Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aine Varley, Helen R. Horkan, Emma T. McMahon, Gabriel Krasovec, Uri Frank
Summary: In most animals, pluripotent cells are lost after gastrulation, but the developmental potential of adult stem cells in cnidarians remains unclear. This study shows that adult stem cells in the cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolon-gicarpus are pluripotent and can contribute to different cell lineages and gamete production. This discovery has implications for understanding regeneration and clonal growth in these animals.
Article
Biology
Ruoxu Chen, Steven M. Sanders, Zhiwei Ma, Justin Paschall, E. Sally Chang, Brooke M. Riscoe, Christine E. Schnitzler, Andreas D. Baxevanis, Matthew L. Nicotra
Summary: This study establishes Hydractinia as a reliable non-bilaterian model system for the study of sex determination and the evolution of sex chromosomes. By generating a linkage map and utilizing deep sequencing, the researchers found pseudoautosomal and non-recombining regions on the X and Y chromosomes of Hydractinia. They also identified genes in the non-recombining region that are specifically expressed in the male gonad. Additionally, the study observed enhanced recombination rates in the female genome and determined that Hydractinia has a haploid chromosome number of n = 15.
Article
Biology
Eleni Chrysostomou, Hakima Flici, Sebastian G. Gornik, Miguel Salinas-Saavedra, James M. Gahan, Emma T. McMahon, Kerry Thompson, Shirley Hanley, Michelle Kincoyne, Christine E. Schnitzler, Paul Gonzalez, Andreas D. Baxevanis, Uri Frank, Marianne E. Bronner
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive molecular and cellular analysis of neurogenesis in the early-branching phylum Cnidaria, using the Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus as a model. The study reveals the sequential roles of SoxB genes and their impact on embryonic neurogenesis. Furthermore, the influence of cell migration and microenvironments on fate determination of neural cells in Hydractinia remains unclear.
Review
Evolutionary Biology
James M. Gahan, Paulyn Cartwright, Matthew L. Nicotra, Christine E. Schnitzler, Patrick R. H. Steinmetz, Celina E. Juliano
Summary: The second annual Cnidarian Model Systems Meeting, also known as Cnidofest, was held in Davis, California from September 7th to 10th, 2022. The conference brought together scientists using cnidarians to study various fields of biology, highlighting the importance and versatility of these organisms. Presentations by early career researchers accounted for almost 75% of the oral presentations, following the tradition of the first meeting. In this review, we summarize the research highlights from the conference.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Henry Rodriguez-Valbuena, Andrea Gonzalez-Munoz, Luis F. Cadavid
Summary: The genetics of allorecognition in Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus is controlled by multiple genes, including Alr1, Alr2, and newly discovered Igsf genes in the ARC complex. Allelic variation at these genes is associated with allorecognition phenotypes, but the association is not observed between parental colonies and their offspring. Alternative splicing contributes to the variability of these genes by generating different isoforms of allorecognition proteins.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carl R. Dahlen, Pawel P. Borowicz, Alison K. Ward, Joel S. Caton, Marta Czernik, Luca Palazzese, Pasqualino Loi, Lawrence P. Reynolds
Summary: Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and parental nutritional status have significant impacts on embryonic and fetal development, potentially mediated through programming of gene expression. Epigenetic changes may lead to long-term alterations in organ structure and function in offspring after birth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gaelle Botton-Amiot, Pedro Martinez, Simon G. Sprecher
Summary: Sea anemones without centralized nervous systems can still form associative memories, as shown by their conditioned response to light and electric shock. These findings shed light on cnidarian behavior and raise fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of cognition in brainless animals.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Aidan L. Huene, Jack C. Koch, Lucia Arregui, Yue Liu, Matthew L. Nicotra, Virginia M. Weis, Terrence R. Tiersch
Summary: This study established a cryopreservation approach for Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus sperm, using open hardware and 3D printing technology. The results showed that, under specific conditions, a certain fertilization rate could be achieved. Establishing a repository for Hydractinia resources is crucial for future research and development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sabrina L. Rosset, Clinton A. Oakley, Christine Ferrier-Pages, David J. Suggett, Virginia M. Weis, Simon K. Davy
Summary: The molecular signaling between host cnidarians and dinoflagellate endosymbionts in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis is poorly understood. Current research focuses on lipids, glycans, reactive species, biogenic volatiles, and noncoding RNA, with potential applications to addressing the coral reef crisis.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maja Rischer, Huijuan Guo, Christine Beemelmanns
Summary: This article summarizes the biochemical and microbial knowledge about microbial signaling molecules, con-specific signals, and synthetic compounds that induce or prevent recruitment, settlement, and metamorphosis in invertebrate larvae. The research field has recently gained significant momentum and provides insights for future research directions in marine chemical ecology.
NATURAL PRODUCT REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Marie-Jeanne Cabirol, Laura Cardoit, Gilles Courtand, Marie-Eve Mayeur, John Simmers, Olivier Pascual, Muriel Thoby-Brisson
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of microglia in the proper establishment of the central respiratory command during embryonic development. The absence of microglia leads to abnormal respiratory circuit formation, resulting in disrupted breathing rhythm and potential neonatal death.
Article
Developmental Biology
Julian O. Kimura, Lorenzo Ricci, Mansi Srivastava
Summary: This study presents developmental landmarks for embryogenesis in the highly regenerative acoel Hofstenia miamia, providing a resource for mechanistic investigations of acoel development, which will yield insights into the evolution of bilaterian development and regeneration.
Review
Cell Biology
Lindsay Rathbun, Coralee A. Everett, Dan T. Bergstralh
Summary: Epithelial tissues play a vital role in the functioning of organs, requiring coordination between cells to maintain distinct surfaces. Understanding how polarity is established and maintained in simpler organisms can provide valuable insights into epithelial tissue morphogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Daniela Avila-Gonzalez, Wendy Portillo, Guadalupe Garcia-Lopez, Anayansi Molina-Hernandez, Nestor E. Diaz-Martinez, Nestor F. Diaz
Summary: Significant advances have been made in understanding human embryogenesis through the use of human pluripotent stem cells in conventional and 3D cultures, revealing molecular mechanisms of specification and differentiation during development. However, the full spectrum of human pluripotency, including intermediate states, subtypes, and regionalization, remains not fully understood. This review also highlights a new pluripotent state representing a transition between naive and primed pluripotency, as well as the importance of the amnion as a signaling center for regionalization before gastrulation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ahmet Karabulut, Melainia McClain, Boris Rubinstein, Keith Z. Sabin, Sean A. McKinney, Matthew C. Gibson
Summary: This study describes the nematocyst thread and its sub-structures in the sea anemone N. vectensis, revealing complexity and sophistication in this cellular weapon. Nematocysts are remarkable cellular weapons used for predation and defense, with pressurized capsules containing coiled harpoon-like threads for rapid discharge.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anastasia Kirillova, Grigory Genikhovich, Ekaterina Pukhlyakova, Adrien Demilly, Yulia Kraus, Ulrich Technau
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2018)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Loriano Ballarin, Baruch Rinkevich, Kerstin Bartscherer, Artur Burzynski, Sebastien Cambier, Matteo Cammarata, Isabelle Domart-Coulon, Damjana Drobne, Juanma Encinas, Uri Frank, Anne-Marie Geneviere, Bert Hobmayer, Helike Lohelaid, Daniel Lyons, Pedro Martinez, Paola Oliveri, Lorena Peric, Stefano Piraino, Andreja Ramsak, Sebastian Rakers, Fabian Rentzsch, Amalia Rosner, Tiago Henriques da Silva, Ildiko Somorjai, Sherif Suleiman, Ana Varela Coelho
Article
Biology
Dania M. Kupaeva, Alexandra A. Vetrova, Yulia A. Kraus, Stanislav V. Kremnyov
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Steven M. Sanders, Zhiwei Ma, Julia M. Hughes, Brooke M. Riscoe, Gregory A. Gibson, Alan M. Watson, Hakima Flici, Uri Frank, Christine E. Schnitzler, Andreas D. Baxevanis, Matthew L. Nicotra
Article
Cell Biology
Yulia A. Burmistrova, Boris V. Osadchenko, Fedor V. Bolshakov, Yulia A. Kraus, Igor A. Kosevich
DEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION
(2018)
Article
Developmental Biology
Ekaterina A. Pukhlyakova, Anastasia O. Kirillova, Yulia A. Kraus, Bob Zimmermann, Ulrich Technau
