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Kreshchenko ND, Ermakov AM. Morphometric analysis and functional insights into the serotonergic system of Girardia tigrina (Tricladida, Platyhelminthes). J Morphol 2024; 285:e21756. [PMID: 39086183 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Using immunocytochemistry, serotonergic nerve elements were documented in the nervous system of the planarian Girardia tigrina. Serotonin-immunopositive components were observed in the brain, ventral, dorsal and longitudinal nerve cords, transverse nerve commissures connecting the nerve cords, and in the nerve plexus. Whole-mount preparations of G. tigrina were analyzed by fluorescent and confocal laser scanning microscopy. An essential quantitative morphometric measurement of serotonin-immunopositive structures was conducted in three body regions (anterior, middle, and posterior) of the planarian. The number of serotonin neurons was maximal in the head region. The ventral nerve cords gradually decreased in thickness from anterior to posterior body ends. Physiological action of exogenously applied serotonin was studied in G. tigrina for the first time. It was found that serotonin (0.1 and 1 µmol L-1) accelerated eye regeneration. The transcriptome sequencing performed for the first time for the planarian G. tigrina revealed the transcripts of the tryptophan hydroxylase (trph), amino acid decarboxylase (aadc) and serotonin transporter (sert) genes. The data obtained indicate the presence of the components of serotonin pathway in G. tigrina. The identified transcripts can take part in serotonin turnover and participate in the realization of biological effects of serotonin in planarians, associated with eyes regeneration and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia D Kreshchenko
- Laboratory of the Mechanisms of Cell Redox-Ragulation, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Artem M Ermakov
- Laboratory of Genome Researches, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
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Bezerra da Silva C, Pott A, Elifio-Esposito S, Dalarmi L, Fialho do Nascimento K, Moura Burci L, de Oliveira M, de Fátima Gaspari Dias J, Warumby Zanin SM, Gomes Miguel O, Dallarmi Miguel M. Effect of Donepezil, Tacrine, Galantamine and Rivastigmine on Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition in Dugesia tigrina. Molecules 2016; 21:53. [PMID: 26760993 PMCID: PMC6273381 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Revised: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dugesia tigrina is a non-parasitic platyhelminth, which has been recently utilized in pharmacological models, regarding the nervous system, as it presents a wide sensitivity to drugs. Our trials aimed to propose a model for an in vivo screening of substances with inhibitory activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Trials were performed with four drugs commercialized in Brazil: donepezil, tacrine, galantamine and rivastigmine, utilized in the control of Alzheimer's disease, to inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase. We tested five concentrations of the drugs, with an exposure of 24 h, and the mortality and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase planarian seizure-like activity (pSLA) and planarian locomotor velocity (pLMV) were measured. Galantamine showed high anticholinesterasic activity when compared to the other drugs, with a reduction of 0.05 μmol·min(-1) and 63% of convulsant activity, presenting screw-like movement and hypokinesia, with pLMV of 65 crossed lines during 5 min. Our results showed for the first time the anticholinesterasic and convulsant effect, in addition to the decrease in locomotion induced by those drugs in a model of invertebrates. The experimental model proposed is simple and low cost and could be utilized in the screening of substances with anticholinesterasic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Bezerra da Silva
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner 3400, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, Brazil.
| | - Arnildo Pott
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Av. Senador Filinto Müller, Campo Grande 79046-460, Brazil.
| | - Selene Elifio-Esposito
- Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, Pontíficia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Imaculada Conceição, 1155, Prado Velho, Curitiba 80215-901, Brazil.
| | - Luciane Dalarmi
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner 3400, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, Brazil.
| | - Kátia Fialho do Nascimento
- Department of Celular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81530-900, Brazil.
| | - Ligia Moura Burci
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner 3400, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, Brazil.
| | - Maislian de Oliveira
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner 3400, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, Brazil.
| | - Josiane de Fátima Gaspari Dias
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner 3400, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, Brazil.
| | - Sandra Maria Warumby Zanin
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner 3400, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, Brazil.
| | - Obdulio Gomes Miguel
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner 3400, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, Brazil.
| | - Marilis Dallarmi Miguel
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Av. Pref. Lothário Meissner 3400, Jardim Botânico, Curitiba 80210-170, Brazil.
