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- Title
Neuronal gene expression in two generations of the marine parasitic worm, Cryptocotyle lingua.
- Authors
Tolstenkov, Oleg; Chatzigeorgiou, Marios; Gorbushin, Alexander
- Abstract
Trematodes, or flukes, undergo intricate anatomical and behavioral transformations during their life cycle, yet the functional changes in their nervous system remain poorly understood. We investigated the molecular basis of nervous system function in Cryptocotyle lingua, a species of relevance for fisheries. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a streamlined molecular toolkit with the absence of key signaling pathways and ion channels. Notably, we observed the loss of nitric oxide synthase across the Platyhelminthes. Furthermore, we identified upregulated neuronal genes in dispersal larvae, including those involved in aminergic pathways, synaptic vesicle trafficking, TRPA channels, and surprisingly nitric oxide receptors. Using neuronal markers and in situ hybridization, we hypothesized their functional relevance to larval adaptations and host-finding strategies. Additionally, employing a behavior quantification toolkit, we assessed cercaria motility, facilitating further investigations into the behavior and physiology of parasitic flatworms. This study enhances our understanding of trematode neurobiology and provides insights for targeted antiparasitic strategies. Neurobiological analysis of the fish parasite, Cryptocotyle lingua, shows streamlined signaling and the absence of key pathways, including nitric oxide synthase, and sheds light on trematode host-infection adaptations.
- Subjects
MARINE worms; HELMINTHS; GENE expression; NITRIC-oxide synthases; TREMATODA; LIFE cycles (Biology); NEUROBIOLOGY
- Publication
Communications Biology, 2023, Vol 6, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2399-3642
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s42003-023-05675-4