To investigate sulfide detoxification in Urech＆ unicinctus, oxygen consumption rate and sulfide detoxification products were analyzed during sulfide exposure under controlled laboratory conditions. The results showed...To investigate sulfide detoxification in Urech＆ unicinctus, oxygen consumption rate and sulfide detoxification products were analyzed during sulfide exposure under controlled laboratory conditions. The results showed that oxygen consumption rates were elevated significantly during 3 h sulfide exposure compared to the control （P〈0.05）. The concentration of sulfite in body wall and hindgut of experimental worms increased significantly （P〈0.05） when exposed to 50 μmolL^-1 sulfide, reached a maximum at 24 h and then decreased. Similar result was observed in worms exposed to 150 μmolL^-1 sulfide except that sulfite concentration reached a maximum at 12 h. Contents of thiosulfate in body wall and hindgut of U. unicinctus exposed to sulfide were also significantly higher than that of the control without sulfide exposure. In conclusion, during short-time sulfide exposure U. unicinctus may raise oxygen consumption to detoxify toxic sulfide into sulfite and thiosulfate. Sulfide detoxification was restrained when the exposure time was prolonged or sulfide concentration was increased, which was indicated by decrease of sulfite, the intermediate product of sulfide detoxification.展开更多
This study on the cytological changes of the body wall,aspiratory intestine and crissal bursa in Urechis unicinctus by light microscope (LM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that the difference betwee...This study on the cytological changes of the body wall,aspiratory intestine and crissal bursa in Urechis unicinctus by light microscope (LM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that the difference between the body wall and the natural environment rich in H 2S was not obvious; that the wall color of the aspiratory intestine in H 2S rich environment changed from normal semitransparency to dark brown; that its epithelia were disassembled and the electron density of its cytoplasm matrix was lower; and that in H 2S rich environment many basophilic granules occurred in the epithelia of the crissal bursa. Granules with single membrane and myelinefingure were found with TEM.展开更多
The changes in heme (associated with hemoglobin), hemoglobin and hematin in the coelomic fluid of marine worm, Urechis unicinctus, exposed to different concentrations of sulfide, were investigated using bio- chemical ...The changes in heme (associated with hemoglobin), hemoglobin and hematin in the coelomic fluid of marine worm, Urechis unicinctus, exposed to different concentrations of sulfide, were investigated using bio- chemical techniques. When exposed to different sulfide concentrations for up to 96 h, the relative amounts of the three components changed in a regular pattern suggesting that the coelomocytes play an important role in the worm’s tolerance to sulfide. The possible roles of heme compounds in sulfide tolerance of this species are dis- cussed on the basis of our experimental data.展开更多
Biological activities of marine benthos such as burrowing and feeding may change sediment characteristics.We conducted three experiments to examine the potential of using juveniles of a spoon worm Urechis unicinctus t...Biological activities of marine benthos such as burrowing and feeding may change sediment characteristics.We conducted three experiments to examine the potential of using juveniles of a spoon worm Urechis unicinctus to improve the quality of organically contaminated coastal sediment.Sediment samples were collected from a site that was heavily contaminated with organic matter (Seonso) and two sites that were clean (Myo-do,Dolsan-do).Urechis juveniles,obtained by artificial fertilization and cultured in the laboratory,were introduced to the sediment (weight 3 kg,depth 10 cm) at a density of 500 individuals per aquarium (length 50 cm,width 35 cm,height 30 cm) (Experiment 1),or at densities ranging from 100 to 900 individuals per beaker (Experiment 2).To examine how sediment contamination can be modified by the effects of Urechis,500 individuals (per aquarium) were exposed to the Seonso contaminated sediment that had been mixed with 0-100% clean sand (Experiment 3).Each experiment lasted two months and sediment samples were collected every 15 d to determine the several indexes of sediment quality,which included acid volatile sulfide (AVS),chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total ignition loss (TIL).In Experiment 1,the existence of Urechis did not result in significant changes in quality indexes in the sediments collected from Myo-do,Dolsan-do.However,AVS,COD and TIL of the Seonso sediment all decreased significantly after co-incubation with Urechis juveniles for 30 to 45 d.Experiment 2 showed that a density of at least 300 juveniles per beaker was necessary to significantly reduce all three quality indexes,and the magnitude of reduction was positively correlated with juvenile density.Experiment 3 revealed that Urechis juveniles were effective in reducing the AVS,COD and TIL of the Seonso sediment that had been mixed with 60%,80%,and 80% of clean sand,respectively.The results of the present study therefore indicated that juveniles of this spoon worm have the potential to be used to improve the quality of organically contaminated sediment in coastal waters.展开更多
