遮蔽行为对海刺猬摄食、生长和性腺性状的影响

海胆遮蔽行为对于海胆的生长和发育的影响目前还不清楚,在实验室条件下,研究了遮蔽行为对海刺猬(Glyptocidariscrenularis)摄食、生长和性腺性状的影响。实验设两个对照组和一个处理组:对照组为无任何遮蔽条件的空白组和以堆积砖块创造的黑暗空间来满足海胆的掩蔽行为的掩蔽组,遮蔽组则以菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)的贝壳作为遮蔽物来满足海胆的遮蔽行为。结果显示:遮蔽组的海胆周摄食量要显著大于掩蔽组(P<0.05),而空白组与遮蔽组和掩蔽组之间的差异不显著(P>0.05);各组海胆的存活率没有显著差异(P>0.05);空白组和遮蔽组海胆的壳径、壳高、体重要显著大于掩蔽组(P<0.05),而空白组和遮蔽组之间没有显著性的差异(P>0.05);空白组和遮蔽组的性腺湿重、性腺干重、性腺指数、壳湿重、壳干重、亚氏提灯湿重、亚氏提灯干重要显著大于掩蔽组(P<0.05),而空白组和遮蔽组之间没有显著性的差异(P>0.05);空白组的提灯指数要显著小于遮蔽组和掩蔽组(P<0.05),而遮蔽组和掩蔽组之间没有显著的差异(P>0.05)。结果证明,遮蔽和掩蔽行为对海刺猬生长及发育的影响是有差别的,掩蔽行为对海刺猬的生长与发育造成了负面影响,而遮蔽行为在一定的生活环境条件下不会对其生长造成影响。研究表明,海刺猬的遮蔽行为反映了其对外界不利环境条件的一种适应性,且这种行为对其生长和发育的影响与掩蔽行为有所不同。至于海刺猬遮蔽行为的进化选择压力,目前的研究还不足以下定论,需要进一步深入的研究。     

极端温度对海刺猬(Glyptocidaris crenularis)存活、摄食、生长和性腺的影响

在实验室条件下研究了极端温度对海刺猬的存活率、摄食率、生长以及组织器官等方面的影响。实验设置两个处理组温度为30°C和-2℃,对照组为自然水温(19~23℃),每组设置3个重复,每个重复60枚海刺猬,实验周期为56 d。结果表明:高温组海刺猬实验温度升到30℃后2 d内全部死亡,其平均摄食量(5.19±1.31 g·ind-1)极显著小于对照组(15.15±1.58 g·ind-1)(P0.01);低温组和对照组之间海刺猬存活率差异不显著(P0.05);但低温组海刺猬平均摄食量(0.18±0.04 g·ind-1)极显著小于对照组(10.90±0.33 g·ind-1)(P0.01);56 d内低温组海刺猬个体湿重极显著小于对照组(P0.01);低温组海刺猬口器湿重、壳湿重、性腺湿重、壳干重、口器指数、壳指数极显著小于对照组(P0.01),性腺干重、口器干重显著小于对照组(P0.05);但性腺指数与对照组无显著差别(P0.05);低温组海刺猬最大承受压力极显著小于对照组(P0.01);在实验室条件下,海刺猬(2~3 g·ind-1)无法长时间在高温环境(30℃)下存活,而能在低温环境(-2℃)下存活但其摄食、生长和性腺性状影响极显著。     

CYB5D2对乳腺癌皮下移植瘤模型大鼠肿瘤生长的影响

[目的]研究CYB5D2对乳腺癌皮下移植瘤模型大鼠肿瘤生长的影响。[方法]通过乳腺癌MCF-7细胞系建立乳腺癌裸鼠皮下移植瘤动物模型。将含有CYB5D2表达的质粒稳定转染MCF-7细胞,多点注射,将稳定转染的细胞注入裸鼠皮下,作为观察组,同时设置shRNA-CYB5D2阴性质粒为阴性对照组,PBS为空白对照组。测量各组大鼠肿瘤体积及质量;裸鼠转移瘤模型建立成功后处死小鼠,qRT-CPR法检测肿瘤组织内CYB5D2 mRNA表达水平;Western Blot法检测各组裸鼠转移瘤组织内上皮细胞间质转化(EMT)标志表白表达情况,酶联免疫吸附法检测裸鼠转移瘤细胞上清液中MMP-2及MMP-9水平。[结果]观察组转移瘤平均体积及质量显著低于阴性组与空白组(P<0.05),阴性组与空白组裸鼠转移瘤体积及质量无明显差异(P>0.05)。提取试验小鼠肿瘤组织总RNA,qRT-CPR法检测提示观察组肿瘤组织内CYB5D2 mRNA表达量显著高于阴性组及空白对照组(P<0.05),而阴性组与空白组间差异无显著性差异(P>0.05);Western Blot法检测结果显示,观察组转移瘤组织内E-cadherin、β-catenin蛋白表达水平显著高于与阴性组及空白组(P<0.05),而N-cadherin及Snail蛋白表达显著低于与阴性组及空白组(P<0.05)。阴性组与空白组转移瘤组织内E-cadherin、β-catenin、N-cadherin及Snail蛋白表达无显著性差异(P>0.05);观察组裸鼠转移瘤细胞上清液中MMP-2及MMP-9水平显著低于与阴性组及空白组(P<0.05),而阴性组与对照组MMP-2及MMP-9水平无显著性差异(P>0.05)。[结论]上调CYB5D2基因可有效抑制乳腺癌皮下移植模型大鼠瘤体生长,推测上调CYB5D2基因可能通过下调N-cadherin、Snail、MMP2及MMP9,上调E-cadherin、β-catenin,逆转EMT,发挥抗肿瘤功效。     

酸马奶提取Kluyveromyces marxianus代谢抗菌复合物对感染致病性Escherichia coli O8小鼠的免疫机能及其

【目的】酸马奶可防治心血管、消化系统、肺结核、糖尿病和腹泻等疾病,尤其马克斯克鲁维酵母Kluyveromyces marxianus对单核细胞增生李斯特菌Listeria monocytogenes有抑菌作用,但对酸马奶提取K. marxianus代谢抗菌复合物抑菌作用的研究报道较少。为此,研究酸马奶提取K. marxianus代谢抗菌复合物对感染致病性大肠杆菌Escherichia coli O8小鼠免疫机能及其盲肠菌群的影响。【方法】将128只小鼠随机分为4组,空白组、致病对照组、K2组和K8组,致病对照组小鼠连续7 d灌胃无菌PBS,并于第4天注射E. coli O8;K2组灌胃抗菌复合物K. marxianus pH 2.0,并注射E. coli O8;K8组灌胃抗菌复合物K. marxianus pH 8.0,并注射E. coli O8。采用常规HE染色法观察0、4和7 d小鼠小肠病理切片,称重法测定小鼠免疫器官指数,ELISA法测定血清中免疫球蛋白,流式细胞术测定T细胞亚群,平板涂布法测定盲肠菌群。【结果】致病对照组小鼠在实验第4天注菌后出现一系列患病临床症状和小肠组织病理变化。K2组和K8组小鼠整体精神状态好于致病对照组,死亡小鼠数量较少,可一定程度上缓解和改善感染致病性E. coli O8小鼠的小肠组织病理变化。致病对照组在第7天胸腺指数显著低于空白组(P<0.05)。K2组和K8组在第4天和第7天脾脏指数显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。致病对照组在第7天IgA显著低于空白组(P<0.05)。K2组在第4天IgA、IgG显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。K2组在第7天IgG和IgM显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。K8组在第7天IgM显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。K2组在第4天和第7天CD8+显著低于空白组,CD4+/CD8+显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。K8组在第4天CD8+显著低于空白组(P<0.05)。K8组在第7天CD8+显著低于空白组,CD4+/CD8+显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。致病对照组在第7天盲肠E. coli数量显著高于空白组,双歧杆菌数量显著低于空白组(P<0.05)。K2组在第7天盲肠E. coli数量显著低于空白组,肠球菌数量显著低于空白组,乳酸杆菌数量显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。K8组在第7天盲肠肠球菌数量显著低于空白组,乳酸杆菌数量显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。【结论】酸马奶提取K. marxianus代谢抗菌复合物K2和K8能缓解感染致病性E. coli O8小鼠临床症状,提高其免疫机能,并影响其盲肠菌群,提高双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌,降低E. coli和肠球菌的数量。     

