ABSTRACT
Acoel flatworms possess epidermal sensory-receptor cells on their body surfaces and exhibit behavioral repertoires such as geotaxis and phototaxis. Acoel epidermal sensory receptors should be mechanical and/or chemical receptors; however, the mechanisms of their sensory reception have not been elucidated. We examined the three-dimensional relationship between epidermal sensory receptors and their innervation in an acoel flatworm, Praesagittifera naikaiensis. The distribution of the sensory receptors was different between the ventral and dorsal sides of worms. The nervous system was mainly composed of a peripheral nerve net, an anterior brain, and three pairs of longitudinal nerve cords. The nerve net was located closer to the body surface than the brain and the nerve cords. The sensory receptors have neural connections with the nerve net in the entire body of worms. We identified five homologs of polycystic kidney disease (PKD): PKD1-1, PKD1-2, PKD1-3, PKD1-4, and, PKD2, from the P. naikaiensis genome. All of these PKD genes were implied to be expressed in the epidermal sensory receptors of P. naikaiensis. PKD1-1 and PKD2 were dispersed across the entire body of worms. PKD1-2, PKD1-3, and PKD1-4 were expressed in the anterior region of worms. PKD1-4 was also expressed around the mouth opening. Our results indicated that P. naikaiensis possessed several types of epidermal sensory receptors to convert various environmental stimuli into electrical signals via the PKD channels and transmit the signals to afferent nerve and/or effector cells.
Subject(s)
Platyhelminths , Animals , TRPP Cation Channels/genetics , Sensory Receptor Cells , Genome , Brain , MutationABSTRACT
The centrohelid heliozoan Raphidocystis contractilis has many radiating axopodia, each containing axopodial microtubules. The axopodia show rapid contraction at nearly a video rate (30 frames per second) in response to mechanical stimuli. The axopodial contraction is accompanied by cytoskeletal microtubule depolymerization, but the molecular mechanism of this phenomenon has not been elucidated. In this study, we performed de novo transcriptome sequencing of R. contractilis to identify genes involved in microtubule dynamics such as the rapid axopodial contraction. The transcriptome sequencing generated 7.15-Gbp clean reads in total, which were assembled as 31,771 unigenes. Using the obtained gene sets, we identified several microtubule-severing proteins which might be involved in the rapid axopodial contraction, and kinesin-like genes that occur in gene duplication. On the other hand, some genes for microtubule motor proteins involved in the formation and motility of flagella were not found in R. contractilis, suggesting that the gene repertoire of R. contractilis reflected the morphological features of nonflagellated protists. Our transcriptome analysis provides basic information for the analysis of the molecular mechanism underlying microtubule dynamics in R. contractilis.
Subject(s)
Eukaryota , Gene Expression Profiling , Eukaryota/genetics , MicrotubulesABSTRACT
Photic entrainment is an essential property of the circadian clock that sets the appropriate timing of daily behavioral and physiological events. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the entrainment remain largely unknown. In the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, the immediate early gene c-fosB plays an important role in photic entrainment, followed by a mechanism involving cryptochromes (crys). However, the association between c-fosB expression and crys remains unclear. In the present study, using RNA-sequencing analysis, we found that five Fbxl family genes (Fbxl4, Fbxl5, Fbxl16, Fbxl-like1, and Fbxl-like2) encoding F-box and leucine-rich repeat proteins are likely involved in the mechanism following light-dependent c-fosB induction. RNA interference (RNAi) of c-fosA/B significantly downregulated Fbxls expression, whereas RNAi of the Fbxl genes exerted no effect on c-fosB expression. The Fbxl genes showed rhythmic expression under light-dark cycles (LDs) with higher expression levels in early day (Fbxl16), whole day (Fbxl-like1), or day-to-early night (Fbxl4, Fbxl5, and Fbxl-like2), whereas their expression was reduced in the dark. We then examined the effect of their RNAi on the photic entrainment of the locomotor rhythm and found that RNAi of Fbxl4 either disrupted or significantly delayed the re-entrainment of the locomotor rhythm to shifted LDs. These results suggest that light-induced c-fosB expression stimulates Fbxl4 expression to reset the circadian clock.
