Extracellular Matrix of Echinoderms.

This review considers available data on the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in echinoderms. The connective tissue in these animals has a rather complex organization. It includes a wide range of structural ECM proteins, as well as various proteases and their inhibitors. Members of almost all major groups of collagens, various glycoproteins, and proteoglycans have been found in echinoderms. There are enzymes for the synthesis of structural proteins and their modification by polysaccharides. However, the ECM of echinoderms substantially differs from that of vertebrates by the lack of elastin, fibronectins, tenascins, and some other glycoproteins and proteoglycans. Echinoderms have a wide variety of proteinases, with serine, cysteine, aspartic, and metal peptidases identified among them. Their active centers have a typical structure and can break down various ECM molecules. Echinoderms are also distinguished by a wide range of proteinase inhibitors. The complex ECM structure and the variety of intermolecular interactions evidently explain the complexity of the mechanisms responsible for variations in the mechanical properties of connective tissue in echinoderms. These mechanisms probably depend not only on the number of cross-links between the molecules, but also on the composition of ECM and the properties of its proteins.

Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases in Echinoderms: Structure and Possible Functions.

Echinoderms are one of the most ancient groups of invertebrates. The study of their genomes has made it possible to conclude that these animals have a wide variety of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The phylogenetic analysis shows that the MMPs and TIMPs underwent repeated duplication and active divergence after the separation of Ambulacraria (Echinodermata+Hemichordata) from the Chordata. In this regard the homology of the proteinases and their inhibitors between these groups of animals cannot be established. However, the MMPs of echinoderms and vertebrates have a similar domain structure. Echinoderm proteinases can be structurally divided into three groups-archetypal MMPs, matrilysins, and furin-activatable MMPs. Gelatinases homologous to those of vertebrates were not found in genomes of studied species and are probably absent in echinoderms. The MMPs of echinoderms possess lytic activity toward collagen type I and gelatin and play an important role in the mechanisms of development, asexual reproduction and regeneration. Echinoderms have a large number of genes encoding TIMPs and TIMP-like proteins. TIMPs of these animals, with a few exceptions, have a structure typical for this class of proteins. They contain an NTR domain and 10-12 conservatively located cysteine residues. Repeated duplication and divergence of TIMP genes of echinoderms was probably associated with an increase in the functional importance of the proteins encoded by them in the physiology of the animals.

Expression of Piwi, MMP, TIMP, and Sox during Gut Regeneration in Holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix (Holothuroidea, Dendrochirotida).

Mesodermal cells of holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix can transdifferentiate into enterocytes during the regeneration of the digestive system. In this study, we investigated the expression of several genes involved in gut regeneration in E. fraudatrix. Moreover, the localization of progenitor cells of coelomocytes, juvenile cells, and their participation in the formation of the luminal epithelium of the digestive tube were studied. It was shown that Piwi-positive cells were not involved in the formation of the luminal epithelium of the digestive tube. Ef-72 kDa type IV collagenase and Ef-MMP16 had an individual expression profile and possibly different functions. The Ef-tensilin3 gene exhibited the highest expression and indicates its potential role in regeneration. Ef-Sox9/10 and Ef-Sox17 in E. fraudatrix may participate in the mechanism of transdifferentiation of coelomic epithelial cells. Their transcripts mark the cells that plunge into the connective tissue of the gut anlage and give rise to enterocytes. Ef-Sox9/10 probably controls the switching of mesodermal cells to the enterocyte phenotype, while Ef-Sox17 may be involved in the regulation of the initial stages of transdifferentiation.

The Eupentacta fraudatrix transcriptome provides insights into regulation of cell transdifferentiation.

The holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix is a unique organism for studying regeneration mechanisms. Moreover, E. fraudatrix can quickly restore parts of its body and entire organ systems, yet at the moment, there is no data on the participation of stem cells in the process. To the contrary, it has been repeatedly confirmed that this process is only due to the transformation of terminally differentiated cells. In this study, we examine changes in gene expression during gut regeneration of the holothurian E. fraudatrix. Transcriptomes of intestinal anlage of the three stages of regeneration, as well as the normal gut, were sequenced with an Illumina sequencer (San Diego, CA, USA). We identified 14,617 sea urchin protein homologs, of which 308 were transcription factors. After analysing the dynamics of gene expression during regeneration and the map of biological processes in which they participate, we identified 11 factors: Ef-EGR1, Ef-ELF, Ef-GATA3, Ef-ID2, Ef-KLF1/2/4, Ef-MSC, Ef-PCGF2, Ef-PRDM9, Ef-SNAI2, Ef-TBX20, and Ef-TCF24. With the exception of TCF24, they are all involved in the regeneration, development, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune response in other animals. We suggest that these transcription factors may also be involved in the transdifferentiation of coelomic epithelial cells into enterocytes in holothurians.

