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Ko JM, Reginato W, Wolff A, Lobo D. Mechanistic regulation of planarian shape during growth and degrowth. Development 2024:dev.202353. [PMID: 38619319 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Adult planarians can grow when fed and degrow (shrink) when starved while maintaining their whole-body shape. It is unknown how the morphogens patterning the planarian axes are coordinated during feeding and starvation or how they modulate the necessary differential tissue growth or degrowth. Here we investigate the dynamics of planarian shape together with a theoretical study of the mechanisms regulating whole-body proportions and shape. We found that the planarian body proportions scale isometrically following similar linear rates during growth and degrowth, but that fed worms are significantly wider than starved worms. By combining a descriptive model of planarian shape and size with a mechanistic model of anterior-posterior and medio-lateral signaling calibrated with a novel parameter optimization methodology, we theoretically demonstrate that the feedback loop between these positional information signals and the shape they control can regulate the planarian whole-body shape during growth. Furthermore, the computational model produced the correct shape and size dynamics during degrowth due to a predicted increase in apoptosis rate and pole signal during starvation. These results offer mechanistic insights into the dynamic regulation of whole-body morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Ko
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Waverly Reginato
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Andrew Wolff
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Daniel Lobo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
- Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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2
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Song Q, Geng H, Zhen H, Liu H, Deng H, Yuan Z, Zhang J, Cao Z, Pang Q, Zhao B. DjFARP Contributes to the Regeneration and Maintenance of the Brain through Activation of DjRac1 in Dugesia japonica. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6294-6306. [PMID: 37442859 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03478-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
FERM, RhoGEF, and Pleckstrin domain protein (FARP) mediated RhoGTPase pathways are involved in diverse biological processes, such as neuronal development and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about their role in neural regeneration. We uncovered for the first time that FARP-Rac1 signaling plays an important role in neural regeneration in Dugesia japonica, a planarian that possesses unparalleled regenerative capacities. The planarian FARP homolog DjFARP was primarily expressed in both intact and regenerating brain and pharynx tissue. Functional studies suggested that downregulation of DjFARP with dsRNA in Dugesia japonica led to smaller brain sizes, defects in brain lateral branches, and loss of cholinergic, GABAergic, and dopaminergic neurons in both intact and regenerating animals. Moreover, the Rho GTPase DjRac1 was shown to play a similar role in neural regeneration and maintenance. Rac1 activation assay showed that DjFARP acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for DjRac1. Together, these findings indicate that the brain defects seen in DjFARP knockdown animals may be attributable to DjRac1 inactivation. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that DjFARP-DjRac1 signaling was required for the maintenance and proper regeneration of the brain in Dugesia japonica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Song
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255049, People's Republic of China
| | - Huazhi Geng
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China
| | - Hui Zhen
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255049, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjin Liu
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Hongkuan Deng
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Zuoqing Yuan
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Jianyong Zhang
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Zhonghong Cao
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255049, People's Republic of China.
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China.
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3
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Milton M, Inan S, Rawls SM. Clues from planarians about interleukin-17A and stress that result from light avoidance: IL-17A antagonists reduce defensive responding in flatworms. Cytokine 2023; 170:156345. [PMID: 37625214 PMCID: PMC10530327 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence links interleukin-17A (IL-17A) to anxiety and stress. Circulating levels of IL-17A are elevated in patients with anxiety disorders, and pharmacological blockade of IL-17 signaling or genetic deletion of IL-17 reduces anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Given that IL-17 is one of the most conserved cytokines among animal phyla, we tested the hypothesis that anti-IL-17 treatments reduce defensive responding in planarians, the simplest animal with bilateral symmetry and a CNS with cephalization. The endpoint selected was light avoidance, which is a common phenotype of planarians and rodents and an index of defensive responding that is reduced by anxiolytic compounds in both species. Planarians were placed at the midline of a Petri dish containing water or test solution that was equally split into light and dark halves. Planarians exposed to a selective IL-17A antibody (0.1, 1, 10 pM) over a 5-min interval spent more time in the light than water-exposed planarians. Cyanidin (0.01, 0.1 1, 10 µM), an anti-inflammatory flavonoid and non-selective IL-17A inhibitor, also increased time spent in the light. Motility was not affected by IL-17A antibody or cyanidin at concentrations that reduced light avoidance, although higher concentrations reduced motility (>10 µM). Our results show that IL-17A antagonists reduce defensive responding in planarians and suggest conservation of IL-17A effects on aspects of anxiety-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Milton
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Saadet Inan
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Scott M Rawls
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Feng M, Xu Z, Yin D, Zhao Z, Zhou X, Song L. Toxic effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate on planarian Dugesia japonica. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15660. [PMID: 37456884 PMCID: PMC10340106 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is an anionic surfactant, which is widely used in various fields in human life. However, SDS discharged into the water environment has a certain impact on aquatic organisms. In this study, planarian Dugesia japonica (D. japonica) was used to identify the toxic effects of SDS. A series of SDS solutions with different concentrations were used to treat planarians for the acute toxicity test , and the results showed that the semi-lethal concentration (LC50) of SDS to D. japonica at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h were 4.29 mg/L, 3.76 mg/L, 3.45 mg/L, and 3.20 mg/L respectively. After the planarians were exposed to 0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L SDS solutions for 1, 3, and 5 days, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured to detect the oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in planarians. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed to detect the genotoxicity caused by SDS to planarians. The results showed that the activities of SOD, CAT, and MDA content increased after the treatment, indicating that SDS induced oxidative stress in planarians. RAPD analysis showed that the genomic template stability (GTS) values of planarians treated by 0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L SDS for 1, 3, and 5 days were 67.86%, 64.29%, 58.93%, and 64.29%, 60.71%, 48.21%, respectively. GTS values decreased with the increasing of SDS concentration and exposure time, indicating that SDS had genotoxicity to planarians in a time and dose-related manner. Fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to investigate the effects of SDS on gene expression of planarians. After the planarians were exposed to 1.0 mg/L SDS solution for 1, 3, and 5 days, the expression of caspase3 was upregulated, and that of piwiA, piwiB, PCNA, cyclinB, and RAD51 were downregulated. These results suggested that SDS might induce apoptosis, affect cell proliferation, differentiation, and DNA repair ability of planarian cells and cause toxic effects on planarian D. japonica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Feng
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Zhenbiao Xu
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Dandan Yin
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Zelong Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Xiuyuan Zhou
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Linxia Song
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
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6
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Zhen H, Huang M, Zheng M, Gao L, Guo Z, Pang Q, Jin G, Zhou Z. WTAP regulates stem cells via TRAF6 to maintain planarian homeostasis and regeneration. Int J Biol Macromol 2023:124932. [PMID: 37268082 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
WTAP, a highly conserved Wilms' tumor 1 interacting protein, is involved in a variety of biological processes. However, functional studies of WTAP in planarians have not been reported. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal expression pattern of planarian DjWTAP and investigated its functions in planarians regeneration and homeostasis. Knocking-down DjWTAP resulted in severe morphological defects leading to lethality within 20 days. Silencing DjWTAP promoted the proliferation of PiwiA+ cells but impaired the lineage differentiation of epidermal, neural, digestive, and excretory cell types, suggesting a critical role for DjWTAP in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in planarian. To further investigate the mechanisms underlying the defective differentiation, RNA-seq was employed to determine the transcriptomic alterations upon DjWTAP RNA interference. Histone 4 (H4), Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase-SETMAR like, and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), were significantly upregulated in response to DjWTAP RNAi. Knocking-down TRAF6 largely rescued the defective tissue homeostasis and regeneration resulted from DjWTAP knockdown in planarians, suggesting that DjWTAP maintains planarian regeneration and homeostasis via TRAF6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhen
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mujie Huang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingyue Zheng
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lili Gao
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China
| | - Zepeng Guo
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, China.
| | - Guoxiang Jin
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
| | - Zhongjun Zhou
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, CHINA.
