title: The diatom-derived aldehyde decadienal affects life cycle transition in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis through nitric oxide/ERK signalling.
abstract: Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) are fatty-acid-derived metabolites produced by some microalgae, including different diatom species. PUAs are mainly produced as a wound-activated defence mechanism against microalgal predators or released from senescent cells at the end of a bloom. PUAs, including 2,4-trans-decadienal (DD), induce deleterious effects on embryonic and larval development of several planktonic and benthic organisms. Here, we report on the effects of DD on larval development and metamorphosis of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Ciona larval development is regulated by the cross-talking of different molecular events, including nitric oxide (NO) production, ERK activation and caspase 3-dependent apoptosis. We report that treatment with DD at the competence larval stage results in a delay in metamorphosis. DD affects redox balance by reducing total glutathione and NO levels. By biochemical and quantitative gene expression analysis, we identify the NO-signalling network affected by DD, including the upregulation of ERK phosphatase mkp1 and consequent reduction of ERK phosphorylation, with final changes in the expression of downstream ERK target genes. Overall, these results give new insights into the molecular pathways induced in marine organisms after exposure to PUAs during larval development, demonstrating that this aldehyde affects key checkpoints of larval transition from the vegetative to the reproductive life stage.
authors: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy.
authors: Immacolata
authors: I
authors: Castellano
authors: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Ercolesi
authors: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy.
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Romano
authors: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy.
authors: Adrianna
authors: A
authors: Ianora
authors: Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy anna.palumbo@szn.it.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Palumbo
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D017377:Diatoms / Q000737:chemistry*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000187:drug effects*; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000187:drug effects; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010766:Phosphorylation; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; C057349:2,4-decadienal; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
keywords: Ciona; ERK; decadienal; metamorphosis; mkp1; nitric oxide