Hair cells in an ascidian (Tunicata) and their evolution in chordates.

In ascidians, mechanoreceptors of the oral area are involved in monitoring the incoming water flow. Sensory cells are represented by scattered, ciliated primary cells (sending their own axons to the cerebral ganglion) or secondary sensory cells (axonless cells forming afferent and efferent synapses with neurons, whose somata are located in the ganglion) of the coronal organ. Coronal cells have varying morphologies: in species of the Enterogona order, they are multiciliate, whereas those of Pleurogona possess an apical apparatus composed of one or two cilia accompanied by stereovilli, in some cases also graded in length. The coronal organ has been proposed as a homologue to the vertebrate octavo-lateralis system, because coronal cells resemble vertebrate hair cells for morphology, embryonic origin and arrangement. In the ascidian Molgula socialis (Pleurogona), we now describe the morphology of the coronal organ, which contains a few associated rows of sensory cells that run the whole length of the oral velum and the branched tentacles. Three kinds of sensory cells, accompanied by specialised supporting cells, are present. Comparisons between the coronal organ and other chordate mechanosensory structures suggest that hair cells originated in the common ancestor of chordates.

Programmed cell death in vegetative development: apoptosis during the colonial life cycle of the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri.

Programmed cell death (PCD) by apoptosis is a physiological mechanism by which cells are eliminated during embryonic and post-embryonic stages of animal life cycle. During asexual reproduction, the zooids of colonial ascidians originate from an assorted cell population instead of a single zygote, so that we assume that regulation of the equilibrium among proliferation, differentiation and cell death may follow different pathways in comparison to the embryonic development. Here we investigate the presence of apoptotic events throughout the blastogenetic life cycle of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) coupled with histochemical and electron microscopy techniques. The occurrence of low levels of morphogenetic cell death suggests that, in contrast to what happens during sexual development (embryogenesis and metamorphosis), apoptosis does not play a pivotal role during asexual propagation in botryllid ascidian. Nevertheless, PCD emerges as a key force to regulate homeostasis in adult zooids and to shape and modulate the growth of the whole colony.

Neurogenic role of the neural gland in the development of the ascidian, Botryllus schlosseri (Tunicata, Urochordata).

In adult ascidians, the neural complex consists of a cerebral ganglion (the brain) and the associated neural gland. We have studied the development of the neural complex during the vegetative reproduction of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, the buds of which arise from the atrial mantle of the parental zooid. Each bud develops into a new organism within which a neural complex becomes differentiated. We found that the presumptive (pioneer) nerve cells that ultimately form the cerebral ganglion of the adult arise as migratory cells from a primordial cluster of rudimentary gland cells. Hence, the neural gland appears to be neurogenic in that it serves as the cellular source of components that differentiate into conventional nerve cells. In the adult, these cells take on the form of a typical invertebrate ganglion with an outer cortex of nerve cell bodies and an internal medulla. This medulla consists of a neuropile of neuronal processes making classical synaptic contacts. The adult neural gland differentiates into a structure with a ciliated duct that opens into the branchial chamber, the body of the gland, and the dorsal organ, which is quite distinct from the dorsal strand of other ascidians. The rudimentary neural gland cells, therefore, differentiate into one of two distinct pathways: the first, glandular, is possibly involved in the evaluation of environmental signals, and the other, nervous, leads to brain formation. This compares with the vertebrate situation in which the olfactory-pituitary placodes are thought to originate from a common cellular source. Thus, these data support the earlier contention of a homology between the tunicate neural gland and the vertebrate adenohypophysis.

Mechanism of neurogenesis during the embryonic development of a tunicate.