Subject(s)
Circadian Clocks , Gryllidae , Animals , Gryllidae/physiology , Circadian Rhythm/physiology , Circadian Clocks/genetics , Photoperiod , RNA Interference , Photic Stimulation/methods , LightABSTRACT
The dynamics of microscopic marine plankton in coastal areas is a fundamental theme in marine biodiversity research, but studies have been limited because the only available methodology was collection of plankton using plankton-nets and microscopic observation. In recent years, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has exhibited potential for conducting comprehensive surveys of marine plankton diversity in water at fixed points and depths in the ocean. However, few studies have examined how eDNA analysis reflects the actual distribution and dynamics of organisms in the field, and further investigation is needed to determine whether it can detect distinct differences in plankton density in the field. To address this, we analyzed eDNA in seawater samples collected at 1 km intervals at three depths over a linear distance of approximately 3.0 km in the Seto Inland Sea. The survey area included a location with a high density of Acoela (Praesagittifera naikaiensis). However, the eDNA signal for this was little to none, and its presence would not have been noticed if we did not have this information beforehand. Meanwhile, eDNA analysis enabled us to confirm the presence of a species of Placozoa that was previously undiscovered in the area. In summary, our results suggest that the number of sequence reads generated from eDNA samples in our project was not sufficient to predict the density of a particular species. However, eDNA can be useful for detecting organisms that have been overlooked using other methods.
Subject(s)
DNA, Environmental , Animals , Biodiversity , Environmental Monitoring , SeawaterABSTRACT
Despite the enormous ecological and economic importance of coral reefs, the keystone organisms in their establishment, the scleractinian corals, increasingly face a range of anthropogenic challenges including ocean acidification and seawater temperature rise. To understand better the molecular mechanisms underlying coral biology, here we decoded the approximately 420-megabase genome of Acropora digitifera using next-generation sequencing technology. This genome contains approximately 23,700 gene models. Molecular phylogenetics indicate that the coral and the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis diverged approximately 500 million years ago, considerably earlier than the time over which modern corals are represented in the fossil record (â¼240 million years ago). Despite the long evolutionary history of the endosymbiosis, no evidence was found for horizontal transfer of genes from symbiont to host. However, unlike several other corals, Acropora seems to lack an enzyme essential for cysteine biosynthesis, implying dependency of this coral on its symbionts for this amino acid. Corals inhabit environments where they are frequently exposed to high levels of solar radiation, and analysis of the Acropora genome data indicates that the coral host can independently carry out de novo synthesis of mycosporine-like amino acids, which are potent ultraviolet-protective compounds. In addition, the coral innate immunity repertoire is notably more complex than that of the sea anemone, indicating that some of these genes may have roles in symbiosis or coloniality. A number of genes with putative roles in calcification were identified, and several of these are restricted to corals. The coral genome provides a platform for understanding the molecular basis of symbiosis and responses to environmental changes.
Subject(s)
Anthozoa/genetics , Anthozoa/physiology , Climate Change , Genome/genetics , Animals , Anthozoa/chemistry , Anthozoa/immunology , Coral Reefs , Cyclohexylamines , Cystathionine beta-Synthase/genetics , Cysteine/biosynthesis , DNA Damage/genetics , DNA Damage/radiation effects , Fossils , Glycine/analogs & derivatives , Glycine/biosynthesis , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Sea Anemones/genetics , Sea Anemones/immunology , Symbiosis/genetics , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
The regeneration of the oral siphon (OS) and other distal structures in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis occurs by epimorphosis involving the formation of a blastema of proliferating cells. Despite the longstanding use of Ciona as a model in molecular developmental biology, regeneration in this system has not been previously explored by molecular analysis. Here we have employed microarray analysis and quantitative real time RT-PCR to identify genes with differential expression profiles during OS regeneration. The majority of differentially expressed genes were downregulated during OS regeneration, suggesting roles in normal growth and homeostasis. However, a subset of differentially expressed genes was upregulated in the regenerating OS, suggesting functional roles during regeneration. Among the upregulated genes were key members of the Notch signaling pathway, including those encoding the delta and jagged ligands, two fringe modulators, and to a lesser extent the notch receptor. In situ hybridization showed a complementary pattern of delta1 and notch gene expression in the blastema of the regenerating OS. Chemical inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway reduced the levels of cell proliferation in the branchial sac, a stem cell niche that contributes progenitor cells to the regenerating OS, and in the OS regeneration blastema, where siphon muscle fibers eventually re-differentiate. Chemical inhibition also prevented the replacement of oral siphon pigment organs, sensory receptors rimming the entrance of the OS, and siphon muscle fibers, but had no effects on the formation of the wound epidermis. Since Notch signaling is involved in the maintenance of proliferative activity in both the Ciona and vertebrate regeneration blastema, the results suggest a conserved evolutionary role of this signaling pathway in chordate regeneration. The genes identified in this investigation provide the foundation for future molecular analysis of OS regeneration.