不同流速对许氏平鲉生长及行为的影响

文章以许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)幼鱼为研究对象,研究了不同流速对许氏平鲉幼鱼生长性能和行为表现的影响。实验共设置4个流速处理组,分别为0(C组)、0.5 BL/s(L组)、1.5 BL/s(M组)和2.5 BL/s(H组),实验周期为43d。研究共监测与分析了8个行为指标,并将其归为运动参数(平均速度和最大加速度)、偏好区域(内、中和外圈累计停留时间)和活动状态(最大轮替次数、活跃性和身体接触)等3类行为状态。结果表明:(1)在整个实验周期中, M组和L组的终体长显著高于C组和H组(P<0.05); M组的终体重、特定生长率和增重率显著高于C组和H组(P<0.05)。(2)在实验30d后, M组和H组的外圈累计停留时间显著低于C组和L组(P<0.05),且M组中圈累计停留时间显著高于C组和H组(P<0.05); H组的中圈累计停留时间显著低于其他处理组(P<0.05),其内圈累计停留时间显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05),且各处理组间没有显著差异(P>0.05); M组的最大加速度显著高于C组和L组(P<0.05)...     

基于PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β通路探讨蒲公英多糖对三阴性乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭的影响CSCD

本研究通过观察蒲公英多糖(dandelion polysaccharide,DP)对人三阴性乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响,探讨DP抑制乳腺癌细胞的分子机制。用DP处理人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞及正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A后,采用CCK-8方法检测不同浓度的DP(0、100、200、400、800μg/mL)对细胞活力的影响;采用平板克隆实验检测DP对乳腺癌细胞克隆形成能力的影响;采用划痕实验和Transwell实验分别检测DP对乳腺癌迁移和侵袭能力的影响;蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测DP作用MDA-MB-231细胞48 h后,该细胞中磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)、磷酸化磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(p-PI3K)、蛋白激酶B(Akt)、磷酸化蛋白激酶B(p-Akt)、糖原合成激酶-3β(GSK-3β)、磷酸化糖原合成激酶-3β(p-GSK-3β)蛋白表达情况,上皮间质转化(EMT)相关标志蛋白E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)和波形蛋白(Vimentin)表达情况。结果显示,与空白组相比,DP组(100、200、400、800μg/mL)能够显著抑制MDA-MB-231细胞存活率(P<0.05或P<0.01),而对MCF-10A细胞的存活率无显著影响;与空白组相比,DP组(200、400μg/mL)细胞克隆形成能力显著减弱(P<0.01);与空白组相比,DP组(200、400μg/mL)迁移能力显著降低;与空白组相比,DP组(200、400μg/mL)侵袭能力显著减弱(P<0.01);与空白组相比,DP组(200、400μg/mL)p-PI3K、p-Akt及p-GSK-3β蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.01),而PI3K、Akt及GSK-3β总蛋白无明显变化;与空白组相比,DP组(200、400μg/mL)E-cadherin表达水平上调,N-cadherin和Vimentin表达水平下调,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01)。综上,DP能够有效抑制人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭和EMT进程,其机制可能与抑制PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β信号通路活性有关。     

投喂频率对红鳍东方鲀生长和行为的影响

以红鳍东方鲀(Takifugu rubripes)幼鱼为实验对象,研究在日投喂量相同的条件下,不同投喂频率[3次/d(F3)、4次/d(F4)和5次/d(F5)]对幼鱼生长和行为的影响。结果表明:(1) F4组幼鱼的生长性能显著高于F3和F5组(P<0.05);(2)在实验结束时,不同处理组幼鱼的游泳速度差异显著,从大到小依次为F4>F3>F5(P<0.05),F4组幼鱼的角速度显著高于F3和F5组(P<0.05), F4组幼鱼的加速度和活跃度显著低于F3和F5组(P<0.05), F3组幼鱼的对象间距离显著高于F4和F5组(P<0.05);(3) GLMMs的结果表明, F4组幼鱼的游速受到实验时间与投喂频率交互效应的影响显著(P<0.05),各处理组之间的比较结果显示,实验时间和投喂频率的交互效应对F5组幼鱼的加速度有正向效果,但其显著降低了F5组幼鱼的对象间距离。综上所述,不同投喂频率对幼鱼的生长性能和行为表现具有显著影响。实验推测4次/d的投喂频率可能改变了幼鱼的能量分配,更多的能量被用于生长和游泳,使得幼鱼的生长性能有所提高,并...     

