1
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Rojas S, Barghouth PG, Karabinis P, Oviedo NJ. The DNA methyltransferase DMAP1 is required for tissue maintenance and planarian regeneration. Dev Biol 2024; 516:196-206. [PMID: 39179016 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.08.007] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
The precise regulation of transcription is required for embryonic development, adult tissue turnover, and regeneration. Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in orchestrating and regulating the transcription of genes. These modifications are important in the transition of pluripotent stem cells and their progeny. Methylation, a key epigenetic modification, influences gene expression through changes in DNA methylation. Work in different organisms has shown that the DNA methyltransferase-1-associated protein (DMAP1) may associate with other molecules to repress transcription through DNA methylation. Thus, DMAP1 is a versatile protein implicated in a myriad of events, including pluripotency maintenance, DNA damage repair, and tumor suppression. While DMAP1 has been extensively studied in vitro, its complex regulation in the context of the adult organism remains unclear. To gain insights into the possible roles of DMAP1 at the organismal level, we used planarian flatworms that possess remarkable regenerative capabilities driven by pluripotent stem cells called neoblast. Our findings demonstrate the evolutionary conservation of DMAP1 in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Functional disruption of DMAP1 through RNA interference revealed its critical role in tissue maintenance, neoblast differentiation, and regeneration in S. mediterranea. Moreover, our analysis unveiled a novel function for DMAP1 in regulating cell death in response to DNA damage and influencing the expression of axial polarity markers. Our findings provide a simplified paradigm for studying DMAP1's function in adult tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Rojas
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Paul G Barghouth
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Peter Karabinis
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Néstor J Oviedo
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA; Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.
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2
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Medlock-Lanier T, Clay KB, Roberts-Galbraith RH. Planarian LDB and SSDP proteins scaffold transcriptional complexes for regeneration and patterning. Dev Biol 2024; 515:67-78. [PMID: 38968988 PMCID: PMC11361279 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Sequence-specific transcription factors often function as components of large regulatory complexes. LIM-domain binding protein (LDB) and single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSDP) function as core scaffolds of transcriptional complexes in animals and plants. Little is known about potential partners and functions for LDB/SSDP complexes in the context of tissue regeneration. In this work, we find that planarian LDB1 and SSDP2 promote tissue regeneration, with a particular function in anterior regeneration and mediolateral polarity reestablishment. We find that LDB1 and SSDP2 interact with one another and with characterized planarian LIM-HD proteins Arrowhead, Islet1, and Lhx1/5-1. We also show that SSDP2 and LDB1 function with islet1 in polarity reestablishment and with lhx1/5-1 in serotonergic neuron maturation. Finally, we find new roles for LDB1 and SSDP2 in regulating gene expression in the planarian intestine and parenchyma; these functions are likely LIM-HD-independent. Together, our work provides insight into LDB/SSDP complexes in a highly regenerative organism. Further, our work provides a strong starting point for identifying and characterizing potential binding partners of LDB1 and SSDP2 and for exploring roles for these proteins in diverse aspects of planarian physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kendall B Clay
- Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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3
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Ivanković M, Brand JN, Pandolfini L, Brown T, Pippel M, Rozanski A, Schubert T, Grohme MA, Winkler S, Robledillo L, Zhang M, Codino A, Gustincich S, Vila-Farré M, Zhang S, Papantonis A, Marques A, Rink JC. A comparative analysis of planarian genomes reveals regulatory conservation in the face of rapid structural divergence. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8215. [PMID: 39294119 PMCID: PMC11410931 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52380-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea is being studied as a model species for regeneration, but the assembly of planarian genomes remains challenging. Here, we report a high-quality haplotype-phased, chromosome-scale genome assembly of the sexual S2 strain of S. mediterranea and high-quality chromosome-scale assemblies of its three close relatives, S. polychroa, S. nova, and S. lugubris. Using hybrid gene annotations and optimized ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq protocols for regulatory element annotation, we provide valuable genome resources for the planarian research community and a first comparative perspective on planarian genome evolution. Our analyses reveal substantial divergence in protein-coding sequences and regulatory regions but considerable conservation within promoter and enhancer annotations. We also find frequent retrotransposon-associated chromosomal inversions and interchromosomal translocations within the genus Schmidtea and, remarkably, independent and nearly complete losses of ancestral metazoan synteny in Schmidtea and two other flatworm groups. Overall, our results suggest that platyhelminth genomes can evolve without syntenic constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Ivanković
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jeremias N Brand
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Luca Pandolfini
- Center for Human Technologies, Non-coding RNA and RNA-based therapeutics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Thomas Brown
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Pippel
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andrei Rozanski
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Til Schubert
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus A Grohme
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sylke Winkler
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura Robledillo
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Azzurra Codino
- Center for Human Technologies, Non-coding RNA and RNA-based therapeutics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Gustincich
- Center for Human Technologies, Non-coding RNA and RNA-based therapeutics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Miquel Vila-Farré
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shu Zhang
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Argyris Papantonis
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - André Marques
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jochen C Rink
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
- Faculty of Biology und Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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4
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Chai C, Gibson J, Li P, Pampari A, Patel A, Kundaje A, Wang B. Flexible use of conserved motif vocabularies constrains genome access in cell type evolution. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.03.611027. [PMID: 39282369 PMCID: PMC11398382 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.03.611027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Cell types evolve into a hierarchy with related types grouped into families. How cell type diversification is constrained by the stable separation between families over vast evolutionary times remains unknown. Here, integrating single-nucleus multiomic sequencing and deep learning, we show that hundreds of sequence features (motifs) divide into distinct sets associated with accessible genomes of specific cell type families. This division is conserved across highly divergent, early-branching animals including flatworms and cnidarians. While specific interactions between motifs delineate cell type relationships within families, surprisingly, these interactions are not conserved between species. Consistently, while deep learning models trained on one species can predict accessibility of other species' sequences, their predictions frequently rely on distinct, but synonymous, motif combinations. We propose that long-term stability of cell type families is maintained through genome access specified by conserved motif sets, or 'vocabularies', whereas cell types diversify through flexible use of motifs within each set.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chew Chai
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Jesse Gibson
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Pengyang Li
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Anusri Pampari
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Aman Patel
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
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5
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Curry HN, Huynh R, Rouhana L. Melastatin subfamily Transient Receptor Potential channels support spermatogenesis in planarian flatworms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.01.610670. [PMID: 39282438 PMCID: PMC11398416 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.01.610670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
The Transient Receptor Potential superfamily of proteins (TRPs) form cation channels that are abundant in animal sensory systems. Amongst TRPs, the Melastatin-related subfamily (TRPMs) is composed of members that respond to temperature, pH, sex hormones, and various other stimuli. Some TRPMs exhibit enriched expression in gonads of vertebrate and invertebrate species, but their contributions to germline development remain to be determined. We identified twenty-one potential TRPMs in the planarian flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea and analyzed their anatomical distribution of expression by whole-mount in situ hybridization. Enriched expression of two TRPMs ( Smed-TRPM-c and Smed-TRPM-l ) was detected in testis, whereas eight TRPM genes had detectable expression in patterns representative of neuronal and/or sensory cell types. Functional analysis of TRPM homologs by RNA-interference (RNAi) revealed that disruption of Smed-TRPM-c expression results in reduced sperm development, indicating a role for this receptor in supporting spermatogenesis. Smed-TRPM-l RNAi did not result in a detectable phenotype, but it increased sperm development deficiencies when combined with Smed-TRPM-c RNAi. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed expression of Smed-TRPM-c in early spermatogenic cells within testes, suggesting cell-autonomous regulatory functions in germ cells for this gene. In addition, Smed-TRPM-c RNAi resulted in reduced numbers of presumptive germline stem cell clusters in asexual planarians, suggesting that Smed-TRPM-c supports establishment, maintenance, and/or expansion of spermatogonial germline stem cells. While further research is needed to identify the factors that trigger Smed-TRPM-c activity, these findings reveal one of few known examples for TRPM function in direct regulation of sperm development.
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6
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Bray SR, Wyss LS, Chai C, Lozada ME, Wang B. Adaptive robustness through incoherent signaling mechanisms in a regenerative brain. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114580. [PMID: 39133614 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114580] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal behavior emerges from collective dynamics of neurons, making it vulnerable to damage. Paradoxically, many organisms exhibit a remarkable ability to maintain significant behavior even after large-scale neural injury. Molecular underpinnings of this extreme robustness remain largely unknown. Here, we develop a quantitative pipeline to measure long-lasting latent states in planarian flatworm behaviors during whole-brain regeneration. By combining >20,000 animal trials with neural network modeling, we show that long-range volumetric peptidergic signals allow the planarian to rapidly restore coarse behavior output after large perturbations to the nervous system, while slow restoration of small-molecule neuromodulator functions refines precision. This relies on the different time and length scales of neuropeptide and small-molecule transmission to generate incoherent patterns of neural activity that competitively regulate behavior. Controlling behavior through opposing communication mechanisms creates a more robust system than either alone and may serve as a generalizable approach for constructing robust neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel R Bray
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Livia S Wyss
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chew Chai
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Maria E Lozada
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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7
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Ross KG, Zepeda SA, Auwal MA, Garces AK, Roman S, Zayas RM. The role of polycystic kidney disease-like homologs in planarian nervous system regeneration and function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.17.603829. [PMID: 39091889 PMCID: PMC11291080 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.17.603829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Planarians are an excellent model for investigating molecular mechanisms necessary for regenerating a functional nervous system. Numerous studies have led to the generation of extensive genomic resources, especially whole-animal single-cell RNA-seq resources. These have facilitated in silico predictions of neuronal subtypes, many of which have been anatomically mapped by in situ hybridization. However, our knowledge of the function of dozens of neuronal subtypes remains poorly understood. Previous investigations identified that polycystic kidney disease (pkd)-like genes in planarians are strongly expressed in sensory neurons and have roles in mechanosensation. Here, we examine the expression and function of all the pkd genes found in the Schmidtea mediterranea genome and map their expression in the asexual and hermaphroditic strains. Using custom behavioral assays, we test the function of pkd genes in response to mechanical stimulation and in food detection. Our work provides insight into the physiological function of sensory neuron populations and protocols for creating inexpensive automated setups for acquiring and analyzing mechanosensory stimulation in planarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly G. Ross
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Sarai Alvarez Zepeda
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Mohammad A. Auwal
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Audrey K. Garces
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Sydney Roman
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Ricardo M. Zayas
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
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8
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Issigonis M, Browder KL, Chen R, Collins JJ, Newmark PA. A niche-derived nonribosomal peptide triggers planarian sexual development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321349121. [PMID: 38889152 PMCID: PMC11214079 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321349121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Germ cells are regulated by local microenvironments (niches), which secrete instructive cues. Conserved developmental signaling molecules act as niche-derived regulatory factors, yet other types of niche signals remain to be identified. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of sexual planarians revealed niche cells expressing a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (nrps). Inhibiting nrps led to loss of female reproductive organs and testis hyperplasia. Mass spectrometry detected the dipeptide β-alanyl-tryptamine (BATT), which is associated with reproductive system development and requires nrps and a monoamine-transmitter-synthetic enzyme Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) for its production. Exogenous BATT rescued the reproductive defects after nrps or aadc inhibition, restoring fertility. Thus, a nonribosomal, monoamine-derived peptide provided by niche cells acts as a critical signal to trigger planarian reproductive development. These findings reveal an unexpected function for monoamines in niche-germ cell signaling. Furthermore, given the recently reported role for BATT as a male-derived factor required for reproductive maturation of female schistosomes, these results have important implications for the evolution of parasitic flatworms and suggest a potential role for nonribosomal peptides as signaling molecules in other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Issigonis
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53715
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53715
| | - Katherine L. Browder
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53715
- HMI, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53715
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - James J. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Phillip A. Newmark
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53715
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53715
- HMI, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53715
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9
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Wendt G, Collins JJ. Horizontal gene transfer of a functional cki homolog in the human pathogen Schistosoma mansoni. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.27.596073. [PMID: 38853947 PMCID: PMC11160599 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.27.596073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms responsible for the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis, causing devastating morbidity and mortality in the developing world. The parasites are protected by a skin-like tegument, and maintenance of this tegument is controlled by a schistosome ortholog of the tumor suppressor TP53. To understand mechanistically how p53-1 controls tegument production, we identified a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor homolog (cki) that was co-expressed with p53-1. RNA interference of cki resulted in a hyperproliferation phenotype, that, in combination with p53-1 RNA interference yielded abundant tumor-like growths, indicating that cki and p53-1 are bona fide tumor suppressors in Schistosoma mansoni. Interestingly, cki homologs are widely present throughout parasitic flatworms but evidently absent from their free-living ancestors, suggesting this cki homolog came from an ancient horizontal gene transfer event. This in turn implies that the evolution of parasitism in flatworms may have been aided by a highly unusual means of metazoan genetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Wendt
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
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10
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Collins EMS, Hessel EVS, Hughes S. How neurobehavior and brain development in alternative whole-organism models can contribute to prediction of developmental neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 2024; 102:48-57. [PMID: 38552718 PMCID: PMC11139590 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) is not routinely evaluated in chemical risk assessment because current test paradigms for DNT require the use of mammalian models which are ethically controversial, expensive, and resource demanding. Consequently, efforts have focused on revolutionizing DNT testing through affordable novel alternative methods for risk assessment. The goal is to develop a DNT in vitro test battery amenable to high-throughput screening (HTS). Currently, the DNT in vitro test battery consists primarily of human cell-based assays because of their immediate relevance to human health. However, such cell-based assays alone are unable to capture the complexity of a developing nervous system. Whole organismal systems that qualify as 3 R (Replace, Reduce and Refine) models are urgently needed to complement cell-based DNT testing. These models can provide the necessary organismal context and be used to explore the impact of chemicals on brain function by linking molecular and/or cellular changes to behavioural readouts. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the planarian Dugesia japonica, and embryos of the zebrafish Danio rerio are all suited to low-cost HTS and each has unique strengths for DNT testing. Here, we review the strengths and the complementarity of these organisms in a novel, integrative context and highlight how they can augment current cell-based assays for more comprehensive and robust DNT screening of chemicals. Considering the limitations of all in vitro test systems, we discuss how a smart combinatory use of these systems will contribute to a better human relevant risk assessment of chemicals that considers the complexity of the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria S Collins
- Swarthmore College, Biology, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Ellen V S Hessel
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven, 3721 MA, the Netherlands
| | - Samantha Hughes
- Department of Environmental Health and Toxicology, A-LIFE, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands.
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11
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King HO, Owusu-Boaitey KE, Fincher CT, Reddien PW. A transcription factor atlas of stem cell fate in planarians. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113843. [PMID: 38401119 PMCID: PMC11232438 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Whole-body regeneration requires the ability to produce the full repertoire of adult cell types. The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea contains over 125 cell types, which can be regenerated from a stem cell population called neoblasts. Neoblast fate choice can be regulated by the expression of fate-specific transcription factors (FSTFs). How fate choices are made and distributed across neoblasts versus their post-mitotic progeny remains unclear. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to systematically map fate choices made in S/G2/M neoblasts and, separately, in their post-mitotic progeny that serve as progenitors for all adult cell types. We defined transcription factor expression signatures associated with all detected fates, identifying numerous new progenitor classes and FSTFs that regulate them. Our work generates an atlas of stem cell fates with associated transcription factor signatures for most cell types in a complete adult organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter O King
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kwadwo E Owusu-Boaitey
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher T Fincher
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peter W Reddien
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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12
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Póti Á, Szüts D, Vermezovic J. Mutational profile of the regenerative process and de novo genome assembly of the planarian Schmidtea polychroa. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1779-1792. [PMID: 38180823 PMCID: PMC10899757 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Planarians are organisms with a unique capacity to regenerate any part of their body. New tissues are generated in a process that requires many swift cell divisions. How costly is this process to an animal in terms of mutational load remains unknown. Using whole genome sequencing, we defined the mutational profile of the process of regeneration in the planarian species Schmidtea polychroa. We assembled de novo the genome of S. polychroa and analyzed mutations in animals that have undergone regeneration. We observed a threefold increase in the number of mutations and an altered mutational spectrum. High allele frequencies of subclonal mutations in regenerated animals suggested that most of the cells in the regenerated animal were descendants of a small number of stem cells with high expansion potential. We provide, for the first time, the draft genome assembly of S. polychroa, an estimation of the germline mutation rate for a planarian species and the mutational spectrum of the regeneration process of a living organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Póti
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
| | - Dávid Szüts
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
| | - Jelena Vermezovic
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
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13
