Date of Graduation
5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Cell & Molecular Biology (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Cell & Molecular Biology
Advisor/Mentor
Nakanishi, Nagayasu
Committee Member
Westerman, Erica
Second Committee Member
Srivastava, Vibha
Third Committee Member
Evans, Timothy
Fourth Committee Member
Shew, Woodrow
Keywords
Cnidaria; Nematostella; Pituitary; POU-I
Abstract
Cnidaria (i.e., sea anemones, jellyfish, corals) and Bilateria (i.e., vertebrates, sea stars, fruit flies), are sister groups that diverged around 600 million years ago. Despite the long evolutionary time, many cellular differentiation mechanisms, cell types, tissues and behaviors are conserved. Such as neurons, mechanosensory hair cells, feeding behaviors, peristaltic movements, and sleep. Recent advances in genomics, molecular biology and microscopy have fueled an increased interest in understanding cnidarian nervous and neuroendocrine systems. Understanding the developmental mechanisms and the mode of operation of Cnidarian nervous systems helps to reconstruct the ancestral nervous system of the last common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria. Thus, also shedding light in fundamental aspects of Bilaterian nervous systems. Here, the ‘starlet sea anemone’ Nematostella vectensis, a powerful cnidarian model organism was used to address the gene expression pattern of Pit1, a conserved gene shared between Cnidaria and Bilateria. In Chapter 1, a method to extract DNA and genotype embryos of Nematostella without sacrificing the animal was established, with possible application to other non-sea anemone cnidarians. Early genotyping is fundamental for addressing phenotypes during development, thus opening the door to study the function of any gene of interest during larval pre-metamorphic stages. In Chapter 2, the expression pattern of Pit1 and detailed cellular morphology of Pit1-positive cells was characterized for the first time in Nematostella. Complex neuronal networks and diverse sensory cells were found. Furthermore, the foundation for future functional studies of Pit1 was laid by establishing stable CRISPR-Cas9 knockout and transgenic reporter lines.
Citation
Agostinho Pina da Silva, M. (2023). Unveiling the Ancestral Function of a Neuroendocrine Regulator, POU-I/Pit1: Insights from Gene Expression Analysis in the Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5092
Included in
Endocrinology Commons, Evolution Commons, Neurosciences Commons