Michael Sars Center, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, St Petersburg, Russia.
Commun Biol. 2023 Dec 18;6(1):1279. doi: 10.1038/s42003-023-05675-4.
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 functional relevance to larval adaptations and host-finding strategies. Additionally, employing a behavior quantification toolkit, we assessed cercaria motility, facilitating further investigations into the behavior and physiology of parasitic flatworms. This study enhances our understanding of trematode neurobiology and provides insights for targeted antiparasitic strategies.
吸虫，又称复殖吸虫，在其生命周期中经历复杂的解剖和行为转变，但它们神经系统的功能变化仍知之甚少。我们研究了 Cryptocotyle lingua 的神经系统功能的分子基础，这是一种与渔业相关的物种。转录组分析显示出一种精简的分子工具包，缺乏关键的信号通路和离子通道。值得注意的是，我们观察到一氧化氮合酶在扁形动物门中的缺失。此外，我们在扩散幼虫中鉴定出上调的神经元基因，包括涉及胺能途径、突触小泡运输、TRPA 通道的基因，以及令人惊讶的一氧化氮受体基因。使用神经元标记物和原位杂交技术，我们假设它们的功能与幼虫的适应和宿主寻找策略有关。此外，我们还采用了行为量化工具包来评估尾蚴的运动能力，这有助于进一步研究寄生扁形动物的行为和生理学。本研究增进了我们对吸虫神经生物学的理解，并为靶向抗寄生虫策略提供了依据。