针刺对缺氧缺血性脑损伤大鼠脑神经功能及5-HTR1A/cAMP/PKA信号通路的影响机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨与研究针刺对缺氧缺血性脑损伤大鼠脑神经功能及5-HTR1A/cAMP/PKA信号通路的影响机制。方法：研究时间为2022年6月到2022年12月,SPF级健康雄性SD大鼠36只平分为空白组、模型组、针刺组,每组各12只大鼠。空白组不进行造模,针刺组在造模完成1周后进行针刺治疗,空白组、模型组不进行治疗。结果：所有大鼠都顺利完成实验,无死亡大鼠出现。针刺组、模型组治疗后2周与4周的神经功能评分都显著高于空白组（P<0.05）,针刺组的神经功能评分与模型组相比显著降低(P<0.05)。针刺组、模型组治疗后2周与4周的脑缺氧缺血组织体积都高于空白组(P<0.05),针刺组的脑缺氧缺血组织体积与模型组相比显著降低（P<0.05）。针刺组、模型组治疗后2周与4周的血清超氧化物歧化酶活力低于空白组（P<0.05）,血清丙二醛含量高于空白组（P<0.05）,针刺组与模型组对比也有显著差异（P<0.05）。针刺组、模型组治疗后2周与4周的大脑组织5-HTR1A蛋白、cAMP蛋白、PKA蛋白相对表达水平明显低于空白组（P<0.05）,针刺与模型组相比显著提高（P<0.05）。结论：针刺在缺氧缺血性脑损伤大鼠的应用能激活5-HTR1A/cAMP/PKA信号通路,能提高超氧化物歧化酶活力,降低血清丙二醛含量,能改善大鼠的脑神经功能,降低脑缺氧缺血组织体积。     

体重、年龄和应激刺激对菲牛蛭繁殖性能的影响

采用单因素方差分析等方法探讨人工养殖条件下体重、年龄和环境应激对菲牛蛭繁殖性能的影响。结果表明,体重对卵茧大小和湿质量及幼蛭体长、体宽和湿体质量无显著影响(P>0.05),而亲蛭性腺系数、平均产茧数、孵化率和平均孵化数在各组间差异显著(P<0.05),其中体重10～15g组明显高于其他组(P<0.05);年龄对亲蛭平均产茧数、孵化率、平均孵化数和卵茧大小影响显著(P<0.05),其中2～3年龄亲本具有最高的平均产茧数、孵化率和平均孵化数,8月龄亲本所产卵茧个体明显大于其他年龄组(P<0.05),而卵茧湿质量及幼蛭体长、体宽和湿体质量在各年龄组间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。环境应激对亲蛭的平均产茧数、孵化率和平均孵化数影响显著(P<0.01),其中1～2次操作应激下的平均产茧数和孵化数最高,无操作刺激下的孵化率略高于1～2次操作刺激(P>0.05),而卵茧大小和湿质量及幼蛭体长、体宽和湿体质量在各应激处理组间无显著差异(P>0.05)。本研究获得了菲牛蛭繁殖的最佳体重和年龄,建议繁育生产中挑选10～15g和2～3年龄的个体作为亲本,期间进行1～2次操作刺激可提高其繁殖性能。     

不同流速对流水槽大口黑鲈生长性能、抗氧化能力、能量代谢及组织结构的影响

研究旨在探明池塘内循环流水养殖(Inner-Pond Raceway Aquaculture, IPRA)系统中不同水流速度对大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)生长性能、抗氧化能力、能量代谢及组织结构的影响。选取已驯食好、体质健康、大小均一的大口黑鲈[放养规格为(8.13±0.82) g]192尾,随机分配到4个模拟水槽中,每组3个重复,每个重复16尾。养殖试验设置空白静水组和3个水流速度组,分别为低流速0.2 m/s、中流速0.4 m/s和高流速0.6 m/s,养殖周期为154d。结果显示:(1)中流速组大口黑鲈的增重率和特定生长率显著高于其他3个处理组(P<0.05);中、高流速组肥满度显著低于静水组和低流速组(P>0.05);大口黑鲈内脏脂肪指数随着流速的增加而显著降低(P<0.05);(2)中流速组肌肉粗蛋白显著高于其他3个处理组(P<0.05),静水组和低流速组肌肉粗脂肪含量显著高于中、高流速组(P<0.05);中、高流速组肝脏粗蛋白显著高于静水组和低流速组(P<0.05);(3)中、高流速组血清中甘油三酯和总胆固醇显著...     

