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Neuroscience Letters Jul 2020Many synaptic studies have utilized the experimental advantages of the Arthropod NMJ and the most prominent preparations have been the crayfish and Drosophila larval... (Review)
Review
Many synaptic studies have utilized the experimental advantages of the Arthropod NMJ and the most prominent preparations have been the crayfish and Drosophila larval NMJs. Early cellular studies in the crayfish established the framework for later molecular studies in Drosophila. The two neuromuscular systems are compared including the advantages presented by each preparation for cellular analysis. Beginning with the early work in the crayfish, research developments are followed in the areas of structure/function relationships, activity-dependent synaptic plasticity/development and synaptic homeostasis. A reoccurring theme in these studies is the regulation of active zone structure and function. Early studies in the crayfish focused on the role of active zone number/size and possible functional heterogeneity in regulating transmitter release. Recent studies in Drosophila have begun to characterize this heterogeneity using new approaches that combine imaging of transmitter release, Ca influx and molecular composition for individual active zones.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Drosophila; Drosophila Proteins; Larva; Neuromuscular Junction; Neuronal Plasticity; Synapses; Synaptic Transmission
PubMed: 32497734
DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135110 -
Developmental and Comparative Immunology Mar 2021White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is currently the most severely viral pathogen for farmed crustaceans such as shrimp and crayfish, which has been causing huge economic... (Review)
Review
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is currently the most severely viral pathogen for farmed crustaceans such as shrimp and crayfish, which has been causing huge economic losses for crustaceans farming worldwide every year. Unfortunately, study on the molecular mechanisms of WSSV has been restricted by the lack of crustacean cell lines for WSSV propagation as well as the incompletely annotated genomes for host species, resulting in limited elucidation for WSSV pathogenesis at present. In addition to the findings of anti-WSSV response in shrimp, some of novel cellular events involved in WSSV infection have been recently revealed in crayfish, including endocytosis and intracellular transport of WSSV, innate immune pathways in response to WSSV infection, and regulation of viral gene expression by host genes. Despite these advances, many fundamental gaps in WSSV pathogenesis are still remaining, for example, how WSSV genome enters into nucleus and how the progeny virions are fully assembled in the host cell nucleus. In this review, recent findings in WSSV infection mechanism and the antiviral immunity against WSSV in crayfish are summarized and discussed, which may provide us a better understanding of the WSSV pathogenesis as well as new ideas for the target design of antiviral drugs against WSSV in crustaceans farming.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Astacoidea; Endocytosis; Endosomes; Gene Expression Regulation; Immunity, Innate; Signal Transduction; White spot syndrome virus 1
PubMed: 33253753
DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103947 -
Journal of Comparative Physiology. A,... May 2021Electroretinography (ERG) is a foundational method for assessing visual system physiology, but accurate ERG can be time- and labor-intensive, often involving manual...
Electroretinography (ERG) is a foundational method for assessing visual system physiology, but accurate ERG can be time- and labor-intensive, often involving manual adjustment of the wavelength and intensity of light stimuli and real-time comparison of physiological responses to inform those adjustments. Furthermore, current approaches to ERG often require expertise beyond that necessary for the electrophysiological preparation itself. To improve both the efficiency and accessibility of ERG, we designed an automated system for stimulus presentation and data acquisition. Here, we test this novel system's ability to accurately assess spectral sensitivity in the well-characterized visual system of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii using three approaches: the first, based on response magnitude, maximizes efficiency; the second is a well-established method we use to further validate our efficient approach's accuracy. Third, we explore the potential benefits of extensible automation using a method assessing the interplay between temporal acuity and spectral sensitivity. Using our system, we are able to acquire accurate results in ERG experiments quickly (testing the entire visible spectrum in 8 min, 30 s using our response magnitude approach). Moreover, data collected via all three methods yielded results consistent with each other and previous work on P. clarkii.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Automation, Laboratory; Electroretinography; Evoked Potentials; Photic Stimulation; Reproducibility of Results; Retina; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Time Factors; Vision, Ocular; Visual Perception
PubMed: 33759001
DOI: 10.1007/s00359-021-01476-4 -
Journal of Neuroscience Research May 2020Experimental animal models are a valuable tool to study the neurobiology of emotional behavior and mechanisms underlying human affective disorders. Mounting evidence... (Review)
Review
Experimental animal models are a valuable tool to study the neurobiology of emotional behavior and mechanisms underlying human affective disorders. Mounting evidence suggests that various aquatic organisms, including both vertebrate (e.g., zebrafish) and invertebrate (e.g., crayfish) species, may be relevant to study animal emotional response and its deficits. Ideally, model organisms of disease should possess considerable genetic and physiological homology to mammals, display robust behavioral and physiological responses to stress, and should be sensitive to a wide range of drugs known to modulate stress and affective behaviors. Here, we summarize recent findings in the field of zebrafish- and crayfish-based tests of stress, anxiety, aggressiveness and social preference, and discuss further perspectives of using these novel model organisms in translational biological psychiatry. Outlining the remaining questions in this field, we also emphasize the need in further development and a wider use of crayfish and zebrafish models to study the pathogenesis of affective disorders.