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Woodcock MR, Powers K, Snead K, Pellettieri J. Flatworm Transcriptomes Reveal Widespread Parasitism by Histophagous Ciliates. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae007. [PMID: 38242711 PMCID: PMC10837001 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Unicellular ciliates like Tetrahymena are best known as free-living bacteriovores, but many species are facultative or obligate parasites. These "histophages" feed on the tissues of hosts ranging from planarian flatworms to commercially important fish and the larvae of imperiled freshwater mussels. Here, we developed a novel bioinformatics pipeline incorporating the nonstandard ciliate genetic code and used it to search for Ciliophora sequences in 34 publicly available Platyhelminthes EST libraries. From 2,615,036 screened ESTs, we identified nearly 6,000 high-confidence ciliate transcripts, supporting parasitism of seven additional flatworm species. We also cultured and identified Tetrahymena from nine terrestrial and freshwater planarians, including invasive earthworm predators from the genus Bipalium and the widely studied regeneration models Dugesia japonica and Schmidtea mediterranea. A co-phylogenetic reconstruction provides strong evidence for the coevolution of histophagous Ciliophora with their Platyhelminthes hosts. We further report the antiprotozoal aminoglycoside paromomycin expels Tetrahymena from S. mediterranea, providing new opportunities to investigate the effects of this relationship on planarian biology. Together, our findings raise the possibility that invasive flatworms constitute a novel dispersal mechanism for Tetrahymena parasites and position the Platyhelminthes as an ideal model phylum for studying the ecology and evolution of histophagous ciliates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ryan Woodcock
- Department of Biology, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
- Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Medaille University, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Natural Science, Trocaire College, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kaleigh Powers
- Department of Biology, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
| | - Kirsten Snead
- Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Medaille University, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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14
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Herz M, Zarowiecki M, Wessels L, Pätzel K, Herrmann R, Braun C, Holroyd N, Huckvale T, Bergmann M, Spiliotis M, Koziol U, Berriman M, Brehm K. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of Echinococcus multilocularis larvae and germinative cell cultures reveals genes involved in parasite stem cell function. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1335946. [PMID: 38333034 PMCID: PMC10850878 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1335946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis is caused by tumour-like growth of the metacestode stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis within host organs. We previously demonstrated that metacestode proliferation is exclusively driven by somatic stem cells (germinative cells), which are the only mitotically active parasite cells that give rise to all differentiated cell types. The Echinococcus gene repertoire required for germinative cell maintenance and differentiation has not been characterised so far. We herein carried out Illumina sequencing on cDNA from Echinococcus metacestode vesicles, from metacestode tissue depleted of germinative cells, and from Echinococcus primary cell cultures. We identified a set of ~1,180 genes associated with germinative cells, which contained numerous known stem cell markers alongside genes involved in replication, cell cycle regulation, mitosis, meiosis, epigenetic modification, and nucleotide metabolism. Interestingly, we also identified 44 stem cell associated transcription factors that are likely involved in regulating germinative cell differentiation and/or pluripotency. By in situ hybridization and pulse-chase experiments, we also found a new general Echinococcus stem cell marker, EmCIP2Ah, and we provide evidence implying the presence of a slow cycling stem cell sub-population expressing the extracellular matrix factor Emkal1. RNA-Seq analyses on primary cell cultures revealed that metacestode-derived Echinococcus stem cells display an expanded differentiation capability and do not only form differentiated cell types of the metacestode, but also cells expressing genes specific for protoscoleces, adult worms, and oncospheres, including an ortholog of the schistosome praziquantel target, EmTRPMPZQ. Finally, we show that primary cell cultures contain a cell population expressing an ortholog of the tumour necrosis factor α receptor family and that mammalian TNFα accelerates the development of metacestode vesicles from germinative cells. Taken together, our analyses provide a robust and comprehensive characterization of the Echinococcus germinative cell transcriptome, demonstrate expanded differentiation capability of metacestode derived stem cells, and underscore the potential of primary germinative cell cultures to investigate developmental processes of the parasite. These data are relevant for studies into the role of Echinococcus stem cells in parasite development and will facilitate the design of anti-parasitic drugs that specifically act on the parasite germinative cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Herz
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Leonie Wessels
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Pätzel
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ruth Herrmann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Braun
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nancy Holroyd
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Huckvale
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Monika Bergmann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Spiliotis
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Uriel Koziol
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Brehm
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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15
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Lindsay-Mosher N, Lusk S, Pearson BJ. Planarians require ced-12/elmo-1 to clear dead cells by excretion through the gut. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113621. [PMID: 38165802 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113621] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell corpse removal is a critical component of both development and homeostasis throughout the animal kingdom. Extensive research has revealed many of the mechanisms involved in corpse removal, typically involving engulfment and digestion by another cell; however, the dynamics of cell corpse clearance in adult tissues remain unclear. Here, we track cell death in the adult planarian Schmidtea mediterranea and find that, following light-induced cell death, pigment cell corpses transit to the gut and are excreted from the animal. Gut phagocytes, previously only known to phagocytose food, are required for pigment cells to enter the gut lumen. Finally, we show that the planarian ortholog of ced-12/engulfment and cell motility (ELMO) is required for corpse phagocytosis and removal through the gut. In total, we present a mechanism of cell clearance in an adult organism involving transit of dead cells to the gut, transport into the gut by phagocytes, and physical excretion of debris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Lindsay-Mosher
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada; University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Lusk
- Papé Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Bret J Pearson
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada; University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, Toronto, ON, Canada; Papé Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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16
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Issigonis M, Browder KL, Chen R, Collins JJ, Newmark PA. A niche-derived non-ribosomal peptide triggers planarian sexual development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.06.570471. [PMID: 38106172 PMCID: PMC10723454 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.06.570471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Germ cells are regulated by local microenvironments (niches), which secrete instructive cues. Conserved developmental signaling molecules act as niche-derived regulatory factors, yet other types of niche signals remain to be identified. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of sexual planarians revealed niche cells expressing a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (nrps). Inhibiting nrps led to loss of female reproductive organs and testis hyperplasia. Mass spectrometry detected the dipeptide β-alanyl-tryptamine (BATT), which is associated with reproductive system development and requires nrps and a monoamine-transmitter-synthetic enzyme (AADC) for its production. Exogenous BATT rescued the reproductive defects after nrps or aadc inhibition, restoring fertility. Thus, a non-ribosomal, monoamine-derived peptide provided by niche cells acts as a critical signal to trigger planarian reproductive development. These findings reveal an unexpected function for monoamines in niche-germ cell signaling. Furthermore, given the recently reported role for BATT as a male-derived factor required for reproductive maturation of female schistosomes, these results have important implications for the evolution of parasitic flatworms and suggest a potential role for non-ribosomal peptides as signaling molecules in other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Issigonis
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53715
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53715
| | - Katherine L. Browder
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53715
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53715
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, TX 75390
| | - James J. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Phillip A. Newmark
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53715
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53715
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53715
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17
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Vila-Farré M, Rozanski A, Ivanković M, Cleland J, Brand JN, Thalen F, Grohme MA, von Kannen S, Grosbusch AL, Vu HTK, Prieto CE, Carbayo F, Egger B, Bleidorn C, Rasko JEJ, Rink JC. Evolutionary dynamics of whole-body regeneration across planarian flatworms. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:2108-2124. [PMID: 37857891 PMCID: PMC10697840 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02221-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Regenerative abilities vary dramatically across animals. Even amongst planarian flatworms, well-known for complete regeneration from tiny body fragments, some species have restricted regeneration abilities while others are almost entirely regeneration incompetent. Here, we assemble a diverse live collection of 40 planarian species to probe the evolution of head regeneration in the group. Combining quantification of species-specific head-regeneration abilities with a comprehensive transcriptome-based phylogeny reconstruction, we show multiple independent transitions between robust whole-body regeneration and restricted regeneration in freshwater species. RNA-mediated genetic interference inhibition of canonical Wnt signalling in RNA-mediated genetic interference-sensitive species bypassed all head-regeneration defects, suggesting that the Wnt pathway is linked to the emergence of planarian regeneration defects. Our finding that Wnt signalling has multiple roles in the reproductive system of the model species Schmidtea mediterranea raises the possibility that a trade-off between egg-laying, asexual reproduction by fission/regeneration and Wnt signalling drives regenerative trait evolution. Although quantitative comparisons of Wnt signalling levels, yolk content and reproductive strategy across our species collection remained inconclusive, they revealed divergent Wnt signalling roles in the reproductive system of planarians. Altogether, our study establishes planarians as a model taxon for comparative regeneration research and presents a framework for the mechanistic evolution of regenerative abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Vila-Farré
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Andrei Rozanski
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mario Ivanković
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - James Cleland
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jeremias N Brand
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felix Thalen
- Animal Evolution and Biodiversity, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Cardio-CARE, Medizincampus Davos, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Markus A Grohme
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Hanh T-K Vu
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carlos E Prieto
- Department of Zoology & Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Fernando Carbayo
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução. Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bernhard Egger
- Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Bleidorn
- Animal Evolution and Biodiversity, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - John E J Rasko
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cell & Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jochen C Rink
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
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18
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Molina MD, Abduljabbar D, Guixeras A, Fraguas S, Cebrià F. LIM-HD transcription factors control axial patterning and specify distinct neuronal and intestinal cell identities in planarians. Open Biol 2023; 13:230327. [PMID: 38086422 PMCID: PMC10715919 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult planarians can regenerate the gut, eyes and even a functional brain. Proper identity and patterning of the newly formed structures require signals that guide and commit their adult stem cells. During embryogenesis, LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcription factors act in a combinatorial 'LIM code' to control cell fate determination and differentiation. However, our understanding about the role these genes play during regeneration and homeostasis is limited. Here, we report the full repertoire of LIM-HD genes in Schmidtea mediterranea. We found that lim homeobox (lhx) genes appear expressed in complementary patterns along the cephalic ganglia and digestive system of the planarian, with some of them being co-expressed in the same cell types. We have identified that Smed-islet1, -lhx1/5-1, -lhx2/9-3, -lhx6/8, -lmx1a/b-2 and -lmx1a/b-3 are essential to pattern and size the planarian brain as well as for correct regeneration of specific subpopulations of dopaminergic, serotonergic, GABAergic and cholinergic neurons, while Smed-lhx1/5.2 and -lhx2/9.2 are required for the proper expression of intestinal cell type markers, specifically the goblet subtype. LIM-HD are also involved in controlling axonal pathfinding (lhx6/8), axial patterning (islet1, lhx1/5-1, lmx1a/b-3), head/body proportions (islet2) and stem cell proliferation (lhx3/4, lhx2/9-3, lmx1a/b-2, lmx1a/b-3). Altogether, our results suggest that planarians might present a combinatorial LIM code that controls axial patterning and axonal growing and specifies distinct neuronal and intestinal cell identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Dolores Molina
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dema Abduljabbar
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Guixeras
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna Fraguas
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Cebrià
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Woodcock MR, Powers K, Snead K, Pellettieri J. FLATWORM TRANSCRIPTOMES REVEAL WIDESPREAD PARASITISM BY HISTOPHAGOUS CILIATES. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.17.558123. [PMID: 37745455 PMCID: PMC10516030 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.17.558123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Unicellular ciliates like Tetrahymena are best known as free-living bacteriovores, but many species are facultative or obligate parasites. These 'histophages' feed on the tissues of hosts ranging from planarian flatworms to commercially important fish and the larvae of imperiled freshwater mussels. Here, we developed a novel bioinformatics pipeline incorporating the nonstandard ciliate genetic code and used it to search for Ciliophora sequences in 34 publicly available Platyhelminthes EST libraries. From 2,615,036 screened ESTs, we identified nearly 6,000 high-confidence ciliate transcripts, supporting parasitism of seven additional flatworm species. We also cultured and identified Tetrahymena from nine terrestrial and freshwater planarians, including invasive earthworm predators from the genus Bipalium and the widely studied regeneration models Dugesia japonica and Schmidtea mediterranea. A cophylogenetic reconstruction provides strong evidence for coevolution of histophagous Ciliophora with their Platyhelminthes hosts. We further report the antiprotozoal aminoglycoside paromomycin expels Tetrahymena from S. mediterranea, providing new opportunities to investigate the effects of this relationship on planarian biology. Together, our findings raise the possibility that invasive flatworms constitute a novel dispersal mechanism for Tetrahymena parasites and position the Platyhelminthes as an ideal model phylum for studying the ecology and evolution of histophagous ciliates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Ryan Woodcock
- Department of Biology, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
- Department of Science, Mathematics & Technology, Medaille University, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Natural Science, Trocaire College, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kaleigh Powers
- Department of Biology, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
| | - Kirsten Snead
- Department of Science, Mathematics & Technology, Medaille University, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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20
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Akheralie Z, Scidmore TJ, Pearson BJ. aristaless-like homeobox-3 is wound induced and promotes a low-Wnt environment required for planarian head regeneration. Development 2023; 150:dev201777. [PMID: 37681295 PMCID: PMC10560571 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea is a well-established model of adult regeneration, which is dependent on a large population of adult stem cells called neoblasts. Upon amputation, planarians undergo transcriptional wounding programs and coordinated stem cell proliferation to give rise to missing tissues. Interestingly, the Wnt signaling pathway is key to guiding what tissues are regenerated, yet less known are the transcriptional regulators that ensure proper activation and timing of signaling pathway components. Here, we have identified an aristaless-like homeobox transcription factor, alx-3, that is enriched in a population of putative neural-fated progenitor cells at homeostasis, and is also upregulated in stem cells and muscle cells at anterior-facing wounds upon amputation. Knockdown of alx-3 results in failure of head regeneration and patterning defects in amputated tail fragments. alx-3 is required for the expression of several early wound-induced genes, including the Wnt inhibitor notum, which is required to establish anterior polarity during regeneration. Together, these findings reveal a role for alx-3 as an early wound-response transcriptional regulator in both muscle cells and stem cells that is required for anterior regeneration by promoting a low-Wnt environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaleena Akheralie
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada
- University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, Toronto, ON M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Tanner J. Scidmore
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada
- University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, Toronto, ON M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Bret J. Pearson
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Toronto, ON M5G0A4, Canada
- University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, Toronto, ON M5S1A8, Canada
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21
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Chandra B, Voas MG, Davies EL, Roberts-Galbraith RH. Ets-1 transcription factor regulates glial cell regeneration and function in planarians. Development 2023; 150:dev201666. [PMID: 37665145 PMCID: PMC10508700 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Glia play multifaceted roles in nervous systems in response to injury. Depending on the species, extent of injury and glial cell type in question, glia can help or hinder the regeneration of neurons. Studying glia in the context of successful regeneration could reveal features of pro-regenerative glia that could be exploited for new human therapies. Planarian flatworms completely regenerate their nervous systems after injury - including glia - and thus provide a strong model system for exploring glia in the context of regeneration. Here, we report that planarian glia regenerate after neurons, and that neurons are required for correct glial numbers and localization during regeneration. We also identify the planarian transcription factor-encoding gene ets-1 as a key regulator of glial cell maintenance and regeneration. Using ets-1 (RNAi) to perturb glia, we show that glial loss is associated with altered neuronal gene expression, impeded animal movement and impaired nervous system architecture - particularly within the neuropil. Importantly, our work reveals the inter-relationships of glia and neurons in the context of robust neural regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidushi Chandra
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Matthew G. Voas
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Erin L. Davies
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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22
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Clark EG, Petersen CP. BMP suppresses WNT to integrate patterning of orthogonal body axes in adult planarians. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010608. [PMID: 37729232 PMCID: PMC10545109 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult regeneration restores patterning of orthogonal body axes after damage in a post-embryonic context. Planarians regenerate using distinct body-wide signals primarily regulating each axis dimension: anteroposterior Wnts, dorsoventral BMP, and mediolateral Wnt5 and Slit determinants. How regeneration can coordinate perpendicular tissue axes without symmetry-breaking embryonic events is not fully understood. Here, we report that the planarian dorsoventral regulator bmp4 suppresses the posterior determinant wnt1 to provide patterning input to the anteroposterior axis. Double-FISH identified distinct anteroposterior domains within dorsal midline muscle that express either bmp4 or wnt1. Homeostatic inhibition bmp4 and smad1 expanded the wnt1 expression anteriorly, while elevation of BMP signaling through nog1;nog2 RNAi reduced the wnt1 expression domain and elevated bmp4 expression. Homeostatic BMP signal perturbation broadly affected anteroposterior identity as measured by expression of posterior Wnt pathway factors, and caused mislocalization of AP-regionalized pharynx progenitors, without strongly affecting expression domains of anterior regulators. Additionally, wnt1 inhibition elevated bmp4 expression in the tip of the tail. Therefore, dorsal BMP signals and posterior wnt1 mutually antagonize for patterning the tail. Furthermore, homeostatic bmp4 RNAi caused medial expansion of the lateral determinant wnt5 and reduced expression of the medial regulator slit. By contrast, nog1;nog2 RNAi restricted wnt5 expression. Double RNAi of bmp4 and wnt5 resulted in lateral ectopic eye phenotypes, suggesting bmp4 acts upstream of wnt5 to pattern the mediolateral axis. These results indicate bmp4 controls dorsoventral information and also, through suppression of Wnt signals, influences anteroposterior and mediolateral identity. Based on related functions across vertebrates and Cnidarians, Wnt and BMP cross-regulation could form an ancient mechanism for coordinating orthogonal axis patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor G. Clark
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University; Evanston Illinois, United States of America
| | - Christian P. Petersen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University; Evanston Illinois, United States of America
- Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University; Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
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23
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Fan Y, Chai C, Li P, Zou X, Ferrell JE, Wang B. Ultrafast distant wound response is essential for whole-body regeneration. Cell 2023; 186:3606-3618.e16. [PMID: 37480850 PMCID: PMC10957142 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Injury induces systemic responses, but their functions remain elusive. Mechanisms that can rapidly synchronize wound responses through long distances are also mostly unknown. Using planarian flatworms capable of whole-body regeneration, we report that injury induces extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) activity waves to travel at a speed 10-100 times faster than those in other multicellular tissues. This ultrafast propagation requires longitudinal body-wall muscles, elongated cells forming dense parallel tracks running the length of the organism. The morphological properties of muscles allow them to act as superhighways for propagating and disseminating wound signals. Inhibiting Erk propagation prevents tissues distant to the wound from responding and blocks regeneration, which can be rescued by a second injury to distal tissues shortly after the first injury. Our findings provide a mechanism for long-range signal propagation in large, complex tissues to coordinate responses across cell types and highlight the function of feedback between spatially separated tissues during whole-body regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Fan
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chew Chai
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Pengyang Li
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xinzhi Zou
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - James E Ferrell
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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24
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Rejo L, Malgouyres JM, Bonnafé E, Vignet C. Optimization and calibration of behavioural tests on different species of planaria for ecotoxicological studies. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023:104189. [PMID: 37348774 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater planarian are emerging as a valuable in vivo model for (eco) toxicological studies, but the lack of harmonization of procedures between laboratories remains a challenge. This study aimed to optimize, automate and select the best behavioural tests and analyse the potential of different planarian species as models for toxicological assessment. We implemented four tests: exploration, photomotor response, Tapping and Planarian Light Dark Test, on different planaria species using the DanioVision system. We conclude that the exploration assay performed in 24 wellplate at 10 000 lux is the one that is robust and reliable for toxicological studies with planaria. Dugesia japonica and Schmidtea mediterranea have proved to be sensitive models for toxicological screening of organophosphorus pesticides through behavioural analysis. Under necessary experimental conditions, the motility baseline in controls, for both species allowed the detection of behavioural changes, making both good models for behavioural testing in (eco) toxicological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Rejo
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives, EA- 7417, Institut National Universitaire J-F Champollion, 81012 Albi, France.