Subject(s)
Ciona intestinalis/embryology , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Receptors, Notch/metabolism , Animals , Biological Evolution , Cell Proliferation , Epidermis/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , In Situ Hybridization , Ligands , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Phalloidine/chemistry , RNA/metabolism , Regeneration , Signal Transduction , Stem Cells/cytologyABSTRACT
Hox cluster genes play crucial roles in development of the metazoan antero-posterior axis. Functions of Hox genes in patterning the central nervous system and limb buds are well known. They are also expressed in chordate endodermal tissues, where their roles in endodermal development are still poorly understood. In the invertebrate chordate, Ciona intestinalis, endodermal tissues are in a premature state during the larval stage, and they differentiate into the digestive tract during metamorphosis. In this study, we showed that disruption of a Hox gene, Ci-Hox10, prevented intestinal formation. Ci-Hox10-knock-down larvae displayed defective migration of endodermal strand cells. Formation of a protrusion, which is important for cell migration, was disrupted in these cells. The collagen type IX gene is a downstream target of Ci-Hox10, and is negatively regulated by Ci-Hox10 and a matrix metalloproteinase ortholog, prior to endodermal cell migration. Inhibition of this regulation prevented cellular migration. These results suggest that Ci-Hox10 regulates endodermal strand cell migration by forming a protrusion and by reconstructing the extracellular matrix.
Subject(s)
Cell Movement/physiology , Ciona intestinalis/embryology , Endoderm/cytology , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Intestines/embryology , Animals , Body Patterning/genetics , Cell Differentiation , Ciona intestinalis/metabolism , Collagen Type IX/biosynthesis , Collagen Type IX/genetics , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene Knockout Techniques , Genes, Homeobox/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Intestines/cytologyABSTRACT
Ecological developmental biology (eco-devo) explores the mechanistic relationships between the processes of individual development and environmental factors. Recent studies imply that some of these relationships have deep evolutionary origins, and may even pre-date the divergences of the simplest extant animals, including cnidarians and sponges. Development of these early diverging metazoans is often sensitive to environmental factors, and these interactions occur in the context of conserved signaling pathways and mechanisms of tissue homeostasis whose detailed molecular logic remain elusive. Efficient methods for transgenesis in cnidarians together with the ease of experimental manipulation in cnidarians and sponges make them ideal models for understanding causal relationships between environmental factors and developmental mechanisms. Here, we identify major questions at the interface between animal evolution and development and outline a road map for research aimed at identifying the mechanisms that link environmental factors to developmental mechanisms in early diverging metazoans. Also watch the Video Abstract.
