Review
Evolutionary Biology
Yiqian Li, Jerome H. L. Hui
Summary: Small RNA molecules are essential regulators of gene expression and genome stability in eukaryotes. Cnidarians, as early-branching animals, provide crucial insights into the evolution of small RNA pathways. However, the knowledge of small RNA regulation in cnidarians is limited. This review aims to enhance our understanding of small RNA pathway development in early-branch animals by presenting the current-known small RNA information in cnidarians.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Paulina Bustos, Paulina Schmitt, Donald I. Brown, Rodolfo Farlora
Summary: Nuclear receptors play a crucial role in the treatment of parasitic diseases. The study investigates the diversity, expression, and localization of nuclear receptors in the parasitic copepod Caligus rogercresseyi. The functional knock-down of the Cr-RXR gene resulted in delayed egg string production, reduced fecundity, and abnormal gonad and embryo development.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Frank Hauser, Thomas L. Koch, Cornelis J. P. Grimmelikhuijzen
Summary: Bilateria are divided into Deuterostomia and Protostomia, both of which have neuropeptides and their GPCRs dating back to their common ancestor. Neuropeptides and GPCRs are also found in early-branching phyla, but the sequences are not closely related to those in Bilateria. LGRs, a special class of GPCRs, are present not only in Proto- and Deuterostomia, but also in Cnidaria and Placozoa. Sea anemones and placozoans have orthologues of human LGRs.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soumita Mukherjee, Subrata Dasgupta, Sujit Sankar Panja, Utpal Adhikari
Summary: The RXR alpha-THR beta heterodimer plays a crucial role in human growth and development. This heterodimer interacts with DNA through conserved/semiconserved water molecules, which mediate the interaction between amino acid residues and DNA sequences.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryan Kyger, Agusto Luzuriaga-Neira, Thomas Layman, Tatiana Orli Milkewitz Sandberg, Devika Singh, Dorothee Huchon, Sateesh Peri, Stephen D. Atkinson, Jerri L. Bartholomew, Soojin Yi, David Alvarez-Ponce
Summary: DNA cytosine methylation plays a crucial role in biological processes, but has been lost in Myxosporea, a group of microscopic cnidarians. By studying the evolution of key enzymes in 29 cnidarians and conducting whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, it was confirmed that Myxosporea completely lack DNA cytosine methylation.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Simon G. Sprecher
Summary: Neurons are the basic building blocks of nervous systems, and the human brain is composed of various types of neurons. In contrast, the nervous system of Cnidaria is commonly believed to be simple, but there is limited evidence to support this notion. Recent technological advances have allowed for the assessment of neuron diversity and function with unprecedented resolution, revealing the spatial organization of the nervous system. Additionally, single-cell transcriptomic analysis and correlations of gene expression have provided insights into the molecular and genetic identities of neurons.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Adi S. Yehezkel, Nathalie Abudi, Yuval Nevo, Hadar Benyamini, Sharona Elgavish, Marta Weinstock, Rinat Abramovitch
Summary: This study found that AN1284 can reverse pre-existing NASH and explored its mechanism of action through the nuclear translocation of AhR and modulation of lipid metabolism genes. AN1284 reduced steatosis and fibrosis through downregulation of FASN and SREBP-1c, and upregulation of Acyl-CoA Oxidase 1 and Cytochrome P450-a1.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jyoti Kashyap, Rakesh K. Tyagi
Summary: Mitosis is a crucial process for cell self-renewal, and recent studies have shown that some transcription factors remain attached to chromatin during cell division, ensuring the reactivation of necessary transcription factors. This study confirms Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) as a mitotic bookmarking factor that plays a crucial role in maintaining cell identity and genome bookmarking.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sai Wan, Qi Li, Hong Yu, Shikai Liu, Lingfeng Kong
Summary: This study identifies the involvement of the PPAR/RXR heterodimer in the regulation of carotenoid metabolism in molluscs, providing insights into the evolution and conservation of this nuclear receptor heterodimer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter W. Jurutka, Orsola di Martino, Sabeeha Reshi, Sanchita Mallick, Zhela L. Sabir, Lech J. P. Staniszewski, Ankedo Warda, Emma L. Maiorella, Ani Minasian, Jesse Davidson, Samir J. Ibrahim, San Raban, Dena Haddad, Madleen Khamisi, Stephanie L. Suban, Bradley J. Dawson, Riley Candia, Joseph W. Ziller, Ming-Yue Lee, Chang Liu, Wei Liu, Pamela A. Marshall, John S. Welch, Carl E. Wagner
Summary: The study demonstrated that modification of partial agonists like NEt-4IB and potent rexinoids like bexarotene can lead to compounds with improved RXR selectivity, decreased cross-signaling of other RXR-dependent nuclear receptors, increased LXRE-heterodimer selectivity, and enhanced anti-proliferative potential in leukemia cell lines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mi Cheong Cheong, Zhu Wang, Tegegn G. Jaleta, Xinshe Li, James B. Lok, Steven A. Kliewer, David J. Mangelsdorf
Summary: The nematode-specific nuclear receptor DAF-12 interacts with a parasite-specific coactivator DIP-1 in Strongyloides spp., crucial for development and infectious stage reactivation. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis studies confirm the essential role of DAF-12 and DIP-1 in governing parasite development. This reveals a distinct nuclear receptor/coactivator signaling pathway in parasite development.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fulin Liu, Jin Zhou, Juanjuan Guo, Wen Huang, Wei Zhang, Hui Wang
Summary: This study confirmed that high maternal serum bile acid level is caused by prenatal ethanol exposure, with the up-regulation of BCRP/MRP3/OATP2B1 in the placenta through PXR up-regulation and FXR down-regulation leading to excessive bile acid transport to maternal blood.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Pierre Germain, Natacha Rochel, William Bourguet
Summary: Retinoids, including vitamin A and its metabolites, play critical roles in regulating essential biological processes by controlling gene expression through binding to nuclear transcription factors. Heterodimers formed by retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X receptors mediate the pleiotropic effects of retinoids by recruiting co-regulatory complexes to target gene promoters.
