Nuclear Receptors and Development of Marine Invertebrates

Abstract

Nuclear Receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of transcription factors specific to metazoans that have the unique ability to directly translate the message of a signaling molecule into a transcriptional response. In vertebrates, NRs are pivotal players in countless processes of both embryonic and adult physiology, with embryonic development being one of the most dynamic periods of NR activity. Accumulating evidence suggests that NR signaling is also a major regulator of development in marine invertebrates, although ligands and transactivation dynamics are not necessarily conserved with respect to vertebrates. The explosion of genome sequencing projects and the interpretation of the resulting data in a phylogenetic context allowed significant progress toward an understanding of NR superfamily evolution, both in terms of molecular activities and developmental functions. In this context, marine invertebrates have been crucial for characterizing the ancestral states of NR-ligand interactions, further strengthening the importance of these organisms in the field of evolutionary developmental biology.

Establishment of Host–Algal Endosymbioses: Genetic Response to Symbiont Versus Prey in a Sponge Host

“…3 and 5 , and supplementary table S2, Supplementary Material online). These genes are known to function as transcriptional regulators involved in homeostasis, metabolism, and development ( Hwang et al 2014 ) and can directly translate the message of signaling molecules into a transcriptional response ( Miglioli et al 2021 ). The upregulation of a probable ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase ( FAM188b ) in algal-fed sponges as compared with aposymbiotic and bacterial fed sponges is notable ( figs.…”

Insights into early stages of the establishment of host:algal endosymbioses: Genetic responses to live versus heat-killed algae and bacterial prey in a sponge host

“…5, 7 and supplementary table 2) containing both a DNA-binding domain as well as a ligand-binding domain of nuclear receptors. These genes are known to function as transcriptional regulators involved in homeostasis, metabolism, and development (Hwang et al 2014) and can directly translate the message of signaling molecules into a transcriptional response (Miglioli et al 2021). It seems possible that these host genes may play a role at the onset of symbiosis, but further studies will be needed to evaluate their functions in this biological context.…”

Identification and evolution of nuclear receptors in Platyhelminths

“…ERRs are orphan receptors in Chordata and Ecdysozoa, they play important roles in regulation of neurogenesis and metabolism in Chordata and are involved in control of larval growth in Ecdysozoa. The function of Lophotrochozoa ERRs is unknown [73]. In this study, four ERRs are identified in Platyhelminths (MlERRs), phylogenetic analysis shows that these members are closely related ERRs.…”

“…In Mollusca N. lapillus, PPAR-responsive pathways is related to tributyltin (TBT) induced imposex [72]. Vertebrate ERs are activated by estradiol (E2) and have important roles in development of the nervous system and secondary sexual traits, but Mollusca ERs cannot bind estrogen, they are constitutively active and retained the ability to regulate their own gene transcription [73].…”