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Wellcome Open Research 2023We present a genome assembly from an individual (the fish leech; Annelida; Clitellata; Hirudinida; Piscicolidae). The genome sequence is 171.1 megabases in span. Most...
We present a genome assembly from an individual (the fish leech; Annelida; Clitellata; Hirudinida; Piscicolidae). The genome sequence is 171.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 17 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.1 kilobases in length.
PubMed: 38813549
DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19488.1 -
PloS One 2024In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of Panax notoginseng and leech (PL) on renal fibrosis and explore the mechanisms underlying their actions....
In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of Panax notoginseng and leech (PL) on renal fibrosis and explore the mechanisms underlying their actions. For this study, we created an adenine-induced renal fibrosis model in SD rats to investigate the protective effect of PL on renal fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanism. Initially, we assessed the renal function in RF rats and found that Scr, BUN, and urine protein content decreased after PL treatment, indicating the protective effect of PL on renal function. Histological analysis using HE and Masson staining revealed that PL reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased collagen fiber deposition in renal tissue. Subsequently, we analyzed the levels of α-SMA, Col-IV, and FN, which are the main components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), using IHC, RT-qPCR, and WB. The results demonstrated that PL was effective in reducing the accumulation of ECM, with PL1-2 showing the highest effectiveness. To further understand the underlying mechanisms, we conducted UPLC-MS/MS analysis on the incoming components of the PL1-2 group. The results revealed several associations between the differential components and antioxidant and mitochondrial functions. This was further confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and biochemical indexes, which showed that PL1-2 ameliorated oxidative stress by reducing ROS and MDA production and increasing GSH and SOD levels. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy results indicated that PL1-2 promoted partial recovery of mitochondrial morphology and cristae. Finally, using RT-qPCR and WB, an increase in the expression of mitochondrial fusion proteins Mfn1, Mfn2, and Opa1 after PL1-2 treatment was observed, coupled with a decline in the expression and phosphorylation of mitochondrial cleavage proteins Fis and Drp1. These findings collectively demonstrate that PL1-2 ameliorates renal fibrosis by reducing oxidative stress and restoring mitochondrial balance.
Topics: Animals; Panax notoginseng; Fibrosis; Mitochondria; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Leeches; Male; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Oxidative Stress; Disease Models, Animal; Extracellular Matrix; Mitochondrial Dynamics
PubMed: 38809875
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303906 -
PeerJ 2024The ultrastructural diversity of the Middle and Late Jurassic serpulid tubes from the Polish Basin has been investigated. The inspection of 12 taxa representing the two...
The ultrastructural diversity of the Middle and Late Jurassic serpulid tubes from the Polish Basin has been investigated. The inspection of 12 taxa representing the two major serpulid clades allowed for the identification of three ultrastructure types-irregularly oriented prismatic structure (IOP), spherulitic prismatic structure (SPHP), and simple prismatic structure (SP). Six of the studied species are single-layered and six species possess two distinct layers. Ultrastructural diversity corresponds to certain serpulid clades. The members of Filograninae have single-layered tube walls composed of possibly plesiomorphic, irregularly oriented prismatic structure (IOP). Two-layered tubes occur solely within the clade Serpulinae, where the external, denser layer is built of either the ordered spherulitic (SPHP) or simple prismatic microstructure (SP), and the internal layer is composed of irregularly oriented prismatic structure (IOP). Apart from phylogenetic signals provided by the tube ultrastructure, it can be used in analyzing paleoecological aspects of tube-dwelling polychaetes. Compared to the more primitive, irregularly oriented microstructures of Filograninae, the regularly oriented microstructures of Serpulinae need a higher level of biological control over biomineralization. The advent of the dense outer protective layer (DOL) in serpulids, as well as the general increase in ultrastructure diversity, was likely a result of the evolutionary importance of the tubes for serpulids. Such diversity of the tube ultrastructural fabrics allowed for maximizing functionality by utilizing a variety of morphogenetic programs. The biomineralization system of serpulids remains more complex compared to other tube-dwelling polychaetes. Physiologically more expensive tube formation allows for mechanical strengthening of the tube by building robust, strongly ornamented tubes and firm attachment to the substrate. Contrary to sabellids, which perform a fugitive strategy, an increased tube durability allows serpulids a competitive advantage over other encrusters.
Topics: Fossils; Phylogeny; Animals; Polychaeta; Poland; Paleontology; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
PubMed: 38799070
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17389 -
PeerJ 2024Lake Baikal is one of the largest and oldest freshwater reservoirs on the planet with a huge endemic diversity of amphipods (Amphipoda, Crustacea). These crustaceans...
Lake Baikal is one of the largest and oldest freshwater reservoirs on the planet with a huge endemic diversity of amphipods (Amphipoda, Crustacea). These crustaceans have various symbiotic relationships, including the rarely described phenomenon of leech parasitism on amphipods. It is known that leeches feeding on hemolymph of crustacean hosts can influence their physiology, especially under stressful conditions. Here we show that leeches (Grube, 1871) found on gills of (Gerstfeldt, 1858), one of the most abundant amphipods in the Baikal littoral zone, indeed feed on the hemolymph of their host. However, the leech infection had no effect on immune parameters such as hemocyte concentration or phenoloxidase activity and also did not affect glycogen content. The intensity of hemocyte reaction to foreign bodies in a primary culture was identical between leech-free and leech-infected animals. Artificial infection with leeches also had only a subtle effect on the course of a model microbial infection in terms of hemocyte concentration and composition. Despite we cannot fully exclude deleterious effects of the parasites, our study indicates a low influence of a few leeches on and shows that leech-infected amphipods can be used at least for some types of ecophysiological experiments.
Topics: Animals; Amphipoda; Hemolymph; Leeches; Lakes; Hemocytes; Immunity, Cellular; Siberia; Host-Parasite Interactions
PubMed: 38770098
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17348 -
Animal Cells and Systems 2024Unlike vertebrates, the number of toothed taxa in invertebrates is very few, with leeches being the only tooth-bearing organisms in the phylum Annelida. Copious studies...
Unlike vertebrates, the number of toothed taxa in invertebrates is very few, with leeches being the only tooth-bearing organisms in the phylum Annelida. Copious studies have been conducted regarding vertebrate teeth; however, studies regarding the structure and function of invertebrate teeth are limited. In this study, the tooth structure of leeches, specifically and , was revealed, which showed sharp and pointed teeth along the apex of three jaws. Understanding conserved signaling regulations among analogous organs is crucial for uncovering the underlying mechanisms during organogenesis. Therefore, to shed light on the evolutionary perspective of odontogenesis to some extent, we conducted de novo transcriptome analyses using embryonic mouse tooth germs, teeth, and proboscises to identify conserved signaling molecules involved in tooth development. The selection criteria were particularly based on the presence of tooth-related genes in mice, teeth, and proboscis, wherein 4113 genes were commonly expressed in all three specimens. Furthermore, the chemical nature of leech teeth was also examined via TEM-EDS to compare the chemical composition with vertebrate teeth. The examination of tissue-specific genetic information and chemical nature between leeches and mice revealed chemical similarities between leech and mice teeth, as well as conserved signaling molecules involved in tooth formation, including , , and . Based on our findings, we propose that leech teeth express signaling molecules conserved in mice and these conserved tooth-specific signaling for dental hard tissue formation in mice would corresponds to the structural formation of the toothed jaw in leeches.
PubMed: 38741948
DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2024.2350736 -
Nature Communications May 2024Organisms generate shapes across size scales. Whereas patterning and morphogenesis of macroscopic tissues has been extensively studied, the principles underlying the...
Organisms generate shapes across size scales. Whereas patterning and morphogenesis of macroscopic tissues has been extensively studied, the principles underlying the formation of micrometric and submicrometric structures remain largely enigmatic. Individual cells of polychaete annelids, so-called chaetoblasts, are associated with the generation of chitinous bristles of highly stereotypic geometry. Here we show that bristle formation requires a chitin-producing enzyme specifically expressed in the chaetoblasts. Chaetoblasts exhibit dynamic cell surfaces with stereotypical patterns of actin-rich microvilli. These microvilli can be matched with internal and external structures of bristles reconstructed from serial block-face electron micrographs. Individual chitin teeth are deposited by microvilli in an extension-disassembly cycle resembling a biological 3D printer. Consistently, pharmacological interference with actin dynamics leads to defects in tooth formation. Our study reveals that both material and shape of bristles are encoded by the same cell, and that microvilli play a role in micro- to submicrometric sculpting of biomaterials.
Topics: Microvilli; Animals; Chitin; Polychaeta; Actins; Morphogenesis
PubMed: 38740737
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48044-3 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024To assess the impact of Enchytraeidae (potworms) on the functioning of the decomposer system, knowledge of the feeding preferences of enchytraeid species is required....
To assess the impact of Enchytraeidae (potworms) on the functioning of the decomposer system, knowledge of the feeding preferences of enchytraeid species is required. Different food preferences can be explained by variations in enzymatic activities among different enchytraeid species, as there are no significant differences in the morphology or anatomy of their alimentary tracts. However, it is crucial to distinguish between the contribution of microbial enzymes and the animal's digestive capacity. Here, we computationally analyzed the endogenous digestive enzyme genes in . The analysis was based on RNA-Seq of COI-monohaplotype culture (PL-A strain) specimens, utilizing transcriptome profiling to determine the trophic position of the species. We also corroborated the results obtained using transcriptomics data from genetically heterogeneous freeze-tolerant strains. Our results revealed that . expresses a wide range of glycosidases, including GH9 cellulases and a specific digestive SH3b-domain-containing i-type lysozyme, previously described in the earthworm . Therefore, . combines traits of both primary decomposers (primary saprophytophages) and secondary decomposers (sapro-microphytophages/microbivores) and can be defined as an intermediate decomposer. Based on assemblies of publicly available RNA-Seq reads, we found close homologs for these cellulases and i-type lysozymes in various clitellate taxa, including Crassiclitellata and Enchytraeidae.
