In vitro
 and in vivo
 pharmacological characterization of the novel UT receptor ligand [Pen5
,D
Trp7
,Dab8
]urotensin II(4-11) (UFP-803)

In the emerging area of nanotechnology, a key issue is related to the potential impacts of the novel nanomaterials on the environment and human health, so that this technology can be used with minimal risk. Specifically designed to combine on a single structure multipurpose tags and properties, smart nanomaterials need a comprehensive characterization of both chemicophysical properties and adequate toxicological evaluation, which is a challenging endeavour; thein vitrotoxicity assays that are often employed for nanotoxicity assessments do not accurately predictin vivoresponse. To overcome these limitations and to evaluate toxicity characteristics of cadmium telluride quantum dots in relation to surface coatings, we have employed the freshwater polypHydra vulgarisas a model system. We assessedin vivoacute and sublethal toxicity by scoring for alteration of morphological traits, population growth rates, and influence on the regenerative capabilities providing new investigation clues for nanotoxicology purposes.

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Molecular and functional characterization of somatostatin-type signalling in a deuterostome invertebrate

Open Biology ◽

10.1098/rsob.200172 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 200172

Author(s):

Ya Zhang ◽

Luis Alfonso Yañez Guerra ◽

Michaela Egertová ◽

Cleidiane G. Zampronio ◽

Alexandra M. Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Characterization ◽

The Body ◽

Pharmacological Characterization ◽

Cardiac Stomach ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

Pharmacological Tests ◽

The Central Nervous System

Somatostatin (SS) and allatostatin-C (ASTC) are structurally and evolutionarily related neuropeptides that act as inhibitory regulators of physiological processes in mammals and insects, respectively. Here, we report the first molecular and functional characterization of SS/ASTC-type signalling in a deuterostome invertebrate—the starfish Asterias rubens (phylum Echinodermata). Two SS/ASTC-type precursors were identified in A. rubens (ArSSP1 and ArSSP2) and the structures of neuropeptides derived from these proteins (ArSS1 and ArSS2) were analysed using mass spectrometry. Pharmacological characterization of three cloned A. rubens SS/ASTC-type receptors (ArSSR1–3) revealed that ArSS2, but not ArSS1, acts as a ligand for all three receptors. Analysis of ArSS2 expression in A. rubens using mRNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed stained cells/fibres in the central nervous system, the digestive system (e.g. cardiac stomach) and the body wall and its appendages (e.g. tube feet). Furthermore, in vitro pharmacological tests revealed that ArSS2 causes dose-dependent relaxation of tube foot and cardiac stomach preparations, while injection of ArSS2 in vivo causes partial eversion of the cardiac stomach. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular evolution of SS/ASTC-type signalling in the animal kingdom and reveal an ancient role of SS-type neuropeptides as inhibitory regulators of muscle contractility.

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