scholarly journals (Un)expected Similarity of the Temporary Adhesive Systems of Marine, Brackish, and Freshwater Flatworms

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12228
Author(s):  
Philip Bertemes ◽  
Robert Pjeta ◽  
Julia Wunderer ◽  
Alexandra L. Grosbusch ◽  
Birgit Lengerer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Adhesive System ◽  
Wound Dressings ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Anchor Cell ◽  
Adhesive Proteins ◽  
Related Proteins

Many free-living flatworms have evolved a temporary adhesion system, which allows them to quickly attach to and release from diverse substrates. In the marine Macrostomum lignano, the morphology of the adhesive system and the adhesion-related proteins have been characterised. However, little is known about how temporary adhesion is performed in other aquatic environments. Here, we performed a 3D reconstruction of the M. lignano adhesive organ and compared it to the morphology of five selected Macrostomum, representing two marine, one brackish, and two freshwater species. We compared the protein domains of the two adhesive proteins, as well as an anchor cell-specific intermediate filament. We analysed the gene expression of these proteins by in situ hybridisation and performed functional knockdowns with RNA interference. Remarkably, there are almost no differences in terms of morphology, protein regions, and gene expression based on marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats. This implies that glue components produced by macrostomids are conserved among species, and this set of two-component glue functions from low to high salinity. These findings could contribute to the development of novel reversible biomimetic glues that work in all wet environments and could have applications in drug delivery systems, tissue adhesives, or wound dressings.

Expression of p53 during mouse embryogenesis

Development ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 857-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Schmid ◽  
A. Lorenz ◽  
H. Hameister ◽  
M. Montenarh
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cellular Differentiation ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Terminal Differentiation ◽  
Mouse Embryogenesis ◽  
Differentiated Cells ◽  
The Brain ◽  
P53 Mrna

By in situ hybridisation we have examined the expression of p53 during mouse embryogenesis from day 8.5 to day 18.5 post coitum (p.c.). High levels of p53 mRNA were detected in all cells of the day 8.5 p.c. and 10.5 p.c. mouse embryo. However, at later stages of development, expression became more pronounced during differentiation of specific tissues e.g. of the brain, liver, lung, thymus, intestine, salivary gland and kidney. In cells undergoing terminal differentiation, the level of p53 mRNA declined strongly. In the brain, hybridisation signals were also observed in postmitotic but not yet terminally differentiated cells. Therefore, gene expression of p53 does not appear to be linked with cellular proliferation in this organ. A proposed role for p53 in cellular differentiation is discussed.

Proteinase-activated receptors in ovine cervical function

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon E. Mitchell ◽  
John J. Robinson ◽  
Margaret E. King ◽  
Lynda M. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Prostaglandin F2α ◽  
Cervical Dilation ◽  
Proteinase Activated Receptors ◽  
Pregnant Ewe ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Function

In sheep, inflammation not only functions in cervical dilation at parturition, but also plays an important part in the non-pregnant ewe cervix, as demonstrated by the high level of expression of interleukin (IL)-8 at oestrus. Ewes artificially induced to ovulate have significantly lower levels of IL-8 gene expression at oestrus compared with natural oestrus, indicating an inhibition of inflammation and function, offering an explanation for the low rates of conception in vaginally inseminated synchronised ewes. To identify potential pro-inflammatory agents to combat the anti-inflammatory effects of hormonal synchronisation of oestrus, we have investigated the role of proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)-1 and PAR-2. To localise and measure the level of expression of these receptors, ovine-specific probes were derived for PAR-1 and PAR-2 and used for quantitative in situ hybridisation in the ovine cervix. Both PAR-1 and PAR-2 were expressed in the luminal epithelium of the cervix throughout the oestrous cycle, with expression being highest at oestrus. The gene expression of PAR-2 at oestrus was approximately 30% higher than that of PAR-1. Artificial synchronisation of oestrus by either an intravaginal progesterone sponge or prostaglandin F2α injections did not inhibit PAR-1 or PAR-2 expression at oestrus; rather, in the case of PAR-2, progesterone synchronisation increased it. Both synchronising procedures increased the expression of PAR-1 and PAR-2 during the luteal phase of the cycle. Therefore, agonists of PAR-1 and PAR-2 may be potentially useful pro-inflammatory agents countering the inhibition of inflammation by hormonal synchronisation.

scholarly journals The neuroblast timer gene nubbin exhibits functional redundancy with gap genes to regulate segment identity in Tribolium

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia R A Tidswell ◽  
Matthew A Benton ◽  
Michael E Akam
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Gene Network ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Hox Gene ◽  
Gap Gene ◽  
Gap Genes ◽  
Sequential Mode ◽  
And Function

In Drosophila, segmentation genes of the gap class form a regulatory network that positions segment boundaries and assigns segment identities. This gene network shows striking parallels with another gene network known as the neuroblast timer series. The neuroblast timer genes hunchback, Krüppel, nubbin, and castor are expressed in temporal sequence in neural stem cells to regulate the fate of their progeny. These same four genes are expressed in corresponding spatial sequence along the Drosophila blastoderm. The first two, hunchback and Krüppel, are canonical gap genes, but nubbin and castor have limited or no roles in Drosophila segmentation. Whether nubbin and castor regulate segmentation in insects with the ancestral, sequential mode of segmentation remains largely unexplored. We have investigated the expression and functions of nubbin and castor during segment patterning in the sequentially-segmenting beetle Tribolium. Using multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridisation, we show that Tc-hunchback, Tc-Krüppel, Tc-nubbin and Tc-castor are expressed sequentially in the segment addition zone of Tribolium, in the same order as they are expressed in Drosophila neuroblasts. Furthermore, simultaneous disruption of multiple genes reveals that Tc-nubbin regulates segment identity, but does so redundantly with two previously described gap/gap-like genes, Tc-giant and Tc-knirps. Knockdown of two or more of these genes results in the formation of up to seven pairs of ectopic legs on abdominal segments. We show that this homeotic transformation is caused by loss of abdominal Hox gene expression, likely due to expanded Tc-Krüppel expression. Our findings support the theory that the neuroblast timer series was co-opted for use in insect segment patterning, and contribute to our growing understanding of the evolution and function of the gap gene network outside of Drosophila.

Lipopolysaccharide reduces gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) gene expression: role of RFamide-related peptide-3 and kisspeptin

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chooi Yeng Lee ◽  
ShengYun Li ◽  
Xiao Feng Li ◽  
Daniel A. E. Stalker ◽  
Claire Cooke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Concomitant Reduction ◽  
Intracerebroventricular Injections ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Lh Secretion

RFamide-related peptide (RFRP)-3 reduces luteinising hormone (LH) secretion in rodents. Stress has been shown to upregulate the expression of the RFRP gene (Rfrp) with a concomitant reduction in LH secretion, but an effect on expression of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) gene (Gnrh1) has not been shown. We hypothesised that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced stress affects expression of Rfrp, the gene for kisspeptin (Kiss1) and/or Gnrh1, leading to suppression of LH levels in rats. Intracerebroventricular injections of RFRP-3 (0.1, 1, 5 nmol) or i.v. LPS (15μgkg−1) reduced LH levels. Doses of 1 and 5 nmol RFRP-3 were then administered to analyse gene expression by in situ hybridisation. RFRP-3 (5 nmol) had no effect on Gnrh1 or Kiss1 expression. LPS stress reduced GnRH and Kiss1 expression, without affecting Rfrp1 expression. These data indicate that LPS stress directly or indirectly reduces Gnrh1 expression, but this is unlikely to be due to a change in Rfrp1 expression.

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