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7
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Freiberg J, Lang L, Kaernbach C, Keil J. Characterization of the planarian surface electroencephalogram. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:29. [PMID: 37138236 PMCID: PMC10157967 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00799-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite large morphological differences between the nervous systems of lower animals and humans, striking functional similarities have been reported. However, little is known about how these functional similarities translate to cognitive similarities. As a first step towards studying the cognitive abilities of simple nervous systems, we here characterize the ongoing electrophysiological activity of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. One previous report using invasive microelectrodes describes that the ongoing neural activity is characterized by a 1/fx power spectrum with the exponent 'x' of the power spectrum close to 1. To extend these findings, we aimed to establish a recording protocol to measure ongoing neural activity safely and securely from alive and healthy planarians under different lighting conditions using non-invasive surface electrodes. RESULTS As a replication and extension of the previous results, we show that the ongoing neural activity is characterized by a 1/fx power spectrum, that the exponent 'x' in living planarians is close to 1, and that changes in lighting induce changes in neural activity likely due to the planarian photophobia. CONCLUSIONS We confirm the existence of continuous EEG activity in planarians and show that it is possible to noninvasively record this activity with surface wire electrodes. This opens up broad possibilities for continuous recordings across longer intervals, and repeated recordings from the same animals to study cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannes Freiberg
- Department of Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 62, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lukas Lang
- Department of Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 62, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christian Kaernbach
- Department of Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 62, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Julian Keil
- Department of Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 62, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
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Bayingana K, Ireland D, Rosenthal E, Rabeler C, Collins EMS. Adult and regenerating planarians respond differentially to chronic drug exposure. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 96:107148. [PMID: 36539103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2022.107148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
There is a lack of data on the effects of chronic exposure to common drugs and stimulants on the developing nervous system. Freshwater planarians have emerged as a useful invertebrate model amenable to high-throughput behavioral phenotyping to assay chemical safety in adult and developing brains. Here, we leverage the unique strength of the system to test in parallel for effects on the adult and developing nervous system, by screening ten common drugs and stimulants (forskolin, clenbuterol, LRE-1, MDL-12,330A, adenosine, caffeine, histamine, mianserin, fluoxetine and sertraline) using the asexual freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica. The compounds were tested up to 100 μM nominal concentration for their effects on planarian morphology and behavior. Quantitative phenotypic assessments were performed on days 7 and 12 of exposure using an automated screening platform. The antidepressants sertraline and fluoxetine were the most potent to induce lethality, with significant lethality observed at 10 μM. All ten compounds caused sublethal morphological and/or behavioral effects, with the most effects, in terms of potency and breadth of endpoints affected, seen with mianserin and fluoxetine. Four of the compounds (forskolin, clenbuterol, mianserin, and fluoxetine) were developmentally selective, causing effects at lower concentrations in regenerating planarians. Of these, fluoxetine showed the greatest differences between the two developmental stages, inducing many behavioral endpoints in regenerating planarians but only a few in adult planarians. While some of these behavioral effects may be due to neuroefficacy, these results substantiate the need for better evaluation of the safety of these common drugs on the developing nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Bayingana
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America
| | - Danielle Ireland
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Rosenthal
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America
| | - Christina Rabeler
- 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 and Astronomy, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America; Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America.
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McClain ML, Nowotarski SH. Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy of Schmidtea mediterranea. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 177:213-240. [PMID: 37451768 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
The flatworm planarian, Schmidtea mediterranea (Smed) is a master at regenerating and rebuilding whole animals from fragments. A full understanding of Smed's regenerative capabilities requires a high-resolution characterization of organs, tissues, and the adult stem cells necessary for regeneration in their native environment. Here, we describe a serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) protocol, optimized for Smed specifically, for visualizing the ultrastructure of membranes and condensed chromosomes in this model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie H Nowotarski
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, United States.
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10
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Guo Y, Sun Y, Ma M, Huang Y, Zhang S, Tian Q. Djsnon, a downstream gene of Djfoxk1, is required for the regeneration of the planarian central nervous system. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 643:8-15. [PMID: 36584589 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Regulators of adult neurogenesis are crucial targets for neuronal repair. Freshwater planarians are ideal model systems for studying neuronal regeneration as they can regenerate their entire central nervous system (CNS) using pluripotent adult stem cells. Here, we identified Djfoxk1 in planarian Dugesia japonica to be required for planarian CNS regeneration. Knockdown of Djfoxk1 inhibits the regeneration of the cephalic ganglia, resulting in the failure of eye regeneration. By RNAi screening of Djfoxk1 downstream genes, we identified Djsnon as another regulator of planarian neuronal regeneration. Inhibition of Djsnon with RNA interference (RNAi) results in similar phenotypes caused by Djfoxk1 RNAi without affecting cell proliferation and wound healing. Our findings show that Djsnon as a downstream gene of Djfoxk1 regulates the regeneration of the planarian CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Guo
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yujia Sun
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mengwen Ma
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yongding Huang
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shoutao Zhang
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Longhu Laboratory of Advanced Immunology, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Qingnan Tian
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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Xie C, Li X, Hei L, Chen Y, Dong Y, Zhang S, Ma S, Xu J, Pang Q, Lynch I, Guo Z, Zhang P. Toxicity of ceria nanoparticles to the regeneration of freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica: The role of biotransformation. Sci Total Environ 2023; 857:159590. [PMID: 36270358 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cerium oxide nanoparticles (n-CeO2) have wide applications ranging from industrial to consumer products, which would inevitably lead to their release into the environment. Despite the toxicity of n-CeO2 on aquatic organisms has been largely reported, research on developing organisms is still lacking. In this study, we investigate the toxic effects of n-CeO2 on the stem cells, tissue- and neuro-regeneration, using freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica as a model. Effects of bulk sized (μ-) CeO2 and ionic Ce (Ce3+) were compared with that of n-CeO2 to explore the origin of the toxic effects of n-CeO2. No overt toxicity was observed in μ-CeO2 treatment. n-CeO2 not only impaired the homeostasis of normal planarians, but also inhibited the regeneration processes of regenerated planarians, demonstrated by the inhibited blastema growth, disturbed antioxidant defense system at molecular levels, elevated DNA-damage and decreased stem cell proliferation. Regenerating organisms are more susceptible to n-CeO2 than the normal ones. Ce3+ exhibited significantly higher toxicity than n-CeO2, even though the total Ce uptake is 0.2 % less in Ce3+ than in n-CeO2 treated in planarian. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) analysis revealed that 12.8 % of n-CeO2 (5.95 mg/kg Ce per planarian) was transformed to Ce3+ after interaction with planarian, suggesting that biotransformation at the nano-bio interface might play an important role in the observed toxicity. Since the biotransformation of n-CeO2 is a slow process, it may cause long-term chronic toxicity to planarians due to the slow while sustained release of toxic Ce3+ ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjian Xie
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China.
| | - Xiaowei Li
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Lisha Hei
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Yiqing Chen
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Yuling Dong
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Shujing Zhang
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Shan Ma
- Zibo Environment Monitoring Center, Zibo 25500, Shandong, China
| | - Jianing Xu
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China.
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiling Guo
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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12
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Liu X, Sun Y, Wang S, Zhang S, Tian Q. Actin restricts cell proliferation and promotes differentiation during planarian regeneration. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 640:150-156. [PMID: 36508928 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Actin is an integral component of the cytoskeleton, which plays an important role in various fundamental cellular processes, such as affecting the polarity of embryonic cells during embryonic development in various model organisms. Meanwhile, previous studies have demonstrated that the polymerization of the actin cytoskeleton can affect cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Actin polymerization state regulated osteogenic differentiation and affected cell proliferation. However, the function of actin in regenerative biology has not been thoroughly elucidated. The planarian flatworm, which contains a large number of adult somatic stem cells (neoblasts), is an ideal model organism to study regenerative biology. Here, we identified a homolog of actin in planarian Dugesia japonica and found that RNAi targeting actin during planarian regeneration results in the formation of protrusions on the dorsal side, where the division of phospho-H3 mitotic cells is increased. In addition, a decrease in differentiation is observed in regenerating tissues after Djactin RNAi. These results indicate that Djactin functions in proliferation and differentiation control in planarian regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomai Liu
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yujia Sun
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shaocong Wang
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shoutao Zhang
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Longhu Laboratory of Advanced Immunology, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Qingnan Tian
- School of LifeSciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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13
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Fraguas S, Molina MD, Cebrià F. Colorimetric Whole-Mount In Situ Hybridization in Planarians. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2680:81-91. [PMID: 37428372 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3275-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) is an extremely useful technique for visualizing specific mRNA targets and solving many biological questions. In planarians, this method is really valuable, for example, for determining gene expression profiles during whole-body regeneration and analyzing the effects of silencing any gene to determine their functions. In this chapter, we present in detail the WISH protocol routinely used in our lab, using a digoxigenin-labelled RNA probe and developing with NBT-BCIP. This protocol is basically that already described in Currie et al. (EvoDevo 7:7, 2016), which put together several modifications developed from several laboratories in recent years that improved the original protocol developed in the laboratory of Kiyokazu Agata in 1997. Although this protocol, or slight modifications of it, is the most common protocol in the planarian field for NBT-BCIP WISH, our results show that key steps such as the use and time of NAC treatment to remove the mucus need to be taken into account depending on the nature of the gene analyzed, especially for the epidermal markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Fraguas
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Catalunya, Spain
| | - Mª Dolores Molina
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Catalunya, Spain
| | - Francesc Cebrià
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Catalunya, Spain.
