Selective expression of two types of 28S rRNA paralogous genes in the chaetognath Spadella cephaloptera.

Significant intra-individual variation in the sequences of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes is highly unusual in animal genomes; however, two classes of both 18S and 28S rRNA gene sequences have been detected in chaetognaths, a small phylum of marine invertebrates. One species, Spadella cephaloptera Busch, 1851, is well-suited to the methods of in situ analysis of gene expression, since it is totally transparent. To test our hypothesis of a possible functional division of the two classes of genes, we carried out in situ hybridization. Our results indicated that 28S class II genes are expressed intensively in the oocytes of chaetognaths. In contrast, hybridization using an heterologous probe of 28S class I genes revealed only a single and relatively weak signal in a distinct area of intestinal cells. Our results suggest that the S. cephaloptera genome contains at least three different types of rRNA 28S genes; however, those which are expressed during housekeeping conditions could not be detected in our experiments.

Evidence for the presence of serotonin in Mysidacea (Crustacea, Peracarida) as revealed by fluorescence immunohistochemistry.

In crustaceans, serotonin (5-HT) exerts a wide range of physiological actions on many tissues. However, 5-HT has not been detected to date in Mysidacea (Crustacea, Peracarida). We have investigated the presence of 5-HT in the brain and the eyestalks of two Mysida (Leptomysis lingvura, Hemimysis margalefi) and one Lophogastrida (Lophogaster typicus) species by using the immunohistofluorescence technique. 5-HT-like immunopositive areas exhibit a similar pattern in the three species. 5-HT-like immunostaining is present in the retinular photosensitive cells, except in the deep-living species L. typicus. 5-HT-like cell bodies and fibres are observed in the lamina ganglionaris and in the three medullae. In the sinus gland, only 5-HT-like endings are detected. In the eyestalks, 5-HT-like fibres detected in the optic tract link with the protocerebrum, in which 5-HT-like somata and their extensions are found. Some neurones are detected in the anterior median cell cluster, in the protocerebral bridge and in the central body. In the deutocerebrum, the paracentral lobes are connected by immunoreactive fibres that run along the deutocerebral commissure. The glomeruli of the olfactory lobes exhibit strong diffuse immunostaining. Beside and in the median part of the deutocerebrum, at least two large serotoninergic neurones project their axons into the olfactory lobe cell cluster. Immunoreactive fibres are also found in the antennular neuropiles. Our results demonstrate the presence of 5-HT-like cell bodies and fibres in Mysidacea. The distribution patterns of the 5-HT immunoreactivity found herein are compared with those of other peracarids and decapods.