We measured sulfide-based ATP production by isolated mitochondria from four tissues of Urechis unicinctus and the effects of inhibitors of respiratory complexes on ATP production were evaluated. The results show that ...We measured sulfide-based ATP production by isolated mitochondria from four tissues of Urechis unicinctus and the effects of inhibitors of respiratory complexes on ATP production were evaluated. The results show that these mitochondria could oxidize sulfide to produce ATP. The yield of sulfide-stimulated ATP varied from 5 nmol ATP/min/mg to 90 nmol ATP/min/mg according to the sulfide concentration and the source of the mitochondria. The maximum ATP synthesis occurred in hindgut mitochondria using 5 μmol/L sulfide as a substrate. The effects of inhibitors (Rotenone, Antimycin A, Cyanide, and Salicylhydroxamic acid) on mitochondrial ATP production varied with the source of the mitochondria. Our results indicate that sulfide-based ATP production and the associated electron transport pathway are tissue-specific in U. unicinctus.展开更多
The reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR) has become one of the most important techniques of studying gene expression. A set of valid reference genes are essential for the accurate normalization of...The reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR) has become one of the most important techniques of studying gene expression. A set of valid reference genes are essential for the accurate normalization of data. In this study, five candidate genes were analyzed with ge Norm, Norm Finder, Best Keeper and ?Ct methods to identify the genes stably expressed in echiuran Urechis unicinctus, an important commercial marine benthic worm, under abiotic(sulfide stress) and normal(adult tissues, embryos and larvae at different development stages) conditions. The comprehensive results indicated that the expression of TBP was the most stable at sulfide stress and in developmental process, while the expression of EF-1-α was the most stable at sulfide stress and in various tissues. TBP and EF-1-α were recommended as a suitable reference gene combination to accurately normalize the expression of target genes at sulfide stress; and EF-1-α, TBP and TUB were considered as a potential reference gene combination for normalizing the expression of target genes in different tissues. No suitable gene combination was obtained among these five candidate genes for normalizing the expression of target genes for developmental process of U. unicinctus. Our results provided a valuable support for quantifying gene expression using RT-qPCR in U. unicinctus.展开更多
Larval settlement and metamorphosis are important developmental events in marine invertebrates.Some neuropeptides may play a key role in these processes.In this study,we revealed the expression characteristics of myoi...Larval settlement and metamorphosis are important developmental events in marine invertebrates.Some neuropeptides may play a key role in these processes.In this study,we revealed the expression characteristics of myoinhibitory peptide(MIP)in the embryos and larvae of the echiuran worm Urechis unicinctus using RT-qPCR,in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence techniques,and found its location in the top cells of the upper hemisphere was conservative in larvae.Furthermore,we used the active MIP peptide to verify its role in inducing the larval settlement of U.unicinctus,and confirmed that MIP can trigger an obvious larval settlement when 10μmol L^(−1) or 15μmol L^(−1) MIP was added in the seawater where early-segmentation larvae were cultured.Our finding indicated that neuropeptide MIP participates in the larval settlement in U.unicinctus.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos.40776074and 30570223
文摘To investigate sulfide detoxification in Urech＆ unicinctus, oxygen consumption rate and sulfide detoxification products were analyzed during sulfide exposure under controlled laboratory conditions. The results showed that oxygen consumption rates were elevated significantly during 3 h sulfide exposure compared to the control （P〈0.05）. The concentration of sulfite in body wall and hindgut of experimental worms increased significantly （P〈0.05） when exposed to 50 μmolL^-1 sulfide, reached a maximum at 24 h and then decreased. Similar result was observed in worms exposed to 150 μmolL^-1 sulfide except that sulfite concentration reached a maximum at 12 h. Contents of thiosulfate in body wall and hindgut of U. unicinctus exposed to sulfide were also significantly higher than that of the control without sulfide exposure. In conclusion, during short-time sulfide exposure U. unicinctus may raise oxygen consumption to detoxify toxic sulfide into sulfite and thiosulfate. Sulfide detoxification was restrained when the exposure time was prolonged or sulfide concentration was increased, which was indicated by decrease of sulfite, the intermediate product of sulfide detoxification.
文摘This study on the cytological changes of the body wall,aspiratory intestine and crissal bursa in Urechis unicinctus by light microscope (LM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that the difference between the body wall and the natural environment rich in H 2S was not obvious; that the wall color of the aspiratory intestine in H 2S rich environment changed from normal semitransparency to dark brown; that its epithelia were disassembled and the electron density of its cytoplasm matrix was lower; and that in H 2S rich environment many basophilic granules occurred in the epithelia of the crissal bursa. Granules with single membrane and myelinefingure were found with TEM.
基金This research was supported by the NSFC-KOSEF scientific coopera-tion program and NSFC (No. 30271039).
文摘The changes in heme (associated with hemoglobin), hemoglobin and hematin in the coelomic fluid of marine worm, Urechis unicinctus, exposed to different concentrations of sulfide, were investigated using bio- chemical techniques. When exposed to different sulfide concentrations for up to 96 h, the relative amounts of the three components changed in a regular pattern suggesting that the coelomocytes play an important role in the worm’s tolerance to sulfide. The possible roles of heme compounds in sulfide tolerance of this species are dis- cussed on the basis of our experimental data.