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14
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Grohme MA, Frank O, Rink JC. Preparing Planarian Cells for High-Content Fluorescence Microscopy Using RNA in Situ Hybridization and Immunocytochemistry. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2680:121-155. [PMID: 37428375 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3275-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
High-content fluorescence microscopy combines the efficiency of high-throughput techniques with the ability to extract quantitative information from biological systems. Here we describe a modular collection of assays adapted for fixed planarian cells that enable multiplexed measurements of biomarkers in microwell plates. These include protocols for RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (RNA FISH) as well as immunocytochemical protocols for quantifying proliferating cells targeting phosphorylated histone H3 as well as 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporated into the nuclear DNA. The assays are compatible with planarians of virtually any size, as the tissue is disaggregated into a single-cell suspension before fixation and staining. By sharing many reagents with established planarian whole-mount staining protocols, preparation of samples for high-content microscopy adoption requires little additional investment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus A Grohme
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Olga Frank
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jochen C Rink
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
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15
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García-Castro H, Emili E, Solana J. ACME Dissociation-Fixation, Flow Cytometry, and Cell Sorting of Freshwater Planarian Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2680:169-177. [PMID: 37428377 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3275-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Planarian cell dissociation methods using enzymatic approaches are well established and have been widely used in the field. However, their use in transcriptomics and especially single-cell transcriptomics raises concerns as cells are dissociated alive, and this induces cellular stress responses. Here we describe a protocol for planarian cell dissociation using ACME, a dissociation-fixation approach based on acetic acid and methanol. ACME-dissociated cells are fixed, can be cryopreserved, and are amenable to modern methods of single-cell transcriptomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena García-Castro
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Elena Emili
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Jordi Solana
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
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16
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Vila-Farré M, Vu HTK, Rink JC. Whole-Mount In Situ Hybridization in Large Sexual Schmidtea mediterranea. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2680:107-119. [PMID: 37428374 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3275-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH), colorimetric or fluorescent (FISH), allows for the visualization of endogenous RNA. For planarians, robust WISH protocols exist for small-sized animals (>5 mm) of the model species Schmidtea mediterranea and Dugesia japonica. However, the sexual strain of Schmidtea mediterranea studied for germline development and function reaches much larger body sizes in excess of 2 cm. The existing whole-mount WISH protocols are not optimal for such large specimens, owing to insufficient tissue permeabilization. Here, we describe a robust WISH protocol for 12-16 mm long sexually mature Schmidtea mediterranea individuals that could serve as a starting point for adapting WISH to other large planarian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Vila-Farré
- 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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17
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Rossello M, Adell T. TUNEL Staining in Sections of Paraffin-Enabled Planarians. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2680:245-251. [PMID: 37428382 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3275-8_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Planarians are a model animal for the study of regeneration and homeostasis. Understanding how planarians control their cellular balance is key to the knowledge of their plasticity. Both apoptotic and mitotic rates can be quantified in "whole mount" planarians. Apoptosis is usually analyzed through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), a technique that detects cell death by identifying DNA breaks. In this chapter we detail a protocol to analyze apoptotic cells in paraffin sections of planarians, which enables a more accurate cellular visualization and quantification than in "whole mount."
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rossello
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics and Institute of Biomedicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Adell
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics and Institute of Biomedicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
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18
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Font-Martín D, Pascual-Carreras E, Saló E. Combining Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization with Immunofluorescence and Lectin Staining in Planarians. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2680:67-79. [PMID: 37428371 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3275-8_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The capability to simultaneously apply different molecular tools to visualize a wide variety of changes in genetic expression and tissue composition in Schmidtea mediterranea has always been of great interest. The most commonly used techniques are fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunofluorescence (IF) detection. Here, we describe a novel way to perform both protocols together adding the possibility to combine them with fluorescent-conjugated lectin staining to further broaden the detection of tissues. We also present a novel lectin fixation protocol to enhance the signal, which could be useful when single-cell resolution is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Font-Martín
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Eudald Pascual-Carreras
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Emili Saló
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
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19
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Xie C, Li X, Guo Z, Dong Y, Zhang S, Li A, Ma S, Xu J, Pang Q, Peijnenburg WJGM, Lynch I, Zhang P. Graphene oxide disruption of homeostasis and regeneration processes in freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica via intracellular redox deviation and apoptosis. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2023; 249:114431. [PMID: 36521269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aquatic system is a major sink for engineered nanomaterials released into the environment. Here, we assessed the toxicity of graphene oxide (GO) using the freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica, an invertebrate model that has been widely used for studying the effects of toxins on tissue regeneration and neuronal development. GO not only impaired the growth of normal (homeostatic) worms, but also inhibited the regeneration processes of regenerating (amputated) worms, with LC10 values of 9.86 mg/L and 9.32 mg/L for the 48-h acute toxicity test, respectively. High concentration (200 mg/L) of GO killed all the worms after 3 (regenerating) or 4 (homeostasis) days of exposure. Whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) and immunofluorescence analyses suggest GO impaired stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and subsequently caused cell apoptosis and oxidative DNA damage during planarian regeneration. Mechanistic analysis suggests that GO disturbed the antioxidative system (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) and energy metabolism in the planarian at both molecular and genetic levels, thus causing reactive oxygen species (ROS) over accumulation and oxidative damage, including oxidative DNA damage, loss of mitochondrial membrane integrity, lack of energy supply for cell differentiation and proliferation leading to retardance of neuron regeneration. The intrinsic oxidative potential of GO contributes to the GO-induced toxicity in planarians. These data suggest that GO in aquatic systems can cause oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in planarians. Overall, regenerated tissues are more sensitive to GO toxicity than homeostatic ones, suggesting that careful handling and appropriate decisions are needed in the application of GO to achieve healing and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjian Xie
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiling Guo
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Yuling Dong
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Shujing Zhang
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Ao Li
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Shan Ma
- Zibo Environment Monitoring Center, Zibo 25500, Shandong, China
| | - Jianing Xu
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- School of life Sciences and medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China.
| | - Willie J G M Peijnenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands; National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Safety of Substances and Products, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
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20
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Sabry Z, Wang R, Jahromi A, Rabeler C, Kristan WB, Collins EMS. Head removal enhances planarian electrotaxis. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:276204. [PMID: 35924486 PMCID: PMC9482365 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Certain animal species utilize electric fields for communication, hunting and spatial orientation. Freshwater planarians move toward the cathode in a static electric field (cathodic electrotaxis). This planarian behavior was first described by Raymond Pearl more than a century ago. However, planarian electrotaxis has received little attention since, and the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary significance remain unknown. To close this knowledge gap, we developed an apparatus and scoring metrics for automated quantitative and mechanistic studies of planarian behavior upon exposure to a static electric field. Using this automated setup, we characterized electrotaxis in the planarian Dugesia japonica and found that this species responds to voltage instead of current, in contrast to results from previous studies using other planarian species. Surprisingly, we found differences in electrotaxis ability between small (shorter) and large (longer) planarians. To determine the cause of these differences, we took advantage of the regenerative abilities of planarians and compared electrotaxis in head, tail and trunk fragments of various lengths. We found that tail and trunk fragments electrotaxed, whereas head fragments did not, regardless of size. Based on these data, we hypothesized that signals from the head may interfere with electrotaxis when the head area/body area reached a critical threshold. In support of this hypothesis, we found that (1) smaller intact planarians that cannot electrotax have a relatively larger head-to-body-ratio than large planarians that can electrotax, and (2) the electrotaxis behavior of cut head fragments was negatively correlated with the head-to-body ratio of the fragments. Moreover, we could restore cathodic electrotaxis in head fragments via decapitation, directly demonstrating inhibition of electrotaxis by the head. Summary: A new method for quantitative studies of planarian electrotaxis shows that Dugesia japonica move toward the cathode. This behavior is enhanced by removal of the head.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziad Sabry
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Aryo Jahromi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Christina Rabeler
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William B Kristan
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, California, USA
| | - Eva-Maria S Collins
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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21
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Wang Q, Sun X, Xiao J, Kong Z, Pang L, Dong Z, Chen G, Liu D. Djptpn11 is indispensable for planarian regeneration by affecting early wound response genes expression and the Wnt pathway. Biochimie 2022:S0300-9084(22)00183-3. [PMID: 35868605 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Planarian is an ideal model system of studying regeneration. Stem cell system and positional control genes (PCGs) are two important factors for perfect regeneration of planarians and they combine to promote their regeneration. Even so, how wounds regulate proliferation and neoblast fate is still important areas to address. Ptpn11 (Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 11), one of PTP (Protein tyrosine phosphatase) family members, plays an important role in cellular processes including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Nevertheless, the role of ptpn11 in the planarian regeneration has not been fully studied. In this study, we identify the Djptpn11 gene to observe its function in planarian regeneration. The results reveal that the regeneration is severely inhibited and cause the disorder homeostasis in planarians. Furthermore, the stem cells proliferation and differentiation decreases while the apoptosis increases following Djptpn11 RNAi. At the same time, Djptpn11 affects the expression levels of early wound response genes (Djegr2, Dj1-jun, Djrunt1, Djwnt1 and Djnotum). Djwnt1 and Djnotum are two key Wnt signaling pathway genes and Djptpn11 affects the expression levels of Djwnt1 and Djnotum in the early and late stages of planarian regeneration. In general, Djptpn11 is indispensable for the homeostasis and regeneration of planarian by affecting the stem cells, early wound response genes and the Wnt pathway.
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22
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Gao T, Sun B, Xu Z, Chen Q, Yang M, Wan Q, Song L, Chen G, Jing C, Zeng EY, Yang G. Exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces regeneration and growth in planarians. J Hazard Mater 2022; 432:128673. [PMID: 35303662 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The potential adverse effects of microplastics (MPs) on ecosystems and human health have received much attention in recent years. However, only limited data are available on the mechanisms for the uptake, distribution, and effects of MPs in freshwater organisms, especially with respect to tissue repair, regeneration and impairment of stem cell functions. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted exposure experiments in which planarians (Dugesia japonica) were exposed to polystyrene (PS)-MPs mixed in liver homogenate and examined the tissue growth and regeneration, stem cell functions, and oxidative stress. The body and blastema areas decreased upon exposure to PS-MPs, indicating that the growth and regeneration of planarians were delayed. The proliferation and differentiation processes of stem cells were inhibited, and the proportion of mitotic stem cells decreased, which may be related to the activation of the TGFβ/SMAD4 and Notch signaling pathways. The enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde on the first day of exposure to PS-MPs confirmed the oxidative stress response of planarians to PS-MPs. The present study demonstrated the likelihood of biotoxicity induced by PS-MPs. These results will provide clues for further investigations into the potential risks of PS-MPs to human stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Gao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Bingbing Sun
- School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Zhenbiao Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Qiaoyun Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Meng Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qinli Wan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Linxia Song
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chunxia Jing
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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23
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Duncan EM, Nowotarski SH, Guerrero-Hernández C, Ross EJ, D'Orazio JA. Molecular characterization of a flatworm Girardia isolate from Guanajuato, Mexico. Dev Biol 2022; 489:165-177. [PMID: 35710033 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [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) 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
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- Clubes de Ciencia México, Guanajuato, GT, Mexico
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24
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Liang A, Wu F, Li C, Yu Y, Dong Z, Chen G, Yu F, Yuwen Y, Liu D. Aspirin inhibits stem cell proliferation during freshwater Dugesia japonica regeneration by STAT3/SOX2/OCT4 signaling pathway. Aquat Toxicol 2022; 247:106158. [PMID: 35429915 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As a widely used drug in clinical practice, aspirin has a large number of residual drugs and metabolites discharged into the environment during the pharmaceutical process or after taking the drug. Aspirin content and its metabolite, salicylic acid, have been reported and detected in several river water samples and municipal wastewaters. However, little is known about the toxicity mechanisms of this drug in aquatic invertebrates. In this study, we examine the toxic effect and investigate the toxicity mechanism of aspirin in planarian, which own the excellent regeneration and sensitive toxicity detection ability. Planarian is treated with 0.7 mM aspirin for 6 h, 48 h, 3 d and 5 d, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of the stem cells markers, in parallel with the target genes of the signaling pathway are analyzed by RT-qPCR, whole-mount immunofluorescence, and Western blot. The results show that aspirin strongly inhibits stem cell proliferation and causes retarded blastemas growth in planarians. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of stem cells markers and the target genes dramatically decrease after the aspirin treatment. Meanwhile, the expression level of apoptotic cells also shows a downward trend. Their significant and coincident downregulations after the aspirin treatment suggest that aspirin regulates planarian regeneration via STAT3/SOX2/OCT4 signaling pathway. Our work reveals the toxicological effect and the mechanism of aspirin to the planarian, and provides basic data for therapeutic applications of aspirin in regeneration and warns about the ecological damage of aspirin abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Liang
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China; School of Nursing, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 Henan, China
| | - Fan Wu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Chaojie Li
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Yiyang Yu
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Zimei Dong
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China.
| | - Guangwen Chen
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China.
| | - Fei Yu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Yanqing Yuwen
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China
| | - Dezeng Liu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan, China
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Wu W, Liu S, Wu H, Chen M, Gao L, Zhao B, Liu B, Pang Q. DjPtpn11 is an essential modulator of planarian (Dugesia japonica) regeneration. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 209:1054-1064. [PMID: 35452697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.04.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica is an excellent model organism for investigating stem cell behavior during regeneration. Despite studies showing that numerous genetic factors are involved in regeneration, much more research is required to fully understand the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate regeneration. In this study, we identified an evolutionarily conserved gene DjPtpn11(DjShp2). DjPtpn11 transcripts are expressed in neoblasts and some differentiated cells, with a high expression at the newly formed blastema. Its silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) affected anterior regeneration and inhibited the regeneration of posterior regions, including cholinergic and serotonergic neuron regeneration. In adult planarians, DjPtpn11 knockdown did not affect neoblast survival and proliferation but might prevent the stem cell migration and differentiation through ERK signaling. DjPtpn11 was demonstrated to be necessary for the anterior blastema cell differentiation partially via regulating ERK-DjMkpA activity. DjPtpn11 also influenced posterior specification via DjIslet, suggesting that DjPtpn11 may be involved in regulating the Wnt signaling pathway during the development of posterior blastema. Together, these data identified that DjPtpn11 is an essential modulator for the regeneration of planarians, and it may influence the appropriate differentiation of blastema cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Shuo Liu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Meishan Chen
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Lili Gao
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Baohua Liu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China.; Shenzhen University of Health Science Center, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China.; Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China.
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Bonar NA, Gittin DI, Petersen CP. Src acts with WNT/FGFRL signaling to pattern the planarian anteroposterior axis. Development 2022; 149:274880. [PMID: 35297964 PMCID: PMC8995084 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tissue identity determination is crucial for regeneration, and the planarian anteroposterior (AP) axis uses positional control genes expressed from body wall muscle to determine body regionalization. Canonical Wnt signaling establishes anterior versus posterior pole identities through notum and wnt1 signaling, and two Wnt/FGFRL signaling pathways control head and trunk domains, but their downstream signaling mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we identify a planarian Src homolog that restricts head and trunk identities to anterior positions. src-1(RNAi) animals formed enlarged brains and ectopic eyes and also duplicated trunk tissue, similar to a combination of Wnt/FGFRL RNAi phenotypes. src-1 was required for establishing territories of positional control gene expression in Schmidtea mediterranea, indicating that it acts at an upstream step in patterning the AP axis. Double RNAi experiments and eye regeneration assays suggest src-1 can act in parallel to at least some Wnt and FGFRL factors. Co-inhibition of src-1 with other posterior-promoting factors led to dramatic patterning changes and a reprogramming of Wnt/FGFRLs into controlling new positional outputs. These results identify src-1 as a factor that promotes robustness of the AP positional system that instructs appropriate regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolle A Bonar
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - David I Gittin
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Christian P Petersen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.,Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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Liu S, Chen M, Liu X, Zheng K, Liu B, Wu W, Pang Q. DjApi5 is required for homeostasis in planarian Dugesia japonica. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 597:140-146. [PMID: 35144177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.01.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Orchestrated apoptosis in planarian Dugesia japonica is very important for its degrowth and regeneration. Apoptosis Inhibitor-5 (API5) is an anti-apoptotic factor that negatively regulates cell apoptosis. We characterized the conserved structure of DjApi5, however, the biological function of DjApi5 in planarians needs further investigation. In this study, we found that DjApi5 and its interacting molecular DjAcinus are required for planarian homeostasis, which may be correlated with their specific localization in neoblasts in addition to their anti-apoptosis functions. We further demonstrated the increased expression of DjApi5 during planarian regeneration, and DjApi5 deficiency affects normal regeneration processes. These results indicated new functions of DjApi5 in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Liu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China.
| | - Meishan Chen
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China.
| | - Xi Liu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China.
| | - Kang Zheng
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China.
| | - Baohua Liu
- Shenzhen University of Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Weiwei Wu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China.
