We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
First Report of OvoA Gene in Marine Arthropods: A New Candidate Stress Biomarker in Copepods
Summary
Researchers reported the first identification of the OvoA gene in marine arthropods, specifically in copepods, finding that OvoA expression increases under oxidative stress conditions, establishing it as a candidate stress biomarker for marine pollution monitoring.
Ovothiol is one of the most powerful antioxidants acting in marine organisms as a defense against oxidative stress during development and in response to environmental cues. The gene involved in the ovothiol biosynthesis, OvoA, is found in almost all metazoans, but open questions existed on its presence among arthropods. Here, using an in silico workflow, we report a single OvoA gene in marine arthropods including copepods, decapods, and amphipods. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that OvoA from marine arthropods separated from the other marine phyla (e.g., Porifera, Mollusca) and divided into two separate branches, suggesting a possible divergence through evolution. In the copepod Calanus finmarchicus, we suggest that OvoA has a defense role in oxidative stress as shown by its high expression in response to a toxic diet and during the copepodite stage, a developmental stage that includes significant morphological changes. Overall, the results of our study open possibilities for the use of OvoA as a biomarker of stress in copepods and possibly also for other marine holozooplankters. The finding of OvoA in copepods is also promising for the drug discovery field, suggesting the possibility of using copepods as a new source of bioactive compounds to be tested in the marine biotechnological sector.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Glutathione S-Transferases in Marine Copepods
This review summarized the biology of glutathione S-transferase enzymes in marine copepods, describing their roles in detoxifying contaminants including plasticizers and persistent organic pollutants, and highlighting their potential as biomarkers for assessing chemical stress in oceanic zooplankton communities.
A Survey on the Distribution of Ovothiol and ovoA Gene Expression in Different Tissues and Cells: A Comparative Analysis in Sea Urchins and Mussels
Researchers compared ovothiol biosynthesis in sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) by measuring ovothiol content across tissues and immune cells and analyzing ovoA gene expression from publicly available transcriptomes. They identified tissue-specific and species-specific patterns of ovothiol production, providing a foundation for biotechnological investigation of these potent natural antioxidants sourced from marine invertebrates.
Evaluation of microplastic toxicity in accordance with different sizes and exposure times in the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus
Researchers exposed marine copepods to polystyrene microbeads of two different sizes to understand how particle size and exposure duration affect toxicity. They found that both nano-sized and micro-sized particles increased reactive oxygen species levels inside cells and altered antioxidant gene expression and enzyme activity. The study provides important molecular-level evidence that microplastic toxicity in marine organisms depends on both the size of the particles and how long organisms are exposed.
Environmental stress and nanoplastics’ effects on Ciona robusta: regulation of immune/stress-related genes and induction of innate memory in pharynx and gut
Researchers found that nanoplastics combined with environmental stressors triggered immune and stress-related gene regulation changes in the marine organism Ciona robusta, along with apoptosis induction, suggesting synergistic harmful effects on marine invertebrates.
Transcriptomic analysis of oxidative stress mechanisms induced by acute nanoplastic exposure in Sepia esculenta larvae
Researchers used transcriptomic analysis to reveal that acute nanoplastic exposure in cuttlefish larvae triggered oxidative stress through disruption of antioxidant enzyme gene expression, identifying key molecular pathways affected by plastic pollution in marine cephalopods.