EXPLORING NUCLEAR RECEPTORS
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Haiyuan Xing, Ruiyan Li, Yun'an Qing, Boda Ying, Yanguo Qin
Summary: Through the study of Osteoimmunomodulation (OIM) and the TLR4-NF-kappa B pathway, it has been found that immune cells play a crucial role in bone integration and healing, leading to a better understanding of the mechanism behind bone regeneration.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Matthew Travert, Reed Boohar, Steven M. Sanders, Manon Boosten, Lucas Leclere, Robert E. Steele, Paulyn Cartwright
Summary: Cnidarians have diverse life cycles, and only Medusozoa has a swimming stage called the medusa, alternating with a benthic polyp stage. The presence of the homeobox gene Tlx in Cnidaria is correlated with the presence of the medusa stage, and its loss is linked to the repeated loss of medusa in Hydrozoa evolution. Tlx plays a key role in medusa development, and its expression patterns support this role.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Mammone, Christine Ferrier-Pages, Silvia Lavorano, Lucia Rizzo, Stefano Piraino, Sergio Rossi
Summary: Ecological profiling of non-native species is crucial for predicting their potential dispersal and invasiveness globally. In this study, Cassiopea jellyfish were found to have high photosynthetic performance and plasticity to adapt to changes in light exposure, indicating their potential to be successful invaders in a warming Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, differences in chlorophyll content and P:R ratio suggest potential impacts of different irradiance levels on the jellyfish's physiology.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Milica Mandic, Sladana Gvozdenovic, Doris De Vito, Giuseppe Alfonso, Shkelqim Daja, Besnik Ago, Eralba Cela, Aleksandra Ivanovic, Alba Zoto, Nemanja Malovrazic, Elena Beli, Gianmarco Ingrosso, Francesco De Leo, Branka Pestoric, Arjol Lule, Flavio Vata, Antonio De Rinaldis, Cristian Carpentieri, Aida Bode, Shaqir Nazaj, Monika Hoxhaj, Cercis Durmishi, Giuseppe Paladini, Ines Peras, Milena Raicevic, Silvia Fraissinet, Ferdinando Boero, Stefano Piraino
Summary: This study investigates the amount, distribution and categorization of beach litter on nine beaches in Albania, Italy, and Montenegro. The findings indicate that the pollution level exceeds the threshold values, suggesting that the desired environmental status has not been achieved.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mar Bosch-Belmar, Stefano Piraino, Gianluca Sara
Summary: Temperature influences biological processes and can affect metabolism, tolerance limits, distribution patterns, and the spread of non-indigenous and outbreak-forming species. This study examined the thermal tolerance of Pennaria disticha, a colonial benthic cnidarian, to predict its potential colonization in different habitats across the Mediterranean Sea under future warming scenarios. The findings indicate a potential expansion of P. disticha in the Western and Central Mediterranean.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giulia Furfaro, Marcella D'Elia, Stefania Mariano, Egidio Trainito, Michele Solca, Stefano Piraino, Genuario Belmonte
Summary: Understanding the effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms is a highly important area of research globally. This study analyzes the presence of microplastics in the stomachs of sea slugs and provides imaging and spectral data for future investigations on the interactions between marine sea slugs and microplastics.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sonia K. M. Gueroun, Stefano Piraino, Ons Kefi-Daly Yahia, Mohamed Nejib Daly Yahia
Summary: This article provides an overview of jellyfish biodiversity in Tunisia and presents data on the spatial distribution and phenology of various jellyfish species. The study reveals changes in the phenology of certain jellyfish species and an expansion of the range of non-indigenous species.