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China; Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China.
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Kim A, Rawls SM. Nicotine-induced C-shape movements in planarians are reduced by antinociceptive drugs: Implications for pain in planarian paroxysm etiology? Brain Res 2022; 1778:147770. [PMID: 34979130 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
C-shapes are stereotyped movements in planarians that are elicited by diverse stimuli (e.g. acidity, excitatory neurotransmitters, psychostimulants, and pro-convulsants). Muscle contraction and seizure contribute to the expression of C-shape movements, but a causative role for pain is understudied and unclear. Here, using nicotine-induced C-shapes as the endpoint, we tested the efficacy of three classes of antinociceptive compounds - an opioid, NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel antagonist. For comparison we also tested effects of a neuromuscular blocker. Nicotine (0.1-10 mM) concentration-dependently increased C-shapes. DAMGO (1-10 µM), a selective µ-opioid agonist, inhibited nicotine (5 mM)-induced C-shapes. Naloxone (0.1-10 µM), an opioid receptor antagonist, prevented the DAMGO (1 µM)-induced reduction of nicotine (5 mM)-evoked C-shapes, suggesting an opioid receptor mechanism. C-shapes induced by nicotine (5 mM) were also reduced by meloxicam (10-100 µM), a NSAID; HC 030,031 (1-10 µM), a TRPA1 antagonist; and pancuronium (10-100 µM), a neuromuscular blocker. Evidence that nicotine-induced C-shapes are reduced by antinociceptive drugs from different classes, and require opioid receptor and TRPA1 channel activation, suggest C-shape etiology involves a pain component.
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Jin B, Ren J, Chen J, Dong Z, Chen G, Liu D. Autophagy-related DjAtg1-1 plays critical role in planarian regeneration by regulating proliferation and cell death. Cell Tissue Res 2022. [PMID: 35107621 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03591-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is an intracellular degradation process and plays key roles in energy recycle and homeostasis maintenance during planarian regeneration. Although planarians provide an ideal model organism for studying autophagy in vivo, the molecular mechanism of planarian autophagy is still unknown. Here, we identify three autophagy-related (Atg) gene 1 homologs from Dugesia japonica and study their roles in planarian regeneration. Both DjATG1-1 and DjATG1-2 proteins show homology to vertebrate unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) and ULK2, DjATG1-3 shows homology to vertebrate ULK3. In contrast to the ubiquitously expressed DjAtg1-1 and DjAtg1-3, DjAtg1-2 is mainly expressed in the intestine branches and epidermis. All the three DjAtg1s can respond to planarian regeneration and starvation. Both DjAtg1-1 and DjAtg1-2 are expressed in the reproductive organs of the starved sexual worms. DjAtg1-1 or DjAtg1-3 RNAi leads to head lysis and death of starved planarians, accompanied by exhaustion of neoblasts. DjAtg1-1 RNAi causes autophagy and regeneration defects and decreases proliferation and cell death; both DjAtg1-2 and DjAtg1-3 RNAi cause no autophagy or regeneration defect but increase cell death during regeneration. Our findings uncover the roles of DjAtg1s in autophagy and regeneration of planarian and highlight the links between proliferation, cell death, and autophagy during regeneration.
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Abstract
The freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica is a good in vivo model for studying the function of piwi genes in adult pluripotent stem cell (aPSC) due to their abundant aPSCs. Generally, PIWI family proteins encoded by piwi genes bind to small noncoding RNAs called piRNAs (PIWI-interacting piRNAs). The analysis of PIWI-piRNA complexes in the planarian is useful for revealing the functions of piwi genes in the aPSC system. In this chapter, we present an immunoprecipitation protocol for PIWI-piRNA complexes from whole planarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Kashima
- College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara Chuo Ku, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Atsumi Miyata
- Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Norito Shibata
- Department of Integrated Science and Technology, National Institute of Technology, Tsuyama College, Tsuyama-City, Okayama, Japan
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31
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Barghouth PG, Rojas S, O'Dell LR, Betancourt AM, Oviedo NJ. Analysis of DNA Double-Stranded Breaks Using the Comet Assay in Planarians. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2450:479-491. [PMID: 35359324 PMCID: PMC9761910 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2172-1_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Comet assay provides the opportunity to detect and characterize DNA strand breaks. Cellular lysing followed by embedding in agarose slide is used to visualize under an electrical current migration patterns corresponding to DNA fragments of different sizes. Here we describe the process of detecting and characterizing DNA damage by Comet assay on planarians, which is a model organism commonly used to understand the process of whole-body regeneration, stem cell regulation, and adult tissue maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Barghouth
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Salvador Rojas
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Lacey R O'Dell
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Andrew M Betancourt
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Néstor J Oviedo
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, USA.
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, CA, USA.
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA, USA.
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Sridhar D, Aboobaker A. Monitoring Chromatin Regulation in Planarians Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Followed by Sequencing (ChIP-seq). Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2450:529-547. [PMID: 35359327 PMCID: PMC9761535 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2172-1_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Planarians are an accessible model system to study animal regeneration and stem cells. Over the last two decades, new molecular techniques have provided us with powerful tools to understand whole-body regeneration and pluripotent adult stem cells specifically. We describe a method for performing Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) on planarian cells that relies on FACS to isolate different cell populations followed by immunoprecipitation and library preparation for next-generation sequencing. Whole-genome profiling of histone modifications enables a greater understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in development, pluripotency, and differentiation. This protocol adds to the growing list of functional genomic approaches to study whole-body regeneration in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Sridhar
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Aziz Aboobaker
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Abstract
Spermatogenesis is one of the most dramatic cellular differentiation events observed in animals. In particular, spermiogenesis (the final stage of spermatogenesis) involves extensive shedding of cytoplasmic organelles, dramatic nuclear rearrangements, and assembly of long flagellar structures. In planarian flatworms, the spherical nucleus present in round spermatids elongates to produce the filamentous nucleus of mature sperm. Newly formed cortical microtubules participate in cytoskeletal rearrangements observed during spermiogenesis and remain present in sperm. In addition, a pair of flagella assemble at one end of each spermatid in a process that likely involves de novo formation of centrioles. This chapter includes a brief introduction to planarian spermatogenesis and current tools for the analysis of molecular players in this process. Step-by-step protocols for isolating and imaging spermatogenic cells are provided with enough detail to be carried out by newcomers to the field who would like to study this unique organism in the laboratory.
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Abstract
Over the past several decades, planarians have emerged as a powerful model system with which to study the cellular and molecular basis of whole-body regeneration. The best studied planarians belong to freshwater flatworm species that maintain their remarkable regenerative capacity partly through the deployment of a population of adult pluripotent stem cells. Assessment of gene function in planarian regeneration has primarily been achieved through RNA interference (RNAi), either through the feeding or injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). RNAi treatment of planarians has several advantages, including ease of use, which allows for medium-throughput screens of hundreds of genes over the course of a single project. Here, I present methods for dsRNA synthesis and RNAi feeding, as well as strategies for follow-up assessment of both structural and functional regeneration of organ systems of planarians, with a special emphasis on neural regeneration.
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35
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Sato Y, Umesono Y, Kuroki Y, Agata K, Hashimoto C. Proliferation maintains the undifferentiated status of stem cells: The role of the planarian cell cycle regulator Cdh1. Dev Biol 2021; 482:55-66. [PMID: 34922934 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The coincidence of cell cycle exit and differentiation has been described in a wide variety of stem cells and organisms for decades, but the causal relationship is still unclear due to the complicated regulation of the cell cycle. Here, we used the planarian Dugesia japonica since they may possess a simple cell cycle regulation in which Cdh1 is one of the factors responsible for exiting the cell cycle. When cdh1 was functionally inhibited, the planarians could not maintain their tissue homeostasis and could not regenerate their missing body parts. While the knockdown of cdh1 caused pronounced accumulation of the stem cells, the progenitor and differentiated cells were decreased. Further analyses indicated that the stem cells with cdh1 knockdown did not undergo differentiation even though they received ERK signaling activation as an induction signal. These results suggested that stem cells could not acquire differentiation competence without cell cycle exit. Thus, we propose that cell cycle regulation determines the differentiation competence and that cell cycle exit to G0 enables stem cells to undergo differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yoshihito Kuroki
- Laboratory of Regeneration Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Japan; Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Agata
- Laboratory of Regeneration Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Japan
| | - Chikara Hashimoto
- JT Biohistory Research Hall, Japan; Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Japan.
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Kang J, Chen J, Dong Z, Chen G, Liu D. The negative effect of the PI3K inhibitor 3-methyladenine on planarian regeneration via the autophagy signalling pathway. Ecotoxicology 2021; 30:1941-1948. [PMID: 34403000 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-021-02439-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As an important PI3K (VPS34) inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) can block the formation of autophagic vesicles in animals. Most toxicological studies using 3-MA have shown that 3-MA leads to serious disorders via autophagy suppression in mammals. However, no toxicological research on 3-MA has been performed on individuals undergoing regeneration. The freshwater planarian has powerful regenerative capability, and it can regenerate a new brain in 5 days and undergo complete adult individual remodelling in approximately 14 days. Moreover, it is also an excellent model organism for studies on environmental toxicology due to its high chemical sensitivity and extensive distribution. Here, Dugesia japonica planarians were treated with 3-MA, and the results showed that autophagy was inhibited and Djvps34 expression levels were down-regulated. After exposure to 10 mM 3-MA for 18 h, all the controls showed normal phenotypes, while one-half of the planarians treated with 3-MA showed morphological defects. In most cases, an ulcer appeared in the middle of the body, and a normal phenotype was restored 7 days following 3-MA exposure. During regeneration, disproportionate blastemas with tissue regression were observed. Furthermore, 3-MA treatment suppressed stem cell proliferation in intact and regenerating worms. These findings demonstrate that autophagy is indispensable for tissue homeostasis and regeneration in planarians and that 3-MA treatment is detrimental to planarian regeneration via its effect on the autophagy pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Kang
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
- College of Life Science, Xingxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jinzi Chen
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zimei Dong
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China.
| | - Guangwen Chen
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China.
| | - Dezeng Liu
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
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Simão FCP, Rodrigues ACM, Soares AMVM, Pestana JLT. Planarian behavioural endpoints in ecotoxicology: A case study evaluating mercury and salinity effects. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 88:103747. [PMID: 34536621 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2021.103747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater planarians can be useful for the evaluation of contaminant stress on behavioral endpoints. In this work, we studied the sensitivity of the freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina in response to two model stressors (Hg and NaCl) by evaluating mortality, feeding rate and locomotion. A simple feeding assay with G. tigrina was devised, and an automated tracking system was used to evaluate locomotion. The estimated 96 h LC50s were 176.8 μg L-1 of Hg and 6.79 g L-1 of NaCl. Acute effects of Hg also included the disintegration of tissues, and loss of pigmentation. Acute effects of NaCl included motionlessness and rupture of the tegument. Hg and NaCl sub-lethal exposures caused feeding inhibition and locomotion impairment. This study demonstrates the usefulness of planarians for ecotoxicological research and that sensitive behavioral endpoints can evaluate the sub-lethal impacts of stressors to freshwater invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima C P Simão
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Andreia C M Rodrigues
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João L T Pestana
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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38
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Chen X, Liu Y, Zhu X, Lv Q. Comparative Proteome Analysis Indicates The Divergence between The Head and Tail Regeneration in Planarian. Cell J 2021; 23:640-649. [PMID: 34939757 PMCID: PMC8665983 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2021.7689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Even a small fragment from the body of planarian can regenerate an entire animal, implying that the different fragments from this flatworm eventually reach the same solution. In this study, our aim was to reveal the differences and similarities in mechanisms between different regenerating fragments from this worm. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, we profiled the dynamic proteome of regenerating head and tail to reveal the differences and similarities between different regenerating fragments using 2-DE combined with MALDITOF/ TOF MS. RESULTS Proteomic profiles of head and tail regeneration identified a total of 516 differential expressed proteins (DEPs) and showed a great difference in quantity and fold changes of proteome profiles between the two scenarios. Briefly, out of the 516 DEPs, 314 were identified to be specific for anterior regeneration, while 165 were specific for posterior regeneration. Bioinformatics analysis showed a wide discrepancy in biological activities between two regenerative processes; especially, differentiation and development and signal transduction in head regeneration were much more complex than that in tail regeneration. Protein functional analysis combined with protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed a significant contribution of both Wnt and BMP signaling pathways to head regeneration not but tail regeneration. Additionally, several novel proteins showed completely opposite expression between head and tail regeneration. CONCLUSION Proteomic profiles of head and tail regeneration identified a total of 516 differential expressed proteins (DEPs) and showed a great difference in quantity and fold changes of proteome profiles between the two scenarios. Briefly, out of the 516 DEPs, 314 were identified to be specific for anterior regeneration, while 165 were specific for posterior regeneration. Bioinformatics analysis showed a wide discrepancy in biological activities between two regenerative processes; especially, differentiation and development and signal transduction in head regeneration were much more complex than that in tail regeneration. Protein functional analysis combined with protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed a significant contribution of both Wnt and BMP signaling pathways to head regeneration not but tail regeneration. Additionally, several novel proteins showed completely opposite expression between head and tail regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguang Chen
- Animal Science and Technology SchoolHenan University of Science and TechnologyLuoyangChina
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Christman DA, Curry HN, Rouhana L. Heterotrimeric Kinesin II is required for flagellar assembly and elongation of nuclear morphology during spermiogenesis in Schmidtea mediterranea. Dev Biol 2021; 477:191-204. [PMID: 34090925 PMCID: PMC8277772 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Development of sperm requires microtubule-based movements that drive assembly of a compact head and flagellated tails. Much is known about how flagella are built given their shared molecular core with motile cilia, but less is known about the mechanisms that shape the sperm head. The Kinesin Superfamily Protein 3A (KIF3A) pairs off with a second motor protein (KIF3B) and the Kinesin Associated Protein 3 (KAP3) to form Heterotrimeric Kinesin II. This complex drives intraflagellar transport (IFT) along microtubules during ciliary assembly. We show that KIF3A and KAP3 orthologs in Schmidtea mediterranea are required for axonemal assembly and nuclear elongation during spermiogenesis. Expression of Smed-KAP3 is enriched during planarian spermatogenesis with transcript abundance peaking in spermatocyte and spermatid cells. Disruption of Smed-kif3A or Smed-KAP3 expression by RNA-interference results in loss of spermatozoa and accumulation of unelongated spermatids. Confocal microscopy of planarian testis lobes stained with alpha-tubulin antibodies revealed that spermatids with disrupted Kinesin II function fail to assemble flagella, and visualization with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) revealed reduced nuclear elongation. Disruption of Smed-kif3A or Smed-KAP3 expression also resulted in edema, reduced locomotion, and loss of epidermal cilia, which corroborates with somatic phenotypes previously reported for Smed-kif3B. These findings demonstrate that heterotrimeric Kinesin II drives assembly of cilia and flagella, as well as rearrangements of nuclear morphology in developing sperm. Prolonged activity of heterotrimeric Kinesin II in manchette-like structures with extended presence during spermiogenesis is hypothesized to result in the exaggerated nuclear elongation observed in sperm of turbellarians and other lophotrochozoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan A Christman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA
| | - Haley N Curry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA
| | - Labib Rouhana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA.