文摘Biological activities of marine benthos such as burrowing and feeding may change sediment characteristics.We conducted three experiments to examine the potential of using juveniles of a spoon worm Urechis unicinctus to improve the quality of organically contaminated coastal sediment.Sediment samples were collected from a site that was heavily contaminated with organic matter (Seonso) and two sites that were clean (Myo-do,Dolsan-do).Urechis juveniles,obtained by artificial fertilization and cultured in the laboratory,were introduced to the sediment (weight 3 kg,depth 10 cm) at a density of 500 individuals per aquarium (length 50 cm,width 35 cm,height 30 cm) (Experiment 1),or at densities ranging from 100 to 900 individuals per beaker (Experiment 2).To examine how sediment contamination can be modified by the effects of Urechis,500 individuals (per aquarium) were exposed to the Seonso contaminated sediment that had been mixed with 0-100% clean sand (Experiment 3).Each experiment lasted two months and sediment samples were collected every 15 d to determine the several indexes of sediment quality,which included acid volatile sulfide (AVS),chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total ignition loss (TIL).In Experiment 1,the existence of Urechis did not result in significant changes in quality indexes in the sediments collected from Myo-do,Dolsan-do.However,AVS,COD and TIL of the Seonso sediment all decreased significantly after co-incubation with Urechis juveniles for 30 to 45 d.Experiment 2 showed that a density of at least 300 juveniles per beaker was necessary to significantly reduce all three quality indexes,and the magnitude of reduction was positively correlated with juvenile density.Experiment 3 revealed that Urechis juveniles were effective in reducing the AVS,COD and TIL of the Seonso sediment that had been mixed with 60%,80%,and 80% of clean sand,respectively.The results of the present study therefore indicated that juveniles of this spoon worm have the potential to be used to improve the quality of organically contaminated sediment in coastal waters.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40776074)
文摘We measured sulfide-based ATP production by isolated mitochondria from four tissues of Urechis unicinctus and the effects of inhibitors of respiratory complexes on ATP production were evaluated. The results show that these mitochondria could oxidize sulfide to produce ATP. The yield of sulfide-stimulated ATP varied from 5 nmol ATP/min/mg to 90 nmol ATP/min/mg according to the sulfide concentration and the source of the mitochondria. The maximum ATP synthesis occurred in hindgut mitochondria using 5 μmol/L sulfide as a substrate. The effects of inhibitors (Rotenone, Antimycin A, Cyanide, and Salicylhydroxamic acid) on mitochondrial ATP production varied with the source of the mitochondria. Our results indicate that sulfide-based ATP production and the associated electron transport pathway are tissue-specific in U. unicinctus.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 31372506 and 31572601)
文摘The reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR) has become one of the most important techniques of studying gene expression. A set of valid reference genes are essential for the accurate normalization of data. In this study, five candidate genes were analyzed with ge Norm, Norm Finder, Best Keeper and ?Ct methods to identify the genes stably expressed in echiuran Urechis unicinctus, an important commercial marine benthic worm, under abiotic(sulfide stress) and normal(adult tissues, embryos and larvae at different development stages) conditions. The comprehensive results indicated that the expression of TBP was the most stable at sulfide stress and in developmental process, while the expression of EF-1-α was the most stable at sulfide stress and in various tissues. TBP and EF-1-α were recommended as a suitable reference gene combination to accurately normalize the expression of target genes at sulfide stress; and EF-1-α, TBP and TUB were considered as a potential reference gene combination for normalizing the expression of target genes in different tissues. No suitable gene combination was obtained among these five candidate genes for normalizing the expression of target genes for developmental process of U. unicinctus. Our results provided a valuable support for quantifying gene expression using RT-qPCR in U. unicinctus.
基金This work was support by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Nos.202064006,202113045)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31572601,42176122)+1 种基金the Key Research&Development Project of Hainan Province(No.ZDYF2021XD NY180)the Postdoctoral Applied Research Project of Qingdao.
文摘Larval settlement and metamorphosis are important developmental events in marine invertebrates.Some neuropeptides may play a key role in these processes.In this study,we revealed the expression characteristics of myoinhibitory peptide(MIP)in the embryos and larvae of the echiuran worm Urechis unicinctus using RT-qPCR,in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence techniques,and found its location in the top cells of the upper hemisphere was conservative in larvae.Furthermore,we used the active MIP peptide to verify its role in inducing the larval settlement of U.unicinctus,and confirmed that MIP can trigger an obvious larval settlement when 10μmol L^(−1) or 15μmol L^(−1) MIP was added in the seawater where early-segmentation larvae were cultured.Our finding indicated that neuropeptide MIP participates in the larval settlement in U.unicinctus.
