-
Scientific Reports May 2022Here we utilize chemical ecology as a tool to manipulate the biological system of a small, but highly venomous to humans, cubozoan jellyfish, Carukia barnesi. We...
Here we utilize chemical ecology as a tool to manipulate the biological system of a small, but highly venomous to humans, cubozoan jellyfish, Carukia barnesi. We trialled a range of chemical reagents including indole compounds, 9-cis-retinoic acid and lugols solution to induce metamorphosis between the polyp and medusa life stages. An optimum method was determined resulting in a 90% metamorphosis rate to healthy medusa by exposing the polyps to 1 μM of 5-methoxy-2-methylindole for 24 h. Of note is that chemical exposure time significantly impacts health and metamorphosis rates in this species. We also present a theoretical mechanism for the chemical/biological interactions occurring during metamorphosis. This is a significant methodological advancement which now enables rearing of this animal en mass in aquaria-a world first for this species-which will subsequently supply and facilitate venom research into this understudied jellyfish.
Topics: Animals; Cnidaria; Cubozoa; Ecology; Metamorphosis, Biological; Scyphozoa
PubMed: 35641559
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12812-2 -
Developmental Biology Dec 2015Hormonal control of development during the human perinatal period is critically important and complex with multiple hormones regulating fetal growth, brain development,... (Review)
Review
Hormonal control of development during the human perinatal period is critically important and complex with multiple hormones regulating fetal growth, brain development, and organ maturation in preparation for birth. Genetic and environmental perturbations of such hormonal control may cause irreversible morphological and physiological impairments and may also predispose individuals to diseases of adulthood, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Endocrine and molecular mechanisms that regulate perinatal development and that underlie the connections between early life events and adult diseases are not well elucidated. Such mechanisms are difficult to study in uterus-enclosed mammalian embryos because of confounding maternal effects. To elucidate mechanisms of developmental endocrinology in the perinatal period, Xenopus laevis the African clawed frog is a valuable vertebrate model. Frogs and humans have identical hormones which peak at birth and metamorphosis, have conserved hormone receptors and mechanisms of gene regulation, and have comparable roles for hormones in many target organs. Study of molecular and endocrine mechanisms of hormone-dependent development in frogs is advantageous because an extended free-living larval period followed by metamorphosis (1) is independent of maternal endocrine influence, (2) exhibits dramatic yet conserved developmental effects induced by thyroid and glucocorticoid hormones, and (3) begins at a developmental stage with naturally undetectable hormone levels, thereby facilitating endocrine manipulation and interpretation of results. This review highlights the utility of frog metamorphosis to elucidate molecular and endocrine actions, hormone interactions, and endocrine disruption, especially with respect to thyroid hormone. Knowledge from the frog model is expected to provide fundamental insights to aid medical understanding of endocrine disease, stress, and endocrine disruption affecting the perinatal period in humans.
Topics: Animals; Child Development; Endocrine Disruptors; Endocrine System; Female; Fetal Development; Hormones; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Metamorphosis, Biological; Models, Animal; Models, Biological; Pregnancy; Thyroid Hormones; Xenopus laevis
PubMed: 25744725
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.02.018 -
Current Biology : CB May 2010
Topics: Animals; Drosophila melanogaster; Larva; Metamorphosis, Biological; Morphogenesis
PubMed: 20504747
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.03.010 -
Developmental Dynamics : An Official... Dec 2021Metamorphosis in marine species is characterized by profound changes at the ecophysiological, morphological, and cellular levels. The cnidarian Clytia hemisphaerica...
BACKGROUND
Metamorphosis in marine species is characterized by profound changes at the ecophysiological, morphological, and cellular levels. The cnidarian Clytia hemisphaerica exhibits a triphasic life cycle that includes a planula larva, a colonial polyp, and a sexually reproductive medusa. Most studies so far have focused on the embryogenesis of this species, whereas its metamorphosis has been only partially studied.
RESULTS
We investigated the main morphological changes of the planula larva of Clytia during the metamorphosis, and the associated cell proliferation and apoptosis. Based on our observations of planulae at successive times following artificial metamorphosis induction using GLWamide, we subdivided the Clytia's metamorphosis into a series of eight morphological stages occurring during a pre-settlement phase (from metamorphosis induction to planula ready for settlement) and the post-settlement phase (from planula settlement to primary polyp). Drastic morphological changes prior to definitive adhesion to the substrate were accompanied by specific patterns of stem-cell proliferation as well as apoptosis in both ectoderm and endoderm. Further waves of apoptosis occurring once the larva has settled were associated with morphogenesis of the primary polyp.
CONCLUSION
Clytia larval metamorphosis is characterized by distinct patterns of apoptosis and cell proliferation during the pre-settlement phase and the settled planula-to-polyp transformation.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Polarity; Cell Proliferation; Hydrozoa; Larva; Life Cycle Stages; Metamorphosis, Biological; Stem Cells
PubMed: 34036636
DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.376 -
Behavioral Neuroscience Dec 2019Many species of anuran amphibians (frogs and toads) undergo metamorphosis, a developmental process during which external and internal body morphologies transform... (Review)
Review
Many species of anuran amphibians (frogs and toads) undergo metamorphosis, a developmental process during which external and internal body morphologies transform dramatically as the animal transitions to a new ecosystem (from aquatic to terrestrial) and develops new behavior patterns (from filter-feeding to active pursuit of moving prey; from mostly mute to highly vocal). All sensory systems transform to some extent during metamorphosis, even in those "primitive" anuran species that remain fully aquatic in adult life. In this article, I review what is known about the development of the auditory system in anuran tadpoles. I identify crucial developmental windows for major maturational events in the ear and brainstem that showcase the structural and physiological reorganization of the substrates for hearing airborne sounds as the animal navigates the metamorphic transition. I argue that auditory development is dynamic and nonlinear, and I point out areas for future investigation. Understanding metamorphosis can shed light on how organisms adapt to major environmental challenges. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Animals; Anura; Auditory Pathways; Hearing; Larva; Metamorphosis, Biological; Sound
PubMed: 31448929
DOI: 10.1037/bne0000340 -
Biomolecular Concepts Sep 2017Amphibian metamorphosis has historically attracted a good deal of scientific attention owing to its dramatic nature and easy observability. However, the genetic... (Review)
Review
Amphibian metamorphosis has historically attracted a good deal of scientific attention owing to its dramatic nature and easy observability. However, the genetic mechanisms of amphibian metamorphosis have not been thoroughly examined using modern techniques such as gene cloning, DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction or genomic editing. Here, we review the current state of knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms underlying tadpole tail resorption.
Topics: Animals; Anura; Autolysis; Metamorphosis, Biological; Models, Biological; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Phagocytosis; Reptilian Proteins; Species Specificity; Tail; Xenopus
PubMed: 28873065
DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2017-0022 -
Environmental Science & Technology Dec 2023Metamorphosis is a critical process in the life cycle of most marine benthic invertebrates, determining their transition from plankton to benthos. It affects dispersal...
Metamorphosis is a critical process in the life cycle of most marine benthic invertebrates, determining their transition from plankton to benthos. It affects dispersal and settlement and therefore decisively influences the dynamics of marine invertebrate populations. An extended period of metamorphic competence is an adaptive feature of numerous invertebrate species that increases the likelihood of finding a habitat suitable for settlement and survival. We found that crude oil and residues of burnt oil rapidly induce metamorphosis in two different marine invertebrate larvae, a previously unknown sublethal effect of oil pollution. When exposed to environmentally realistic oil concentrations, up to 84% of tested echinoderm larvae responded by undergoing metamorphosis. Similarly, up to 87% of gastropod larvae metamorphosed in response to burnt oil residues. This study demonstrates that crude oil and its burned residues can act as metamorphic inducers in marine planktonic larvae, short-circuiting adaptive metamorphic delay. Future studies on molecular pathways and oil-bacteria-metamorphosis interactions are needed to fully understand the direct or indirect mechanisms of oil-induced metamorphosis in marine invertebrates. With 90% of chronic oiling occurring in coastal areas, this previously undescribed impact of crude oil on planktonic larvae may have global implications for marine invertebrate populations and biodiversity.
Topics: Animals; Petroleum; Invertebrates; Metamorphosis, Biological; Ecosystem; Life Cycle Stages; Larva
PubMed: 37963269
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05194 -
The International Journal of... 2015During Drosophila development, the steroid hormone ecdysone plays a key role in the transition from embryo into larva and then into pupa. It is during larval-pupal... (Review)
Review
During Drosophila development, the steroid hormone ecdysone plays a key role in the transition from embryo into larva and then into pupa. It is during larval-pupal metamorphosis that extensive programmed cell death occurs to remove large obsolete larval tissues. During this transition, ecdysone pulses control the expression of specific transcription factors which drive the expression of key genes involved in cell death, thus spatially and temporally controlling programmed cell death. Ecdysone also controls cell death in specific larval and adult tissues. This review focuses on the current knowledge of ecdysone-mediated cell death in Drosophila.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Drosophila; Ecdysone; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Larva; Metamorphosis, Biological; Pupa
PubMed: 26374522
DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.150055sk -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... May 2022How larvae of the many phyla of marine invertebrates find places appropriate for settlement, metamorphosis, growth, and reproduction is an enduring question in marine...
How larvae of the many phyla of marine invertebrates find places appropriate for settlement, metamorphosis, growth, and reproduction is an enduring question in marine science. Biofilm-induced metamorphosis has been observed in marine invertebrate larvae from nearly every major marine phylum. Despite the widespread nature of this phenomenon, the mechanism of induction remains poorly understood. The serpulid polychaete Hydroides elegans is a well established model for investigating bacteria-induced larval development. A broad range of biofilm bacterial species elicit larval metamorphosis in H. elegans via at least two mechanisms, including outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and complexes of phage-tail bacteriocins. We investigated the interaction between larvae of H. elegans and the inductive bacterium Cellulophaga lytica, which produces an abundance of OMVs but not phage-tail bacteriocins. We asked whether the OMVs of C. lytica induce larval settlement due to cell membrane components or through delivery of specific cargo. Employing a biochemical structure–function approach with a strong ecological focus, the cells and OMVs produced by C. lytica were interrogated to determine the class of the inductive compounds. Here, we report that larvae of H. elegans are induced to metamorphose by lipopolysaccharide produced by C. lytica. The widespread prevalence of lipopolysaccharide and its associated taxonomic and structural variability suggest it may be a broadly employed cue for bacterially induced larval settlement of marine invertebrates.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Biofilms; Invertebrates; Larva; Lipopolysaccharides; Metamorphosis, Biological
PubMed: 35467986
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200795119 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2020Marine biofilms are composed of many species of bacteria, unicellular algae, and protozoa. Biofilms can induce, inhibit, or have no effect on settlement of larvae and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Marine biofilms are composed of many species of bacteria, unicellular algae, and protozoa. Biofilms can induce, inhibit, or have no effect on settlement of larvae and spores of algae. In this review, we focus on induction of larval settlement by marine bacteria and unicellular eukaryotes and review publications from 2010 to September 2019. This review provides insights from meta-analysis on what is known about the effect of marine biofilms on larval settlement. Of great interest is the impact of different components of marine biofilms, such as bacteria and diatoms, extracellular polymeric substances, quorum sensing signals, unique inductive compounds, exoenzymes, and structural protein degradation products on larval settlement and metamorphosis. Molecular aspects of larval settlement and impact of climate change are reviewed and, finally, potential areas of future investigations are provided.
Topics: Animals; Aquatic Organisms; Bacteria; Biofilms; Diatoms; Humans; Larva; Metamorphosis, Biological
PubMed: 31979128
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030731