Topics: Animals; Transcriptome; Gene Expression Profiling; Oligochaeta; Digestion; Glycoside Hydrolases
PubMed: 38731903
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094685 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Apr 2024Delle Chiaje, 1841 (Annelida, Onuphidae) is one of the most exploited polychaete species in European waters, particularly in Ria de Aveiro, a coastal lagoon in mainland...
Combined Use of Fatty Acid Profiles and Elemental Fingerprints to Trace the Geographic Origin of Live Baits for Sports Fishing: The Solitary Tube Worm (, Annelida, Onuphidae) as a Case Study.
Delle Chiaje, 1841 (Annelida, Onuphidae) is one of the most exploited polychaete species in European waters, particularly in Ria de Aveiro, a coastal lagoon in mainland Portugal, where the overexploitation of this resource has led to a generalized decline of local populations. In an attempt to reduce the impact of harvesting, several management actions were implemented, but illegal poaching still fuels a parallel economy that threatens the sustainable use of this marine resource. The present study evaluated the combination of fatty acid profiles and elemental fingerprints of the whole body and jaws, respectively, of collected from four harvesting locations within Ria de Aveiro in order to determine if their geographic origin could be correctly assigned post-harvesting. Results showed that both fatty acid profiles and elemental fingerprints differ significantly among locations, discriminating the geographic origin with higher accuracy when combining these two natural barcodes than when employing each individually. The present work can, therefore, contribute to the implementation of an effective management plan for the sustainable use of this marine resource, making it possible to detect if was sourced from no-take zones and if it was collected from the place of origin claimed by live bait traders.
PubMed: 38731365
DOI: 10.3390/ani14091361 -
ZooKeys 2024Annelid biodiversity studies in the Red Sea are limited and integrative taxonomy is needed to accurately improve reference libraries in the region. As part of the...
Annelid biodiversity studies in the Red Sea are limited and integrative taxonomy is needed to accurately improve reference libraries in the region. As part of the bioblitz effort in Saudi Arabia to assess the invertebrate biodiversity in the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba, specimens from intertidal marine and lagoon-like rocky environments were selected for an independent assessment, given the known taxonomic ambiguities in this genus. This study used an integrative approach, combining molecular with morphological and geographic data. Our results demonstrate that specimens found mainly in the Gulf of Aqaba are not only morphologically different from other five similar Group I species reported in the region, but phylogenetic analysis using available COI sequences from GenBank revealed different molecular operational taxonomic units, suggesting an undescribed species, The new species is genetically close and shares a similar paragnath pattern to the Indo-Pacific distributed , in particular in Area III and Areas VII-VIII. Therefore, we suggest it may belong to the same species complex. However, differs from the latter mainly in the shorter length of the postero-dorsal tentacular cirri, median parapodia with much longer dorsal Tentacular cirri, posteriormost parapodia with much wider and greatly expanded dorsal ligules. Additionally, two new records are reported for the Saudi Neom area belonging to and , previously described only for the Egyptian coast (Suez Canal) and are distributed sympatrically with the new species, but apparently not sympatric with each other.
PubMed: 38726099
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1196.115260 -
PloS One 2024The spatial patterns of taxonomic diversity of annelid polychaete species from the continental shelf in the Southern Gulf of Mexico were examined in this study. We used...
The spatial patterns of taxonomic diversity of annelid polychaete species from the continental shelf in the Southern Gulf of Mexico were examined in this study. We used taxonomic distinctness and its spatial variations to explore the diversity patterns and how they change between Southern Gulf of Mexico regions. In addition, using taxonomic distinctness as a dissimilarity measure and Ward's Clustering, we characterized three distinct faunal assemblages. We also investigated patterns of richness, taxonomic distinctness, and distance decay of similarity between sampling stations as a ß-diversity measure. Finally, we examined the spatial relationships between polychaete assemblages and environmental variables to test the relative importance of spatial and environmental components in annelid polychaete community structure from the Southern Gulf of Mexico. We used a combination of eigenvector-based multivariate analyses (dbMEMs) and distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) to quantify the relative importance of these explanatory variables on the spatial variations of taxonomic distinctness. The significance level of spatial and environmental components to the distribution of polychaete species showed that the combined effect of spatial processes and sediment characteristics explained a higher percentage of the variance than those parameters could alone.
Topics: Animals; Gulf of Mexico; Biodiversity; Polychaeta; Ecosystem; Geologic Sediments
PubMed: 38718003
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303250