| | - Jean-Michel Malgouyres
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives, EA- 7417, Institut National Universitaire J-F Champollion, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Elsa Bonnafé
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives, EA- 7417, Institut National Universitaire J-F Champollion, 81012 Albi, France
| | - Caroline Vignet
- Biochimie et Toxicologie des Substances Bioactives, EA- 7417, Institut National Universitaire J-F Champollion, 81012 Albi, France.
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25
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Cui G, Dong K, Zhou JY, Li S, Wu Y, Han Q, Yao B, Shen Q, Zhao YL, Yang Y, Cai J, Zhang S, Yang YG. Spatiotemporal transcriptomic atlas reveals the dynamic characteristics and key regulators of planarian regeneration. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3205. [PMID: 37268637 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39016-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole-body regeneration of planarians is a natural wonder but how it occurs remains elusive. It requires coordinated responses from each cell in the remaining tissue with spatial awareness to regenerate new cells and missing body parts. While previous studies identified new genes essential to regeneration, a more efficient screening approach that can identify regeneration-associated genes in the spatial context is needed. Here, we present a comprehensive three-dimensional spatiotemporal transcriptomic landscape of planarian regeneration. We describe a pluripotent neoblast subtype, and show that depletion of its marker gene makes planarians more susceptible to sub-lethal radiation. Furthermore, we identified spatial gene expression modules essential for tissue development. Functional analysis of hub genes in spatial modules, such as plk1, shows their important roles in regeneration. Our three-dimensional transcriptomic atlas provides a powerful tool for deciphering regeneration and identifying homeostasis-related genes, and provides a publicly available online spatiotemporal analysis resource for planarian regeneration research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanshen Cui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Kangning Dong
- NCMIS, CEMS, RCSDS, Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jia-Yi Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Shang Li
- NCMIS, CEMS, RCSDS, Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ying Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qinghua Han
- NCMIS, CEMS, RCSDS, Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bofei Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qunlun Shen
- NCMIS, CEMS, RCSDS, Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yong-Liang Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jun Cai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Shihua Zhang
- NCMIS, CEMS, RCSDS, Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Yun-Gui Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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26
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Rouhana L, Edgar A, Hugosson F, Dountcheva V, Martindale MQ, Ryan JF. Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Is an Ancestral Hallmark of Early Development in Animals. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad137. [PMID: 37288606 PMCID: PMC10284499 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Differential regulation of gene expression has produced the astonishing diversity of life on Earth. Understanding the origin and evolution of mechanistic innovations for control of gene expression is therefore integral to evolutionary and developmental biology. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation is the biochemical extension of polyadenosine at the 3'-end of cytoplasmic mRNAs. This process regulates the translation of specific maternal transcripts and is mediated by the Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element-Binding Protein family (CPEBs). Genes that code for CPEBs are amongst a very few that are present in animals but missing in nonanimal lineages. Whether cytoplasmic polyadenylation is present in non-bilaterian animals (i.e., sponges, ctenophores, placozoans, and cnidarians) remains unknown. We have conducted phylogenetic analyses of CPEBs, and our results show that CPEB1 and CPEB2 subfamilies originated in the animal stem lineage. Our assessment of expression in the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis (Cnidaria), and the comb jelly, Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora), demonstrates that maternal expression of CPEB1 and the catalytic subunit of the cytoplasmic polyadenylation machinery (GLD2) is an ancient feature that is conserved across animals. Furthermore, our measurements of poly(A)-tail elongation reveal that key targets of cytoplasmic polyadenylation are shared between vertebrates, cnidarians, and ctenophores, indicating that this mechanism orchestrates a regulatory network that is conserved throughout animal evolution. We postulate that cytoplasmic polyadenylation through CPEBs was a fundamental innovation that contributed to animal evolution from unicellular life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Labib Rouhana
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allison Edgar
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, USA
| | - Fredrik Hugosson
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, USA
| | - Valeria Dountcheva
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark Q Martindale
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Joseph F Ryan
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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27
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Kaethner M, Epping K, Bernthaler P, Rudolf K, Thomann I, Leitschuh N, Bergmann M, Spiliotis M, Koziol U, Brehm K. Transforming growth factor-β signalling regulates protoscolex formation in the Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1153117. [PMID: 37033489 PMCID: PMC10073696 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1153117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by tumor-like, infiltrative growth of the metacestode larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. We previously showed that the metacestode is composed of posteriorized tissue and that the production of the subsequent larval stage, the protoscolex, depends on re-establishment of anterior identities within the metacestode germinative layer. It is, however, unclear so far how protoscolex differentiation in Echinococcus is regulated. We herein characterized the full complement of E. multilocularis TGFβ/BMP receptors, which is composed of one type II and three type I receptor serine/threonine kinases. Functional analyzes showed that all Echinococcus TGFβ/BMP receptors are enzymatically active and respond to host derived TGFβ/BMP ligands for activating downstream Smad transcription factors. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated that the Echinococcus TGFβ/BMP receptors are mainly expressed by nerve and muscle cells within the germinative layer and in developing brood capsules. Interestingly, the production of brood capsules, which later give rise to protoscoleces, was strongly suppressed in the presence of inhibitors directed against TGFβ/BMP receptors, whereas protoscolex differentiation was accelerated in response to host BMP2 and TGFβ. Apart from being responsive to host TGFβ/BMP ligands, protoscolex production also correlated with the expression of a parasite-derived TGFβ-like ligand, EmACT, which is expressed in early brood capsules and which is strongly expressed in anterior domains during protoscolex development. Taken together, these data indicate an important role of TGFβ/BMP signalling in Echinococcus anterior pole formation and protoscolex development. Since TGFβ is accumulating around metacestode lesions at later stages of the infection, the host immune response could thus serve as a signal by which the parasite senses the time point at which protoscoleces must be produced. Overall, our data shed new light on molecular mechanisms of host-parasite interaction during AE and are relevant for the development of novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Kaethner
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Epping
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bernthaler
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kilian Rudolf
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Irena Thomann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Leitschuh
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food Technology, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany
| | - Monika Bergmann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Spiliotis
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Uriel Koziol
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Klaus Brehm
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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28
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Shiroor DA, Wang KT, Sanketi BD, Tapper JK, Adler CE. Inhibition of ATM kinase rescues planarian regeneration after lethal radiation. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56112. [PMID: 36943023 PMCID: PMC10157310 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
As stem cells divide, they acquire mutations that can be passed on to daughter cells. To mitigate potentially deleterious outcomes, cells activate the DNA damage response (DDR) network, which governs several cellular outcomes following DNA damage, including repairing DNA or undergoing apoptosis. At the helm of the DDR are three PI3-like kinases including Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM). We report here that knockdown of ATM in planarian flatworms enables stem cells to withstand lethal doses of radiation which would otherwise induce cell death. In this context, stem cells circumvent apoptosis, replicate their DNA, and recover function using homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair. Despite radiation exposure, atm knockdown animals survive long-term and regenerate new tissues. These effects occur independently of ATM's canonical downstream effector p53. Together, our results demonstrate that in planarians, ATM promotes radiation-induced apoptosis. This acute, ATM-dependent apoptosis is a key determinant of long-term animal survival. Our results suggest that inhibition of ATM in these organisms could, therefore, potentially favor cell survival after radiation without obvious effects on stem cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya A Shiroor
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kuang-Tse Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Bhargav D Sanketi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Justin K Tapper
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Carolyn E Adler
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
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29
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Fan Y, Chai C, Li P, Zou X, Ferrell JE, Wang B. Ultrafast and long-range coordination of wound responses is essential for whole-body regeneration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.15.532844. [PMID: 36993633 PMCID: PMC10055111 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.15.532844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Injury induces systemic, global responses whose functions remain elusive. In addition, mechanisms that rapidly synchronize wound responses through long distances across the organismal scale are mostly unknown. Using planarians, which have extreme regenerative ability, we report that injury induces Erk activity to travel in a wave-like manner at an unexpected speed (∼1 mm/h), 10-100 times faster than those measured in other multicellular tissues. This ultrafast signal propagation requires longitudinal body-wall muscles, elongated cells forming dense parallel tracks running the length of the organism. Combining experiments and computational models, we show that the morphological properties of muscles allow them to minimize the number of slow intercellular signaling steps and act as bidirectional superhighways for propagating wound signals and instructing responses in other cell types. Inhibiting Erk propagation prevents cells distant to the wound from responding and blocks regeneration, which can be rescued by a second injury to distal tissues within a narrow time window after the first injury. These results suggest that rapid responses in uninjured tissues far from wounds are essential for regeneration. Our findings provide a mechanism for long-range signal propagation in large and complex tissues to coordinate cellular responses across diverse cell types, and highlights the function of feedback between spatially separated tissues during whole-body regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Fan
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chew Chai
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Pengyang Li
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xinzhi Zou
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - James E. Ferrell
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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30
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Rabiasz A, Ziętkiewicz E. Schmidtea mediterranea as a Model Organism to Study the Molecular Background of Human Motile Ciliopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054472. [PMID: 36901899 PMCID: PMC10002865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054472] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cilia and flagella are evolutionarily conserved organelles that form protrusions on the surface of many growth-arrested or differentiated eukaryotic cells. Due to the structural and functional differences, cilia can be roughly classified as motile and non-motile (primary). Genetically determined dysfunction of motile cilia is the basis of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a heterogeneous ciliopathy affecting respiratory airways, fertility, and laterality. In the face of the still incomplete knowledge of PCD genetics and phenotype-genotype relations in PCD and the spectrum of PCD-like diseases, a continuous search for new causative genes is required. The use of model organisms has been a great part of the advances in understanding molecular mechanisms and the genetic basis of human diseases; the PCD spectrum is not different in this respect. The planarian model (Schmidtea mediterranea) has been intensely used to study regeneration processes, and-in the context of cilia-their evolution, assembly, and role in cell signaling. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the use of this simple and accessible model for studying the genetics of PCD and related diseases. The recent rapid development of the available planarian databases with detailed genomic and functional annotations prompted us to review the potential of the S. mediterranea model for studying human motile ciliopathies.
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31
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Medlock-Lanier T, Clay KB, Roberts-Galbraith RH. Planarian LDB and SSDP proteins scaffold transcriptional complexes for regeneration and patterning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.07.527523. [PMID: 36798167 PMCID: PMC9934679 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.07.527523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Sequence-specific transcription factors often function as components of large regulatory complexes. LIM-domain binding protein (LDB) and single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSDP) function as core scaffolds of transcriptional complexes in animals and plants. Little is known about potential partners and functions for LDB/SSDP complexes in the context of tissue regeneration. In this work, we find that planarian LDB1 and SSDP2 promote tissue regeneration, with a particular function in mediolateral polarity reestablishment. We find that LDB1 and SSDP2 interact with one another and with characterized planarian LIM-HD proteins Arrowhead, Islet1, and Lhx1/5-1. SSDP2 and LDB1 also function with islet1 in polarity reestablishment and with lhx1/5-1 in serotonergic neuron maturation. Finally, we show new roles for LDB1 and SSDP2 in regulating gene expression in the planarian intestine and parenchyma; these functions may be LIM-HD-independent. Together, our work provides insight into LDB/SSDP complexes in a highly regenerative organism. Further, our work provides a strong starting point for identifying and characterizing potential binding partners of LDB1 and SSDP2 and for exploring roles for these proteins in diverse aspects of planarian physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kendall B Clay
- Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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32
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Lucas SAM, Graham AM, Presnell JS, Clark NL. Highly Dynamic Gene Family Evolution Suggests Changing Roles for PON Genes Within Metazoa. Genome Biol Evol 2023; 15:evad011. [PMID: 36718542 PMCID: PMC9937041 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Change in gene family size has been shown to facilitate adaptation to different selective pressures. This includes gene duplication to increase dosage or diversification of enzymatic substrates and gene deletion due to relaxed selection. We recently found that the PON1 gene, an enzyme with arylesterase and lactonase activity, was lost repeatedly in different aquatic mammalian lineages, suggesting that the PON gene family is responsive to environmental change. We further investigated if these fluctuations in gene family size were restricted to mammals and approximately when this gene family was expanded within mammals. Using 112 metazoan protein models, we explored the evolutionary history of the PON family to characterize the dynamic evolution of this gene family. We found that there have been multiple, independent expansion events in tardigrades, cephalochordates, and echinoderms. In addition, there have been partial gene loss events in monotremes and sea cucumbers and what appears to be complete loss in arthropods, urochordates, platyhelminths, ctenophores, and placozoans. In addition, we show the mammalian expansion to three PON paralogs occurred in the ancestor of all mammals after the divergence of sauropsida but before the divergence of monotremes from therians. We also provide evidence of a novel PON expansion within the brushtail possum. In the face of repeated expansions and deletions in the context of changing environments, we suggest a range of selective pressures, including pathogen infection and mitigation of oxidative damage, are likely influencing the diversification of this dynamic gene family across metazoa.
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33
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Drees L, Rink JC. The planarian flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea. Nat Methods 2023; 20:3-5. [PMID: 36635538 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01727-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Drees
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jochen C Rink
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
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34
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Pittroff A, Kim IV, Demtröder T, Kuhn CD. Genome-Wide Analysis of Planarian piRNAs. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2680:55-65. [PMID: 37428370 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3275-8_3] [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] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
In planarian flatworms, the piRNA pathway is operated by three PIWI proteins, termed SMEDWI-1, SMEDWI-2, and SMEDWI-3 (SMEDWI = Schmidtea mediterranea PIWI). The interplay between these three PIWI proteins and their associated small noncoding RNAs, termed piRNAs, fuels the outstanding regenerative abilities of planarians, enables tissue homeostasis, and, ultimately, ensures animal survival. As the molecular targets of PIWI proteins are determined by the sequences of their co-bound piRNAs, it is imperative to identify these sequences by next-generation sequencing applications. Following sequencing, the genomic targets and the regulatory potential of the isolated piRNA populations need to be uncovered. To that end, here we present a bioinformatics analysis pipeline for processing and systematic characterization of planarian piRNAs. The pipeline includes steps for the removal of PCR duplicates based on unique molecular identifier (UMI) sequences, and it accounts for piRNA multimapping to different loci in the genome. Importantly, our protocol also includes a fully automated pipeline that is freely available at GitHub. Together with the piRNA isolation and library preparation protocol (see accompanying chapter), the presented computational pipeline enables researchers to explore the functional role of the piRNA pathway in flatworm biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iana V Kim
- RNA Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tim Demtröder
- RNA Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Claus-D Kuhn
- RNA Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
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35
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Hoffman M, Wurtzel O. PLANAtools-An interactive gene expression repository for the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1149537. [PMID: 37035247 PMCID: PMC10076545 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1149537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hoffman
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Omri Wurtzel
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- *Correspondence: Omri Wurtzel,
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36
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Gambino G, Rossi L, Iacopetti P, Ghezzani C, Guidi P, Linsalata S, Ippolito C, Salvetti A. Microtubule-associated protein 1B is implicated in stem cell commitment and nervous system regeneration in planarians. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278966. [PMID: 36508441 PMCID: PMC9744283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated 1B (MAP1B) proteins are expressed at the nervous system level where they control cytoskeleton activity and regulate neurotransmitter release. Here, we report about the identification of a planarian MAP1B factor (DjMap1B) that is enriched in cephalic ganglia and longitudinal nerve cords but not in neoblasts, the plentiful population of adult stem cells present in planarians, thanks to which these animals can continuously cell turnover and regenerate any lost body parts. DjMap1B knockdown induces morphological anomalies in the nervous system and affects neoblast commitment. Our data put forward a correlation between a MAP1B factor and stem cells and suggest a function of the nervous system in non-cell autonomous control of planarian stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetana Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Iacopetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Ghezzani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Guidi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Linsalata
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
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37
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Ireland D, Collins EMS. New Worm on the Block: Planarians in (Neuro)Toxicology. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e637. [PMID: 36571713 PMCID: PMC9797031 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Traditional mammalian testing is too time- and cost-intensive to keep up with the large number of environmental chemicals needing assessment. This has led to a dearth of information about the potential adverse effects of these chemicals, especially on the developing brain. Thus, there is an urgent need for rapid and cost-effective neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity testing. Because of the complexity of the brain, metabolically competent organismal models are necessary to understand the effects of chemicals on nervous system development and function on a systems level. In this overview, we showcase asexual freshwater planarians as an alternative invertebrate ("non-animal") organismal model for neurotoxicology research. Planarians have long been used to study the effects of chemicals on regeneration and behavior. But they have only recently moved back into the spotlight because modern molecular and computational approaches now enable quantitative high-content and high-throughput toxicity studies. Here, we present a short history of the use of planarians in toxicology research, highlight current techniques to measure toxicity qualitatively and quantitatively in planarians, and discuss how to further promote this non-animal organismal system into mainstream toxicology research. The articles in this collection will help work towards this goal by providing detailed protocols that can be adopted by the community to standardize planarian toxicity testing. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Ireland
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America
| | - Eva-Maria S. Collins
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
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38
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Gambino G, Iacopetti P, Guidi P, Ippolito C, Linsalata S, Salvetti A, Rossi L. Cell quiescence in planarian stem cells, interplay between p53 and nutritional stimuli. Open Biol 2022; 12:220216. [PMID: 36541101 PMCID: PMC9768645 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell quiescence appeared early in evolution as an adaptive response to adverse conditions (i.e. nutrient depletion). In metazoans, quiescence has been involved in additional processes like tissue homeostasis, which is made possible by the presence of adult stem cells (ASCs). Cell cycle control machinery is a common hub for quiescence entrance, and evidence indicates a role for p53 in establishing the quiescent state of undamaged cells. Mechanisms responsible for waking up quiescent cells remain elusive, and nutritional stimulus, as a legacy of its original role, still appears to be a player in quiescence exit. Planarians, rich in ASCs, represent a suitable system in which we characterized a quiescent population of ASCs, the dorsal midline cord (DMC) cells, exhibiting unique transcriptional features and maintained quiescent by p53 and awakened upon feeding. The function of DMC cells is puzzling and we speculate that DMC cells, despite retaining ancient properties, might represent a functional drift in which quiescence has been recruited to provide evolutionary advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetana Gambino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Iacopetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Guidi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Linsalata