Ascidian and vertebrate nervous systems share basic characteristics, such as their origin from a neural plate, a tripartite regionalization of the brain, and the expression of similar genes during development. In ascidians, the larval chordate-like nervous system regresses during metamorphosis, and the adult's neural complex, composed of the cerebral ganglion and the associated neural gland is formed. Classically, the homology of the neural gland with the vertebrate hypophysis has long been debated. We show that in the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, the primordium of the neural complex consists of the ectodermal neurohypophysial duct, which forms from the left side of the anterior end of the embryonal neural tube. The duct contacts and fuses with the ciliated duct rudiment, a pharyngeal dorsal evagination whose cells exhibit ectodermic markers being covered by a tunic. The neurohypophysial duct then differentiates into the neural gland rudiment whereas its ventral wall begins to proliferate pioneer nerve cells which migrate and converge to make up the cerebral ganglion. The most posterior part of the neural gland differentiates into the dorsal organ, homologous to the dorsal strand. Neurogenetic mechanisms in embryogenesis and vegetative reproduction of B. schlosseri are compared, and the possible homology of the neurohypophysial duct with the olfactory/adenohypophysial/hypothalamic placodes of vertebrates is discussed. In particular, the evidence that neurohypophysial duct cells are able to delaminate and migrate as neuronal cells suggests that the common ancestor of all chordates possessed the precursor of vertebrate neural crest/placode cells.

An unusual membrane system in the oocyte of the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri.

During vitellogenesis, oocytes of Botryllus schlosseri always exhibit an unusual system scattered in the cytoplasm. It consists of an association between a single fenestrated endoplasmic reticulum cisterna and one or a few smooth vesicles (cisterna vesicle association: CVA) containing a dense core facing the cisterna itself. The latter is smooth and perforated by numerous small pores (about 25 nm in diameter) in the area of association; towards the periphery, it extends into several branches with ribosomes bound to their membranes. In the vesicles, fibrillar material radiates from the dense core and is sometimes organized into a long, dense lamina. The membranes of both cisterna and vesicles appear to be coupled, but are in fact separated by a constant narrow space occupied by short densities. The presence in B. schlosseri of this unusual fenestrated membrane system contrasts with the absence of a typical porous cytoplasmic organelle, the annulate lamellae (ALs), which is widely distributed in female gametes. However, as in other animals, B. schlosseri oocytes possess intranuclear annulate lamellae (IALs) and vesicles. Comparative observations extended to the oocytes of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis have shown that the latter species exhibits typical ALs and IALs, but not the CVA. The morphology of the CVA is analysed here in detail, and similarities and differences with ALs are pointed out. Hypotheses regarding CVA function are discussed in terms of possible relations with ALs.

T system in ascidian muscle: organization of the sarcotubular system in the caudal muscle cells of Botryllus schlosseri tadpole larvae.

The organization of the sarcotubular system has been examined in the caudal muscle cells of the ascidian. Botryllus schlosseri. At variance with striated muscle of other protochordates. Botryllus muscle cells are endowed with a well-developed T system, which has a peculiar laminar structure. The thin T laminae are in continuity with the plasma membrane and extend longitudinally in the intermyofibrillar spaces. At the level of the I-band the T laminae are focally associated with SR cisternae in dyad junctions similar to those observed in invertebrate muscles. These findings are discussed in relation to the origin of the sarcotubular system in vertebrate muscle.

A comparative study of ciliary differentiations in the branchial stigmata of ascidians.

In a correlated thin sectioning and freeze-fracturing study, we have examined species belonging to the orders of the ascidian class: Stolidobranchiata (Botryllus schlosseri, Botrylloides leachi, Molgula socialis, Styela plicata), Phlebobranchiata (Ascidiella aspersa, Phallusia ingeria, Ciona intestinalis) and Aplousobranchiata (Clavelina lepadiformis). Though the branchial basket varies in the complexity and filtration efficiency in the three orders, the ciliated epithelia aroand the stigmata contain a common pattern of organization; seven rows of flattened cells, each bearing a single row of long cilia flanked by a single row of microvilli. All the species examined possess ciliary specializations represented by: (a) bridges connecting doublets number 5 and 6 as well as 9.1 and 2; (b) dense material lying between the above mentioned axonemal doublets (5-6 and 1-2) and the ciliary membrane, sometimes in the shape of longitudinal strands or often as lines of dots; (c) a fuzzy coat protruding from the ciliary membrane, consisting of tufts or scattered filaments; (d) intramembrane particles (IMPs) associated with the P-face of the membrane, often arranged in clusters and orderly alignments related to the anderlying axonemal doublets; these IMPs decorate the opposite sides of each cilium facing the adjacent cilia forming the ciliary rows of adjacent cells and are absent on the lateral sides. The stigmatal cilia propel water through the stigmata and their effective strokes follow a line at right angles to the row of cilia in each cell. The usual direction of the effective stroke is toward doublets 5-6. It is possible, therefore, to refer to structure in relation to the ciliary beat cycle. The importance of these specializations is unknown, but the structures appear to vary in the different species. A correlation between the richness of the specializations and the complexity of the branchial basket was not evidenced. It was suggested that the ciliary specializations relate to the peculiar organization of the stigmatal margin and that all are involved in the regulation of the ciliary activity.