The effects of prolonged food deprivation on the covering behavior of the sea urchins Glyptocidaris crenularis and Strongylocentrotus intermedius

In this study, we investigated effects of 24 weeks of food deprivation on covering behavior of Glyptocidaris crenularis and Strongylocentrotus intermedius. Neither G. crenularis nor S. intermedius significantly reduced covering behavior during both short- and long-term food deprivation. However, G. crenularis and S. intermedius had significantly different behavioral patterns over the 24 weeks. Covering behavior of G. crenularis greatly increased from the first to the second week, with decreasing reaction time and increasing covering ability, while the covering behavior of S. intermedius generally remained unchanged during the experiment of 24 weeks. As prolonged food deprivation does not significantly affect covering behavior of G. crenularis and S. intermedius, the present study highlights the innate nature and biological significance of covering behavior in sea urchins, providing new insights into its behavioral mechanism.     

Predator‐induced selection on urchin activity level depends on urchin body size

Temporally consistent individual differences in behavior impact many ecological processes. We simultaneously examined the effects of individual variation in prey activity level, covering behavior, and body size on prey survival with predators using an urchin–lobster system. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that slow‐moving purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) and urchins who deploy extensive substrate (pebbles and stones) covering behavior will out‐survive active urchins that deploy little to no covering behavior when pitted against a predator, the California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus). We evaluated this hypothesis by first confirming whether individual urchins exhibit temporally consistent differences in activity level and covering behavior, which they did. Next, we placed groups of four urchins in mesocosms with single lobster and monitored urchin survival for 108 hr. High activity level was negatively associated with survival, whereas urchin size and covering behavior independently did not influence survival. The negative effect of urchin activity level on urchin survival was strong for smaller urchins and weaker for large urchins. Taken together, these results suggest that purple urchin activity level and size jointly determine their susceptibility to predation by lobsters. This is potentially of great interest, because predation by recovering lobster populations could alter the stability of kelp forests by culling specific phenotypes, like foraging phenotypes, from urchin populations.     

Best Dressed Test: A Study of the Covering Behavior of the Collector Urchin Tripneustes gratilla

Many sea urchin genera exhibit cryptic covering behaviors. One such behavior has been documented in the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla, and previous studies have theorized that this behavior serves as protection from UV radiation. However, other hypotheses have been presented such as protection from predators or added weight to help T. gratilla resist strong currents. A field study was conducted in October-November 2015 in Moorea, French Polynesia to assess urchin covering behavior in natural habitats. The study found that urchins partially underneath rocks covered more, and with more algae, than urchins totally underneath rocks. To test if this behavior was driven by light intensity, a series of 30-minute experimental trials were run on 10 individuals in bright and dim conditions. Individuals were given red and clear plastic, and percent cover of each was recorded. These tests were repeated once fifty percent of spines had been removed from the urchin, in order to determine whether spine loss affects T. gratilla covering behavior. The study found that urchins had a distinct preference for cover that best protects them from UV radiation. Spine loss did not significantly affect urchin ability to cover, and urchins with removed spines still preferred opaque cover. Additionally, covering behavior was mapped onto a phylogeny of echinoderms to determine how it might have evolved. Understanding urchin covering behavior more fully is a step towards an understanding of the evolution of cryptic behavior across species.     

Lipid globules at the midpieces of Glyptocidaris crenularis spermatozoa and their relation to energy metabolism

Spermatozoa of the sea urchin, Glyptocidaris crenularis, use endogenous triglycerides (TG), not phosphatidylcholine, to produce energy for swimming. This study was undertaken to examine ultrastructurally the location of TG available for utilization in energy metabolism in these spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon contained several lipid globules at the bottom of the midpiece. Following incubation with sea water, both the number and size of the lipid globules decreased significantly. The total volume of lipid globules in each spermatozoon was roughly halved after 1 h of incubation. Similarly, about half of the TG was metabolized during the same incubation period. Oxygen consumption by spermatozoa during the incubation indicated the oxidation of fatty acid derived from TG. Thus it appears that G. crenularis spermatozoa obtain energy through oxidation of fatty acid from TG stored in the lipid globules within their midpieces. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Responses of the black sea urchin Tetrapygus niger to its sea-star predators Heliaster helianthus and Meyenaster gelatinosus under field conditions

We ran field experiments to examine the responses of the black sea urchin Tetrapygus niger to predatory sea stars. Trials involving simulated attacks (one or several arms of a sea star being placed on top of half the urchin) showed that the urchin differentiated between the predatory sea stars, Heliaster helianthus and Meyenaster gelatinosus, and a non-predatory sea star, Stichaster striatus, and showed almost no response to a sea star mimic. We further compared the responses of the urchin to different threat levels presented by the two predatory sea stars. The highest threat level was a simulated attack, then mere contact, and subsequently sea stars being placed at different distances from the urchin. All urchins responded to simulated attacks and contact with both sea stars. The proportion responding decreased with distance and more rapidly in trials with H. helianthus (0% at a distance of 30 cm) than with M. gelatinosus (33% at a distance of 50 cm). At each of the threat levels where there was a response to both sea stars, the urchins responded more rapidly to M. gelatinosus than to H. helianthus. In a third experiment where a predatory sea star was added to a circular area (1-m diameter) in which either 4-8 or 11-19 undisturbed urchins were present, the urchins fled the area more rapidly when the added sea star was M. gelatinosus, but the rate of fleeing did not vary with density, as might occur if there was communication among urchins using alarm signals. Our observations suggest that M. gelatinosus presents a stronger predatory threat than H. helianthus. This corresponds to field observations showing that the urchins are more frequently consumed by M. gelatinosus. These are the first field experiments demonstrating distance chemodetection by a marine invertebrate under back-and-forth water flow from wave activity.     

Effects of Light and Covering Behavior on PAX6 Expression in the Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

We studied the diel expression pattern of PAX6 (a structural gene that is commonly involved in the eye development and photoreception of eye forming animals) and the effects of light and covering behavior on PAX6 expression in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius. We confirmed that aphotic condition significantly reduced covering behavior in S. intermedius. The diel expression pattern of PAX6 was significantly different in S. intermedius under photic and aphotic conditions. The gene expression of PAX6 significantly deceased in covered S. intermedius both under natural light and in darkness. The present finding provides valuable insight into the probable link between covering and PAX6 expression of sea urchins. Further studies are required to investigate the detailed expression network of light detection involved genes in order to fully reveal the molecular mechanism of the light-induced covering behavior of sea urchins.     

A Unique 2-Sulfated ��-Galactan from the Egg Jelly of the Sea Urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis: CONFORMATION FLEXIBILITY VERSUS INDUCTION OF THE SPERM ACROSOME REACTION*

Sulfated polysaccharides from the egg jelly of sea urchins act as species-specific inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction, which is a rare molecular mechanism of carbohydrate-induced signal-transduction event in animal cells. The sea urchin polysaccharides differ in monosaccharide composition (l-fucose or l-galactose), glycosylation, and sulfation sites, but they are always in the α-anomeric configuration. Herein, structural analysis of the polysaccharide from the sea urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis surprisingly revealed a unique sulfated β-d-galactan composed by (3-β-d-Galp-2(OSO₃)-1→3-β-d-Galp-1)_n repeating units. Subsequently, we used the G. crenularis galactan to compare different 2-sulfated polysaccharides as inducers of the acrosome reaction using homologous and heterologous sperm. We also tested the effect of chemically over-sulfated galactans. Intriguingly, the anomeric configuration of the glycosidic linkage rather than the monosaccharide composition (galactose or fucose) is the preferential structural requirement for the effect of these polysaccharides on sea urchin fertilization. Nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics indicate that sulfated α-galactan or α-fucan have less dynamic structural behavior, exhibiting fewer conformational populations, with an almost exclusive conformational state with glycosidic dihedral angles Φ/Ψ = −102°/131°. The preponderant conformer observed in the sulfated α-galactan or α-fucan is not observed among populations in the β-form despite its more flexible structure in solution. Possibly, a proper spatial arrangement is required for interaction of the sea urchin-sulfated polysaccharides with the specific sperm receptor.The evolution of barriers to inter-specific hybridization is a crucial step in the fertilization of free-spawning marine invertebrates. In sea urchins the molecular recognition between sperm and egg ensures species recognition. The jelly coat surrounding sea urchin eggs is not a simple accessory structure; it is considerably complex on a molecular level and intimately involved in gamete recognition. It contains sulfated polysaccharides, sialoglycans, and peptides.Structural changes in the sulfated polysaccharide from the egg jelly of sea urchins modulate cell-cell recognition and species specificity leading to exocytosis of the acrosomal vesicle, the acrosome reaction. This is a crucial event for the recognition between male and female gametes, leading to the fertilization success, and is also what prevents intercrosses. The sulfated polysaccharide from the egg jelly recognizes its specific receptor present in the sperm. Apart from the sialoglycans that act in synergy with the sulfated polysaccharides, other components of the egg jelly do not possess acrosome reaction-inducing activity (1). The sulfated polysaccharide-mediated mechanism of sperm-egg recognition co-exists with that of bindin and its receptor in the egg (2–4).The sulfated polysaccharides from sea urchin show species-specific structures composed of repetitive units (mono-, tri-, and tetrasaccharides) that differ in the monosaccharide backbone (l-fucose or l-galactose), glycosidic linkage (3- or 4-linked), and sulfation (2- and/or 4-sulfation). However, they are always in the α-enantiomeric configuration (4, 5). Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that sea urchin-sulfated polysaccharides induce the acrosome reaction in a species-specific way. In some cases the sperm from a certain species of sea urchin recognizes the sulfated polysaccharide containing a similar structure from a different species. For example, the egg jelly from Strongylocentrotus franciscanus contains a 2-sulfated, 3-linked α-fucan, but the sperm from this species recognizes a heterologous 2-sulfated, 3-linked α-galactan from Echinometra lucunter (6).We now extended our studies to the sulfated polysaccharides of the sea urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis (7). Surprisingly, we observed that this species contains a unique sulfated β-d-galactan composed of repetitive disaccharide units alternating 2-sulfated and non-sulfated 3-linked units. This polymer is markedly distinct from all other sea urchin-sulfated polysaccharides described so far that are composed of units on α-l-configuration. Furthermore, this sea urchin does not contain sialoglycans, which are commonly found in the echinoderm egg jelly.We used this new sulfated β-galactan to investigate the acrosome reaction in a further molecular detail using homologous and heterologous sperm. We tested three 2-sulfated polysaccharides that differ in their conformation (α or β) and monosaccharide composition (galactose or fucose) as inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction. We aimed to establish the structure versus biological activity of the echinoderm polysaccharides, including structural features at a conformational level.     

