Neuronal gene expression in two generations of the marine parasitic worm, Cryptocotyle lingua.

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

SUBMITTER: Tolstenkov O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10728431 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature