreases LLC tumor cell growth/proliferation at different concentrations. In addition, TP decreased tumor cell migration at different concentrations. In conclusion, we state that M. exasperatus presents great potential as an alternative GAG source, producing compounds with antitumoral properties at low concentrations that do not possess anticoagulant activity and do not enhance other aspects of malignancy, such as tumor cell migration. Our perspectives are to apply these molecules in future preclinical studies for cancer treatment as antitumoral agents to be combined with current treatments to potentiate therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananda de Araujo Bento
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20271-110, Brazil; (A.d.A.B.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Marianna Cardoso Maciel
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20271-110, Brazil; (A.d.A.B.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Francisco Felipe Bezerra
- Medical Biochemistry Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-971, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (P.A.d.S.M.); (M.S.G.P.)
| | - Paulo Antônio de Souza Mourão
- Medical Biochemistry Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-971, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (P.A.d.S.M.); (M.S.G.P.)
| | - Mauro Sérgio Gonçalves Pavão
- Medical Biochemistry Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-971, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (P.A.d.S.M.); (M.S.G.P.)
| | - Mariana Paranhos Stelling
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20271-110, Brazil; (A.d.A.B.); (M.C.M.)
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Hyams Y, Rubin-Blum M, Rosner A, Brodsky L, Rinkevich Y, Rinkevich B. Physiological changes during torpor favor association with Endozoicomonas endosymbionts in the urochordate Botrylloides leachii. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1072053. [PMID: 37323901 PMCID: PMC10264598 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1072053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental perturbations evoke down-regulation of metabolism in some multicellular organisms, leading to dormancy, or torpor. Colonies of the urochordate Botrylloides leachii enter torpor in response to changes in seawater temperature and may survive for months as small vasculature remnants that lack feeding and reproductive organs but possess torpor-specific microbiota. Upon returning to milder conditions, the colonies rapidly restore their original morphology, cytology and functionality while harboring re-occurring microbiota, a phenomenon that has not been described in detail to date. Here we investigated the stability of B. leachii microbiome and its functionality in active and dormant colonies, using microscopy, qPCR, in situ hybridization, genomics and transcriptomics. A novel lineage of Endozoicomonas, proposed here as Candidatus Endozoicomonas endoleachii, was dominant in torpor animals (53-79% read abundance), and potentially occupied specific hemocytes found only in torpid animals. Functional analysis of the metagenome-assembled genome and genome-targeted transcriptomics revealed that Endozoicomonas can use various cellular substrates, like amino acids and sugars, potentially producing biotin and thiamine, but also expressing various features involved in autocatalytic symbiosis. Our study suggests that the microbiome can be linked to the metabolic and physiological states of the host, B. leachii, introducing a model organism for the study of symbioses during drastic physiological changes, such as torpor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosef Hyams
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maxim Rubin-Blum
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
| | - Amalia Rosner
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
| | - Leonid Brodsky
- Tauber Bioinformatics Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yuval Rinkevich
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Biology and Disease, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Baruch Rinkevich
- Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
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8
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Franchi N, Ballarin L, Cima F. Botryllin, a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from the Colonial Ascidian Botryllus schlosseri. Mar Drugs 2023; 21. [PMID: 36827115 DOI: 10.3390/md21020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
By mining the transcriptome of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, we identified a transcript for a novel styelin-like antimicrobial peptide, which we named botryllin. The gene is constitutively transcribed by circulating cytotoxic morula cells (MCs) as a pre-propeptide that is then cleaved to mature peptide. The synthetic peptide, obtained from in silico translation of the transcript, shows robust killing activity of bacterial and unicellular yeast cells, causing breakages of both the plasma membrane and the cell wall. Specific monoclonal antibodies were raised against the epitopes of the putative amino acid sequence of the propeptide and the mature peptide; in both cases, they label the MC granular content. Upon MC degranulation induced by the presence of nonself, the antibodies recognise the extracellular nets with entrapped bacteria nearby MC remains. The obtained results suggest that the botryllin gene carries the information for the synthesis of an AMP involved in the protection of B. schlosseri from invading foreign cells.
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Vanni V, Salonna M, Gasparini F, Martini M, Anselmi C, Gissi C, Manni L. Yamanaka Factors in the Budding Tunicate Botryllus schlosseri Show a Shared Spatio-Temporal Expression Pattern in Chordates. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:782722. [PMID: 35342743 PMCID: PMC8948423 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.782722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, the four transcription factors Sox2, c-Myc, Pou5f1 and Klf4 are involved in the differentiation of several tissues during vertebrate embryogenesis; moreover, they are normally co-expressed in embryonic stem cells and play roles in pluripotency, self-renewal, and maintenance of the undifferentiated state in adult cells. The in vitro forced co-expression of these factors, named Yamanaka factors (YFs), induces pluripotency in human or mouse fibroblasts. Botryllus schlosseri is a colonial tunicate undergoing continuous stem cell-mediated asexual development, providing a valuable model system for the study of pluripotency in the closest living relatives of vertebrates. In this study, we identified B. schlosseri orthologs of human Sox2 and c-Myc genes, as well as the closest homologs of the vertebrate-specific Pou5f1 gene, through an in-depth evolutionary analysis of the YF gene families in tunicates and other deuterostomes. Then, we studied the expression of these genes during the asexual cycle of B. schlosseri using in situ hybridization in order to investigate their possible involvement in tissue differentiation and in pluripotency maintenance. Our results show a shared spatio-temporal expression pattern consistent with the reported functions of these genes in invertebrate and vertebrate embryogenesis. Moreover, Myc, SoxB1 and Pou3 were expressed in candidate stem cells residing in their niches, while Pou2 was found expressed exclusively in the immature previtellogenic oocytes, both in gonads and circulating in the colonial vascular system. Our data suggest that Myc, SoxB1 and Pou3 may be individually involved in the differentiation of the same territories seen in other chordates, and that, together, they may play a role in stemness even in this colonial ascidian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Vanni
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marika Salonna
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Chiara Anselmi
- Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA, United States.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Carmela Gissi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.,IBIOM, Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Bari, Italy.,CoNISMa, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze Del Mare, Roma, Italy
| | - Lucia Manni
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Holman LE, Parker-Nance S, de Bruyn M, Creer S, Carvalho G, Rius M. Managing human-mediated range shifts: understanding spatial, temporal and genetic variation in marine non-native species. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210025. [PMID: 35067092 PMCID: PMC8784926 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of molecular tools to manage natural resources is increasingly common. However, DNA-based methods are seldom used to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of species' range shifts. This is important when managing range shifting species such as non-native species (NNS), which can have negative impacts on biotic communities. Here, we investigated the ascidian NNS Ciona robusta, Clavelina lepadiformis, Microcosmus squamiger and Styela plicata using a combined methodological approach. We first conducted non-molecular biodiversity surveys for these NNS along the South African coastline, and compared the results with historical surveys. We detected no consistent change in range size across species, with some displaying range stability and others showing range shifts. We then sequenced a section of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) from tissue samples and found genetic differences along the coastline but no change over recent times. Finally, we found that environmental DNA metabarcoding data showed broad congruence with both the biodiversity survey and the COI datasets, but failed to capture the complete incidence of all NNS. Overall, we demonstrated how a combined methodological approach can effectively detect spatial and temporal variation in genetic composition and range size, which is key for managing both thriving NNS and threatened species. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Species’ ranges in the face of changing environments (part I)’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke E Holman
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Shirley Parker-Nance
- Zoology Department, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa.,South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Elwandle Coastal Node, Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa
| | - Mark de Bruyn
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.,Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Simon Creer
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Gary Carvalho
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Marc Rius
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Accés a la Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Spain.,Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa
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Casertano M, Genovese M, Paoli P, Santi A, Aiello A, Menna M, Imperatore C. Insights into Cytotoxic Behavior of Lepadins and Structure Elucidation of the New Alkaloid Lepadin L from the Mediterranean Ascidian Clavelina lepadiformis. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20010065. [PMID: 35049920 PMCID: PMC8782007 DOI: 10.3390/md20010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemical investigation of the Mediterranean ascidian Clavelina lepadiformis has led to the isolation of a new lepadin, named lepadin L, and two known metabolites belonging to the same family, lepadins A and B. The planar structure and relative configuration of the decahydroquinoline ring of lepadin L were established both by means of HR-ESIMS and by a detailed as extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Moreover, microscale derivatization of the new alkaloid lepadin L was performed to assess the relative configuration of the functionalized alkyl side chain. Lepadins A, B, and L were tested for their cytotoxic activity on a panel of cancer cell lines (human melanoma [A375], human breast [MDA-MB-468], human colon adenocarcinoma [HT29], human colorectal carcinoma [HCT116], and mouse myoblast [C2C12]). Interestingly, a deeper investigation into the mechanism of action of the most cytotoxic metabolite, lepadin A, on the A375 cells has highlighted its ability to induce a strongly inhibition of cell migration, G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and a dose-dependent decrease of cell clonogenity, suggesting that it is able to impair self-renewing capacity of A375 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Casertano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (A.A.); (C.I.)
| | - Massimo Genovese
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.G.); (P.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Paolo Paoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.G.); (P.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Alice Santi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.G.); (P.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Aiello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (A.A.); (C.I.)
| | - Marialuisa Menna
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (A.A.); (C.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-678-518
| | - Concetta Imperatore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (A.A.); (C.I.)
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Kvrgić K, Lešić T, Džafić N, Pleadin J. Occurrence and Seasonal Monitoring of Domoic Acid in Three Shellfish Species from the Northern Adriatic Sea. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:33. [PMID: 35051010 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
As filter feeders, bivalves and ascidians can accumulate contaminants present in the environment and pass them on to higher food chain levels as vectors. The consumption of bivalves contaminated with the potent neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans. The aim of this study was to determine seasonal differences in occurrence and accumulation of this phycotoxin in European oysters (Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 46), Queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 53), and edible ascidians of the Microcosmus spp. (n = 107), originating from the same harvesting area in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The quantification was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) preceded by derivatization with dansyl chloride. DA was found in very low concentrations throughout the year, with a maximum value of 810 μg/kg in Queen scallops. This study reveals differences in the occurrence and accumulation of DA between Queen scallops and the other two investigated species (oysters and ascidians) and the highest concentrations during the colder part of the year. Even though DA was detected in all of them, Queen scallops showed higher DA accumulation compared to the other two (p < 0.001), hence representing a sentinel species suitable for the monitoring of DA level in seafood.
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Esposito A, Ambrosino L, Piazza S, D’Aniello S, Chiusano ML, Locascio A. Evolutionary Adaptation of the Thyroid Hormone Signaling Toolkit in Chordates. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123391. [PMID: 34943899 PMCID: PMC8699336 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The specification of the endostyle in non-vertebrate chordates and of the thyroid gland in vertebrates are fundamental steps in the evolution of the thyroid hormone (TH) signaling to coordinate development and body physiology in response to a range of environmental signals. The physiology and biology of TH signaling in vertebrates have been studied in the past, but a complete understanding of such a complex system is still lacking. Non-model species from non-vertebrate chordates may greatly improve our understanding of the evolution of this complex endocrine pathway. Adaptation of already existing proteins in order to perform new roles is a common feature observed during the course of evolution. Through sequence similarity approaches, we investigated the presence of bona fide thyroid peroxidase (TPO), iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO), and thyroid hormone receptors (THRs) in non-vertebrate and vertebrate chordates. Additionally, we determined both the conservation and divergence degrees of functional domains at the protein level. This study supports the hypothesis that non-vertebrate chordates have a functional thyroid hormone signaling system and provides additional information about its possible evolutionary adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Esposito
- Computational Biology Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.E.); (S.P.)
| | - Luca Ambrosino
- Department of Research Infrastructure for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Silvano Piazza
- Computational Biology Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.E.); (S.P.)
| | - Salvatore D’Aniello
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Maria Luisa Chiusano
- Department of Research Infrastructure for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (M.L.C.)
- Department of Agriculture, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Annamaria Locascio
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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Olivo P, Palladino A, Ristoratore F, Spagnuolo A. Brain Sensory Organs of the Ascidian Ciona robusta: Structure, Function and Developmental Mechanisms. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:701779. [PMID: 34552923 PMCID: PMC8450388 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.701779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During evolution, new characters are designed by modifying pre-existing structures already present in ancient organisms. In this perspective, the Central Nervous System (CNS) of ascidian larva offers a good opportunity to analyze a complex phenomenon with a simplified approach. As sister group of vertebrates, ascidian tadpole larva exhibits a dorsal CNS, made up of only about 330 cells distributed into the anterior sensory brain vesicle (BV), connected to the motor ganglion (MG) and a caudal nerve cord (CNC) in the tail. Low number of cells does not mean, however, low complexity. The larval brain contains 177 neurons, for which a documented synaptic connectome is now available, and two pigmented organs, the otolith and the ocellus, controlling larval swimming behavior. The otolith is involved in gravity perception and the ocellus in light perception. Here, we specifically review the studies focused on the development of the building blocks of ascidians pigmented sensory organs, namely pigment cells and photoreceptor cells. We focus on what it is known, up to now, on the molecular bases of specification and differentiation of both lineages, on the function of these organs after larval hatching during pre-settlement period, and on the most cutting-edge technologies, like single cell RNAseq and genome editing CRISPR/CAS9, that, adapted and applied to Ciona embryos, are increasingly enhancing the tractability of Ciona for developmental studies, including pigmented organs formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Olivo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Palladino
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
| | - Filomena Ristoratore
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonietta Spagnuolo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
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15
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Matos A, Antunes A. Symbiotic Associations in Ascidians: Relevance for Functional Innovation and Bioactive Potential. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:370. [PMID: 34206769 PMCID: PMC8303170 DOI: 10.3390/md19070370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Associations between different organisms have been extensively described in terrestrial and marine environments. These associations are involved in roles as diverse as nutrient exchanges, shelter or adaptation to adverse conditions. Ascidians are widely dispersed marine invertebrates associated to invasive behaviours. Studying their microbiomes has interested the scientific community, mainly due to its potential for bioactive compounds production-e.g., ET-73 (trabectedin, Yondelis), an anticancer drug. However, these symbiotic interactions embrace several environmental and biological functions with high ecological relevance, inspiring diverse biotechnological applications. We thoroughly reviewed microbiome studies (microscopic to metagenomic approaches) of around 171 hosts, worldwide dispersed, occurring at different domains of life (Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya), to illuminate the functions and bioactive potential of associated organisms in ascidians. Associations with Bacteria are the most prevalent, namely with Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Planctomycetes phyla. The microbiomes of ascidians belonging to Aplousobranchia order have been the most studied. The integration of worldwide studies characterizing ascidians' microbiome composition revealed several functions including UV protection, bioaccumulation of heavy metals and defense against fouling or predators through production of natural products, chemical signals or competition. The critical assessment and characterization of these communities is extremely valuable to comprehend their biological/ecological role and biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Matos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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16
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Hiebert LS, Vieira LM, Tiozzo S, Simpson C, Grosberg RK, Migotto AE, Morandini AC, Brown FD. From the individual to the colony: Marine invertebrates as models to understand levels of biological organization. J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol 2021; 336:191-197. [PMID: 33819384 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The developmental and evolutionary principles of coloniality in marine animals remain largely unexplored. Although many common traits have evolved independently in different groups of colonial animals, questions about their significance for colonial life histories remain unanswered. In 2018 (Nov. 25 - Dec. 8), the inaugural course on the Evolution of Coloniality and Modularity took place at the Center for Marine Biology of the University of São Paulo (CEBIMAR-USP), Brazil. During the intensive two-week graduate-level course, we addressed some of the historical ideas about animal coloniality by focal studies in bryozoans, tunicates, cnidarians, and sponges. We discussed many historical hypotheses and ways to test these using both extant and paleontological data, and we carried direct observations of animal colonies in the different phyla to address questions about coloniality. We covered topics related to multi-level selection theory and studied colonial traits, including modular miniaturization, polymorphism, brooding, and allorecognition. Course participants carried out short research projects using local species of animals to address questions on allorecognition and regeneration in ascidians and sponges, fusion and chimerism in anthoathecate hydrozoans, and evolution of polymorphism in bryozoans. Although many questions remain unanswered, this course served as a foundation to continue to develop a developmental and evolutionary synthesis of clonal and modular development in colonial marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel S Hiebert
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Leandro M Vieira
- Laboratório de Estudos de Bryozoa (LAEBry), Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, UFPE, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Brazil
| | - Stefano Tiozzo
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Paris, France
| | - Carl Simpson
- Department of Geological Sciences and Museum of Natural History, University of Colorado, Colorado, USA
| | - Richard K Grosberg
- Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Alvaro E Migotto
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Andre C Morandini
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Federico D Brown
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Estudos Interdisciplinares e Transdisciplinares em Ecologia e Evolução (IN-TREE), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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17
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Kvrgić K, Lešić T, Aysal AI, Džafić N, Pleadin J. Cyclic imines in shellfish and ascidians in the northern Adriatic Sea. Food Addit Contam Part B Surveill 2020; 14:12-22. [PMID: 33280535 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2020.1851778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of the most representative cyclic imines (CIs) gymnodimine (GYM), pinnatoxin G (PnTX-G), and 13-desmethyl SPX C (SPX1) in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) (n = 416), European oysters (Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 104), Queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 52) and edible ascidians of the Microcosmus spp. (n = 104) originating from nine harvesting and breeding areas in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All CI concentrations were far below the guidance level of 400 μg SPXs/kg proposed by the EU Reference Laboratory for Marine Toxins. In contrast to Queen scallops and ascidians, in Mediterranean mussels and European oysters CIs were found throughout the year. Our data reveal the differences between species predisposed for CIs accumulation, as well as seasonal and locational variations in CIs occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Kvrgić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Veterinary Center Rijeka, Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry and Residues , Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Tina Lešić
- Department for Veterinary Public Health, Croatian Veterinary Institute Zagreb, Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry , Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ayhan Ibrahim Aysal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Gazi University , Ankara, Turkey
| | - Natalija Džafić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Veterinary Center Rijeka, Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry and Residues , Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Jelka Pleadin
- Department for Veterinary Public Health, Croatian Veterinary Institute Zagreb, Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry , Zagreb, Croatia
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18
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Coulcher JF, Roure A, Chowdhury R, Robert M, Lescat L, Bouin A, Carvajal Cadavid J, Nishida H, Darras S. Conservation of peripheral nervous system formation mechanisms in divergent ascidian embryos. eLife 2020; 9:e59157. [PMID: 33191918 PMCID: PMC7710358 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Ascidians with very similar embryos but highly divergent genomes are thought to have undergone extensive developmental system drift. We compared, in four species (Ciona and Phallusia for Phlebobranchia, Molgula and Halocynthia for Stolidobranchia), gene expression and gene regulation for a network of six transcription factors regulating peripheral nervous system (PNS) formation in Ciona. All genes, but one in Molgula, were expressed in the PNS with some differences correlating with phylogenetic distance. Cross-species transgenesis indicated strong levels of conservation, except in Molgula, in gene regulation despite lack of sequence conservation of the enhancers. Developmental system drift in ascidians is thus higher for gene regulation than for gene expression and is impacted not only by phylogenetic distance, but also in a clade-specific manner and unevenly within a network. Finally, considering that Molgula is divergent in our analyses, this suggests deep conservation of developmental mechanisms in ascidians after 390 My of separate evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua F Coulcher
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM)Banyuls-sur-MerFrance
| | - Agnès Roure
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM)Banyuls-sur-MerFrance
| | - Rafath Chowdhury
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM)Banyuls-sur-MerFrance
| | - Méryl Robert
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM)Banyuls-sur-MerFrance
| | - Laury Lescat
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM)Banyuls-sur-MerFrance
| | - Aurélie Bouin
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM)Banyuls-sur-MerFrance
| | - Juliana Carvajal Cadavid
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM)Banyuls-sur-MerFrance
| | - Hiroki Nishida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka UniversityToyonakaJapan
| | - Sébastien Darras
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM)Banyuls-sur-MerFrance
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19
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Pech-Puch D, Pérez-Povedano M, Gómez P, Martínez-Guitián M, Lasarte-Monterrubio C, Vázquez-Ucha JC, Novoa-Olmedo ML, Guillén-Hernández S, Villegas-Hernández H, Bou G, Rodríguez J, Beceiro A, Jiménez C. Marine Organisms from the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) as a Potential Natural Source of Antibacterial Compounds. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E369. [PMID: 32708418 DOI: 10.3390/md18070369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A total of 51 sponges (Porifera) and 13 ascidians (Chordata) were collected on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) and extracted with organic solvents. The resulting extracts were screened for antibacterial activity against four multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens: the Gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the organic extracts of each marine organism were determined using a broth microdilution assay. Extracts of eight of the species, in particular the Agelas citrina and Haliclona (Rhizoniera) curacaoensis, displayed activity against some of the pathogens tested. Some of the extracts showed similar MIC values to known antibiotics such as penicillins and aminoglycosides. This study is the first to carry out antimicrobial screening of extracts of marine sponges and ascidians collected from the Yucatan Peninsula. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the active extracts from the sponges Amphimedon compressa and A. citrina displayed, as a preliminary result, that an inseparable mixture of halitoxins and amphitoxins and (-)-agelasine B, respectively, are the major compounds responsible for their corresponding antibacterial activities. This is the first report of the antimicrobial activity of halitoxins and amphitoxins against major multidrug-resistant human pathogens. The promising antibacterial activities detected in this study indicate the coast of Yucatan Peninsula as a potential source of a great variety of marine organisms worthy of further research.
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20
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Matos A, Domínguez-Pérez D, Almeida D, Agüero-Chapin G, Campos A, Osório H, Vasconcelos V, Antunes A. Shotgun Proteomics of Ascidians Tunic Gives New Insights on Host-Microbe Interactions by Revealing Diverse Antimicrobial Peptides. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E362. [PMID: 32668814 DOI: 10.3390/md18070362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascidians are marine invertebrates associated with diverse microbial communities, embedded in their tunic, conferring special ecological and biotechnological relevance to these model organisms used in evolutionary and developmental studies. Next-generation sequencing tools have increased the knowledge of ascidians’ associated organisms and their products, but proteomic studies are still scarce. Hence, we explored the tunic of three ascidian species using a shotgun proteomics approach. Proteins extracted from the tunic of Ciona sp., Molgula sp., and Microcosmus sp. were processed using a nano LC-MS/MS system (Ultimate 3000 liquid chromatography system coupled to a Q-Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer). Raw data was searched against UniProtKB – the Universal Protein Resource Knowledgebase (Bacteria and Metazoa section) using Proteome Discoverer software. The resulting proteins were merged with a non-redundant Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) database and analysed with MaxQuant freeware. Overall, 337 metazoan and 106 bacterial proteins were identified being mainly involved in basal metabolism, cytoskeletal and catalytic functions. 37 AMPs were identified, most of them attributed to eukaryotic origin apart from bacteriocins. These results and the presence of “Biosynthesis of antibiotics” as one of the most highlighted pathways revealed the tunic as a very active tissue in terms of bioactive compounds production, giving insights on the interactions between host and associated organisms. Although the present work constitutes an exploratory study, the approach employed revealed high potential for high-throughput characterization and biodiscovery of the ascidians’ tunic and its microbiome.
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21
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Hudson J, Johannesson K, McQuaid CD, Rius M. Secondary contacts and genetic admixture shape colonization by an amphiatlantic epibenthic invertebrate. Evol Appl 2020; 13:600-612. [PMID: 32431738 PMCID: PMC7045719 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on the genetics of invasive species often focuses on patterns of genetic diversity and population structure within the introduced range. However, a growing body of literature is demonstrating the need to study how native genotypes affect both ecological and evolutionary mechanisms within the introduced range. Here, we used genotyping-by-sequencing to study both native and introduced ranges of the amphiatlantic marine invertebrate Ciona intestinalis. A previous study using microsatellites analysed samples collected along the Swedish west coast and showed the presence of genetically distinct lineages in deep and shallow waters. Using 1,653 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from newly collected samples (285 individuals), we first confirmed the presence of this depth-defined genomic divergence along the Swedish coast. We then used approximate Bayesian computation to infer the historical relationship among sites from the North Sea, the English Channel and the northwest Atlantic and found evidence of ancestral divergence between individuals from deep waters off Sweden and individuals from the English Channel. This divergence was followed by a secondary contact that led to a genetic admixture between the ancestral populations (i.e., deep Sweden and English Channel), which originated the genotypes found in shallow Sweden. We then revealed that the colonization of C. intestinalis in the northwest Atlantic was as a result of an admixture between shallow Sweden and the English Channel genotypes across the introduced range. Our results showed the presence of both past and recent genetic admixture events that together may have promoted the successful colonizations of C. intestinalis. Our study suggests that secondary contacts potentially reshape the evolutionary trajectories of invasive species through the promotion of intraspecific hybridization and by altering both colonization patterns and their ecological effects in the introduced range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Hudson
- School of Ocean and Earth ScienceNational Oceanography Centre SouthamptonUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Kerstin Johannesson
- Department of Marine SciencesTjärnö Marine LaboratoryUniversity of GothenburgStrömstadSweden
| | - Christopher D. McQuaid
- Department of Zoology and EntomologyCoastal Research GroupRhodes UniversityGrahamstownSouth Africa
| | - Marc Rius
- School of Ocean and Earth ScienceNational Oceanography Centre SouthamptonUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Department of ZoologyCentre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife ConservationUniversity of JohannesburgAuckland ParkSouth Africa
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22
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Blackstone NW. Evolutionary conflict and coloniality in animals. J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol 2020; 336:212-220. [PMID: 31922350 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite considerable interest in the effects of evolutionary conflict in colonies of social insects, relatively little attention has been paid to this issue in clonal animals with modular construction, such as colonial ascidians, bryozoans, and cnidarians. These colonial animals are structural individuals, subdivided into repeated morphological modules, which can individually acquire, process, and share resources. While size-related selection favors colony formation, evolutionary conflicts remain a potent obstacle to such cooperation. These conflicts can occur at several levels and must be mediated for cooperation to emerge. Module-level conflicts potentially result in coalitions of genetically similar modules failing to share resources or monopolizing reproduction. Mediation occurs by a number of mechanisms including: (a) a single-module bottleneck at the initiation of colony formation, (b) allorecognition that limits colony fusion to close kin, (c) development of new modules from connective tissue, (d) synchronization of module budding, (e) programmed module death, (f) terminal differentiation of reproductive modules, and (g) architectural constraints. Effective mediation of module-level conflicts, however, may in some cases contribute to cell-level conflicts. Animal colonies typically have multipotent stem cells, and genetically variant stem cells can potentially monopolize gamete formation. Limiting colony fusion to close kin may not eliminate such conflict. Finally, in at least some taxa an association between photosymbiosis and coloniality is found. Allocation of photosynthate can lead to host-symbiont conflicts that can be mediated by housing symbionts intracellularly and using chemiosmotic mechanisms to detect defectors. Colonial animals thus serve as a living laboratory of evolutionary conflict and its mediation.
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Casertano M, Imperatore C, Luciano P, Aiello A, Putra MY, Gimmelli R, Ruberti G, Menna M. Chemical Investigation of the Indonesian Tunicate Polycarpa aurata and Evaluation of the Effects Against Schistosoma mansoni of the Novel Alkaloids Polyaurines A and B. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17050278. [PMID: 31083316 PMCID: PMC6562961 DOI: 10.3390/md17050278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A deep study of the metabolic content of the tunicate Polycarpa aurata, collected from Indonesian coast, afforded the isolation of two novel alkaloids, polyaurines A (1) and B (2), along with two new p-substituted benzoyl derivatives (3 and 4) and four known compounds (5–8). The structural elucidation of the new secondary metabolites was assigned by 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS techniques. Computational studies resulted a useful tool to unambiguously determine in polyaurine B the presence of rarely found 1,2,4-thiadiazole ring. The effects of polyaurines A and B on mammalian cells growth and on the viability of different blood-dwelling Schistosoma mansoni (phylum: Platyhelminthes) stages, as well as egg production, were evaluated. Both compounds resulted not cytotoxic; interestingly some of the eggs produced by polyaurine A-treated adult pairs in vitro are smaller, deformed, and/or fragmented; therefore, polyaurine A could represent an interesting bioactive natural molecule to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Casertano
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Concetta Imperatore
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Paolo Luciano
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Anna Aiello
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Masteria Yunovilsa Putra
- Research Center for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Jl Pasir Putih Raya 1, DKI Jakarta 14430, Indonesia.
| | - Roberto Gimmelli
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy.
| | - Giovina Ruberti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Via E. Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy.
| | - Marialuisa Menna
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
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Palanisamy SK, Thomas OP, P McCormack G. Bio-invasive ascidians in Ireland: A threat for the shellfish industry but also a source of high added value products. Bioengineered 2018; 9:55-60. [PMID: 29072513 PMCID: PMC5972928 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2017.1392421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In October 2016, a rapid assessment survey of ascidian species was conducted in shellfish farms at Killary Fjord, in the west of Ireland. Two non-indigenous solitary ascidians Ascidiella aspersa and Corella eumoyta were recorded for the first time in shellfish farms at this location. Both invasive ascidians have the potential to greatly reduce mussel production in Killary Fjord by competing with shellfish for food and habitat. Their high abundance also causes an increase in maintenance costs leading to economic losses for aquaculture farmers. Prompted by our finding of two invasive ascidians in Killary Fjord, we provide a brief review of the ecological role of ascidians and the potential of harnessing biomass from such invasive species for the production of high added value marine natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satheesh Kumar Palanisamy
- a Department of Zoology , School of Natural Science, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland , Galway , Ireland.,b School of Chemistry, Marine Biodiscovery, National University of Ireland , Galway , Ireland
| | - Olivier P Thomas
- b School of Chemistry, Marine Biodiscovery, National University of Ireland , Galway , Ireland
| | - Grace P McCormack
- a Department of Zoology , School of Natural Science, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland , Galway , Ireland
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Schreiber L, Kjeldsen KU, Funch P, Jensen J, Obst M, López-Legentil S, Schramm A. Endozoicomonas Are Specific, Facultative Symbionts of Sea Squirts. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1042. [PMID: 27462299 PMCID: PMC4940369 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascidians are marine filter feeders and harbor diverse microbiota that can exhibit a high degree of host-specificity. Pharyngeal samples of Scandinavian and Mediterranean ascidians were screened for consistently associated bacteria by culture-dependent and -independent approaches. Representatives of the Endozoicomonas (Gammaproteobacteria, Hahellaceae) clade were detected in the ascidian species Ascidiella aspersa, Ascidiella scabra, Botryllus schlosseri, Ciona intestinalis, Styela clava, and multiple Ascidia/Ascidiella spp. In total, Endozoicomonas was detected in more than half of all specimens screened, and in 25-100% of the specimens for each species. The retrieved Endozoicomonas 16S rRNA gene sequences formed an ascidian-specific subclade, whose members were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) as extracellular microcolonies in the pharynx. Two strains of the ascidian-specific Endozoicomonas subclade were isolated in pure culture and characterized. Both strains are chemoorganoheterotrophs and grow on mucin (a mucus glycoprotein). The strains tested negative for cytotoxic or antibacterial activity. Based on these observations, we propose ascidian-associated Endozoicomonas to be commensals, living off the mucus continuously secreted into the pharynx. Members of the ascidian-specific Endozoicomonas subclade were also detected in seawater from the Scandinavian sampling site, which suggests acquisition of the symbionts by horizontal transmission. The combined results indicate a host-specific, yet facultative symbiosis between ascidians and Endozoicomonas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Schreiber
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology and Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kasper U Kjeldsen
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology and Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Funch
- Section of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jeppe Jensen
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology and Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Matthias Obst
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanna López-Legentil
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington NC, USA
| | - Andreas Schramm
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology and Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
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26
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Thomas JD. Leucothoe eltoni sp. n., a new species of commensal leucothoid amphipod from coral reefs in Raja Ampat, Indonesia (Crustacea, Amphipoda). Zookeys 2015:51-66. [PMID: 26448700 PMCID: PMC4591596 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.518.9340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A new species of leucothoid amphipod, Leucothoeeltoni sp. n., is described from coral reefs in Raja Ampat, Indonesia where it inhabits the branchial chambers of solitary tunicates. With an inflated first gnathopod superficially resembling the genus Paraleucothoe, this new species has a two-articulate maxilla 1 palp characteristic of the genus Leucothoe. While described from coral reef environments in tropical Indonesia and the Philippines, it is an established invasive species in the Hawaiian Islands. The most likely mode of introduction was a US Navy dry dock transported to Pearl Harbor in 1992 from Subic Bay, Philippines.
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Abstract
The development of bioadhesives inspired from marine animals is a promising approach to generate new tissue-compatible medical components. A number of marine species, through their adhesive properties, also represent significant foulers that become increasingly problematic to aquaculture, shipping or local biodiversity. In order to develop more sophisticated man-made glues and/or efficient fouling resistant surfaces, it is important to understand the mechanical, structural and molecular properties of adhesive organs in selected species. Ascidians are marine invertebrates with larvae that opportunistically attach to almost any type of submerged surface to undergo metamorphosis into permanently sessile adults. Not only do they represent a globally important fouling organism, but they are becoming increasingly popular as model organisms for developmental biology. The latter is due to their phylogenetic position as the sister group to the vertebrates and their cellular and molecular accessibility for experimentation. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of larval adhesion in ascidians and draw conclusions from comparative analyses of selected species. We further discuss how knowledge from a developmental and functional genomics point of view can advance our understanding of cellular and molecular signatures and their hierarchical usage in animal adhesive organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pennati
- Dipartimento di Biologia , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Ute Rothbächer
- Department of Evolution and Developmental Biology, Zoological Institute , University Innsbruck , Innsbruck , Austria
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28
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Crocetta F, Marino R, Cirino P, Macina A, Staiano L, Esposito R, Pezzotti MR, Racioppi C, Toscano F, De Felice E, Locascio A, Ristoratore F, Spagnuolo A, Zanetti L, Branno M, Sordino P. Mutation studies in ascidians: a review. Genesis 2014; 53:160-9. [PMID: 25395385 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Historically, mutations have had a significant impact on the study of developmental processes and phenotypic evolution. Lesions in DNA are created by artificial methods or detected by natural genetic variation. Random mutations are then ascribed to genetic change by direct sequencing or positional cloning. Tunicate species of the ascidian genus Ciona represent nearly fully realized model systems in which gene function can be investigated in depth. Additionally, tunicates are valuable organisms for the study of naturally occurring mutations due to the capability to exploit genetic variation down to the molecular level. Here, we summarize the available information about how mutations are studied in ascidians with examples of insights that have resulted from these applications. We also describe notions and methodologies that might be useful for the implementation of easy and tight procedures for mutations studies in Ciona.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Crocetta
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
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Stolfi A, Lowe EK, Racioppi C, Ristoratore F, Brown CT, Swalla BJ, Christiaen L. Divergent mechanisms regulate conserved cardiopharyngeal development and gene expression in distantly related ascidians. eLife 2014; 3:e03728. [PMID: 25209999 PMCID: PMC4356046 DOI: 10.7554/elife.03728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascidians present a striking dichotomy between conserved phenotypes and divergent genomes: embryonic cell lineages and gene expression patterns are conserved between distantly related species. Much research has focused on Ciona or Halocynthia spp. but development in other ascidians remains poorly characterized. In this study, we surveyed the multipotent myogenic B7.5 lineage in Molgula spp. Comparisons to the homologous lineage in Ciona revealed identical cell division and fate specification events that result in segregation of larval, cardiac, and pharyngeal muscle progenitors. Moreover, the expression patterns of key regulators are conserved, but cross-species transgenic assays uncovered incompatibility, or ‘unintelligibility’, of orthologous cis-regulatory sequences between Molgula and Ciona. These sequences drive identical expression patterns that are not recapitulated in cross-species assays. We show that this unintelligibility is likely due to changes in both cis- and trans-acting elements, hinting at widespread and frequent turnover of regulatory mechanisms underlying otherwise conserved aspects of ascidian embryogenesis. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03728.001 When two species have features that look similar, this may be because the features arise by the same processes during development. Other features may look similar yet develop by different mechanisms. ‘Developmental system drift’ refers to the process where a physical feature remains unaltered during evolution, but the underlying pathway that controls its development is changed. However, to date, there have been only a few experimental studies that support this idea. Ascidians—also commonly known as sea squirts—are vase-like marine creatures, which start off as tadpole-like larvae that swim around until they find a place to settle down and attach themselves. Once attached, the sea squirts lose the ability to swim and start feeding, typically by filtering material out of the seawater. Sea squirts and their close relatives are the invertebrates (animals without backbones) that are most closely related to all vertebrates (animals with backbones), including humans. Furthermore, although different species of sea squirt have almost identical embryos, their genomes are very different. Stolfi et al. have now studied whether developmental system drift may have occurred during the evolution of ascidians, by analyzing different species of sea squirt named Molgula and Ciona. Stolfi et al. compared the genomes of Molgula and Ciona and studied the expression of genes in the cells that give rise to the heart and the muscles of the head. As an embryo develops, specific genes are switched on or off, and these patterns of gene activation were broadly identical in the two species of sea squirt examined. Enhancers are sequences of DNA that control when and how a gene is switched on. Given the similarities between the development of heart and head muscle cells in the different sea squirts, Stolfi et al. looked to see if the mechanisms of gene expression, and therefore the enhancers, were also conserved. Unexpectedly, this was not the case. When enhancers from Molgula were introduced into Ciona (and vice versa), these sequences were unable to switch on gene expression—thus enhancers from one sea squirt species could not function in the other. Stolfi et al. conclude that the developmental systems may have drifted considerably during evolution of the sea squirts, in spite of their nearly identical embryos. This reinforces the view that different paths can lead to the formation of similar physical features. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03728.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Stolfi
- Center for Developmental Genetics, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States
| | - Elijah K Lowe
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
| | - Claudia Racioppi
- Cellular and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
| | - Filomena Ristoratore
- Cellular and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
| | - C Titus Brown
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
| | - Billie J Swalla
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Lionel Christiaen
- Center for Developmental Genetics, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, United States
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Park KH, Zeon SR, Lee JG, Choi SH, Shin YK, Park KI. In vitro and in vivo efficacy of drugs against the protozoan parasite Azumiobodo hoyamushi that causes soft tunic syndrome in the edible ascidian Halocynthia roretzi (Drasche). J Fish Dis 2014; 37:309-317. [PMID: 23952334 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Revised: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
It was discovered recently that infection by a protozoan parasite, Azumiobodo hoyamushi, is the most probable cause for soft tunic syndrome in an edible ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi (Drasche). In an attempt to develop measures to eradicate the causative parasite, various drugs were tested for efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Of the 20 antiprotozoal drugs having different action mechanisms, five were found potent (24-h EC50 < 10 mg L(-1) ) in their parasite-killing effects: formalin, H2 O2 , bithionol, ClO2 and bronopol. Moderately potent drugs (10 < 24-h EC50 < 100 mg L(-1) ) were quinine, fumagillin, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, povidone-iodine, chloramine-T and benzalkonium chloride. Seven compounds, metronidazole, albendazole, paromomycin, nalidixic acid, sulfamonomethoxine, KMnO4 , potassium monopersulphate and citric acid, exhibited EC50 > 100 mg L(-1) . When ascidians were artificially infected with A. hoyamushi, treated using 40 mg L(-1) formalin, bronopol, ClO2 , or H2 O2 for 1 h and then monitored for 24 h, very low mortality was observed. However, the number of surviving parasite cells in the ascidian tunic tissues was significantly reduced by treating with 40 mg L(-1) formalin or ClO2 for 1 h. The data suggest that we might be able to develop a disinfection measure using a treatment regimen involving commonly available drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Park
- Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, Kunsan National University, Gunsan City, Jeonbuk, Korea
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31
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Abstract
Urochordates (ascidians) have recently supplanted cephalochordates (amphioxus) as the extant sister taxon of vertebrates. Given that urochordates possess migratory cells that have been classified as 'neural crest-like'- and that cephalochordates lack such cells--this phylogenetic hypothesis may have significant implications with respect to the origin of the neural crest and neural crest-derived skeletal tissues in vertebrates. We present an overview of the genes and gene regulatory network associated with specification of the neural crest in vertebrates. We then use these molecular data--alongside cell behaviour, cell fate and embryonic context--to assess putative antecedents (latent homologues) of the neural crest or neural crest cells in ascidians and cephalochordates. Ascidian migratory mesenchymal cells--non-pigment-forming trunk lateral line cells and pigment-forming 'neural crest-like cells' (NCLC)--are unlikely latent neural crest cell homologues. Rather, Snail-expressing cells at the neural plate of border of urochordates and cephalochordates likely represent the extent of neural crest elaboration in non-vertebrate chordates. We also review evidence for the evolutionary origin of two neural crest-derived skeletal tissues--cartilage and dentine. Dentine is a bona fide vertebrate novelty, and dentine-secreting odontoblasts represent a cell type that is exclusively derived from the neural crest. Cartilage, on the other hand, likely has a much deeper origin within the Metazoa. The mesodermally derived cellular cartilages of some protostome invertebrates are much more similar to vertebrate cartilage than is the acellular 'cartilage-like' tissue in cephalochordate pharyngeal arches. Cartilage, therefore, is not a vertebrate novelty, and a well-developed chondrogenic program was most likely co-opted from mesoderm to the neural crest along the vertebrate stem. We conclude that the neural crest is a vertebrate novelty, but that neural crest cells and their derivatives evolved and diversified in a step-wise fashion--first by elaboration of neural plate border cells, then by the innovation or co-option of new or ancient metazoan cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian K Hall
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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Imperatore C, Aiello A, D’Aniello F, Luciano P, Vitalone R, Meli R, Raso GM, Menna M. New bioactive alkyl sulfates from Mediterranean tunicates. Molecules 2012; 17:12642-50. [PMID: 23103530 PMCID: PMC6268736 DOI: 10.3390/molecules171112642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2012] [Revised: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical investigation of two species of marine ascidians, Aplidium elegans and Ciona edwardsii, collected in Mediterranean area, led to isolation of a series of alkyl sulfates (compounds 1-5) including three new molecules 1-3. Structures of the new metabolites have been elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Based on previously reported cytotoxic activity of these type of molecules, compounds 1-3 have been tested for their effects on the growth of two cell lines, J774A.1 (BALB/c murine macrophages) and C6 (rat glioma) in vitro. Compounds 1 and 2 induced selective concentration-dependent mortality on J774A.1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Imperatore
- The NeaNat Group, Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; (C.I.); (A.A.); (F.D.); (R.V.)
| | - Anna Aiello
- The NeaNat Group, Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; (C.I.); (A.A.); (F.D.); (R.V.)
| | - Filomena D’Aniello
- The NeaNat Group, Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; (C.I.); (A.A.); (F.D.); (R.V.)
| | - Paolo Luciano
- C.S.I.A.S. (Centro Servizi Interdipartimentale di Analisi Strumentale), Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy;
| | - Rocco Vitalone
- The NeaNat Group, Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; (C.I.); (A.A.); (F.D.); (R.V.)
| | - Rosaria Meli
- Dipartimento di Farmacologia Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; (R.M.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Giuseppina Mattace Raso
- Dipartimento di Farmacologia Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; (R.M.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Marialuisa Menna
- The NeaNat Group, Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; (C.I.); (A.A.); (F.D.); (R.V.)
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Jimenez PC, Wilke DV, Ferreira EG, Takeara R, de Moraes MO, da Silveira ER, da Cruz Lotufo TM, Lopes NP, Costa-Lotufo LV. Structure elucidation and anticancer activity of 7-oxostaurosporine derivatives from the Brazilian endemic tunicate Eudistoma vannamei. Mar Drugs 2012; 10:1092-1102. [PMID: 22822359 PMCID: PMC3397465 DOI: 10.3390/md10051092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Revised: 05/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study reports the identification of two new staurosporine derivatives, 2-hydroxy-7-oxostaurosporine (1) and 3-hydroxy-7-oxostaurosporine (2), obtained from mid-polar fractions of an aqueous methanol extract of the tunicate Eudistoma vannamei, endemic to the northeast coast of Brazil. The mixture of 1 and 2 displayed IC50 values in the nM range and was up to 14 times more cytotoxic than staurosporine across a panel of tumor cell lines, as evaluated using the MTT assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Christine Jimenez
- Institute of Marine Sciences, LABOMAR, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60165-081, Brazil; (P.C.J.); (E.G.F.); (T.M.C.L.)
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60430-270, Brazil; (D.V.W.); (M.O.M.)
| | - Diego Veras Wilke
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60430-270, Brazil; (D.V.W.); (M.O.M.)
| | - Elthon Gois Ferreira
- Institute of Marine Sciences, LABOMAR, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60165-081, Brazil; (P.C.J.); (E.G.F.); (T.M.C.L.)
| | - Renata Takeara
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil; (R.T.); (N.P.L.)
| | - Manoel Odorico de Moraes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60430-270, Brazil; (D.V.W.); (M.O.M.)
| | - Edilberto Rocha da Silveira
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60021-970, Brazil;
| | - Tito Monteiro da Cruz Lotufo
- Institute of Marine Sciences, LABOMAR, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60165-081, Brazil; (P.C.J.); (E.G.F.); (T.M.C.L.)
| | - Norberto Peporine Lopes
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil; (R.T.); (N.P.L.)
| | - Leticia Veras Costa-Lotufo
- Institute of Marine Sciences, LABOMAR, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60165-081, Brazil; (P.C.J.); (E.G.F.); (T.M.C.L.)
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60430-270, Brazil; (D.V.W.); (M.O.M.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; ; Tel.: +55-85-3366-7029; Fax: +55-85-3366-8333
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Aiello A, Fattorusso E, Imperatore C, Irace C, Luciano P, Menna M, Santamaria R, Vitalone R. Zorrimidazolone, a bioactive alkaloid from the non-indigenous mediterranean stolidobranch Polyandrocarpa zorritensis. Mar Drugs 2011; 9:1157-1165. [PMID: 21747753 PMCID: PMC3131566 DOI: 10.3390/md9061157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Revised: 05/31/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical analysis of the Mediterranean ascidian Polyandrocarpa zorritensis (Van Name 1931) resulted in the isolation of a series of molecules including two monoindole alkaloids, 3-indolylglyoxylic acid (3) and its methyl ester (4), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglyoxylic acid methyl ester (1) and a new alkaloid we named zorrimidazolone (2). The structure of the novel compound 2 has been elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and bioactivity of all compounds has been investigated. Zorrimidazolone (2) showed a modest cytotoxic activity against C6 rat glioma cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Aiello
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Chemistry of Natural Products, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy; E-Mails: (A.A.); (E.F.); (C.I.); (R.V.)
| | - Ernesto Fattorusso
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Chemistry of Natural Products, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy; E-Mails: (A.A.); (E.F.); (C.I.); (R.V.)
| | - Concetta Imperatore
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Chemistry of Natural Products, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy; E-Mails: (A.A.); (E.F.); (C.I.); (R.V.)
| | - Carlo Irace
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy; E-Mail: (C.I.); (R.S.)
| | - Paolo Luciano
- C.S.I.A.S. (Interdepartmental Service Center for Spectroscopic Analysis), University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Marialuisa Menna
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Chemistry of Natural Products, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy; E-Mails: (A.A.); (E.F.); (C.I.); (R.V.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +39-081-678-518; Fax: +39-081-678-552
| | - Rita Santamaria
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy; E-Mail: (C.I.); (R.S.)
| | - Rocco Vitalone
- The NeaNat Group, Department of Chemistry of Natural Products, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy; E-Mails: (A.A.); (E.F.); (C.I.); (R.V.)
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Abstract
The ascidian tadpole represents the most simplified chordate body plan. It contains a notochord composed of just 40 cells, but as in vertebrates Brachyury is essential for notochord differentiation. Here, we show that the misexpression of the Brachyury gene (Ci-Bra) of Ciona intestinalis is sufficient to transform endoderm into notochord. Subtractive hybridization screens were conducted to identify potential Brachyury target genes that are induced upon Ci-Bra misexpression. Of 501 independent cDNA clones that were surveyed, 38 were specifically expressed in notochord cells. These potential Ci-Bra downstream genes appear to encode a broad spectrum of divergent proteins associated with notochord formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Takahashi
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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