Ciliary specializations in branchial stigmatal cells of protochordates.

Tissues from the pharynx of five representative species of the protochordates (subphylum Tunicata, the three classes Ascidiacea, Thaliacea and Appendicularia, and subphylum Cephalochordata) were examined in both thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas. In all species, the stigmatal cilia of the branchial chamber are neatly arranged and move continuously to propel sea-water in a fixed direction for respiration and feeding of the organism. A number of specializations are found in the basal region of these cilia and are represented by: a) bridges connecting axonemal doublets numbers 5 and 6; b) dense fibrous material linking the doublet microtubules of the axoneme to the ciliary membrane, sometimes in the shape of longitudinal strands or as clusters of filaments; c) intramembrane particles (IMPs) associated with the P-face of the membrane, often arranged in clusters evenly aligned along the ciliary shaft in relation to the underlying axonemal doublets. Ciliary specializations are distributed along the plane of the effective stroke of the beat in both the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri and in the thaliacean Pyrosoma atlanticum and the amphioxus Branchiostoma lanceolatum, whereas in the thaliacean Doliolum nationalis and the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica a more uniform distribution of these specializations all around the basal portion of the cilia is observed. Whatever the disposition of the ciliary specializations in all the examined species, they are always present at the base of the water-propelling cilia. Some morphological evidence suggests that these specializations play a mechanical function in tethering the ciliary membrane to the axoneme. We propose that they help maintain the orientation of the cilia during beating, enhance their stiffness and improve their efficiency.

Actin localization at the tight junctions of invertebrate ciliated epithelia.

Indirect immunofluorescencc, rhodamine-phalloidin staining and immunoelectron microscopy performed with the on-grid postembedding immunostaining of Lowicryl K4M sections, were used to identify actin in the branchial epithelium of the lower chordate ascidians. The ciliated cells of these invertebrates present two distinct junctional patterns. One consists only of an extended tight junction whereas in the other the tight junction is accompanied by a prominent zonula adhaerens. Evidence is given of the localization of actin at the tight junction. The absence of reaction in the zonula adhaerens suggests that the definition of this junction in the model here presented must be reconsidered.

Different functions of tight junctions in the ascidian branchial basket.

The stigmatal cells in the branchial basket of ascidians from a number of genera have been examined as to the nature and distribution of their intercellular junctions. The branchial wall consists of ciliated and parietal cells; the ciliated cells are arranged in seven rows and are associated by junctions with other cells in the same row as well as with those in adjacent rows. They are also associated by junctions with peripheral parietal cells. Junctions between adjacent ciliated cells in all cases exhibit tight junctions or zonulae occludentes. However, these cell borders also possess fasciae or zonulae adhaerentes if they are in the same row and the ciliary rootlets insert-into these junctions. If the cells are in adjacent rows they exhibit adhaerentes junctions only in species belonging to the orders Phlebobranchiata and Aplousobranchiata. In contrast, if the cells in adjacent rows belong to the order Stolidobranchiata. they never exhibit any adhaerentes junctions and the ciliary rootlets of the basal bodies from the cilia insert instead into the tight junctions and the non-junctional membrane below them. At the homologous junctional borders between adjacent parietal cells and also at heterologous junctional borders between parietal and ciliated cells, tight junctions alone occur, with no co-existing adhaerentes junctions along their lateral borders. Again, fibrils from ciliary rootlets insert into zonulae occludentes. This shows that tight junctions are capable both of forming permeability barriers, in that they can be seen to prevent the entry of exogenous tracers such as lanthanum, and of acting as adhesive devices.

