The cyclic dinucleotide 2’3’-cGAMP induces a broad anti-bacterial and anti-viral response in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 14, 2021

Abstract In mammals, cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) bind and activate STING to initiate an anti-viral type I interferon response. CDNs originated in bacteria are present most animals. By contrast, interferons believed have emerged vertebrates; thus, the function of CDN signaling invertebrates is unclear. Here, we use a CDN, 2’3’-cGAMP, immune responses model cnidarian invertebrate, starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis . Using RNA-Seq, found that 2’3’-cGAMP induces robust transcription both anti-bacterial genes N. Many induced by homologs vertebrate stimulated genes, implying response predates evolution interferons. Knockdown experiments identified role for NF-κB specifically inducing downstream 2’3’-cGAMP. Some these putative were also be during Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. We characterized protein product one homolog Dae4, it has conserved activity. This work suggests broad transcriptional evolutionarily ancestral output Significance statement Cyclic molecules subsequently acquired co-opted animals signaling. The major dinucleotide pathway mammals results production called Invertebrates such as anemones lack interferons, thus was unclear whether would play immunity Here report , responses, do so through pathway. These provide insights into evolutionary origins innate immunity, suggest broader evolved toward more specialized functions mammals.

Language: Английский

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A pan-cnidarian microRNA is an ancient biogenesis regulator of stinging cells

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 19, 2022

Abstract An ancient evolutionary innovation of a novel cell-type, the stinging cell (cnidocyte), appeared >600 million years ago in phylum Cnidaria (sea anemones, corals, hydroids, and jellyfish). A complex bursting nano-injector venom, cnidocyst, is embedded cnidocytes enables cnidarians paralyzing prey predators, contributing to this phylum’s success. In work, we show that post-transcriptional regulation by pan-cnidarian microRNA, miR-2022, essential for biogenesis these cells. By manipulation miR-2022 levels transgenic reporter line sea anemone Nematostella vectensis , followed transcriptomics, single-cell data analysis, paralysis assays, sorting cnidocytes, reveal cnidocyte biogenesis, while exhibiting conserved expression domain with its targets other cnidarian species. Thus, here one nature’s most microRNA-regulated processes studying functional basis conservation.

Language: Английский

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Functional characterization of a “plant-like” HYL1 homolog in the cnidarianNematostella vectensisindicates a conserved involvement in microRNA biogenesis

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 31, 2020

Abstract While the biogenesis of microRNAs (miRNAs) in both animals and plants depends on RNase III Dicer, its partner proteins are considered distinct for each kingdom. Nevertheless, recent discovery homologs Hyponastic Leaves1 (HYL1), a “plant-specific” Dicer partner, metazoan phylum Cnidaria, challenges view that miRNAs evolved convergently plants. Here we show HYL1 homolog Hyl1-like (Hyl1La) is crucial development miRNA cnidarian model Nematostella vectensis . Inhibition Hyl1La by morpholinos resulted metamorphosis arrest embryos significant reduction levels most miRNAs. Further, meta-analysis morphants components, like Dicer1, shows clustering their profiles with morphants. Strikingly, immunoprecipitation followed quantitative PCR revealed contrast to plant HYL1, interacts only precursor not primary This was complemented an vitro binding assay synthetic miRNA. Altogether, these results suggest last common ancestor carried took essential part indicate early emergence system before separated. Impact statement Presence functional vectensis, basal animal model, indicates divergent evolution pathway from ancestral

Language: Английский

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Sea anemone MACPF proteins demonstrate an evolutionary transitional state between venomous and developmental functions

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 2, 2023

Abstract Gene duplication is a major force driving evolutionary innovation. A classic example generating new animal toxins via of physiological protein-encoding genes and recruitment into venom. While this process drives the innovation many venoms, reverse-recruitment non-venomous cells remains unresolved. Using comparative genomics, we find members Membrane Attack Complex Perforin Family (MACPF) have been recruited venom-injecting (cnidocytes), in soft stony corals sea anemones, suggesting that ancestral MACPF was cnidocyte expressed toxin. Further investigation model anemone Nematostella vectensis, reveals three undergone -specific duplications leading to their mesoendodermal cells. Furthermore, simultaneous knock-down all mesoendodermally-expressed MACPFs leads mis-development, supporting these paralogs function. By resolving history function , provide first proof for from venom organismal development. Significance statement In study, reveal how gene can gain function, even most unexpected origin. Specifically, report last common ancestor anemones member (MACPF), which commonly associated with immune system, called cnidocytes. vectensis repeated has occurred copies adopting divergent functions including being retained cnidocytes but also when deplete disrupt normal embryonic development, indeed developmental plan.

Language: Английский

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Induction of apoptosis by double-stranded RNA was present in the last common ancestor of cnidarian and bilaterian animals

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 20, 2023

Abstract Apoptosis, a major form of programmed cell death, is an essential component host defense against invading intracellular pathogens. Viruses encode inhibitors apoptosis to evade responses during infection, and support their own replication survival. Therefore, hosts viruses are entangled in constant evolutionary arms race control apoptosis. Until now, the context antiviral immune system has been almost exclusively studied vertebrates. This limited phyletic sampling makes it impossible determine whether similar mechanism existed last common ancestor animals. Here, we established assays probe sea anemone Nematostella vectensis , model species Cnidaria, phylum that diverged approximately 600 million years ago from rest We show polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), synthetic long double-stranded RNA mimicking viral primary ligand for vertebrate RLR melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), sufficient induce N. . Furthermore, at transcriptomic level, related genes significantly enriched upon poly(I:C) exposure as well bilaterian invertebrates. Our phylogenetic analysis caspase family reveals conservation all four involved mammals revealed cnidarian-specific gene which was strongly upregulated. Altogether, our findings suggest response challenge functionally conserved can be traced back Bilateria Cnidaria.

Language: Английский

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