A subset of conserved phagocytic genes are likely used for the intracellular theft of cnidarian stinging organelles in nudibranch gastropods
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Phagocytosis is a universal physiological process in eukaryotes with many important biological functions. In nudibranch gastropods, a novel form of phagocytosis called nematocyst sequestration is specialized for the uptake of venomous stinging organelles stolen from their cnidarian prey. This process is highly selective. Here we use the emerging model nudibranch species Berghia stephanieae and Hermissenda opalescens to identify genes enriched within the body regions where nematocyst sequestration occurs, and investigate how the expression profile of phagocytosis, immune, and digestive genes differs between nematocyst-sequestering regions relative to those where other phagocytic functions occur. RESULTS: We identified 166 genes with significantly higher expression in sequestering regions in B. stephanieae, including genes associated with development, membrane transport, and metabolism. Of these, at least 31 overlap with transcripts upregulated in H. opalescens sequestering tissues. Using hybridization chain reaction in situs, we show that at least two of these genes were localized to sequestering cells in B. stephanieae, including a putative C-type lectin receptor and a collagen. Genes annotated with phagocytosis, digestion, or immunity GO terms were often expressed in both sequestering and non-sequestering tissues, suggesting that they may also play a role in sequestration processes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that phagocytosis genes likely play a role in the sequestration phenotype, and that a small subset of genes (e.g., collagen) may play unique functions yet to be uncovered. We also show that genes categorized as functioning in endocytosis, immunity, and digestion have lower overall expression in sequestering tissues, supporting the hypothesis that sequestering tissues show a narrowing of function compared to digestive tissues. This study lays the foundation for further inquiry into mechanisms of organelle sequestration in nudibranchs and other organisms.
Source: EvoDevo
Authors: Jessica A. Goodheart, Rose Fiorenza, Robin Rio, Rebecca N. Lopez-Anido, Noah J. Martin, Timothy J. Herrlinger, Rebecca D. Tarvin, Deirdre C. Lyons
Language: English
Subfield: Paleontology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
Funders: National Science Foundation, American Museum of Natural History, University of California Berkeley, Society for Developmental Biology, Conchologists of America, San Diego Supercomputer Center, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Awards: Pacific Biosciences PacBio RS Single Molecule Real Time Sequencer, G1742171491, G179862484, G2206590661, G3226045097, Berghia BRAIN project, XSEDE 2.0: Integrating, Enabling and Enhancing National Cyberinfrastructure with Expanding Community Involvement, G4975449653, A 5-dimensional connectomics approach to the neural basis of behavior, G6056929667, G6814457478, Evolutionary genetics of adaptation to toxins in animals
OpenAlex ID: W4411744950