Coordinated cellular behavior regulated by epinephrine neurotransmitters in the nerveless placozoa.

ABSTRACT: Understanding how cells communicated before the evolution of nervous systems in early metazoans is key to unraveling the origins of multicellular life. We focused on Trichoplax adhaerens, one of the earliest multicellular animals, to explore this question. Through screening a small compound library targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), we found that Trichoplax exhibits distinctive rotational movements when exposed to epinephrine. Further studies suggested that, akin to those in humans, this basal organism also utilizes adrenergic signals to regulate its negative taxis behavior, with the downstream signaling pathway being more straightforward and efficient. Mechanistically, the binding of ligands activates downstream calcium signaling, subsequently modulating ciliary redox signals.

SUBMITTER: Jin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11452686 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature