Review
Food Science & Technology
Blake Lausen, Anahita Ahang, Scott Cummins, Tianfang Wang
Summary: This systematic literature review examines the important factors to consider when extracting and purifying jellyfish venom toxins. The results indicate that the toxins of box jellyfish are the most easily purified, followed by cubozoans and hydrozoans. The best practices for maintaining venom bioactivity include strict thermal management, autolysis extraction, and two-step liquid chromatography purification. This review provides a valuable resource for efficient extraction, purification, and identification of jellyfish venom toxins.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan W. Lawley, Anthony R. Carroll, Carmel McDougall
Summary: The study investigated a new pigment family in cnidarians, called rhizostomins. Eight proteins with specific structural domains were identified as potential precursors of this new pigment. These proteins may produce pigments of different colors in various jellyfish species, as well as perform other biochemical and biophysical roles. Future research could explore the function of rhizostomins and potential biotechnological applications for these proteins.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Katharina Ernst, Marc Landenberger, Julian Nieland, Katharina Norgaard, Manfred Frick, Giorgio Fois, Roland Benz, Holger Barth
Summary: The study investigated the cytotoxic effect of CDTb on cells, revealing that CDTb impairs cell viability and leads to redistribution of F-actin without affecting tubulin structures in CaCo-2 cells. Pharmacological pore blockers were found to effectively inhibit the cytotoxicity induced by pore formation of CDTb in the cytoplasmic membrane.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jone Amuategi, Rocio Alonso, Helena Ostolaza
Summary: Adenylate Cyclase Toxin (ACT) is an important virulence factor secreted by Bordetella pertussis, and its activities depend on its interaction with membrane cholesterol and the stabilization of transmembrane helices. Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the dependence of ACT activities on cholesterol and the modulation of toxicity in pore-forming toxins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marc Landenberger, Julian Nieland, Maurice Roeder, Katharina Norgaard, Panagiotis Papatheodorou, Katharina Ernst, Holger Barth
Summary: Clostridioides difficile produces multiple toxins, including TcdA, TcdB, and CDT, which are the main virulence factors causing associated diarrhea and colitis. CDTb alone exhibits cytotoxic effects on cells, leading to cell rounding and impairment of cell function by binding to the cell receptor LSR.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kenneth Sandoval, Grace P. McCormack
Summary: This study reveals that diverse Porifera possess actinoporin-like proteins, which have the ability to bind to and create pores in cellular membranes. While many sponge proteins show sequence similarity to actinoporins, they also exhibit consistency in predicted structure. These findings suggest that Porifera could serve as a novel source for actinoporin-like proteins with potential biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shuaijun Zou, Qian He, Qianqian Wang, Bo Wang, Guoyan Liu, Fuhai Zhang, Xi Cheng, Beilei Wang, Liming Zhang
Summary: A novel temperature-sensitive injectable detoxification system was successfully constructed by loading nanosponges (NSs) into a 30% Pluronic F127 hydrogel, showing good fluidity and viscosity properties, sustained release behavior, and excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the NS-pGel system exhibited neutralization effects similar to NSs, making it suitable for the clinical treatment of PFT-induced local lesions and infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Hanzhi Qu, Kexin Li, Qiang Ou
Summary: This study examines the fossil of Burithes yunnanensis from the early Cambrian Chengjiang biota in South China and finds distinct features that differentiate it from typical hyoliths, suggesting a closer affinity with cnidarians. The material is therefore reassigned to a new genus: Palaeoconotuba. Bayesian inference of phylogeny based on new anatomical traits reveals a new clade, including Palaeoconotuba and Cambrorhytium, as a stem group of sessile medusozoan cnidarians that developed an organic conical theca and a funnel-like gastrovascular system in the early Cambrian.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Haijie Hu, Min Liu, Shuang Sun
Summary: Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are virulence factors secreted by pathogenic bacterial strains, forming pores in the cell membrane to exert toxic effects. Recent studies have elucidated the structure of PFTs and the detailed molecular mechanisms of their pathogenicity.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aoyu Li, Yang Yue, Rongfeng Li, Chunlin Yu, Xueqin Wang, Song Liu, Ronge Xing, Pengcheng Li, Quanbin Zhang, Huahua Yu
Summary: This study investigated the biological activity of fucoidan for the treatment of jellyfish dermatitis. The results showed that fucoidan attenuated the inflammatory effects of jellyfish venom and downregulated the MAPK and NF-kappa B pathways. Fucoidan also inhibited the activity of metalloproteinases and phospholipase A2 in the jellyfish venom, reducing the symptoms of jellyfish dermatitis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Carlos Alvarez, Carmen Soto, Sheila Cabezas, Javier Alvarado-Mesen, Rady Laborde, Fabiola Pazos, Uris Ros, Ana Maria Hernandez, Maria Eliana Lanio
Summary: Actinoporins are soluble pore-forming proteins secreted by sea anemones that can cause cell death. While the binding and pore-formation processes have been extensively studied, understanding of the intracellular responses to APs is still limited. Research has focused on the intracellular pathways triggered by APs attack, with potential applications including the development of immunotoxins and cancer vaccine platforms.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zuchen Song, Junfeng Guo, Jian Han, Heyo Iten, Yaqin Qiang, Jiaxin Peng, Jie Sun, Yajuan Zheng, Xinyao Huang, Zhifei Zhang
Summary: The "Pudong New Oriental Teachers' Open Class" event was successfully held in Zhejiang Liao with a total of 184 teachers from all over the country participating. The main purpose of this open class event was to share teachers' teaching experiences and promote the exchange and innovation of teaching methods.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Ivan Koludarov, Mariana Velasque, Tobias Senoner, Thomas Timm, Carola Greve, Alexander Ben Hamadou, Deepak Kumar Gupta, Guenter Lochnit, Michael Heinzinger, Andreas Vilcinskas, Rosalyn Gloag, Brock A. Harpur, Lars Podsiadlowski, Burkhard Rost, Timothy N. W. Jackson, Sebastien Dutertre, Eckart Stolle, Bjoern M. von Reumont
Summary: Most venom genes in Hymenoptera are shared by all members of the clade, with single gene co-option being the primary source and gene duplication contributing to diversification. Only a few venom proteins, such as melittin and anthophilin1, appear to be unique to the bee lineage, suggesting that most venom proteins predate the evolution of the aculeate stinger and the mega-radiation of hymenopterans.
Article
Immunology
Thomas J. R. Ormsby, Sian E. Owens, Liam Clement, Tom J. Mills, James G. Cronin, John J. Bromfield, Iain Martin Sheldon
Summary: This study found that oxysterols stimulate the intrinsic protection of epithelial cells against pore-forming toxins, thereby fighting against bacterial infection and toxin damage.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
S. Amreen Nisa, D. Vinu, P. Krupakar, K. Govindaraju, D. Sharma, Rahul Vivek
Summary: Recent research on marine invertebrates has shown that jellyfish venoms are rich in toxins used for hunting and defense, but can also have harmful effects on humans. The nematocyst, a complex intracellular system found in cnidarians, injects a venomous mixture into prey or predators. These venoms can induce cytotoxicity, ion channel blockade, membrane pore formation, cardiovascular failure, and lethal effects in laboratory animals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Miles Peterson, Kei Chloe Tan, Allen Collins, Satoshi Kitano, Yasushi Kusuoka, Takahito G. Suzuki, Masao Migita, Iffah Iesa, Stacy Pirro, Dhugal Lindsay, Cheryl Lewis Ames
Summary: Freshwater jellyfish from Haruta-ike in Nagano, Japan were identified as Craspedacusta sowerbii using morphological and molecular techniques. This study reports on the novel swimming behavior observed in this population and also discusses the life cycle of polyps reared in culture from Machikane-ike in Osaka. Additionally, the morphology and life cycle of the rare Japanese freshwater jellyfish Astrohydra japonica in Lake Biwa are documented.
PLANKTON & BENTHOS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Anna M. L. Klompen, Steven M. Sanders, Paulyn Cartwright
Summary: Cnidarians have a unique decentralized system for venom production and deployment through different types of venom-filled structures called nematocysts. The composition and distribution of nematocysts were found to differ in different polyp types. Nematogenesis mainly occurs in the mid-region of the feeding polyp and throughout the tubes that connect the polyps. Venom-like genes were differentially expressed in different polyp types, suggesting their importance in prey-capture. This study provides insights into the interplay between venom composition, nematocyst diversity, and ecological partitioning in colonial hydrozoans.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Maria Novosolov, Dayana Yahalomi, E. Sally Chang, Ivan Fiala, Paulyn Cartwright, Dorothee Huchon
Summary: In this study, we analyzed the mitochondrial genome of Polypodium hydriforme and found that it is circular, contradicting the previous belief that it belongs to the phylum Medusozoa. Our results support the notion that P. hydriforme is closely related to Myxozoa and that the linearization of mitochondrial chromosomes in medusozoans occurred after the divergence of Myxozoa and P. hydriforme. Furthermore, the P. hydriforme mitochondrial genome is one of the largest among metazoan species and is characterized by rapid evolution.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mykle L. Hoban, Jonathan Whitney, Allen G. Collins, Christopher Meyer, Katherine R. Murphy, Abigail J. Reft, Katherine E. Bemis
Summary: DNA barcoding is crucial for conservation and biodiversity research, but existing reference databases are incomplete. Genome skimming, a cost-effective method, can generate complete mitochondrial and common nuclear DNA barcoding loci for multiple species simultaneously, facilitating the completion of barcode reference databases for marine fishes.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kristin M. O'Brien, Elizabeth L. Crockett, Byron J. Adams, Charles D. Amsler, Hannah J. Appiah-Madson, Allen Collins, Thomas Desvignes, H. William Detrich, Daniel L. Distel, Sarah M. Eppley, Benjamin W. Frable, Nico M. Franz, Jeffrey M. Grim, Kevin M. Kocot, Andrew R. Mahon, Teresa J. Mayfield-Meyer, Jill A. Mikucki, William E. Moser, Michaela Schmull, Charlotte A. Seid, Craig R. Smith, Anne E. Todgham, Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ehsan Kayal, Soizic Rochange
Summary: The Joint ISS-Holobiont Conference held in July 2022 focused on symbiosis in the Anthropocene era. Symbiosis biologists are experiencing immediate threats to their model systems, but have yet to form a comprehensive response. This commentary discusses the challenges posed by the Anthropocene and advocates for cross-disciplinary approaches to address climate and ecological crises.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Ross F. Waller, Catharina Alves-de-Souza, Phillip A. Cleves, Jan Janouskovec, Ehsan Kayal, Thomas Krueger, Jeremy Szymczak, Norico Yamada, Laure Guillou
Summary: This article discusses the increasing commonalities and convergences shared between apicomplexans and dinoflagellates. It highlights the scarcity of meetings among researchers in this myzozoan supergroup. A conference entitled `From Parasites to Plankton and Back: Comparative Biology and Ecology of Apicomplexans and Dinoflagellates' was held to address this issue. The conference provided an opportunity for researchers from different organisms, disciplines, and perspectives to come together and explore the latest developments and discoveries in the field.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Correction
Microbiology
Ehsan Kayal, Soizic Rochange
Article
Food Science & Technology
Anna M. L. Klompen, Matthew K. Travert, Paulyn Cartwright
Summary: This study investigates the spatial distribution of jellyfish toxins (JFTs) in Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, a colonial hydrozoan with morphologically distinct and functionally specialized polyps. Four JFT paralogs were found to be expressed in nematocyst-associated clusters, and two of these JFTs were localized to specific types of nematocysts. Overall, the expression patterns of JFTs in H. symbiolongicarpus suggest a subfunctionalization of JFT paralogs across a partitioned venom system within the colony.
Article
Limnology
Gerlien Verhaegen, Mehul Naresh Sangekar, Bastian Bentlage, Henk-Jan Hoving, Allen G. Collins, Dhugal Lindsay
Summary: Narcomedusae are important top-down regulators in the midwater, but this biome is still understudied. In this study, three-dimensional ecological niche modeling, ecomorphology, and phylogeny were used to study the Solmissus genus. It was found that Solmissus incisa is a complex of several cryptic species. The different genetic clades and tentacle morphotypes were widespread but differed in their distribution and ecological niche mainly in terms of depth. The distribution of Solmissus genus and tentacle morphotypes was driven by low dissolved oxygen values, salinity, and slightly by depth and temperature. Solmissus spp. were reproducing all year round, with slightly warmer waters favoring reproduction. The study highlights the need to carefully assess the ecological niche models due to sampling bias and the value of online databases for studying midwater organisms.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
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)