Expression of developmental genes during early embryogenesis of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Hydra</Emphasis>

Hydra is a classical model to study key features of embryogenesis such as axial patterning and stem cell differentiation. In contrast to other organisms where these mechanisms are active only during embryonic development, in Hydra they can be studied in adults. The underlying assumption is that the machinery governing adult patterning mimics regulatory mechanisms which are also active during early embryogenesis. Whether, however, Hydra embryogenesis is governed by the same mechanisms which are controlling adult patterning, remains to be shown. In this paper, in precisely staged Hydra embryos, we examined the expression pattern of 15 regulatory genes shown previously to play a role in adult patterning and cell differentiation. RT-PCR revealed that most of the genes examined were expressed in rather late embryonic stages. In situ hybridization, nuclear run-on experiments, and staining of nucleolar organizer region-associated proteins indicated that genes expressed in early embryos are transcribed in the engulfed "nurse cells" (endocytes). This is the first direct evidence that endocytes in Hydra not only provide nutrients to the developing oocyte but also produce maternal factors critical for embryogenesis. Our findings are an initial step towards understanding the molecular machinery controlling embryogenesis of a key group of basal metazoans and raise the possibility that in Hydra there are differences in the mechanisms controlling embryogenesis and adult patterning.Edited by D. Tautz     

Monoamine concentrations in Hydra magnipapillata

Several monoamines and related metabolites were quantified in Hydra magnipapillata using a three dimension HPLC system with multiple coulometric electrochemical detectors. Serotonin (5HT), N-methylserotonin (N-MET) and dopamine were detected, being reported in a coelenterate for the first time. It is suggested that monoamine levels were associated with the interstitial cell lineage. 5HT and N-MET were more concentrated in the body column where nematoblasts and nematocytes develop than in the tentacles and hypostome. It is concluded that the main indoleamine in Hydra is not 5HT but N-MET and a new metabolic pathway in Hydra is suggested: tryptophan-5HT-N-MET.     

念珠菌—上皮细胞互作研究进展

念珠菌作为共生菌定植于机体黏膜表面,一般情况下并不引起感染,但当机体出现免疫力下降或微生态失衡等状况时,可引发口咽念珠菌病、外阴阴道念珠菌病等黏膜感染。对于念珠菌黏膜感染的治疗,虽然抗菌药物是不可或缺的因素,但宿主自身的免疫力,尤其是黏膜上皮细胞作为抵御念珠菌感染的第一道防线,发挥着重要作用。本文将念珠菌—上皮细胞相互作用研究进展作一综述。     

Tumour-promoting phorbol esters rapidly inhibit bud formation in hydra

Summary The effects of tumour promoters and carcinogens on bud formation were investigated in an attempt to clarify the primary process of bud formation in hydra. Treatment with 1.0ng/ml 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (PDD) or mezerein added immediately after feeding rapidly and completely inhibited the formation of new buds in Hydra japonica. Treatment with TPA 3–6 h after feeding also suppressed bud formation 24 h later, but suppressed buds appeared 48 h later. Buds suppressed by TPA also formed in the presence of a diluted homogenate of hydra and during starvation. Carcinogens, such as benzo(a)pyrene and 20-methylcholanthrene, did not have an inhibitory effect on bud formation within 2 days. The tumour promoters and carcinogens used in this experiment did not inhibit the regeneration of tentacles. These results indicate that tumour-promoting phorbol esters, but not carcinogens, rapidly suppress the process by which the formation of buds is initiated by hydra, and the effects of these esters depend on the timing of treatment after feeding.     

枯草芽孢杆菌刺激小鼠肠上皮细胞分泌的IL-33在活化树突状细胞中发挥重要作用

[目的]枯草芽孢杆菌能有效诱导肠道黏膜免疫应答,但活化黏膜下树突状细胞(DC)的具体机制不完全清楚.[方法]本研究首先用不同浓度枯草芽孢杆菌刺激小鼠肠上皮CMT93细胞,用荧光定量PCR和ELISA检测细胞因子表达水平,然后将枯草芽孢杆菌刺激细胞的培养上清与小鼠骨髓源树突状细胞(BMDC)进行共孵育,用流式细胞术检测B...     

Effects of hyperthermia on phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Sporothrix schenckii by polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The effects of hyperthermia on phagocytosis and killing of Sporothrix schenckii by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were investigated in order to clarify the mechanism of local thermotherapy for sporotrichosis. Yeast cells of S. schenckii, PMNs and serum were incubated at 37°C or 40°C for 2 or 4 hours. Rate of phagocytosis and killing rate (rate of germination) were estimated, and their processes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. There was no effect of hyperthermia on the phagocytosis rate, but the killing rate increased significantly at 40°C. Electron microscopic examination showed an increase of granularity in the yeast cytoplasm, elongation and fragmentation of the cell membrane. The ultrastructural changes were basically identical under both temperatures, but the degree of these changes was higher at 40°C than at 37°C. Although both intact and degenerated yeasts were found in the same conditions, their transient forms were few, suggesting that the PMN-killing process was completed promptly.     

Cellular mechanisms of stimulation of bud production in Hydra by low levels of inorganic lead compounds

Summary Treatment of Hydra with subtoxic levels of inorganic lead compounds (lead nitrate and lead chloride) for periods ranging from 5 min to one hour causes a temporary increase in bud production as compared to untreated control animals. This effect can be inhibited by the addition of large amounts of calcium chloride to the culture medium.The increased rate of budding is preceded by a dramatic increase in the number of nerve cells per animal, which is first observed within six hours after lead treatment. This appears to be the result of an increased rate of mitosis in the undifferentiated interstitial cells and their subsequent differentiation into nerve cells. The total number of cells per animal also increases after exposure to lead compounds, suggesting that lead may act as a general mitotic stimulator of all dividing cell types in Hydra.This investigation was supported by the National Science Foundation, Grant GB-27395     

Regeneration in invertebrates

The mechanisms of regeneration are reviewed from a genetic, cytological and molecular biological points of view. Planarians and Hydra have been chosen and illustrated as biological examples.      

Structural organization and distribution of the symbiotic bacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wolbachia</Emphasis> during spermatogenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila simulans</Emphasis>

Electron microscopy and morphometric analysis have shown that the symbiotic bacteria Wolbachia occur the testis cells D. simulans during spermatogenesis and are absent in mature spermatids. Bacteria did not affect the structural organization of testis cells, which have a typical morphology during morphogenesis. Bacteria were distributed along the meiotic spindle microtubules near the mitochondria. They increased in number in spermatids at the stage of elongation. Endosymbionts aggregated at the spermatid distal end and contained many vacuoles but were absent at the spermatid proximal end near the nuclei. It was shown for the first time that the diameter of spermatids in a strongly infected line was two of three times that in a noninfected line. We hypothesize that the increase in the number of endosymbionts during spermatid elongation can affect the chromatin condensation in the spermatozoon.Translated from Ontogenez, Vol. 36, No. 1, 2005, pp. 41–50.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Dudkina, Kiseleva.     

Ultrastructural study of spermatogenesis in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Phoronopsis harmeri</Emphasis> (Lophophorata,Phoronida)

The process of sperm development in Phoronopsis harmeri was studied by electron microscopy. Developing spermatogenical cells are aggregated around the capillaries of the haemal plexus. The spermatogonia, which are situated around the capillary walls of the caeca, are remarkable for the presence of germ-line vesicles and contain their centrioles near the cell membrane. The spermatocytes and spermatids are flagellated cells arranged in clusters. During spermiogenesis the basal body/flagellum complex migrates to the apical pole of the spermatid. The acrosome-like structure arises from material produced by the Golgi complex. It lacks a surrounding membrane and has a fibrillar content. The nucleus elongates and the condensation of chromatin is caused by an activation of 'initiation centres'. The late spermatid and the spermatozoon appear as two-armed 'V'-shaped cells in which one arm contains the nucleus and posteriorly located mitochondria, and the other one is the axoneme. Spermatogenesis of P. harmeri is an interesting example of gamete differentiation where advanced sperm structure is combined with a plesiomorphic pattern of sperm development characterized as 'flagellate spermatogenesis'. Communicated by H.-D. Franke     

Susceptibility of the Bombyx mori cardia cells to Nucleopolyhedrovirus, multiple subgroup, BmMNPV

Bombyx mori entomopathogenic virus infection is a serious problem for silk production in tropical regions. Here, we investigate the susceptibility of the B. mori cardia epithelial cells to B. mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus, BmMNPV. Results show that cardia cells are susceptible to BmMNPV and that the cytopathology is similar to that in other target cells. The infection was detected at 6 day post-inoculation. This infection time, together with the protected cover intima, suggests that the cardia region is a secondary target, infected by budded virus.     

Interaction between the effects of light pulses of different chromatic content on Hydra attenuata and H. magnipapillata

The pattern of Hydra periodic shortening-elongation behaviour can be modified by photic stimulation. The response time between the end of a pulse stimulus and the beginning of the next body shortening event is a function of: 1) the polarity of the pulse; 2) the intensity of the pulse, 3) the phase of application of the pulse during a shortening-elongation period, 4) the wavelength of the pulse, 5) the chromatic composition of the background illumination. The combined effects of pulse light stimuli of different wavelength applied either simultaneously or in immediate sequence are reported here. The results give some insight into the possible mechanism of phototransduction.