Project description:Anuran metamorphosis is characterized by profound morphological changes including remodeling of tissues and organs. Here we investigate serum of Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana (n=5-10) across seven distinct postembryonic stages beginning with premetamorphic tadpole (Gosner stage 31-33) and continuing through metamorphosis to a juvenile frog (Gosner stage 46). Using a sensitive nanoLC-Orbitrap system an untargeted analysis workflow was applied. Among 6,062 detected endogenous metabolites, 421 showed significant metamorphosis-dependent concentration dynamics. Among these potential bioindicators were several prostaglandins and other eicosanoids, some steroid hormones including testosterone, and several carnitines. These data provide a necessary context for interpreting developmental processes and potential molecular crosstalk mechanisms. Furthermore, this provides a solid foundation from which alternative bioindicators of metamorphosis may be chosen as feasible endpoints in future risk assessment of chemicals and their potency for causing developmental toxicity.
Project description:Metamorphosis is a widely studied post-embryonic process in which many tissues undergo dramatic modifications to adapt to the new adult lifestyle. Flatfish represent a good example of metamorphosis in teleosts. During flatfish metamorphosis, organ regression and neo-formation occur, being the most remarkable change the migration of one of the eyes to the other side of the body. In order to create a useful and reliable tool to advance the molecular study of metamorphosis in flatfish, we generated a chromatin accessible atlas as well as gene expression profile during four developmental stages ranging from a phylotypic stage to a post-metamorphic stage. We identified 29,019 accessible regions of chromatin and 3,253 differentially expressed genes. We found stage-specific regulatory regions and gene expression profile, supporting the quality of the results. Our work provides strongly reproducible data for further studies to elucidate the regulatory elements that ensure successful metamorphosis.
Project description:Metamorphosis is a widely studied post-embryonic process in which many tissues undergo dramatic modifications to adapt to the new adult lifestyle. Flatfish represent a good example of metamorphosis in teleosts. During flatfish metamorphosis, organ regression and neo-formation occur, being the most remarkable change the migration of one of the eyes to the other side of the body. In order to create a useful and reliable tool to advance the molecular study of metamorphosis in flatfish, we generated a chromatin accessible atlas as well as gene expression profile during four developmental stages ranging from a phylotypic stage to a post-metamorphic stage. We identified 29,019 accessible regions of chromatin and 3,253 differentially expressed genes. We found stage-specific regulatory regions and gene expression profile, supporting the quality of the results. Our work provides strongly reproducible data for further studies to elucidate the regulatory elements that ensure successful metamorphosis.
Project description:In order to analyse gene expression during metamorphosis of Sycon ciliatum (Calcispongiae), we generated a series of RNA-Seq libraries representing subsequent stages of metamorphosis, ranging from freshly settled postlarvae (stage I) to functional ascon-grade juveniles (stage V).
Project description:Tunicates, including ascidians, are recognized as the true “sister group” of vertebrates and are emerging as models to study the development and degeneration of central nervous system (CNS). Ascidian larvae have the typical chordate body plan that includes a dorsal neural tube. During their metamorphosis, a deep tissue reorganization takes place, with some tissues that degenerate while others develop to become functional during the adult life. The larval CNS also degenerates and most neurons disappear, making room to the formation of adult CNS. The genome of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis has been sequenced and annotated, with several CNS specific genes that have been characterized, revealing specification mechanisms shared with humans. These features make ascidian metamorphosis a good model to study the mechanisms underlying physiological CNS degeneration and to compare them to the pathological condition typical of neurodegenerative diseases. In order to shed light on the molecular determinants of C. intestinalis metamorphosis and neurodegeneration, we analyzed its transcriptome at three stages of development: swimming larva (SwL, Hotta stage 28), settled larva (SetL, Hotta stage 32) and metamorphosing larva (MetL, Hotta stage 34). Supported by SoE-SEED-2020 Grant, University of Milan.