Subject(s)
Biological Evolution , Cnidaria/growth & development , Gene-Environment Interaction , Life Cycle Stages/genetics , Porifera/growth & development , Animals , Cnidaria/classification , Cnidaria/genetics , Ecosystem , Extinction, Biological , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Metamorphosis, Biological/genetics , Phylogeny , Porifera/classification , Porifera/genetics , Signal TransductionABSTRACT
Innate immunity in corals is of special interest not only in the context of self-defense but also in relation to the establishment and collapse of their obligate symbiosis with dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. In innate immunity system of vertebrates, approximately 20 tripartite nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor proteins that are defined by the presence of a NAIP, CIIA, HET-E and TP1 (NACHT) domain, a C-terminal leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain, and one of three types of N-terminal effector domain, are known to function as the primary intracellular pattern recognition molecules. Surveying the coral genome revealed not only a larger number of NACHT- and related domain nucleotide-binding adaptor shared by APAF-1, R proteins, and CED-4 (NB-ARC)-encoding loci (~500) than in other metazoans but also surprising diversity of domain combinations among the coral NACHT/NB-ARC-containing proteins; N-terminal effector domains included the apoptosis-related domains caspase recruitment domain (CARD), death effector domain (DED), and Death, and C-terminal repeat domains included LRRs, tetratricopeptide repeats, ankyrin repeats, and WD40 repeats. Many of the predicted coral proteins that contain a NACHT/NB-ARC domain also contain a glycosyl transferase group 1 domain, a novel domain combination first found in metazoans. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the NACHT/NB-ARC domain inventories of various metazoan lineages, including corals, are largely products of lineage-specific expansions. Many of the NACHT/NB-ARC loci are organized in pairs or triplets in the Acropora genome, suggesting that the large coral NACHT/NB-ARC repertoire has been generated at least in part by tandem duplication. In addition, shuffling of N-terminal effector domains may have occurred after expansions of specific NACHT/NB-ARC-repeat domain types. These results illustrate the extraordinary complexity of the innate immune repertoire of corals, which may in part reflect adaptive evolution to a symbiotic lifestyle in a uniquely complex and challenging environment.
Subject(s)
Anthozoa/genetics , Nod Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics , Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs , Animals , Anthozoa/immunology , Evolution, Molecular , Gene Duplication , Genetic Loci , Genetic Variation , Genome , Immunity, Innate/genetics , Nod Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism , Phylogeny , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
In animals, three main RNA interference mechanisms have been described so far, which respectively maturate three types of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs): miRNAs, piRNAs, and endo-siRNAs. The diversification of these mechanisms is deeply linked with the evolution of the Argonaute gene superfamily since each type of sncRNA is typically loaded by a specific Argonaute homolog. Moreover, other protein families play pivotal roles in the maturation of sncRNAs, like the DICER ribonuclease family, whose DICER1 and DICER2 paralogs maturate respectively miRNAs and endo-siRNAs. Within Metazoa, the distribution of these families has been only studied in major groups, and there are very few data for clades like Lophotrochozoa. Thus, we here inferred the evolutionary history of the animal Argonaute and DICER families including 43 lophotrochozoan species. Phylogenetic analyses along with newly sequenced sncRNA libraries suggested that in all Trochozoa, the proteins related to the endo-siRNA pathway have been lost, a part of them in some phyla (i.e. Nemertea, Bryozoa, Entoprocta), while all of them in all the others. On the contrary, early diverging phyla, Platyhelminthes and Syndermata, showed a complete endo-siRNA pathway. On the other hand, miRNAs were revealed the most conserved and ubiquitous mechanism of the metazoan RNA interference machinery, confirming their pivotal role in animal cell regulation.
Subject(s)
Evolution, Molecular , MicroRNAs , Phylogeny , RNA Interference , Ribonuclease III , Animals , Ribonuclease III/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Argonaute Proteins/genetics , Invertebrates/geneticsABSTRACT
Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) has recently been recognized as an influential factor in coastal ecosystems; however, little research has been conducted on its effects on coastal fish diversity. To investigate the relationship between SGD and fish diversity, we conducted a survey at the coastal island scale using the environmental DNA (eDNA) method. Our findings indicate that fish species richness and functional richness peak at stations with high SGD. Environmental variables, such as salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentration, and SGD, significantly influence fish diversity. Carnivore fish richness was negatively correlated with salinity, while planktivore fish richness was positively correlated. Additionally, SGD and DIN concentrations were found to be crucial in shaping omnivorous and pelagic communities, respectively. This study highlights the role of SGD in enhancing nutrient conditions favorable for diverse fish communities and demonstrates the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding for rapid marine biodiversity assessment. These findings provide valuable insights for coastal ecosystem monitoring and management.
