Fast Neurotransmission Related Genes Are Expressed in Non Nervous Endoderm in the Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis

Abstract

Cnidarian nervous systems utilize chemical transmission to transfer signals through synapses and neurons. To date, ample evidence has been accumulated for the participation of neuropeptides, primarily RFamides, in neurotransmission. Yet, it is still not clear if this is the case for the classical fast neurotransmitters such as GABA, Glutamate, Acetylcholine and Monoamines. A large repertoire of cnidarian Fast Neurotransmitter related Genes (FNGs) has been recently identified in the genome of the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. In order to test whether FNGs are localized in cnidarian neurons, we characterized the expression patterns of eight Nematostella genes that are closely or distantly related to human central and peripheral nervous systems genes, in adult Nematostella and compared them to the RFamide localization. Our results show common expression patterns for all tested genes, in a single endodermal cell layer. These expressions did not correspond with the RFamide expressing nerve cell network. Following these results we suggest that the tested Nematostella genes may not be directly involved in vertebrate-like fast neurotransmission.

Analyzing Nootropic Effect of <i>Phyllanthus reticulatus</i> Poir. on Cognitive Functions, Brain Antioxidant Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterase Activity against Aluminium-Induced Alzheimer’s Model in Rats: Applicable for Controlling the Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…It is an exzyme of carboxylesterase family that catalyzes the breakdown of ACh and of some other choline esters that function as neurotransmitters. AChE is available in primarily neuromuscular junctions and in chemical synapses of the cholinergic type [86]. The results of this study exposed that AChE activity was significantly decreased in the EEPR treated rats.…”

Characterization of nAChRs in Nematostella vectensis supports neuronal and non-neuronal roles in the cnidarian–bilaterian common ancestor

“…Tentacles relax after contracting (Fig. 1G; Additional files 6, 7: Videos S2, S3), presumably due to degradation of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterases, which are known to exist and are widely expressed in N. vectensis [6, 9, 10, 47]. We did not detect any additional contractions, even after 5 min, and the rate of peristaltic contractile waves that occurred in the body column was unaltered by acetylcholine (Additional file 8: Figure S4A).…”

Neuroactive compounds induce larval settlement in the scleractinian coral Leptastrea purpurea

“…The influence of TBP on the regulation of GABA-expressing genes has been investigated but did not show any involvement of GABA and GABA-expressing genes in the settlement process 12 . Apart from the genes associated with the GABA system, glutamate transporter genes (vGlut) have been identified in anthozoans 107 . When more genes connected to neurophysiological agents will be located and identified in corals, a similar approach with natural settlement-inducing agents could reveal a possible involvement of other transmitters.…”