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Volta 4, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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39
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Ireland D, Rabeler C, Gong T, Collins EMS. Bioactivation and detoxification of organophosphorus pesticides in freshwater planarians shares similarities with humans. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:3233-3243. [PMID: 36173421 PMCID: PMC10729609 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03387-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are a chemically diverse class of insecticides that inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Many OPs require bioactivation to their active oxon form via cytochrome P450 to effectively inhibit AChE. OP toxicity can be mitigated by detoxification reactions performed by carboxylesterase and paraoxonase. The relative extent of bioactivation to detoxification varies among individuals and between species, leading to differential susceptibility to OP toxicity. Because of these species differences, it is imperative to characterize OP metabolism in model systems used to assess OP toxicity. We have shown that the asexual freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica is a suitable model to assess OP neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity via rapid, automated testing of adult and developing organisms in parallel using morphological and behavioral endpoints. D. japonica has two cholinesterase enzymes with intermediate properties between AChE and butyrylcholinesterase that are sensitive to OP inhibition. Here, we demonstrate that D. japonica contains the major OP metabolic machinery to be a relevant model for OP neurotoxicity studies. Adult and regenerating D. japonica can bioactivate chlorpyrifos and diazinon into their respective oxons. Significant AChE inhibition was only observed after in vivo metabolic activation but not when the parent OPs were directly added to planarian homogenate using the same concentrations and timing. Using biochemical assays, we found that D. japonica has both carboxylesterase (24 nmol/(min*mg protein)) and paraoxonase (60 pmol/(min*mg protein)) activity. We show that planarian carboxylesterase activity is distinct from cholinesterase activity using benzil and tacrine. These results further support the use of D. japonica for OP toxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - TaiXi Gong
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Eva-Maria S Collins
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, USA.
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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40
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Ebner JN, Ritz D, von Fumetti S. Thermal acclimation results in persistent phosphoproteome changes in the freshwater planarian Crenobia alpina (Tricladida: Planariidae). J Therm Biol 2022; 110:103367. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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41
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Li J, Wang J, Zhang P, Wang R, Mei Y, Sun Z, Fei L, Jiang M, Ma L, E W, Chen H, Wang X, Fu Y, Wu H, Liu D, Wang X, Li J, Guo Q, Liao Y, Yu C, Jia D, Wu J, He S, Liu H, Ma J, Lei K, Chen J, Han X, Guo G. Deep learning of cross-species single-cell landscapes identifies conserved regulatory programs underlying cell types. Nat Genet 2022; 54:1711-1720. [PMID: 36229673 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01197-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite extensive efforts to generate and analyze reference genomes, genetic models to predict gene regulation and cell fate decisions are lacking for most species. Here, we generated whole-body single-cell transcriptomic landscapes of zebrafish, Drosophila and earthworm. We then integrated cell landscapes from eight representative metazoan species to study gene regulation across evolution. Using these uniformly constructed cross-species landscapes, we developed a deep-learning-based strategy, Nvwa, to predict gene expression and identify regulatory sequences at the single-cell level. We systematically compared cell-type-specific transcription factors to reveal conserved genetic regulation in vertebrates and invertebrates. Our work provides a valuable resource and offers a new strategy for studying regulatory grammar in diverse biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Li
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Peijing Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renying Wang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Mei
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongyi Sun
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lijiang Fei
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Jiang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Ma
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weigao E
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haide Chen
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanyu Wu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Daiyuan Liu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueyi Wang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingyu Li
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qile Guo
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Liao
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengxuan Yu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danmei Jia
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shibo He
- College of Control Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huanju Liu
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhenjiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhenjiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Lei
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiming Chen
- College of Control Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Han
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Guoji Guo
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, China.
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42
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Hall RN, Weill U, Drees L, Leal-Ortiz S, Li H, Khariton M, Chai C, Xue Y, Rosental B, Quake SR, Sánchez Alvarado A, Melosh NA, Fire AZ, Rink JC, Wang B. Heterologous reporter expression in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea through somatic mRNA transfection. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100298. [PMID: 36313809 PMCID: PMC9606109 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Planarians have long been studied for their regenerative abilities. Moving forward, tools for ectopic expression of non-native proteins will be of substantial value. Using a luminescent reporter to overcome the strong autofluorescence of planarian tissues, we demonstrate heterologous protein expression in planarian cells and live animals. Our approach is based on the introduction of mRNA through several nanotechnological and chemical transfection methods. We improve reporter expression by altering untranslated region (UTR) sequences and codon bias, facilitating the measurement of expression kinetics in both isolated cells and whole planarians using luminescence imaging. We also examine protein expression as a function of variations in the UTRs of delivered mRNA, demonstrating a framework to investigate gene regulation at the post-transcriptional level. Together, these advances expand the toolbox for the mechanistic analysis of planarian biology and establish a foundation for the development and expansion of transgenic techniques in this unique model system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Uri Weill
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Leonard Drees
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Sergio Leal-Ortiz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hongquan Li
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Margarita Khariton
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chew Chai
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yuan Xue
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Benyamin Rosental
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Stephen R. Quake
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Melosh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrew Z. Fire
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jochen C. Rink
- Department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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43
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Duncan EM, Nowotarski SH, Guerrero-Hernández C, Ross EJ, D'Orazio JA, McKinney S, McHargue MC, Guo L, McClain M, Alvarado AS. Molecular characterization of a flatworm Girardia isolate from Guanajuato, Mexico. Dev Biol 2022; 489:165-177. [PMID: 35710033 PMCID: PMC11104013 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Planarian flatworms are best known for their impressive regenerative capacity, yet this trait varies across species. In addition, planarians have other features that share morphology and function with the tissues of many other animals, including an outer mucociliary epithelium that drives planarian locomotion and is very similar to the epithelial linings of the human lung and oviduct. Planarians occupy a broad range of ecological habitats and are known to be sensitive to changes in their environment. Yet, despite their potential to provide valuable insight to many different fields, very few planarian species have been developed as laboratory models for mechanism-based research. Here we describe a previously undocumented planarian isolate, Girardia sp. (Guanajuato). After collecting this isolate from a freshwater habitat in central Mexico, we characterized it at the morphological, cellular, and molecular level. We show that Girardia sp. (Guanajuato) not only shares features with animals in the Girardia genus but also possesses traits that appear unique to this isolate. By thoroughly characterizing this new planarian isolate, our work facilitates future comparisons to other flatworms and further molecular dissection of the unique and physiologically-relevant traits observed in this Girardia sp. (Guanajuato) isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie H Nowotarski
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | - Eric J Ross
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | - Sean McKinney
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | - Longhua Guo
- University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA.