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Zoology
A. Toso, G. Furfaro, S. Fai, A. Giangrande, S. Piraino
Summary: This study reports the ecological data and abundance of Hermodice carunculata in two stations in the Ionian Sea, Italy. The findings show a significant increase in abundance compared to previous reports and suggest that substrate coverage may be driving their distribution. These results provide a baseline reference for future studies on the invasive potential of this species and its role as a biological marker of ocean warming.
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Valerio Micaroni, Francesca Strano, Fabio Crocetta, Davide Di Franco, Stefano Piraino, Cinzia Gravili, Fabio Rindi, Marco Bertolino, Gabriele Costa, Joachim Langeneck, Marzia Bo, Federico Betti, Carlo Froglia, Adriana Giangrande, Francesco Tiralongo, Luisa Nicoletti, Pietro Medagli, Stefano Arzeni, Ferdinando Boero
Summary: This study provides a multi-taxa inventory of marine organisms and coastal terrestrial flora in southeastern Salento, Italy. The findings include new records for the Ionian Sea and the easternmost records in the Mediterranean Sea. The results highlight the need for further research to enhance our understanding of Mediterranean biodiversity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Trani, Giuseppe Mezzapesa, Lea Piscitelli, Donato Mondelli, Ludovica Nardelli, Genuario Belmonte, Andrea Toso, Stefano Piraino, Cristina Panti, Matteo Baini, Maria Cristina Fossi, Massimo Zuccaro
Summary: Microplastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in the Salento coastal zone, has been studied and found to have significantly increased concentrations on the sea surface and in the gastrointestinal tract of selected marine organisms compared to previous data.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Loredana Stabili, Lucia Rizzo, Rosa Caprioli, Giorgio Alabiso, Stefano Piraino
Summary: The moon jellyfish population dynamics in a polluted lagoon were found to be significantly correlated with sea surface temperature, nutrient concentrations, and bacterial biomass. The study suggests that environmental changes and ongoing global warming may increase jellyfish outbreaks.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elena Beli, Luana M. De Castro Mendonca, Stefano Piraino, Christopher B. Cameron
Summary: This study reports on the larval settlement and metamorphosis of Rhabdopleura recondita in the absence or presence of a bryozoan host. The results show that there was no significant variation in the number or length of newly formed tubes after 40 days, suggesting that R. recondita resides in a narrow velocity range and that tube and tubarium development is largely invariable.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Stefania De Domenico, Gianluca De Rinaldis, Marta Mammone, Mar Bosch-Belmar, Stefano Piraino, Antonella Leone
Summary: This study investigates the biochemical characteristics of Cassiopea andromeda, a jellyfish species that hosts dinoflagellate symbionts. The research finds that these symbionts produce bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties and other beneficial biological activities. The study applies a fractionation method to separate the different components of the jellyfish, with the oral arms being found to contain more symbionts and pigments. These findings suggest that C. andromeda-dinoflagellate holobiont could be a promising source of bioactive compounds for various biotechnological applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Mammone, Mar Bosch-Belmar, Giacomo Milisenda, Luca Castriota, Mauro Sinopoli, Alessandro Allegra, Manuela Falautano, Teresa Maggio, Sergio Rossi, Stefano Piraino
Summary: Knowledge of the reproductive strategy is essential for predicting population dynamics and invasiveness of species. The Lessepsian upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea andromeda, has established an outpost in the Mediterranean Sea with an asynchronous reproduction strategy. Oocytes were observed throughout the year, with two peaks of abundance in late spring and autumn, indicating imminent spawning events. The appearance of a new jellyfish cohort in winter suggests intense summer strobilation of polyps.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Beatriz Vinha, Sergio Rossi, Andrea Gori, Ulrike Hanz, Antonio Pennetta, Giuseppe E. De Benedetto, Furu Mienis, Veerle A. I. Huvenne, Dierk Hebbeln, Claudia Wienberg, Juergen Titschack, Andre Freiwald, Stefano Piraino, Covadonga Orejas
Summary: Despite hypoxic conditions, cold-water coral reefs in the Angolan margin rely on an intermediate food source, possibly zooplankton.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Milica Mandic, Stefano Piraino
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Melek Isinibilir, Esin Yuksel, Ezgi E. Turkeri, Onur Dogan, F. Saadet Karakulak, Ugur Uzer, Cem Dalyan, Giulia Furfaro, Stefano Piraino
Summary: This manuscript reports on four new jellyfish species in the Sea of Marmara and discusses their possible introduction pathways.
AQUATIC SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2022)