Approximately 800 million years ago, our brain cell components began to take shape in shallow seas. Research published in the journal Cell offers new insights into the evolution of neurons, focusing on the placozoans, a millimeter-sized marine animal. Scientists from the Centre for Genomic Regulati
Confocal microscopy image of nuclei, colored by depth, of Trichoplax sp. H2, one of the four species of placozoan for which the authors of the study created a cell atlas for. Credit: Sebastian R. Najle/Centro de Regulación GenómicaResearch published in the journal Cell offers new insights into the evolution of neurons, focusing on the placozoans, a millimeter-sized marine animal.
The sea creatures coordinate their behavior thanks to peptidergic cells, special types of cells that release small peptides that can direct the animal’s movement or feeding. Driven by the intrigue of the origin of these cells, the authors of the study employed an array of molecular techniques and computational models to understand how placozoan cell types evolved and piece together how our ancient ancestors might have looked and functioned.
Surprisingly, the peptidergic cells shared many similarities to neurons – a cell type that didn’t appear until many millions of years later in more advanced animals such as bilateria. Cross-species analyses revealed these similarities are unique to placozoans and do not appear in other early-branching animals such as sponges or comb jellies .The similarities between peptidergic cells and neurons were threefold.
“We were astounded by the parallels,” says Dr. Sebastián R. Najle, co-first author of the study and postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Genomic Regulation. “The placozoan peptidergic cells have many similarities to primitive neuronal cells, even if they aren’t quite there yet. It’s like looking at an evolutionary stepping stone.
“Placozoans lack neurons, but we’ve now found striking molecular similarities with our neural cells. Ctenophores have neural nets, with key differences and similarities with our own. Did neurons evolve once and then diverge, or more than once, in parallel? Are they a mosaic, where each piece has a different origin? These are open questions that remain to be addressed”, says Dr. Xavier Grau-Bové, co-first author of the study and postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Genomic Regulation.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Istanbul angler’s bucket list: Line fishing in Istanbul StraitThe strait connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara is not just a waterway; it's a living legacy to Istanbulite’s deep connection with the sea.
Read more »
XRP Holders to Receive a Unique Airdrop from This Japanese IT GiantGMO Coin clients who have previously invested in XRP will be the subject of a special SGB airdrop.
Read more »
Rimowa Collaborates With Tiffany & Co. To Unveil Unique Travel CollectionThis might be the chicest travel collection out there
Read more »
These 6 unique rentals are in driving distance from Pa.’s best fall foliage destinationEach of these rentals offers a quick and easy trip to what may be the best fall foliage destination in the world, in addition to lovely accommodations in their own right.
Read more »
Protostars in Unique Triple Formation Illuminate Stellar Feeding MechanismsAn international research team used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to observe the triple protostar system IRAS 04239+2436, to investigate the detailed structure of the gas around the protostars. As a result, the scientists, led by Jeong-Eun Lee, a professor at Seoul Natio
Read more »
Laura Birn on the 'Unique' Challenge of Playing Eto in 'Foundation' Season 2'She has a fight for her freedom, for her life.'
Read more »