Diel observation on the distribution of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius under different food availability and shelter conditions in the laboratory

The present study investigated the diel distribution of Strongylocentrotus intermedius in different laboratory food availability and shelter conditions. The diel rhythm of sheltering behaviour was similar between sea urchins in groups 1 (food inside shelter) and 3 (no food available), but significantly different to group 2 (food outside shelter). Among the three treatments, we found significantly more urchins outside shelter in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3 (p?<?0.05), while no significant difference was found between sea urchins in groups 1 and 3 (p?>?0.05). Kruskal–Wallis test confirmed this conclusion. When food was inside shelter, we found significantly more sea urchins staying on food than at other places inside the shelter (p?<?0.001). When food was outside shelter, significantly more individuals chose to stay in shelter rather than on food outside shelter (p?=?0.001). The present study provides new insights into the trade-off of sea urchins between foraging and sheltering behaviours.     

Organismal defenses versus environmentally mediated protection from herbivores: Unraveling the puzzling case of Desmarestia viridis (Phaeophyta)

The role of anti-herbivore organismal defenses in algae-herbivore interaction is frequently investigated without taking into account the potential role of environmental factors in mediating the interaction. Here we reexamine the interaction between the highly acidic, brown alga Desmarestia viridis and the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, by incorporating a previously overlooked facet, the effect of changes in the wave environment on the ability of the urchin to establish contact with the alga. Factorial experiments in a wave tank (presence versus absence of waves; real versus mimic algae) showed that the aggregation of urchins on D. viridis was more than 2-fold greater in the absence than in the presence of waves. Similar numbers of urchins made contact with natural and mimic D. viridis plants, both with and without waves, indicating that any external release of chemicals (acid) from the alga had no perceptible repulsive effect on the urchin. The ability of the urchins to climb onto D. viridis increased markedly when urchin density attained a critical level. These results were consistent with field observations that urchins readily attack D. viridis under conditions of low wave action but do not under conditions of moderate wave action. We conclude (1) that the chemical makeup of D. viridis alone is neither necessary nor sufficient to limit contacts by the urchins and that (2) wave action is a major factor explaining the survival of D. viridis on urchin barrens, because waves limit the movements of the urchins towards the alga. We recommend that studies addressing marine algal defenses against herbivores be more comprehensive and examine interactions between algal traits, the physical environment, and the abundance and behavioral repertoire of herbivores.