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Toxins Nov 2023The immense biodiversity of marine invertebrates makes them high-value targets for the prospecting of novel bioactives. The present study investigated proteinaceous...
The immense biodiversity of marine invertebrates makes them high-value targets for the prospecting of novel bioactives. The present study investigated proteinaceous toxins secreted by the skin and proboscis of (Annelida: Polychaeta), whose congenerics and are known to be venomous. Proteomics and bioinformatics enabled the detection of bioactive proteins that hold potential for biotechnological applications, including toxins like glycerotoxins (GLTx), which can interfere with neuromuscular calcium channels and therefore have value for the development of painkillers, for instance. We also identified proteins involved in the biosynthesis of toxins. Other proteins of interest include venom and toxin-related bioactives like cysteine-rich venom proteins, many of which are known to interfere with the nervous system. Ex vivo toxicity assays with mussel gills exposed to fractionated protein extracts from the skin and proboscis revealed that fractions potentially containing higher-molecular-mass venom proteins can exert negative effects on invertebrate prey. Histopathology, DNA damage and caspase-3 activity suggest significant cytotoxic effects that can be coadjuvated by permeabilizing enzymes such as venom metalloproteinases M12B. Altogether, these encouraging findings show that venomous annelids are important sources of novel bioactives, albeit illustrating the challenges of surveying organisms whose genomes and metabolisms are poorly understood.
Topics: Animals; Polychaeta; Annelida; Toxins, Biological; Invertebrates; Aquatic Organisms
PubMed: 37999518
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110655 -
Environmental Science & Technology Jan 2024Pesticides and antibiotics are believed to increase the incidence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs), constituting a serious threat...
Pesticides and antibiotics are believed to increase the incidence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs), constituting a serious threat to global health. However, the impact of this combined pollution on the microbiome and that of the related ARGs and VFGs on soil-plant-animal systems remain unknown. In this study, a 60-day microcosm experiment was conducted to reveal the effects of zinc thiazole (ZT) and oxytetracycline (OTC) on microbial communities, antibiotic resistomes, and virulence factors in soil, earthworm gut, and phyllosphere samples using metagenomics. ZT exposure perturbed microbial communities and nutrient metabolism and increased the abundance of ARGs and VFGs in the gut. Combined exposure changed the profiles of ARGs and VFGs by decreasing microbial diversity in the phyllosphere. Host-tracking analysis identified some genera, such as and , as frequent hosts of ARGs and VFGs in the gut. Notably, some co-occurrence patterns of ARGs and MGEs were observed on the metagenome-assembled contigs. More importantly, ZT markedly increased the abundance of potentially drug-resistant pathogens and in the phyllosphere. Overall, this study expands our current understanding of the spread of ARGs and VFGs in soil-plant-animal systems under pollutant-induced stress and the associated health risks.
Topics: Animals; Oxytetracycline; Oligochaeta; Genes, Bacterial; Zinc; Soil; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 38148496
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06513 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Apr 2024Periphyton is a complex community composed of diverse prokaryotes and eukaryotes; understanding the characteristics of microbial communities within periphyton becomes...
Periphyton is a complex community composed of diverse prokaryotes and eukaryotes; understanding the characteristics of microbial communities within periphyton becomes crucial for biogeochemical cycles and energy dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. To further elucidate the community characteristics of periphyton across varied aquatic habitats, including unpolluted ecologically restored lakes, aquaculture ponds, and areas adjacent to domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plant outfalls, we explored the composition and diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities in periphyton by employing Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Our findings indicated that the prokaryotic communities were predominantly composed of Proteobacteria (40.92%), Bacteroidota (21.01%), and Cyanobacteria (10.12%), whereas the eukaryotic communities were primarily characterized by the dominance of Bacillariophyta (24.09%), Chlorophyta (20.83%), and Annelida (15.31%). Notably, Flavobacterium emerged as a widely distributed genus among the prokaryotic community. Unclassified_Tobrilidae exhibited higher abundance in unpolluted ecologically restored lakes. Chaetogaster and Nais were enriched in aquaculture ponds and domestic wastewater treatment plant outfall area, respectively, while Surirella and Gomphonema dominated industrial sewage treatment plant outfall area. The alpha diversity of eukaryotes was higher in unpolluted ecologically restored lakes. pH and nitrogen content ( , , and TN) significantly explained the variations for prokaryotic and eukaryotic community structures, respectively. Eukaryotic communities exhibited a more pronounced response to habitat variations compared to prokaryotic communities. Moreover, the association networks revealed an intensive positive correlation between dominant Bacillariophyta and Bacteroidota. This study provided useful data for identifying keystone species and understanding their ecological functions.