Topics: Aggression; Animals; Anxiety; Astacoidea; Behavior, Animal; Emotions; Zebrafish
PubMed: 31722127
DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24550 -
Scientific Data Apr 2023Red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is an aquatic crustacean with considerable potential for the commercial culture and an ideal model for studying the mechanism...
Red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is an aquatic crustacean with considerable potential for the commercial culture and an ideal model for studying the mechanism of sex determination. To provide better genomic resources, we assembled a chromosome-level genome with a size of 5.26 Gb and contig N50 of 144.33 kb. Nearly 90% of sequences were anchored to 100 chromosomes, which represents the high-quality crustacean genome with the largest number of chromosomes ever reported. The genome contained 78.69% repeat sequences and 20,460 protein-coding genes, of which 82.40% were functionally annotated. This chromosome-scale genome would be a valuable reference for assemblies of other complex genomes and studies of evolution in crustaceans.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Chromosomes; Genome; Genomics; Phylogeny; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
PubMed: 37062798
DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02124-z -
PLoS Genetics Dec 2023Clonal genome evolution is a key feature of asexually reproducing species and human cancer development. While many studies have described the landscapes of clonal genome...
Clonal genome evolution is a key feature of asexually reproducing species and human cancer development. While many studies have described the landscapes of clonal genome evolution in cancer, few determine the underlying evolutionary parameters from molecular data, and even fewer integrate theory with data. We derived theoretical results linking mutation rate, time, expansion dynamics, and biological/clinical parameters. Subsequently, we inferred time-resolved estimates of evolutionary parameters from mutation accumulation, mutational signatures and selection. We then applied this framework to predict the time of speciation of the marbled crayfish, an enigmatic, globally invasive parthenogenetic freshwater crayfish. The results predict that speciation occurred between 1986 and 1990, which is consistent with biological records. We also used our framework to analyze whole-genome sequencing datasets from primary and relapsed glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. The results identified evolutionary subgroups and showed that tumor cell survival could be inferred from genomic data that was generated during the resection of the primary tumor. In conclusion, our framework allowed a time-resolved, integrated analysis of key parameters in clonally evolving genomes, and provided novel insights into the evolutionary age of marbled crayfish and the progression of glioblastoma.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Glioblastoma; Genome; Astacoidea; Genomics; Biological Evolution; Mutation
PubMed: 38096267
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011085 -
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior Aug 2019Fundamental signs of epigenetic effects are variations in the expression of genes or phenotypic traits among isogenic mates. Therefore, genetically identical animals are... (Review)
Review
Fundamental signs of epigenetic effects are variations in the expression of genes or phenotypic traits among isogenic mates. Therefore, genetically identical animals are in high demand for epigenetic research. There are many genetically identical animals, including natural parthenogens and inbred laboratory lineages or clones. However, most parthenogenetic animal taxa are very small in combined epigenetic and drug addiction research. Orconectes rusticus has a unique phylogenetic position, with 2-3 years of life span, which undergoes metamorphosis that creates developmental stages with distinctly different morphologies, unique lifestyles, and broad behavioral traits, even among isogenic mates reared in the same environment offer novel inroads for epigenetics studies. Moreover, the establishment of crayfish as a novel system for drug addiction with evidence of an automated, operant self-administration and conditioned-reward, withdrawal, reinstatement of the conditioned drug-induced reward sets the stage to investigate epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction. We discuss behavioral, pharmacological and molecular findings from laboratory studies that document a broad spectrum of molecular and, behavioral evidence including potential hypotheses that can be tested with the crayfish model for epigenetic study in drug addiction research.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Behavior, Animal; Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; Environmental Exposure; Epigenesis, Genetic; Gene Expression; Histones; Metamorphosis, Biological; Models, Animal; Reward; Self Administration; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 31202808
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.06.003 -
The Science of the Total Environment Mar 2023Cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim are commonly used herbicides in rice-crayfish co-culture fields. In actual production, weed control in paddy fields is inseparable from...
Cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim are commonly used herbicides in rice-crayfish co-culture fields. In actual production, weed control in paddy fields is inseparable from cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim, while its risk to P. clarkii is still unclear. The present study investigated the risk of acute and subchronic toxicity of cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim to P. clarkii. The results showed that cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim exposure for 28 days could accumulate in P. clarkii muscle and inhibit P. clarkii growth. Further research found that the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in muscle of P. clarkii were significantly increased after exposure to cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim (4 days and 28 days), and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly altered. Histological results also confirmed cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim-induced muscle damage in P. clarkii. Additionally, after 28 days exposure to 1.02 mg/L cyhalofop-butyl and 10.4 mg/L pyribenzoxim, transcriptome analysis identified 2029 and 4246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Exposure to 1.02 mg/L cyhalofop-butyl significantly altered metabolism-related pathways, such as drug metabolism-other enzymes, glutathione metabolism, drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, fatty acid biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation. While the pathways related to antioxidant system and nutrient substances synthesis and metabolic were significantly enriched after exposure to 10.4 mg/L pyribenzoxim. This research has significant implications for scientific and rational use of herbicides under rice-crayfish co-culture and will contribute to the development of the highly productive agricultural model.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Transcriptome; Oxidative Stress; Herbicides; Antioxidants; Glutathione; Muscles; Fatty Acids
PubMed: 36572293
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161170 -
Fish & Shellfish Immunology Oct 2023Though Procambarus clarkii (red swamp crayfish) is a lower invertebrate, it has nonetheless developed a complex innate immune system. The crayfish farming industry has... (Review)
Review
Though Procambarus clarkii (red swamp crayfish) is a lower invertebrate, it has nonetheless developed a complex innate immune system. The crayfish farming industry has suffered considerable economic losses in recent years as a consequence of bacterial and viral diseases. Hence, perhaps the most effective ways to prevent microbial infections in P. clarkii are to examine and elucidate its innate immunity. The first step in the immune response is to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs are expressed mainly on immune cell surfaces and recognize at least one PAMP. Thence, downstream immune responses are activated and pathogens are phagocytosed. To date, the PRRs identified in P. clarkii include Toll-like receptors (TLRs), lectins, fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs), and β-1,3-glucan-binding proteins (BGRPs). The present review addresses recent progress in research on PRRs and aims to provide guidance for improving immunity and preventing and treating infectious diseases in P. clarkii.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Receptors, Pattern Recognition; Immunity, Innate; Toll-Like Receptors; Bacteria
PubMed: 37633345
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.109028 -
Journal of the Science of Food and... Jul 2021Rice-crayfish coculture (RC) uses 10% of the paddy field area for crayfish ditches, with rice cultivated in the remaining area, providing staple carbohydrates alongside... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rice-crayfish coculture (RC) uses 10% of the paddy field area for crayfish ditches, with rice cultivated in the remaining area, providing staple carbohydrates alongside fish rich in protein and essential oils. These systems rely on complex interactions, involving nutrient cycling, fish feeding, soil physicochemical modification, and insect-pest predation, and have important socio-economic effects. Past studies have considered only one or a few of these aspects pertinent to food system sustainability, and there remains a need for an integrated assessment of RC systems. In this mini-review, we collate data from two field experiments and three field surveys published across eight papers to synthesize the overall sustainability of RC systems in Jianghan Plain in China.
RESULTS
In deep groundwater fields, the RC rice yield was 30-55% lower than for typical rice-rapeseed (RR) rotations, while CH emission and pesticide use were 41-96% and 50% lower, respectively. In shallow groundwater fields, RC rice yield was similar to typical rice monoculture (RM) cultivation, while CH emission and pesticide use were 28-41% and 17% lower for RC cultivation. Field survey data indicated that RC can improve soil nutrient and organic matter content significantly compared with RM cultivation, and also increase the diversity of fauna and flora in the paddy field whilst reducing the incidence of chilo suppressalis (a major rice pest). Feed inputs to RC systems increased crayfish yield by 31-71% and reduced the fraction of N inputs lost to the environment from 71% to 41%.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that RC systems with feed inputs in areas with shallow groundwater can deliver improved food security, sustainability, and resilience through ecological intensification. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; China; Coculture Techniques; Crop Production; Oryza
PubMed: 33336495
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11019