Project description:Genome-wide transcriptional changes in development provide important insight into mechanisms underlying growth, differentiation, and patterning. However, such large-scale developmental studies have been limited to a few representatives of Ecdysozoans and Chordates. Here, we characterize transcriptomes of embryonic, larval, and metamorphic development in the marine mollusc Aplysia californica and reveal novel molecular components associated with life history transitions. Specifically, we identify more than 20 signal peptides, putative hormones, and transcription factors in association with early development and metamorphic stages-many of which seem to be evolutionarily conserved elements of signal transduction pathways. We also characterize genes related to biomineralization-a critical process of molluscan development. In summary, our experiment provides the first large-scale survey of gene expression in mollusc development, and complements previous studies on the regulatory mechanisms underlying body plan patterning and the formation of larval and juvenile structures. This study serves as a resource for further functional annotation of transcripts and genes in Aplysia, specifically and molluscs in general. A comparison of the Aplysia developmental transcriptome with similar studies in the zebra fish Danio rerio, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and other studies on molluscs suggests an overall highly divergent pattern of gene regulatory mechanisms that are likely a consequence of the different developmental modes of these organisms.

| S-EPMC4028319 | biostudies-literature

Characterization of sleep in Aplysia californica.

Project description:Study objectiveTo characterize sleep in the marine mollusk, Aplysia californica.DesignAnimal behavior and activity were assessed using video recordings to measure activity, resting posture, resting place preference, and behavior after rest deprivation. Latencies for behavioral responses were measured for appetitive and aversive stimuli for animals in the wake and rest states.SettingCircadian research laboratory for Aplysia.Patients or participantsA. californica from the Pacific Ocean.InterventionsN/A.Measurements and resultsAplysia rest almost exclusively during the night in a semi-contracted body position with preferential resting locations in the upper corners of their tank. Resting animals demonstrate longer latencies in head orientation and biting in response to a seaweed stimulus and less frequent escape response steps following an aversive salt stimulus applied to the tail compared to awake animals at the same time point. Aplysia exhibit rebound rest the day following rest deprivation during the night, but not after similar handling stimulation during the day.ConclusionsResting behavior in Aplysia fulfills all invertebrate characteristics of sleep including: (1) a specific sleep body posture, (2) preferred resting location, (3) reversible behavioral quiescence, (4) elevated arousal thresholds for sensory stimuli during sleep, and (5) compensatory sleep rebound after sleep deprivation.

| S-EPMC4153062 | biostudies-literature

Aplysia californica

Project description:Aplysia californica Transcriptome or Gene expression

| PRJNA77701 | ENA

Aplysia californica

Project description:Transcriptome Shotgun Assembly (TSA)

| PRJNA38661 | ENA

Aplysia californica

Project description:A developmental atlas of transcription in the sea hare Aplysia californica

| PRJNA111983 | ENA

Aplysia californica

Project description:Aplysia Pleural Ganglia 7 Days After Long-Term Sensitization Training