Placozoan secretory cell types implicated in feeding, innate immunity and regulation of behavior.

Placozoa are millimeter-sized, flat, irregularly shaped ciliated animals that crawl on surfaces in warm oceans feeding on biofilms, which they digest externally. They stand out from other animals due to their simple body plans. They lack organs, body cavities, muscles and a nervous system and have only seven broadly defined morphological cell types, each with a unique distribution.

Mint/X11 PDZ domains from non-bilaterian animals recognize and bind Ca2 calcium channel C-termini in vitro.

PDZ domain mediated interactions with voltage-gated calcium (Ca) channel C-termini play important roles in localizing membrane Ca signaling. The first such interaction was described between the scaffolding protein Mint-1 and Ca2.2 in mammals.

Function and phylogeny support the independent evolution of an ASIC-like Deg/ENaC channel in the Placozoa.

ASIC channels are bilaterian proton-gated sodium channels belonging to the large and functionally-diverse Deg/ENaC family that also includes peptide- and mechanically-gated channels. Here, we report that the non-bilaterian invertebrate Trichoplax adhaerens possesses a proton-activated Deg/ENaC channel, TadNaC2, with a unique combination of biophysical features including tachyphylaxis like ASIC1a, reduced proton sensitivity like ASIC2a, biphasic macroscopic currents like ASIC3, as well as low sensitivity to the Deg/ENaC channel blocker amiloride and Ca ions. Structural modeling and mutation analyses reveal that TadNaC2 proton gating is different from ASIC channels, lacking key molecular determinants, and involving unique residues within the palm and finger regions.

Dinophiliformia early neurogenesis suggests the evolution of conservative neural structures across the Annelida phylogenetic tree.

Despite the increasing data concerning the structure of the adult nervous system in various Lophotrochozoa groups, the early events during the neurogenesis of rare and unique groups need clarification. Annelida are a diverse clade of Lophotrochozoa, and their representatives demonstrate a variety of body plans, lifestyles, and life cycles. Comparative data about the early development are available for Errantia, Sedentaria, Sipuncula, and Palaeoannelida; however, our knowledge of Dinophiliformia is currently scarce.

Placozoan fiber cells: mediators of innate immunity and participants in wound healing.

Placozoa is a phylum of non-bilaterian marine animals. These small, flat organisms adhere to the substrate via their densely ciliated ventral epithelium, which mediates mucociliary locomotion and nutrient uptake. They have only six morphological cell types, including one, fiber cells, for which functional data is lacking.

Microscopy Studies of Placozoans.

Trichoplax adhaerens is an enigmatic animal with an extraordinarily simple morphology and a cellular organization, which are the focus of current research. Protocols outlined here provide detailed descriptions of advanced techniques for light and electron microscopic studies of Trichoplax. Studies using these techniques have enhanced our understanding of cell type diversity and function in placozoans and have provided insight into the evolution, development, and physiology of this little understood group.

The ventral epithelium of deploys in distinct patterns cells that secrete digestive enzymes, mucus or diverse neuropeptides.

The disk-shaped millimeter-sized marine animal, , is notable because of its small number of cell types and primitive mode of feeding. It glides on substrates propelled by beating cilia on its lower surface and periodically pauses to feed on underlying microorganisms, which it digests externally. Here, a combination of advanced electron and light microscopic techniques are used to take a closer look at its secretory cell types and their roles in locomotion and feeding.

Insights into the evolution of digestive systems from studies of Trichoplax adhaerens.

Trichoplax, a member of the phylum Placozoa, is a tiny ciliated marine animal that glides on surfaces feeding on algae and cyanobacteria. It stands out from other animals in that it lacks an internal digestive system and, instead, digests food trapped under its lower surface. Here we review recent work on the phenotypes of its six cell types and their roles in digestion and feeding behavior.

Cells containing aragonite crystals mediate responses to gravity in Trichoplax adhaerens (Placozoa), an animal lacking neurons and synapses.

Trichoplax adhaerens has only six cell types. The function as well as the structure of crystal cells, the least numerous cell type, presented an enigma. Crystal cells are arrayed around the perimeter of the animal and each contains a birefringent crystal.

Localization of Neuropeptide Gene Expression in Larvae of an Echinoderm, the Starfish .

Neuropeptides are an ancient class of neuronal signaling molecules that regulate a variety of physiological and behavioral processes in animals. The life cycle of many animals includes a larval stage(s) that precedes metamorphic transition to a reproductively active adult stage but, with the exception of and other insects, research on neuropeptide signaling has hitherto largely focused on adult animals. However, recent advances in genome/transcriptome sequencing have facilitated investigation of neuropeptide expression/function in the larvae of protostomian (e.

Comparison of neuromuscular development in two dinophilid species (Annelida) suggests progenetic origin of .

Background: Several independent meiofaunal lineages are suggested to have originated through progenesis, however, morphological support for this heterochronous process is still lacking. Progenesis is defined as an arrest of somatic development (synchronously in various organ systems) due to early maturation, resulting in adults resembling larvae or juveniles of the ancestors. Accordingly, we established a detailed neuromuscular developmental atlas of two closely related Dinophilidae using immunohistochemistry and CLSM.