ABSTRACT
Despite containing only approximately 330 cells, the central nervous system (CNS) of Ciona intestinalis larvae has an architecture that is similar to the vertebrate CNS. Although only vertebrates have a distinct hypothalamus-the source of numerous neurohormone peptides that play pivotal roles in the development, function, and maintenance of various neuronal and endocrine systems, it is suggested that the Ciona brain contains a region that corresponds to the vertebrate hypothalamus. To identify genes expressed in the brain, we isolated brain vesicles using transgenic embryos carrying Ci-ß-tubulin(promoter)::Kaede, which resulted in robust Kaede expression in the larval CNS. The associated transcriptome was investigated using microarray analysis. We identified 565 genes that were preferentially expressed in the larval brain. Among these genes, 11 encoded neurohormone peptides including such hypothalamic peptides as gonadotropin-releasing hormone and oxytocin/vasopressin. Six of the identified peptide genes had not been previously described. We also found that genes encoding receptors for some of the peptides were expressed in the brain. Interestingly, whole-mount in situ hybridization showed that most of the peptide genes were expressed in the ventral brain. This catalog of the genes expressed in the larval brain should help elucidate the evolution, development, and functioning of the chordate brain.
Subject(s)
Brain/growth & development , Brain/metabolism , Ciona intestinalis/growth & development , Ciona intestinalis/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Animals, Genetically Modified , Ciona intestinalis/metabolism , Evolution, Molecular , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Hypothalamus/growth & development , Hypothalamus/metabolism , In Situ Hybridization , Invertebrate Hormones/genetics , Larva/growth & development , Larva/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Neuropeptides/genetics , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , Receptors, Neuropeptide/genetics , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Signal Transduction/genetics , Transcription Factors/genetics , Vertebrates/growth & development , Vertebrates/metabolismABSTRACT
Ascidians are hyperaccumulators that have been studied in detail. Proteins and genes involved in the accumulation process have been identified, but regulation of gene expression related to vanadium accumulation remains unknown. To gain insights into the regulation of gene expression by vanadium in a genome-wide manner, we performed a comprehensive study on the effect of excess vanadium ions on a vanadium-rich ascidian, Ciona intestinalis, using a microarray. RT-PCR and enzyme activity assay were performed from the perspective of redox and accumulation of metal ions in each tissue. Glutathione metabolism-related proteins were significantly up-regulated by V(IV) treatment. Several genes involved in the transport of vanadium and protons, such as Nramp and V-ATPase, were significantly up-regulated by V(IV) treatment. We observed significant up-regulation of glutathione synthesis and degradation pathways in the intestine and branchial sac. In blood cells, expression of Ci-Vanabin4, glutathione reductase activity, glutathione levels, and vanadium concentration increased after V(IV) treatment. V(IV) treatment induced significant changes related to vanadium exclusion, seclusion, and redox pathways in the intestine and branchial sac. It also induced an enhancement of the vanadium reduction and accumulation cascade in blood cells. These differential responses in each tissue in the presence of excess vanadium ions suggest that vanadium accumulation and reduction may have regulatory functions. This is the first report on the gene regulation by the treatment of vanadium-rich ascidians with excess vanadium ions. It provided much information for the mechanism of regulation of gene expression related to vanadium accumulation.
Subject(s)
Ciona intestinalis/drug effects , Ciona intestinalis/genetics , Vanadium/pharmacology , Animals , Blood Cells/drug effects , Blood Cells/metabolism , Ciona intestinalis/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Glutathione/metabolism , Glutathione Reductase/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestines/drug effects , Ion Transport , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Oxidation-Reduction , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Tissue Distribution , Vanadium/pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
Scleractinian corals are of fundamental ecological significance in tropical and sub-tropical shallow water. This ecological success is attributed to their ability of formation of obligate endosymbioses with dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. Nevertheless, approximately one-third of reef-building coral species are critically endangered and the remainder are under threat from the effects of climate change and local impacts. Molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in stress responses and the establishment and collapse of the symbiosis are therefore an urgent subject of research. Metazoans possess large numbers of genes that participate in response to environmental stressors, and chemical defense genes included P450 and other oxidases, various conjugating enzymes, ATP-dependent efflux transporters, oxidative detoxification proteins, as well as transcription factors that regulate these genes. Here we searched those genes in recently decoded the coral Acropora digitifera genome. We found that this genome contains a set of chemical defense genes in numbers comparable with other cnidarians and metazoans and that there are some lineagespecific gene family expansions in the coral genome. These provide information for future research into molecular mechanisms involved in coral stress responses.