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40
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Nowotarski SH, Davies EL, Robb SMC, Ross EJ, Matentzoglu N, Doddihal V, Mir M, McClain M, Sánchez Alvarado A. Planarian Anatomy Ontology: a resource to connect data within and across experimental platforms. Development 2021; 148:271068. [PMID: 34318308 PMCID: PMC8353266 DOI: 10.1242/dev.196097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
As the planarian research community expands, the need for an interoperable data organization framework for tool building has become increasingly apparent. Such software would streamline data annotation and enhance cross-platform and cross-species searchability. We created the Planarian Anatomy Ontology (PLANA), an extendable relational framework of defined Schmidtea mediterranea (Smed) anatomical terms used in the field. At publication, PLANA contains over 850 terms describing Smed anatomy from subcellular to system levels across all life cycle stages, in intact animals and regenerating body fragments. Terms from other anatomy ontologies were imported into PLANA to promote interoperability and comparative anatomy studies. To demonstrate the utility of PLANA as a tool for data curation, we created resources for planarian embryogenesis, including a staging series and molecular fate-mapping atlas, and the Planarian Anatomy Gene Expression database, which allows retrieval of a variety of published transcript/gene expression data associated with PLANA terms. As an open-source tool built using FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reproducible) principles, our strategy for continued curation and versioning of PLANA also provides a platform for community-led growth and evolution of this resource. Summary: Description of the construction of an anatomy ontology tool for planaria with examples of its potential use to curate and mine data across multiple experimental platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie H Nowotarski
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Erin L Davies
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Sofia M C Robb
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Eric J Ross
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Nicolas Matentzoglu
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Viraj Doddihal
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Mol Mir
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Melainia McClain
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
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Kawase O, Iwaya H, Asano Y, Inoue H, Kudo S, Sasahira M, Azuma N, Kondoh D, Ichikawa-Seki M, Xuan X, Sakamoto K, Okamoto H, Nakadate H, Inoue W, Saito I, Narita M, Sekii K, Kobayashi K. Identification of novel yolk ferritins unique to planarians: planarians supply aluminum rather than iron to vitellaria in egg capsules. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 386:391-413. [PMID: 34319433 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03506-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
All animals, other than Platyhelminthes, produce eggs containing yolk, referred to as "entolecithal" eggs. However, only Neoophora, in the phylum Platyhelminthes, produce "ectolecithal" eggs (egg capsules), in which yolk is stored in the vitelline cells surrounding oocytes. Vitelline cells are derived from vitellaria (yolk glands). Vitellaria are important reproductive organs that may be studied to elucidate unique mechanisms that have been evolutionarily conserved within Platyhelminthes. Currently, only limited molecular level information is available on vitellaria. The current study identified major vitellaria-specific proteins in a freshwater planarian, Dugesia ryukyuensis, using peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) and expression analyses. Amino acid sequence analysis and orthology analysis via OrthoFinder ver.2.3.8 indicated that the identified major vitellaria-specific novel yolk ferritins were conserved in planarians (Tricladida). Because ferritins play an important role in Fe (iron) storage, we examined the metal elements contained in vitellaria and ectolecithal eggs, using non-heme iron histochemistry, elemental analysis based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy- energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Interestingly, vitellaria and egg capsules contained large amounts of aluminum (Al), but not Fe. The knockdown of the yolk ferritin genes caused a decrease in the volume of egg capsules, abnormality in juveniles, and increase in Al content in vitellaria. Yolk ferritins of D. ryukyuensis may regulate Al concentration in vitellaria via their pooling function of Al and protect the egg capsule production and normal embryogenesis from Al toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Kawase
- Department of Biology, Premedical Sciences, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu-machi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan
| | - Hisashi Iwaya
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Asano
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Cell Biology and Histology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Hiromoto Inoue
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Seiya Kudo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Motoki Sasahira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Azuma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kondoh
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inaba-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Madoka Ichikawa-Seki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka, 020-8550, Japan
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inaba-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Kimitoshi Sakamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Hikaru Okamoto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Hinaki Nakadate
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Wataru Inoue
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Ikuma Saito
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Miyu Narita
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Kiyono Sekii
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kobayashi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan.
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42
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Liu H, Song Q, Zhen H, Deng H, Zhao B, Cao Z. miR-8b is involved in brain and eye regeneration of Dugesia japonica in head regeneration. Biol Open 2021; 10:269275. [PMID: 34184734 PMCID: PMC8272931 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of evolutionarily conserved small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the translation level in cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. In addition, some types of miRNAs have been proven to be key modulators of both CNS development and plasticity, such as let-7, miR-9 and miR-124. In this research, we found miR-8b acts as an important regulator involved in brain and eyespot regeneration in Dugesia japonica. miR-8b was highly conserved among species and was abundantly expressed in central nervous system. Here, we detected the expression dynamics of miR-8b by qPCR during the head regeneration of D. japonica. Knockdown miR-8b by anti-MIRs method caused severe defects of eyes and CNS. Our study revealed the evolutionary conserved role of miR-8b in the planarian regeneration process, and further provided more research ideas and available information for planarian miRNAs. Summary: Most miRNAs in planarians are homologous to humans and other mammals, and may also play a similar regulatory role. Knockdown miR-8b planarian miR-8b induces brain and eyespot defects during head regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjin Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Qian Song
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Hui Zhen
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Hongkuan Deng
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
| | - Zhonghong Cao
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
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Kimoto C, Nakagawa H, Hasegawa R, Nodono H, Matsumoto M. Co-localization of DrPiwi-1 and DrPiwi-2 in the oogonial cytoplasm is essential for oocyte differentiation in sexualized planarians. Cells Dev 2021; 167:203710. [PMID: 34171535 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2021.203710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
P-Element-induced wimpy testis (Piwi) subfamily proteins form complexes that bind to Piwi-interacting RNA. This interaction is crucial for stem cell regulation and formation, maintenance of germline stem cells, and gametogenesis in several metazoans. Planarians are effective models for studying stem cells. In the planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis, DrPiwi-1 is essential for the development of germ cells, but not somatic cells and sexual organs. DrPiwi-2 is indispensable for regeneration. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Piwi on the differentiation of germ cells using monoclonal antibodies against DrPiwi-1 and DrPiwi-2. DrPiwi-1 and DrPiwi-2 co-localized more in immature germ cells than in mature germ cells in the ovary. DrPiwi-1 was found in the cytoplasm of early oogonia as undifferentiated germ cells, whereas DrPiwi-2 was found to localize not only in the nuclei but also in the cytoplasm of early oogonia. In descendant germ cells (oocytes), DrPiwi-2 was not present in the cytoplasm, but was strongly detected in the nucleolus. Moreover, we found that DrPiwi-1 forms a complex with DrPiwi-2. The cause of DrPiwi-1 depletion may be the severe reduction in the DrPiwi-2 level in the cytoplasm of oogonia. These results suggest that the formation of the DrPiwi-1 and DrPiwi-2 complex in the cytoplasm of oogonia is essential for oocyte differentiation. Our findings support the conclusion that DrPiwi-1 forms a complex with DrPiwi-2 in the cytoplasm of undifferentiated germ cells, and it signifies the start of gametogenesis. In contrast, in the testes, Drpiwi-1 was found in undifferentiated germ cells (spermatogonia), whereas DrPiwi-2 was found in descendant germ cells (spermatocytes). The process of germ cell differentiation from adult stem cells in planarians may be regulated in different ways in female and male germ lines by the Piwi family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiaki Kimoto
- Department of Biological Sciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Haruka Nakagawa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Reiko Hasegawa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Hanae Nodono
- Department of Biological Sciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
| | - Midori Matsumoto
- Department of Biological Sciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1, Hiyoshi, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
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Uddin S, Wiah S, Kim T, Watson MN, Jennings T, Rawls SM. Kratom pharmacology: Clues from planarians exposed to mitragynine. Physiol Behav 2021; 239:113499. [PMID: 34146575 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitragynine (MG), the most prevalent bioactive alkaloid in kratom, displays nanomolar affinity for µ, κ and δ opioid receptors and produces opioid-dependent antinociception and dependence in rats. Here, using a battery of behavioral assays, we investigated MG effects in planarians. Acute MG exposure (< 100 μM) did not affect planarian motility or environmental preference, but reduced motility was detected during abstinence from chronic MG (1, 10 μM). MG (10 μM) produced place conditioning effects that were reduced by naltrexone (10 μΜ). These results suggest that MG produces opioid-sensitive reinforcing effects in planarians and MG pharmacology is conserved across different species.