Two different forms of gap junctions within the same organism, one with cytoskeletal attachments, in tunicates.

The cells of the intestinal tract and the stigmatal cells of the branchial basket have been studied in a range of tunicates including phlebobranch, aplousobranch and stolidobranch ascidians, as well as the doliolid and pyrosomatid thaliaceans. The intercellular gap junctions between gut cells appear conventional in thin section as do those found in the lower part of adjacent stigmatal cells. However, save for the stolidobranchs, the stigmatal cells also have a second kind of gap junction which exhibit an unusual fibrous density in association with their junctional cytoplasmic surfaces; these are found in the apical region of the cells. The fibrous density is particularly well demonstrated in specimens treated with tannic acid during fixation, and subsequent en bloc uranyl acetate staining. In the branchial basket the position of these apical gap junctions is at regular intervals between adhaering junctions, which have a more substantial paramembranous fibrous mat; these two kinds of junctions alternate along deeply undulating membrane appositions. With freeze-fracture, after chemical or cryo-fixation, the gap junctions of the gut and those of the lower part of the stigmatal cells appear typical, with P-face connexons, while in the apical part of cells of the branchial basket the two faces of the gap junctions are very difficult to cleave apart. Frequently the P- and E-faces are found to adhere together in replicas, so that in these apical gap junctional regions, plaques of E-face with pits overlie the PF particles. In addition, regions of cytoplasm, into which the dense fibres project, often cleave over these adhaering E-faces of the apical gap junctions. The presence of these unusual gap junctional features in the apical region of the stigmata in the vicinity of cilia is discussed as regards their functional role.

Cell junctions in amphioxus (Cephalochordata): a thin section and freeze-fracture study.

Tissues from the epidermis, alimentary tract and notochord of the cephalochordate Branchiostoma lanceolatum have been examined in both thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas to ascertain the nature of the intercellular junctions that characterize their cell borders. The columnar epithelial cells from the branchial chamber (pharynx), as well as from the anterior and posterior intestine, all feature cilia and microvilli on their luminal surfaces. However, their lateral surfaces exhibit zonulae adhaerentes only. No gap junctions have been observed, nor any tight junctions (as are a feature of the gut of urochordates and higher vertebrates), nor unequivocal septate junctions (as are typical of the gut of invertebrates). The basal intercellular borders are likewise held together by zonulae adhaerentes while hemidesmosomes occur along the basal surface where the cells abut against the basal lamina. The lateral cell surfaces, where the adhesive junctions occur, at both luminal and basal borders, do not exhibit any specialized arrangement of intramembrane particles (IMPs), as visualized by freeze-fracture. The IMPs are scattered at random over the cell membranes, being particularly prevalent on the P-face. The only distinctive IMPs arrays are those found on the ciliary shafts in the form of ciliary necklaces and IMP clusters. With regard to these ciliary modifications, cephalochordates closely resemble the cells of the branchial tract of ascidians (urochordates). However, the absence of distinct junctions other than zonulae adhaerentes makes them exceptions to the situation generally encountered in both vertebrates and urochordates, as well as in the invertebrates. Infiltration with tracers such as lanthanum corroborates this finding; the lanthanum fills the extracellular spaces between the cells of the intestine since there are no junctions present to restrict its entry or to act even as a partial barrier. Junctions are likewise absent from the membranes of the notochord; the membranes of its lamellae and vesicles exhibit irregular clusters of IMPs which may be related to the association between the membranes and the notochordal filaments. Epidermis and glial cells from the nervous system possess extensive desmosomal-like associations or zonulae adhaerentes, but no other junctional type is obvious in thin sections, apart from very occasional cross-striations deemed by some previous investigators to represent 'poorly developed' septate junctions.

The spherule cells of Holothuria polii Delle Chiaie, 1823 (Aspidochirota, Holothuroidea) during brown body formation: an ultrastructural study.

Spherule cells are specific types of coelomocytes found in both the coelomic fluids and the connective tissues of many echinoderm groups and are characterised by large membrane-bound inclusions which completely fill their cytoplasm. In holothurians they are present in massive number in the coelomic fluids and are employed in brown body formation. Brown bodies are products of encapsulation and mainly consist of phagocytic amoebocytes and spherule cells: they surround foreign particles too large to be ingested by circulating phagocytes. During brown body formation, phagocytic amoebocytes flatten out over the surface of foreign particles to form unpigmented nodules which eventually aggregate into a single brown body in which many spherule cells are entrapped. Morphological modifications of spherule cells were studied in Holothuria polii following the induction of brown body formation by intracoelomic injection of sheep erythrocytes. Our ultrastructural observations provide evidence that the granules undergo typical exocytosis after previous disorganisation of their content and suggest a specific secretory activity for the spherule cells. The possible functional role of the secreted vacuolar material in brown body formation is discussed.

Hair cells in non-vertebrate models: lower chordates and molluscs.

The study of hair cells in invertebrates is important, because it can shed light on the debated question about the evolutionary origin of vertebrate hair cells. Here, we review the morphology and significance of hair cells in two groups of invertebrates, the lower chordates (tunicates and cephalochordates) and the molluscs. These taxa possess complex mechanoreceptor organs based on both primary (sensory neurons) and/or secondary, axonless, sensory cells, bearing various apical specializations. Compared with vertebrates, these taxa show interesting examples of convergent evolution and possible homologies of sensory systems. For example, the "lateral line organ" of Octopoda and Decapoda, composed of primary sensory cells aligned on the arms and the head, is considered a classic example of convergent evolution to mechanoreception. Similarly, in ascidians, the cupular organ, formed of primary sensory cells embedded in a gelatinous cupula, is seen as an analog of neuromasts in vertebrates. However, the coronal organ of the oral siphon of ascidians, represented by a line of secondary sensory cells with a hair bundle also comprising graded stereovilli, is currently the best candidate for tracing the evolutionary origin of the vertebrate octavo-lateralis system. Several features, such as embryological origin, position, gene expression and morphology, support this hypothesis.

Botryllus schlosseri: a model ascidian for the study of asexual reproduction.

Botryllus schlosseri, a cosmopolitan colonial ascidian reared in the laboratory for more than 50 years, reproduces both sexually and asexually and is used as a model organism for studying a variety of biological problems. Colonies are formed of numerous, genetically identical individuals (zooids) and undergo cyclical generation changes in which the adult zooids die and are replaced by their maturing buds. Because the progression of the colonial life cycle is intimately correlated with blastogenesis, a shared staging method of bud development is required to compare data coming from different laboratories. With the present review, we aim (1) to introduce B. schlosseri as a valuable chordate model to study various biological problems and, especially, sexual and asexual development; (2) to offer a detailed description of bud development up to adulthood and the attainment of sexual maturity; (3) to re-examine Sabbadin's (1955) staging method and re-propose it as a simple tool for in vivo recognition of the main morphogenetic events and recurrent changes in the blastogenetic cycle, as it refers to the developmental stages of buds and adults.

Degenerative regression of the digestive tract in the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas).

Degenerative changes in the digestive tract of zooids of Botryllus schlosseri were studied by light and electron microscopy. Three main processes occurred in the tissues: contraction, involution and phagocytosis. The contraction of epidermis and peribranchial epithelium in which cytoplasmic microfilaments probably participate, seemed to have a special role in compressing the underlying organs. During contraction most of the body cavities collapsed, the branchial walls disintegrated and the fragments were rapidly taken up by large phagocytes. The gut epithelium retained its apparent continuity longer, though isolated phagocytes infiltrated it to eliminate single cells. Cell degeneration came about chiefly either through swelling and lysis of cells or through loss of water and condensation of cytoplasm and nucleus. The fate of all regressed tissues was to be engulfed and digested by wandering phagocytes. However, it was also observed that numerous cells of different epithelia could act as fixed phagocytes by engulfing cell debris and entire cells into heterophagic vacuoles.