Subject(s)
Anthozoa/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation/physiology , Genome , Animals , Anthozoa/drug effects , Anthozoa/genetics , Antioxidants/metabolism , Environment , Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Metals/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Phylogeny , Signal Transduction , Stress, PhysiologicalABSTRACT
d-Serine, a free amino acid synthesized by serine racemase, is a coagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR). d-Serine in the mammalian central nervous system modulates glutamatergic transmission. Functions of d-serine in mammalian peripheral tissues such as skin have also been described. However, d-serine's functions in nonmammals are unclear. Here, we characterized d-serine-dependent vesicle release from the epidermis during metamorphosis of the tunicate Ciona. d-Serine leads to the formation of a pocket that facilitates the arrival of migrating tissue during tail regression. NMDAR is the receptor of d-serine in the formation of the epidermal pocket. The epidermal pocket is formed by the release of epidermal vesicles' content mediated by d-serine/NMDAR. This mechanism is similar to observations of keratinocyte vesicle exocytosis in mammalian skin. Our findings provide a better understanding of the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis in animals and contribute to further evolutionary perspectives of d-amino acid function among metazoans.
Subject(s)
Ciona intestinalis , Ciona , Animals , Ciona/metabolism , Ciona intestinalis/metabolism , Epidermis/metabolism , Mammals/metabolism , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism , Serine/metabolismABSTRACT
Vasopressin/oxytocin (VP/OT)-related peptides are essential for mammalian antidiuresis, sociosexual behavior, and reproduction. However, the evolutionary origin of this peptide system is still uncertain. Here, we identify orthologous genes to those for VP/OT in Platyhelminthes, intertidal planarians that have a simple bilaterian body structure but lack a coelom and body-fluid circulatory system. We report a comprehensive characterization of the neuropeptide derived from this VP/OT-type gene, identifying its functional receptor, and name it the "platytocin" system. Our experiments with these euryhaline planarians, living where environmental salinities fluctuate due to evaporation and rainfall, suggest that platytocin functions as an "antidiuretic hormone" and also organizes diverse actions including reproduction and chemosensory-associated behavior. We propose that bilaterians acquired physiological adaptations to amphibious lives by such regulation of the body fluids. This neuropeptide-secreting system clearly became indispensable for life even without the development of a vascular circulatory system or relevant synapses.
ABSTRACT
One of challenges in the field of developmental biology is to understand how spatially and/or temporally coordinated expression of genes is controlled at the chromosomal level. It remains controversial whether genes expressed in a given tissue are randomly distributed throughout a given animal genome, or instead resolve into clusters. Here we used microarray analysis to identify more than 1,700 genes that are expressed preferentially in each of 11 organs of the chordate Ciona intestinalis adult, and determined the location of these genes on the 14 pairs of Ciona chromosomes. In spite of extensive mapped gene analysis, we only confirmed small clusters containing two or three genes. Our result indicates that organ-specific genes are distributed rather evenly all over chromosomes, suggesting that the notion of clustering of organ-specific genes in animal genomes is not generally applicable to this chordate.
Subject(s)
Ciona intestinalis/genetics , Gene Expression Profiling/methods , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Transcriptome , Animals , Chromosome Mapping , Ciona intestinalis/growth & development , Cluster Analysis , Expressed Sequence Tags , Female , Gastric Mucosa/metabolism , Heart/growth & development , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestines/growth & development , Male , Myocardium/metabolism , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Ovary/growth & development , Ovary/metabolism , Stomach/growth & development , Testis/growth & development , Testis/metabolismABSTRACT
Bombesin is a putative antibacterial peptide isolated from the skin of the frog, Bombina bombina. Two related (bombesin-like) peptides, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB) have been found in mammals. The history of GRP/bombesin discovery has caused little attention to be paid to the evolutionary relationship of GRP/bombesin and their receptors in vertebrates. We have classified the peptides and their receptors from the phylogenetic viewpoint using a newly established genetic database and bioinformatics. Here we show, by using a clawed frog (Xenopus tropicalis), that GRP is not a mammalian counterpart of bombesin and also that, whereas the GRP system is widely conserved among vertebrates, the NMB/bombesin system has diversified in certain lineages, in particular in frog species. To understand the derivation of GRP system in the ancestor of mammals, we have focused on the GRP system in Xenopus. Gene expression analyses combined with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting experiments demonstrated that GRP peptides and their receptors are distributed in the brain and stomach of Xenopus. We conclude that GRP peptides and their receptors have evolved from ancestral (GRP-like peptide) homologues to play multiple roles in both the gut and the brain as one of the 'gut-brain peptide' systems.
Subject(s)
Bombesin/metabolism , Gastrin-Releasing Peptide/metabolism , Xenopus laevis/metabolism , Animals , Anura/metabolism , Mammals/metabolism , Neurokinin B/analogs & derivatives , Neurokinin B/metabolism , Phylogeny , Receptors, Bombesin/metabolismABSTRACT
Our previous transcriptome analysis identified 565 genes that are preferentially expressed in the developing brain of Ciona intestinalis larvae. Here, we show by in-situ hybridization that the spatial expression patterns of these brain-specific genes fall into different categories depending on the regions where the gene is expressed. For example, Ci-opsin3 and Ci-Dkk3 are expressed in the entire brain, Ci-tyrosinase and Ci-TYRP1 in the dorsal region, and Ci-synaptotagmin3, Ci-ZF399, and Ci-PTFb in the ventral region. Other genes are specific to the posterior, anterior, central, posterior and ventral, or anterior-ventral region of the brain. This regional expression of genes in the Ciona brain is not always associated with cell lineage, suggesting that complex mechanisms control the regionalized expression of brain-specific genes.
Subject(s)
Brain/embryology , Ciona intestinalis/embryology , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/physiology , Animals , Ciona intestinalis/anatomy & histology , Ciona intestinalis/metabolism , Embryo, Nonmammalian/anatomy & histology , Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism , Gene Expression ProfilingABSTRACT
Various Hydra species have been employed as model organisms since the 18th century. Introduction of transgenic and knock-down technologies made them ideal experimental systems for studying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in regeneration, body-axis formation, senescence, symbiosis, and holobiosis. In order to provide an important reference for genetic studies, the Hydra magnipapillata genome (species name has been changed to H. vulgaris) was sequenced a decade ago (Chapman et al., 2010) and the updated genome assembly, Hydra 2.0, was made available by the National Human Genome Research Institute in 2017. While H. vulgaris belongs to the non-symbiotic brown hydra lineage, the green hydra, Hydra viridissima, harbors algal symbionts and belongs to an early diverging clade that separated from the common ancestor of brown and green hydra lineages at least 100 million years ago (Schwentner and Bosch 2015; Khalturin et al., 2019). While interspecific interactions between H. viridissima and endosymbiotic unicellular green algae of the genus Chlorella have been a subject of interest for decades, genomic information about green hydras was nonexistent. Here we report a draft 280-Mbp genome assembly for Hydra viridissima strain A99, with a scaffold N50 of 1.1 Mbp. The H. viridissima genome contains an estimated 21,476 protein-coding genes. Comparative analysis of Pfam domains and orthologous proteins highlights characteristic features of H. viridissima, such as diversification of innate immunity genes that are important for host-symbiont interactions. Thus, the H. viridissima assembly provides an important hydrozoan genome reference that will facilitate symbiosis research and better comparisons of metazoan genome architectures.