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Quiroga SY, Carolina Bonilla E, Marcela Bolaños D, Carbayo F, Litvaitis MK, Brown FD. Evolution of flatworm central nervous systems: Insights from polyclads. Genet Mol Biol 2015; 38:233-48. [PMID: 26500427 PMCID: PMC4612602 DOI: 10.1590/s1415-475738320150013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The nervous systems of flatworms have diversified extensively as a consequence of the broad range of adaptations in the group. Here we examined the central nervous system (CNS) of 12 species of polyclad flatworms belonging to 11 different families by morphological and histological studies. These comparisons revealed that the overall organization and architecture of polyclad central nervous systems can be classified into three categories (I, II, and III) based on the presence of globuli cell masses -ganglion cells of granular appearance-, the cross-sectional shape of the main nerve cords, and the tissue type surrounding the nerve cords. In addition, four different cell types were identified in polyclad brains based on location and size. We also characterize the serotonergic and FMRFamidergic nervous systems in the cotylean Boninia divae by immunocytochemistry. Although both neurotransmitters were broadly expressed, expression of serotonin was particularly strong in the sucker, whereas FMRFamide was particularly strong in the pharynx. Finally, we test some of the major hypothesized trends during the evolution of the CNS in the phylum by a character state reconstruction based on current understanding of the nervous system across different species of Platyhelminthes and on up-to-date molecular phylogenies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigmer Y. Quiroga
- Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - E. Carolina Bonilla
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - D. Marcela Bolaños
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fernando Carbayo
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marian K. Litvaitis
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Federico D. Brown
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Marinha, Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
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Carbayo F, Froehlich EM. Estado do conhecimento dos macroturbelários (Platyhelminthes) do Brasil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2008. [DOI: 10.1590/s1676-06032008000400018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Nas últimas décadas tem crescido o esforço internacional para conhecer a biodiversidade mundial visando a criação de políticas públicas de conservação. O Brasil vem participando deste esforço, como evidenciam as recentes publicações sobre o estado do conhecimento de vários táxons de organismos. Os macroturbelários (Polycladida e Tricladida, Platyhelminthes) fazem parte da fauna mundialmente menos estudada. Neste trabalho inventariamos por regiões a diversidade da fauna brasileira conhecida de macroturbelários e comparamos esta diversidade com a do resto do mundo. Analisamos também a atividade dos taxonomistas brasileiros do grupo no contexto mundial. Os resultados mostram que praticamente a totalidade das 246 espécies nominais descritas procede das regiões Sudeste e Sul. O número de espécies deverá aumentar significativamente quando forem feitas novas coletas, tanto em biomas e regiões ainda pouco ou nada explorados quanto nas áreas já amostradas. O Brasil está, relativamente a outros países, bem provido de especialistas. No entanto, em face da grande diversidade estimada, as amostragens deveriam ocorrer concomitantemente com a formação de novos especialistas.
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Buttarelli FR, Pellicano C, Pontieri FE. Neuropharmacology and behavior in planarians: translations to mammals. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2008; 147:399-408. [PMID: 18294919 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2007] [Revised: 01/16/2008] [Accepted: 01/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Planarians are the simplest animals to exhibit a body plan common to all vertebrates and many invertebrates, characterized by bilateral rather than radial symmetry, dorsal and ventral surfaces, and a rostrocaudal axis with a head and a tail, including specialized sense organs and an aggregate of nerve cells in the head. Neurons in planarian more closely resemble those of vertebrates than those of advanced invertebrates, exhibiting typical vertebrate features of multipolar shape, dendritic spines with synaptic boutons, a single axon, expression of vertebrate-like neural proteins, and relatively low spontaneously generated electrical activity. Here we report the most relevant contribution to the knowledge of the neuropharmacology of planarians, with particular reference to the behavioral consequences of the exposure to drugs acting on neural transmission. Neurochemical and histochemical data indicate the presence of several neurotransmitter-receptor systems in planarians. Moreover, a variety of experimental studies characterized specific behavioral patterns of these animals following the exposure to drugs acting on neural transmission. There is also evidence of the interactions between discrete neurotransmitter-receptor systems in modulating behavior in planarians. Finally, the model has proved efficacy for investigating the neurotoxicology of the dopamine neurons, and for the initial screening of the neuroprotective potential of drugs. In conclusion, these findings indicate that interactions between discrete neurotransmitter-receptor systems occur very early along phylogeny, although they may have evolved from very fundamental behaviors, such as motor activity in planarian, to more complex and integrated functions in vertebrates.
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Cebrià F. Regenerating the central nervous system: how easy for planarians! Dev Genes Evol 2007; 217:733-48. [PMID: 17999079 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-007-0188-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2007] [Accepted: 10/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The regenerative capabilities of freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes) are very difficult to match. A fragment as tiny as 1/279th of the planarian body is able to regenerate a whole animal within very few days [Morgan. Arch Entwm 7:364-397 (1898)]. Although the planarian central nervous system (CNS) may appear quite morphologically simple, recent studies have shown it to be more complex at the molecular level, revealing a high degree of molecular compartmentalization in planarian cephalic ganglia. Planarian neural genes include homologues of well-known transcription factors and genes involved in human diseases, neurotransmission, axon guidance, signaling pathways, and RNA metabolism. The availability of hundreds of genes expressed in planarian neurons coupled with the ability to silence them through the use of RNA interference makes it possible to start unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying CNS regeneration. In this review, I discuss current knowledge on the planarian nervous system and the genes involved in its regeneration, and I discuss some of the important questions that remain to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Cebrià
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
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Nishimura K, Kitamura Y, Inoue T, Umesono Y, Yoshimoto K, Takeuchi K, Taniguchi T, Agata K. Identification and distribution of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH)-positive neurons in the planarian Dugesia japonica. Neurosci Res 2007; 59:101-6. [PMID: 17624455 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2007.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2007] [Revised: 05/16/2007] [Accepted: 05/28/2007] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
We identified a full-length tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) gene of planarian Dugesia japonica from a head EST database, and named it DjTPH. Based on whole-mount in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence analyses, DjTPH mRNA and protein were mainly expressed in the nervous system, especially ventral nerve cords and eye pigment cells. Furthermore, DjTPH immunoreactivity was clearly detected at commissure axonal connections in the ventral nerve cords. 5-HT was significantly decreased in DjTPH-knockdown planarians compared with control animals. These results suggest that DjTPH is required for 5-HT biosynthesis, and DjTPH antibody is a useful marker for serotonergic neurons in planarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaneyasu Nishimura
- Department of Neurobiology and 21st Century COE Program, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
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