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44
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Dagan Y, Yesharim Y, Bonneau AR, Frankovits T, Schwartz S, Reddien PW, Wurtzel O. m6A is required for resolving progenitor identity during planarian stem cell differentiation. EMBO J 2022; 41:e109895. [PMID: 35971838 PMCID: PMC9627665 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021109895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Regeneration and tissue homeostasis require accurate production of missing cell lineages. Cell production is driven by changes to gene expression, which is shaped by multiple layers of regulation. Here, we find that the ubiquitous mRNA base-modification, m6A, is required for proper cell fate choice and cellular maturation in planarian stem cells (neoblasts). We mapped m6A-enriched regions in 7,600 planarian genes and found that perturbation of the m6A pathway resulted in progressive deterioration of tissues and death. Using single-cell RNA sequencing of >20,000 cells following perturbation of the m6A pathway, we identified an increase in expression of noncanonical histone variants, and that inhibition of the pathway resulted in accumulation of undifferentiated cells throughout the animal in an abnormal transcriptional state. Analysis of >1,000 planarian gene expression datasets revealed that the inhibition of the chromatin modifying complex NuRD had almost indistinguishable consequences, unraveling an unappreciated link between m6A and chromatin modifications. Our findings reveal that m6A is critical for planarian stem cell homeostasis and gene regulation in tissue maintenance and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Dagan
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yarden Yesharim
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ashley R Bonneau
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Tamar Frankovits
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Schraga Schwartz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Peter W Reddien
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Omri Wurtzel
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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45
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Reho G, Lelièvre V, Cadiou H. Planarian nociception: Lessons from a scrunching flatworm. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:935918. [PMID: 35959107 PMCID: PMC9362985 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.935918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to being studied for their exceptional regeneration abilities, planarians (i.e., flatworms) have also been extensively used in the context of pharmacological experiments during the past century. Many researchers used planarians as a model system for the study of drug abuse because they display high similarities with the nervous system of vertebrates at cellular and molecular levels (e.g., neuronal morphology, neurotransmitter ligands, and receptor function). This research field recently led to the discovery of causal relationships between the expression of Transient Receptor Potential ion channels in planarians and their behavioral responses to noxious stimuli such as heat, cold or pharmacological analogs such as TRP agonists, among others. It has also been shown that some antinociceptive drugs modulate these behaviors. However, among the few authors that tried to implement a full behavior analysis, none reached a consensual use of the terms used to describe planarian gaits yet, nor did they establish a comprehensive description of a potential planarian nociceptive system. The aim of this review is therefore to aggregate the ancient and the most recent evidence for a true nociceptive behavior in planarians. It also highlights the convenience and relevance of this invertebrate model for nociceptive tests and suggests further lines of research. In regards to past pharmacological studies, this review finally discusses the opportunities given by the model to extensively screen for novel antinociceptive drugs.
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Ebner JN, Wyss MK, Ritz D, von Fumetti S. Effects of thermal acclimation on the proteome of the planarian Crenobia alpina from an alpine freshwater spring. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:276068. [PMID: 35875852 PMCID: PMC9440759 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Species' acclimation capacity and their ability to maintain molecular homeostasis outside ideal temperature ranges will partly predict their success following climate change-induced thermal regime shifts. Theory predicts that ectothermic organisms from thermally stable environments have muted plasticity, and that these species may be particularly vulnerable to temperature increases. Whether such species retained or lost acclimation capacity remains largely unknown. We studied proteome changes in the planarian Crenobia alpina, a prominent member of cold-stable alpine habitats that is considered to be a cold-adapted stenotherm. We found that the species' critical thermal maximum (CTmax) is above its experienced habitat temperatures and that different populations exhibit differential CTmax acclimation capacity, whereby an alpine population showed reduced plasticity. In a separate experiment, we acclimated C. alpina individuals from the alpine population to 8, 11, 14 or 17°C over the course of 168 h and compared their comprehensively annotated proteomes. Network analyses of 3399 proteins and protein set enrichment showed that while the species' proteome is overall stable across these temperatures, protein sets functioning in oxidative stress response, mitochondria, protein synthesis and turnover are lower in abundance following warm acclimation. Proteins associated with an unfolded protein response, ciliogenesis, tissue damage repair, development and the innate immune system were higher in abundance following warm acclimation. Our findings suggest that this species has not suffered DNA decay (e.g. loss of heat-shock proteins) during evolution in a cold-stable environment and has retained plasticity in response to elevated temperatures, challenging the notion that stable environments necessarily result in muted plasticity. Summary: The proteome of an alpine Crenobia alpina population shows plasticity in response to acclimation to warmer temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Niklas Ebner
- 1 Spring Ecology Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mirjam Kathrin Wyss
- 1 Spring Ecology Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danilo Ritz
- 2 Proteomics Core Facility, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie von Fumetti
- 1 Spring Ecology Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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A Krüppel-like factor is required for development and regeneration of germline and yolk cells from somatic stem cells in planarians. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001472. [PMID: 35839223 PMCID: PMC9286257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexually reproducing animals segregate their germline from their soma. In addition to gamete-producing gonads, planarian and parasitic flatworm reproduction relies on yolk cell–generating accessory reproductive organs (vitellaria) supporting development of yolkless oocytes. Despite the importance of vitellaria for flatworm reproduction (and parasite transmission), little is known about this unique evolutionary innovation. Here, we examine reproductive system development in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, in which pluripotent stem cells generate both somatic and germ cell lineages. We show that a homolog of the pluripotency factor Klf4 is expressed in primordial germ cells (PGCs), presumptive germline stem cells (GSCs), and yolk cell progenitors. Knockdown of this klf4-like (klf4l) gene results in animals that fail to specify or maintain germ cells; surprisingly, they also fail to maintain yolk cells. We find that yolk cells display germ cell–like attributes and that vitellaria are structurally analogous to gonads. In addition to identifying a new proliferative cell population in planarians (yolk cell progenitors) and defining its niche, our work provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that flatworm germ cells and yolk cells share a common evolutionary origin.
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Lyne R, Bazaga A, Butano D, Contrino S, Heimbach J, Hu F, Kalderimis A, Lyne M, Reierskog K, Stepan R, Sullivan J, Wise A, Yehudi Y, Micklem G. HumanMine: advanced data searching, analysis and cross-species comparison. Database (Oxford) 2022; 2022:6640317. [PMID: 35820040 PMCID: PMC9275753 DOI: 10.1093/database/baac054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
HumanMine (www.humanmine.org) is an integrated database of human genomics and proteomics data that provides a powerful interface to support sophisticated exploration and analysis of data compiled from experimental, computational and curated data sources. Built using the InterMine data integration platform, HumanMine includes genes, proteins, pathways, expression levels, Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), diseases and more, integrated into a single searchable database. HumanMine promotes integrative analysis, a powerful approach in modern biology that allows many sources of evidence to be analysed together. The data can be accessed through a user-friendly web interface as well as a powerful, scriptable web service Application programming interface (API) to allow programmatic access to data. The web interface includes a useful identifier resolution system, sophisticated query options and interactive results tables that enable powerful exploration of data, including data summaries, filtering, browsing and export. A set of graphical analysis tools provide a rich environment for data exploration including statistical enrichment of sets of genes or other biological entities. HumanMine can be used for integrative multistaged analysis that can lead to new insights and uncover previously unknown relationships. Database URL: https://www.humanmine.org
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Lyne
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Adrián Bazaga
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Daniela Butano
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Sergio Contrino
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Joshua Heimbach
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Fengyuan Hu
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Alexis Kalderimis
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Mike Lyne
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Kevin Reierskog
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Radek Stepan
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Julie Sullivan
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Archie Wise
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Yo Yehudi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Gos Micklem
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Downing Pl, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
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Systematic identification of cell-fate regulatory programs using a single-cell atlas of mouse development. Nat Genet 2022; 54:1051-1061. [PMID: 35817981 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Waddington's epigenetic landscape is a metaphor frequently used to illustrate cell differentiation. Recent advances in single-cell genomics are altering our understanding of the Waddington landscape, yet the molecular mechanisms of cell-fate decisions remain poorly understood. We constructed a cell landscape of mouse lineage differentiation during development at the single-cell level and described both lineage-common and lineage-specific regulatory programs during cell-type maturation. We also found lineage-common regulatory programs that are broadly active during the development of invertebrates and vertebrates. In particular, we identified Xbp1 as an evolutionarily conserved regulator of cell-fate determinations across different species. We demonstrated that Xbp1 transcriptional regulation is important for the stabilization of the gene-regulatory networks for a wide range of mouse cell types. Our results offer genetic and molecular insights into cellular gene-regulatory programs and will serve as a basis for further advancing the understanding of cell-fate decisions.
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Khan UW, Newmark PA. Somatic regulation of female germ cell regeneration and development in planarians. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110525. [PMID: 35294875 PMCID: PMC8994625 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Female germ cells develop into oocytes, with the capacity for totipotency. In most animals, these remarkable cells are specified during development and cannot be regenerated. By contrast, planarians, known for their regenerative prowess, can regenerate germ cells. To uncover mechanisms required for female germ cell development and regeneration, we generated gonad-specific transcriptomes and identified genes whose expression defines progressive stages of female germ cell development. Strikingly, early female germ cells share molecular signatures with the pluripotent stem cells driving planarian regeneration. We observe spatial heterogeneity within somatic ovarian cells and find that a regionally enriched foxL homolog is required for oocyte differentiation, but not specification, suggestive of functionally distinct somatic compartments. Unexpectedly, a neurotransmitter-biosynthetic enzyme, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), is also expressed in somatic gonadal cells, and plays opposing roles in female and male germ cell development. Thus, somatic gonadal cells deploy conserved factors to regulate germ cell development and regeneration in planarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umair W Khan
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Phillip A Newmark
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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