Different Macrophage Type Triggering as Target of the Action of Biologically Active Substances from Marine Invertebrates.

Macrophages play a fundamental role in the immune system. Depending on the microenvironment stimuli, macrophages can acquire distinct phenotypes characterized with different sets of the markers of their functional activities. Polarization of macrophages towards M1 type (classical activation) is involved in inflammation and the related progression of diseases, while, in contrast, alternatively activated M2 macrophages are associated with the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Reprogramming macrophages to switch their phenotypes could provide a new therapeutic strategy, and targeting the M1/M2 macrophage balance is a promising current trend in pharmacology. Marine invertebrates are a vast source of the variety of structurally diverse compounds with potent pharmacological activities. For years, a large number of studies concerning the immunomodulatory properties of the marine substances have been run with using some intracellular markers of immune stimulation or suppression irrespective of the possible application of marine compounds in reprogramming of macrophage activation, and only few reports clearly demonstrated the macrophage-polarizing activities of some marine compounds during the last decade. In this review, the data on the immunomodulating effects of the extracts and pure compounds of a variety of chemical structure from species of different classes of marine invertebrates are described with focus on their potential in shifting M1/M2 macrophage balance towards M1 or M2 phenotype.

Cladolosides C4, D1, D2, M, M1, M2, N and Q, new triterpene glycosides with diverse carbohydrate chains from sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii. An uncommon 20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27-okta-nor-lanostane aglycone. The synergism of inhibitory action of non-toxic dose of the glycosides and radioactive irradiation on colony formation of HT-29 cancer cells.

Eight new triterpene olygoglycosides, cladolosides C4 (1), D1 (2), D2 (3), M (4), M1 (5), M2 (6), N (7) and Q (8), were isolated from the tropical Indo-West Pacific sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii (Sclerodactylidae, Dendrochirotida). Structures of these glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR ESI mass spectrometry. A novel hexasaccharide carbohydrate chain having xylose residues as the first, second and third sugars was found in the glycoside 7. Cladoloside C4 (1) contains an uncommon 20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27-octa-norlanostane aglycone. Cladolosides D1 (2), D2 (3) and Q (8) were new representatives of the hexaosides with a non-methylated terminal sugar unit in the "upper" half-chain. Cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds against ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells, mouse erythrocytes and human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells were examined and their structure-activity relationships were analyzed. In addition, the majority of tested compounds, except for cladoloside D2 (3), inhibited the colony formation and growth of HT-29 cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations. The highest inhibitory activity was demonstrated by cladoloside M1 (5). Moreover, synergism of effects of radioactive irradiation and non-toxic dose of compounds 1-8 decreasing the number of colonies of HT-29 cells was observed. Cladoloside N (7) was the most active and increased the inhibitory effect from radiation by 75%. The biosynthetic transformations of the aglycones are discussed.

Cladolosides O, P, P1-P3 and R, triterpene glycosides with two novel types of carbohydrate chains from the sea cucumberCladolabes schmeltzii. Inhibition of cancer cells colony formation and its synergy with radioactive irradiation.

The sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii (Sclerodactylidae, Dendrochirotida) contains diverse glycosides, including several dozen individual compounds. Six new triterpene oligoglycosides, cladolosides O (1), P (2), P1 (3), P2 (4), P3 (5) and R (6), were isolated from this sea cucumber. Their structures were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR ESI mass spectrometry. Cladoloside O (1) has a pentasaccharide carbohydrate chain. Cladolosides of the group P and cladoloside R (6) include novel hexasaccharide carbohydrate chains with different positions of non-methylated terminal sugar units. All the isolated compounds demonstrate strong cytotoxic activities against cells of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells (ascite form) and mouse erythrocytes. The cytotoxicity of these compounds against human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells was somewhat lower. The compounds 1-6 also inhibit the colony formation and growth of HT-29 cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations. The highest inhibition effect was demonstrated by cladoloside P1 (3). Moreover, synergism of effects of radioactive irradiation and non-toxic dose of compounds 1-6 on colony formation of HT-29 cells was observed. Cladolosides P2 (4) and P3 (5) were the most active and increased the inhibitory effect of radiation by more than 70%. The metabolic network demonstrating the biosynthetic pathways to carbohydrate chains of the glycosides of C. schmeltzii, based on a comparison of their structures, was constructed.

Colochiroside E, an Unusual Non-holostane Triterpene Sulfated Trioside from the Sea Cucumber Colochirus robustus and Evidence of the Impossibility of a 7(8)-Double Bond Migration in Lanostane Derivatives having an 18(16)-Lactone.