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García-Castro H, Kenny NJ, Iglesias M, Álvarez-Campos P, Mason V, Elek A, Schönauer A, Sleight VA, Neiro J, Aboobaker A, Permanyer J, Irimia M, Sebé-Pedrós A, Solana J. ACME dissociation: a versatile cell fixation-dissociation method for single-cell transcriptomics. Genome Biol 2021; 22:89. [PMID: 33827654 PMCID: PMC8028764 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02302-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing technologies are revolutionizing biology, but they are limited by the need to dissociate live samples. Here, we present ACME (ACetic-MEthanol), a dissociation approach for single-cell transcriptomics that simultaneously fixes cells. ACME-dissociated cells have high RNA integrity, can be cryopreserved multiple times, and are sortable and permeable. As a proof of principle, we provide single-cell transcriptomic data of different species, using both droplet-based and combinatorial barcoding single-cell methods. ACME uses affordable reagents, can be done in most laboratories and even in the field, and thus will accelerate our knowledge of cell types across the tree of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena García-Castro
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Nathan J. Kenny
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Marta Iglesias
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Álvarez-Campos
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM) & Departamento de Biología (Zoología), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vincent Mason
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Anamaria Elek
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Schönauer
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Jakke Neiro
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Jon Permanyer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnau Sebé-Pedrós
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Solana
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
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Maezawa T, Ishikawa M, Sekii K, Nagamatsu G, Furukawa R, Kobayashi K. D-Tryptophan enhances the reproductive organ-specific expression of the amino acid transporter homolog Dr-SLC38A9 involved in the sexual induction of planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis. Zoological Lett 2021; 7:4. [PMID: 33743841 PMCID: PMC7981857 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-021-00173-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many animals switch between asexual and sexual reproduction in nature. We previously established a system for the sexual induction of planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis by feeding asexual planarians with minced sexual planarians. We identified DL-tryptophan (Trp) as one of the sex-inducing substances. DL-Trp can induce ovarian development, the first and essential step of sexual induction. D-Trp must act as a principal bioactive compound in terms of ovarian development, because the ovary-inducing activity of D-Trp was 500 times more potent than that of L-Trp. However, how Trp controls sexual induction is still unknown. RESULTS In this study, qRT-PCR analyses suggested that the putative amino acid transporter gene Dr-SLC38A9 is highly expressed in sexual worms, especially in the yolk glands. In situ hybridization analyses showed that Dr-SLC38A9 is expressed in the ovarian primordia of asexual worms and in the mature ovaries, testes, and yolk glands of sexual worms. In addition, Dr-SLC38A9 RNA interference during sexual induction resulted in the suppression of the development of reproductive organs. These results suggest that Dr-SLC38A9 is involved in the development of these organs. Moreover, we demonstrated that the reproductive organ-specific expression of Dr-SLC38A9 is enhanced by the addition of D-Trp. CONCLUSION We propose that D-Trp activates the expression of Dr-SLC38A9 to promote sexual induction in the planarian D. ryukyuensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanobu Maezawa
- Advanced Science Course, Department of Integrated Science and Technology, National Institute of Technology, Tsuyama College, 624-1 Numa, Tsuyama, Okayama, 708-8509, Japan.
| | - Masaki Ishikawa
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Kiyono Sekii
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan
| | - Go Nagamatsu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ryohei Furukawa
- Department of Biology, Research and Education Center for Natural Sciences, Keio University, 4-1-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 223-8521, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kobayashi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8561, Japan.
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Gao L, Li A, Lv Y, Huang M, Liu X, Deng H, Liu D, Zhao B, Liu B, Pang Q. Planarian gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is required for gram-negative bacterial clearance. Dev Comp Immunol 2021; 116:103914. [PMID: 33137392 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The powerful regenerative ability of planarians has long been a concern of scientists, but recently, their efficient immune system has attracted more and more attention from researchers. Gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is related not only to antigen presentation but also to bacteria invasions. But the systematic studies are not yet to be conducted on the relationship between bacterial infection. Our study reveals for the first time that GILT of planarian (DjGILT) plays an essential role in the clearance of Gram-negative bacteria by conducting H2O2 concentration in planarians. In animals that DjGILT was silenced, it persisted for up to 9 days before all bacteria were cleared, compared with 6 days of the control group. When infected with E. coli and V. anguillarum, the level of H2O2 was significantly increased in DjGILT-silenced planarians, and concomitantly, mRNA level of C-type lectin DjCTL, which modulates agglutination and clearance efficiency of invading bacteria, was decreased. Further study showed that the decrease of H2O2 level led to a significant increase in DjCTL transcripts. Collectively, we proposed a mechanism model for the involvement of GILT gene in bacterial elimination. We have for the first time revealed the specific mechanism of GILT in innate immune response against bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Gao
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China; Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, PR China
| | - Ao Li
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China
| | - Yanhua Lv
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272000, China
| | - Mujie Huang
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China
| | - Xi Liu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China
| | - Hongkuan Deng
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China; Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, PR China
| | - Dongwu Liu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, PR China
| | - Baohua Liu
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China; Shenzhen University of Health Science Center, District Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- Anti-aging & Regenerative Medicine Research Institution, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China; Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, PR China.
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48
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Stelman CR, Smith BM, Chandra B, Roberts-Galbraith RH. CBP/p300 homologs CBP2 and CBP3 play distinct roles in planarian stem cell function. Dev Biol 2021; 473:130-143. [PMID: 33607113 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin modifications function as critical regulators of gene expression and cellular identity, especially in the regulation and maintenance of the pluripotent state. However, many studies of chromatin modification in stem cells-and pluripotent stem cells in particular-are performed in mammalian stem cell culture, an in vitro condition mimicking a very transient state during mammalian development. Thus, new models for studying pluripotent stem cells in vivo could be helpful for understanding the roles of chromatin modification, for confirming prior in vitro studies, and for exploring evolution of the pluripotent state. The freshwater flatworm, Schmidtea mediterranea, is an excellent model for studying adult pluripotent stem cells, particularly in the context of robust, whole-body regeneration. To identify chromatin modifying and remodeling enzymes critical for planarian regeneration and stem cell maintenance, we took a candidate approach and screened planarian homologs of 25 genes known to regulate chromatin biology in other organisms. Through our study, we identified six genes with novel functions in planarian homeostasis, regeneration, and behavior. Of the list of genes characterized, we identified five planarian homologs of the mammalian CREB-Binding Protein (CBP) and p300 family of histone acetyltransferases, representing an expansion of this family in planarians. We find that two planarian CBP family members are required for planarian survival, with knockdown of Smed-CBP2 and Smed-CBP3 causing distinct defects in stem cell maintenance or function. Loss of CBP2 causes a quick, dramatic loss of stem cells, while knockdown of CBP3 affects stem cells more narrowly, influencing differentiation of several cell types that include neuronal subtypes and cells of the eye. Further, we find that Smed-CBP1 is required for planarian fissioning behavior. We propose that the division of labor among a diversified CBP family in planarians presents an opportunity to dissect specific functions of a broadly important histone acetyltransferase family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara R Stelman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Britessia M Smith
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Bidushi Chandra
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Rachel H Roberts-Galbraith
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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Ge C, Lin C, Zhang M, Yuan J, Feng X, Hao Z, Zhang S, Tian Q. Tubgcp3 is a mitotic regulator of planarian epidermal differentiation. Gene 2021; 775:145440. [PMID: 33482282 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Tubgcp3/GCP3 (The centrosomal protein γ-tubulin complex protein 3) is a component of the γ-tubulin small complexes (γ-TuSCs) and γ-tubulin ring complexes (γ-TuRCs), which play critical roles in mitotic spindle formation during mitosis. However, its function in stem cell development has not been thoroughly elucidated. The planarian flatworm, which contains a large number of adult somatic stem cells (neoblasts), is a unique model to study stem cell lineage development in vivo. Here, we identified a homolog of Tubgcp3 in planarian Dugesia japonica, and found that Tubgcp3 is required for the maintenance of epidermal lineage. RNAi targeting Tubgcp3 resulted in tissue homeostasis and regeneration defect. Knockdown of Tubgcp3 reduced cell divisions and led to a loss of the mature epidermal cells. Our findings indicate that Tubgcp3 is a mitotic regulator and plays a crucial role in planarian epidermal differentiation.
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Song Q, Zhen H, Liu H, Yuan Z, Cao Z, Zhao B. A novel RhoA-related gene, DjRhoA, contributes to the regeneration of brain and intestine in planarian Dugesia japonica. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 533:1359-65. [PMID: 33059921 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A small GTPase, RhoA, plays a variety of functions in the regulation of cellular and developmental events via its downstream effectors, including cytokinesis, cell migration, and phagocytosis. In this study, a novel RhoA-related gene from the planarian Dugesia japonica, DjRhoA, was cloned and characterized. The full-length cDNA of DjRhoA is 869 bp, and the open reading frame encodes a poly-peptide of 194 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that DjRhoA clustered with another RhoA-related protein, DjRho2, and located on the base of phylogenetic tree. Whole-mount in situ hybridization results indicated that DjRhoA was expressed in the brain primordia and intestine during regeneration. Knockdown of DjRhoA induces defects in the brain and intestine. These results suggested that DjRhoA was responsible for the regeneration of brain and intestine in Dugesia japonica.
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