Topics: Animals; Periphyton; Environmental Monitoring; Microbiota; Aquaculture; Bacteroidetes; Diatoms; Oligochaeta
PubMed: 38607460
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12599-x -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes and a common cause of chronic kidney disease. There is currently a lack of effective... (Review)
Review
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes and a common cause of chronic kidney disease. There is currently a lack of effective treatments for DN, and the prognosis for patients remains poor. Hirudin, one of the primary active components derived from leeches, demonstrates anti-coagulant, anti-fibrotic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, exhibiting significant protective effects on the kidneys. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in studying the potential benefits of hirudin, especially in its role in the management of DN. This article delves into the mechanisms by which hirudin contributes to the treatment of DN and its clinical efficacy.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Diabetic Nephropathies; Hirudins; Kidney; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Leeches; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38344666
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1296843 -
Chemosphere Oct 2023Cadmium (Cd) and fenpyroximate are common soil contaminants found together in the field, but their combined toxicity to terrestrial invertebrates has not been studied....
Cadmium (Cd) and fenpyroximate are common soil contaminants found together in the field, but their combined toxicity to terrestrial invertebrates has not been studied. Therefore, earthworms Aporrectodea jassyensis and Eisenia fetida were exposed into Cd (5, 10, 50 and 100 μg/g) and fenpyroximate (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 μg/g) and their mixture, and multiple biomarker responses (mortality, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant activity (TAC), lipid peroxidation (MDA), protein content, weight loss and subcellular partitioning) were determined to estimate health status and mixture effect. MDA, SOD, TAC, and weight loss were significantly correlated with Cd in total internal and debris (p < 0.01). Fenpyroximate altered the subcellular distribution of Cd. It appears that maintaining Cd in a non-toxic form was the earthworms' primary Cd detoxification strategy. CAT activity was inhibited by Cd, fenpyroximate, and their combined presence. BRI values for all treatments indicated a major and severe alteration in earthworm's health. The combined toxicity of Cd and fenpyroximate was greater than the toxicity of either substance alone. According to EAI, all combined treatments exhibited a clear antagonistic effect. In general, the sensitivity of A. jassyensis was greater than that of E. fetida.
Topics: Animals; Cadmium; Oligochaeta; Soil Pollutants; Biomarkers; Superoxide Dismutase; Soil
PubMed: 37364643
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139329 -
Zootaxa Dec 2023The examination of benthic materials collected in September 2022 at six stations off Kyky (south-west coast of the Black Sea, Trkiye) both on hard (three stations) and...
The examination of benthic materials collected in September 2022 at six stations off Kyky (south-west coast of the Black Sea, Trkiye) both on hard (three stations) and soft substrata (three stations) at depths ranging from 8 and 27 m revealed a total of 57 polychaete species belonging to 22 families. Among the species, the polynoid Malmgrenia polypapillata is a new record for the Black Sea fauna, and three species belonging to the Syllidae (Erinaceusyllis defneae n. sp.) and Terebellidae (Polycirrus karadenizicus n. sp. and P. rhombolabiatus n. sp.) are new to science. Algae dominated (Cystoseira cinita, Cladophora sp. and Phyllophora crispa) rocky substrata had 30 polychaete species and a maximum polychaete density of 7325 individuals/m2, while soft bottom substrata (fine sand and muddy sand with shell fragments) possessed 38 species and a maximum polychaete density of 3520 individuals/m2. The family Nereididae (3176% of the total number of individuals), and the species Platynereis dumerilii and Polyphthalmus pictus dominated hard bottom stations, whereas the families Nephtyidae, Spionidae and Dorvilleidae, and the species Micronephthys longicornis, Protodorvillea kefersteini and Prionospio maciolekae were represented by high number of individuals at soft-bottom stations.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Polychaeta; Black Sea; Sand; Annelida
PubMed: 38221234
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5383.4.6 -
PloS One 2023Platynereis dumerilii, a marine annelid, is a model animal that has gained popularity in various fields such as developmental biology, biological rhythms, nervous system...
Platynereis dumerilii, a marine annelid, is a model animal that has gained popularity in various fields such as developmental biology, biological rhythms, nervous system organization and physiology, behaviour, reproductive biology, and epigenetic regulation. The transparency of P. dumerilii tissues at all developmental stages makes it easy to perform live microscopic imaging of all cell types. In addition, the slow-evolving genome of P. dumerilii and its phylogenetic position as a representative of the vast branch of Lophotrochozoans add to its evolutionary significance. Although P. dumerilii is amenable to transgenesis and CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts, its relatively long and indefinite life cycle, as well as its semelparous reproduction have been hindrances to its adoption as a reverse genetics model. To overcome this limitation, an adapted culturing method has been developed allowing much faster life cycling, with median reproductive age at 13-14 weeks instead of 25-35 weeks using the traditional protocol. A low worm density in boxes and a strictly controlled feeding regime are important factors for the rapid growth and health of the worms. This culture method has several advantages, such as being much more compact, not requiring air bubbling or an artificial moonlight regime for synchronized sexual maturation and necessitating only limited water change. A full protocol for worm care and handling is provided.
Topics: Animals; Phylogeny; Epigenesis, Genetic; Annelida; Polychaeta; Life Cycle Stages
PubMed: 38127889
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295290 -
PloS One 2024Nereidid polychaetes are well known from shallow marine habitats, but their diversity in the deep sea is poorly known. Here we describe an unusual new nereidid species... (Review)
Review
Nereidid polychaetes are well known from shallow marine habitats, but their diversity in the deep sea is poorly known. Here we describe an unusual new nereidid species found at methane seeps off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Specimens of Pectinereis strickrotti gen. nov., sp. nov. had been observed dating back to 2009 swimming just above the seafloor at ~1,000 m depth but were not successfully captured until 2018. Male epitokes were collected as well as a fragment of an infaunal female found in a pushcore sample. The specimens were all confirmed as the same species based on mitochondrial COI. Phylogenetic analyses, including one based on available whole mitochondrial genomes for nereidids, revealed no close relative, allowing for the placement of the new species in its own genus within the subfamily Nereidinae. This was supported by the unusual non-reproductive and epitokous morphology, including parapodial cirrostyles as pectinate gills, hooked aciculae, elfin-shoe-shaped ventral cirrophores, and elongate, fusiform dorsal ligules emerging sub-medially to enlarged cirrophores. Additionally, the gill-bearing subfamily Dendronereidinae, generally regarded as a junior synonym of Gymnonereidinae, is reviewed and it is here reinstated and as a monogeneric taxon.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Gills; Phylogeny; Annelida; Polychaeta; Apocynaceae
PubMed: 38446781
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297961 -
Zootaxa Oct 2023A morphological study of the Western Palaearctic genus Leptocharis Reitter revealed remarkable differences between L. microphthalmus Meybohm and all remaining congeners....
A morphological study of the Western Palaearctic genus Leptocharis Reitter revealed remarkable differences between L. microphthalmus Meybohm and all remaining congeners. This species is the only Eurasian member of Stenichnini with the mesocoxae not separated by the mesoventral process. A new genus, Turkocharis gen. n., is proposed to accommodate L. microphthalmus. Morphological details of both Leptocharis and Turkocharis are illustrated and discussed, and the Nearctic genus Neladius Casey is indicated as morphologically most similar to the presumably closely related Leptocharis and Turkocharis. As the genus name Leptocharis is of a feminine grammatical gender, specific adjectives previously with masculine endings are corrected to Leptocharis algerica Besuchet, L. cretica (Pic), and Turkocharis microphthalma (Meybohm) comb. n. An updated key for identification of the Eurasian and New Guinean genera of Stenichnini is given.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Animal Distribution; Animal Structures; Body Size; Polychaeta
PubMed: 38220672
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5353.5.2 -
Genes Jan 2024Frenulates are a group of sedentary Annelida within the family Siboglinidae that inhabit the ocean floor and present a unique challenge for comprehensive molecular and...
Frenulates are a group of sedentary Annelida within the family Siboglinidae that inhabit the ocean floor and present a unique challenge for comprehensive molecular and phylogenetic investigations. In this study, we focused on the frenulates, specifically assembling the mitochondrial genomes of and . The phylogenetic reconstruction placed as a sister taxon to , and as a sister taxon to , supporting the non-monophyletic nature of the genus . Overall, this study supports the phylogeny of the family Siboglinidae while highlighting the need for additional molecular data within frenulates.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Phylogeny; Genome, Mitochondrial; Polychaeta; Annelida; Siblings
PubMed: 38254966
DOI: 10.3390/genes15010077