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noriko Funayama, Uri Frank
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timothy Q. DuBuc, Christine E. Schnitzler, Eleni Chrysostomou, Emma T. McMahon, Febrimarsa, James M. Gahan, Tara Buggie, Sebastian G. Gornik, Shirley Hanley, Sofia N. Barreira, Paul Gonzalez, Andreas D. Baxevanis, Uri Frank
Review
Evolutionary Biology
Uri Frank, Matthew L. Nicotra, Christine E. Schnitzler
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Tatiana D. Mayorova, Boris Osadchenko, Yulia Kraus
ORGANISMS DIVERSITY & EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Alexandra A. Vetrova, Tatiana S. Lebedeva, Aleena A. Saidova, Daria M. Kupaeva, Yulia A. Kraus, Stanislav Kremnyov
Summary: Our study focused on the embryonic development of Dynamena pumila, a cnidarian species with apolar gastrulation. We found that morphological polarity in the embryos only appears after gastrulation, while molecular prepatterning already exists during gastrulation. Additionally, we experimentally confirmed that in D. pumila, the oral-aboral axis is robust against perturbations in cWnt activity. Our results suggest that morphogenetic processes are decoupled from molecular axial patterning during gastrulation in D. pumila, which could provide new insights into the relationship between morphological polarization and axial molecular patterning in Metazoa.
DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Anna Torok, Martin J. G. Brown, Jordina C. Vilar, Indu Patwal, Timothy Q. DuBuc, Erwan Atcheson, Uri Frank, Sebastian G. Gornik, Andrew Flaus
Summary: Many animals use sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs) to compact and stabilize sperm chromatin during spermatogenesis. Hydrozoan cnidarians and echinoid sea urchins have evolved a unique family of sperm-specific histone H2Bs (spH2Bs) to regulate sperm packaging and buoyancy. In this study, we found that the sperm chromatin of Hydractinia echinata and H. symbiolongicarpus has higher stability than somatic chromatin, with reduced accessibility to transposase Tn5 integration and endonucleases. The expression of spH2Bs in these species leads to downregulation of transcription and cell cycle arrest in embryos, without affecting nuclear density. These findings suggest that spH2Bs contribute to chromatin stability and transcriptional silencing in Hydractinia sperm, potentially playing a role in sperm buoyancy as a reproductive adaptation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aine Varley, Helen R. Horkan, Emma T. McMahon, Gabriel Krasovec, Uri Frank
Summary: In most animals, pluripotent cells are lost after gastrulation, but the developmental potential of adult stem cells in cnidarians remains unclear. This study shows that adult stem cells in the cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolon-gicarpus are pluripotent and can contribute to different cell lineages and gamete production. This discovery has implications for understanding regeneration and clonal growth in these animals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Febrimarsa, Sebastian G. Gornik, Sofia N. Barreira, Miguel Salinas-Saavedra, Christine E. Schnitzler, Andreas D. Baxevanis, Uri Frank
Summary: The chemical modification of DNA called 6mA randomly accumulates in early embryos of Hydractinia. Knocking down Alkbh1, a protein involved in the clearance of 6mA, leads to higher levels of 6mA and delayed activation of zygotic transcription. This suggests that 6mA inhibits gene expression in early embryonic genomes, and defects in 6mA clearance may be linked to certain pathologies.
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
A. A. Vetrova, T. S. Bagaeva, A. A. Saidova, D. M. Kupaeva, Y. A. Kraus, S. Kremnyov
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2021)