The unusual non-holostane triterpene glycoside, colochiroside E (1) was isolated from the sea cucumber Colochirus robustus (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida). The structure of 1 was established by analysis of 1D, 2D NMR and HRESI MS data. Colochiroside E (1) belongs to a rare group of glycosylated 9ß-H-lanosta-18(16)-lactones and has an unprecedented sulfated trisaccharide carbohydrate chain consisting of two glucose and one xylose units. In contrast with (9ß-H)-7(8)-unsaturated holostane glycosides, the 7(8)-double bond in the having (9ß-H)-configuration aglycone of colochiroside E is not capable of migration into the 8(9)- and then into the 9(11)-position on treatment with HCl. The formation of a chlorine derivative of 1 was observed under these conditions.

Colochirosides A1, A2, A3, and D, Four Novel Sulfated Triterpene Glycosides from the Sea Cucumber Colochirus robustus (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida).

Four new triterpene glycosides, colochirosides A1 (1), A2 (2), A3 (3) and D (4), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Colochirus robustus (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida). Structures of the glycosides have been elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass-spectrometry. Colochiroside D (4) has a new type of carbohydrate chain having the only sulfate group attached to C-6 of the third (glucose) monosaccharide residue. Cytotoxic activities of glycosides 1-4 against the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells and hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes have been studied. Hemolytic activity of the glycosides was higher than cytotoxic. Glycosides 1, 3 and 4 demonstrated strong effects, whereas compound 2 showed only moderate activity.

Colochirosides B1, B2, B3 and C, Novel Sulfated Triterpene Glycosides from the Sea Cucumber Colochirus robustus (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida).

Four new triterpene glycosides, colochirosides B1 (1), B2 (2), B3 (3) and C (4) have been isolated from the sea cucumber Colochirus robustus (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida). Six known earlier glycosides from representatives of two families of the order Dendrochirotida have also been found in C. robustus. Structures of the glycosides have been elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. All the glycosides belong to the holostane series and contain tetrasaccharide linear carbohydrate chains with one or two sulfate groups. Cytotoxic activities of glycosides 1-4 against the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells and hemolytic activities against mouse erythrocytes have been studied. Hemolytic activity of the glycosides was higher than cytotoxic. Glycosides 3 and 4 demonstrated strong effects, whereas compounds 1 and 2 containing the hydroxy-group in the side chains showed moderate hemolytic activity and were not cytotoxic.

Triterpene glycosides from the sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii. II. Structure and biological action of cladolosides A1-A6 .

Six new triterpene glycosides, cladolosides Al-A6 (1-6), have been isolated from the Vietnamese sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii (Cladolabinae, Sclerodactylidae, Dendrochirotida). Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS. All the glycosides have nonsulfated tetrasaccharide linear carbohydrate moieties. Glycoside 6 has a glucose residue as the third monosaccharide unit, while the rest of the compounds comprise a xylose in this postion of the carbohydrate chain. Glycosides 1-6 differ from each other in the structures of their holostane aglycones. Cytotoxic activities of glycosides 1-6 were studied against mouse spleenocytes, along with hemolytic activities against mouse erythrocytes. All the compounds, except cladoloside A5 (5) posessing a hydroxy-group in the aglycone side chain, demonstrated rather strong cytotoxic and hemolytic effects. The most active glycosides were cladolosides A1 (1) and A2 (2) having two O-acetic groups and the xylose residue in the third position of the sugar chain.

Transdifferentiation in holothurian gut regeneration.

It has recently been shown that the whole spectrum of cell types constituting a multicellular organism can be generated from stem cells. Our study provides an example of an alternative mechanism of tissue repair. Injection of distilled water into the coelomic cavity of the holothurian Eupentacta fraudatrix results in the loss of the whole digestive tract, except the cloaca. The new gut reforms from two separate rudiments. One rudiment appears at the anterior end of the body and extends posteriorly. The second rudiment grows anteriorly from the cloaca. In the anterior rudiment, the luminal epithelium (normally derived from endoderm) develops de novo through direct transdifferentiation of the coelomic epithelial cells (mesodermal in origin). In the posterior rudiment, the luminal epithelium originates from the lining epithelium of the cloaca. After 27 days, the two rudiments come into contact and fuse to form a continuous digestive tube lined with a fully differentiated luminal epithelium. Thus in this species, the luminal epithelia of the anterior and posterior gut rudiments develop from two different cell sources-i.e., from the mesodermally derived mesothelium and the endodermally derived epithelium of the cloacal lining, respectively. Our data suggest that differentiated cells of echinoderms are capable of transdifferentiation into other cell types.