Fine structure of the gastric epithelium of the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri. Mucous, endocrine and plicated cells.

The following five cell types have been recognized and defined on the basis of their fine structure in the gastric epithelium of B. schlosseri: vacuolated and zymogenic cells (described in a previous paper); ciliated mucous, endocrine and plicated cells. The ciliated mucous cells are distributed at the apex and the bottom of the gastric folds and along the dorsal groove. The mucus droplets appear to form from the Golgi complex as secretory granules of variable density and texture, which are released from the cell after fusion of their membranes with the apical plasma membrane. Holocrine or apocrine secretion has not been observed. The endocrine cells are scattered and are characterized by electron dense granules, especially numerous in the basal region of the cell. Finally, the plicated cells, present in the pyloric caecum, show rod-like microvilli, a well developed Golgi complex and abundant, deep infoldings of the basal plasma membrane, which are associated with numerous mitochondria. The possible role of the gastric cell types is discussed taking into account information concerning morphologically similar cells in other animals, as well as previously reported data on the biochemistry and physiology of digestion and excretion in ascidians.

Fine structure of the intestinal epithelium of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri.

In the intestine of the filtering zooids of B. schlosseri three segments can be distinguished. In the intermediate segment the epithelium, which is encrusted by the ampullae of the pyloric gland, shows marked aspects of alteration. In the proximal and distal segments, ciliated mucous, vacuolated and endocrine-like cells are recognizable. Ciliated mucous cells, widely distributed along the intestine, possess the apical region filled with numerous mucous granules, which are extruded with merocrine modality. Variations in morphology of the granules are visible especially between cells of different regions. Vacuolated cells appear involved in absorptive function. They are characterized by developed microvilli, numerous apical small vesicles and great supranuclear vacuoles containing heterogeneous material. The vacuolated cells of the proximal segment resemble the gastric vacuolated cells of B. schlosseri. The vacuolated cells of the distal segment show many morphological similarities with protein absorbing cells of various animals for the presence of a giant vacuole and an apical network of vesicles and tubules with fuzzy coating on the luminal face. The intestinal endocrine-like cells are rare and characterized by strongly electron dense granules distributed in all the cytoplasm, but predominantly in the basal region.

Different effects of protein kinase inhibitors on the localization of junctional proteins at cell-cell contact sites.

The protein kinase inhibitor H-7 prevents the assembly of tight junctions in cultured Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells (Balda et al. (1991) J. Membr. Biol. 122, 193-202; Nigam et al. (1991) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 181, 548-553); however, its mechanism of action is unknown. To understand the basis of the activity of H-7 and other inhibitors we compared the effect of H-7 on the localization of proteins belonging to tight junctions and adherens-type junctions (zonula adhaerens and desmosome), and on the organization of actin microfilaments. Junction assembly was induced in MDCK cells either by the 'Ca2+ switch' procedure or by incubating trypsinized cells at normal extracellular Ca2+, and the cells were then immunofluorescently labeled with antibodies against cingulin, ZO-1, E-cadherin and desmoplakin, and with FITC-phalloidin. Here we show by measuring the transepithelial resistance that, in addition to H-7, H-8 and staurosporine can also significantly block the assembly of tight junctions, whereas HA1004 is poorly active. H-7 inhibited the accumulation of cingulin and ZO-1 in junctional areas most effectively when added during assembly at normal extracellular Ca2+. On the other hand, H-7 did not have major effects on the accumulation of E-cadherin and desmoplakin in the regions of cell-cell contact using either assembly protocol. Electron microscopy confirmed that H-7 does not abolish the formation of adherens-type junctions, suggesting that phosphorylation plays a different role in the assembly of tight junctions versus adherens-type junctions. Finally, in both protocols of junction assembly H-7 caused a major disorganization of actin microfilaments, suggesting that H-7 may prevent TJ assembly through its effect on the cytoskeleton.