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Published on: July 7, 2017
Induction of reverse development in two marine Hydrozoans.
Jurgen Schmich1, Yulia Kraus, Doris De Vito
1Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Universit di Lecce, Italy. jschmich@web.de
The International Journal of Developmental Biology
|December 22, 2006
Summary
Cnidarians can reverse their development, a process called reverse development (RD). Researchers induced RD in hydrozoans using chemicals, revealing similarities with larval metamorphosis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Marine Biology
- Cnidarian Biology
Background:
- Cnidarians exhibit unique reverse development (RD), shifting life cycles from adult to earlier stages.
- RD potential in cnidarians allows investigation of ontogenetic directionality control.
- Hydrozoans like Turritopsis dohrnii and Hydractinia carnea show RD, rejuvenating from medusa to polyp stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally induce and compare RD in two marine hydrozoans, Turritopsis dohrnii and Hydractinia carnea.
- To investigate the role of chemical and physical inducers in triggering RD.
- To explore molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying RD and its relationship with larval metamorphosis.
Main Methods:
- Experimental assays were conducted on Turritopsis dohrnii and Hydractinia carnea.
- Artificial induction of RD was attempted using various chemical and physical agents.
- Cesium chloride (CsCl), a known inducer of larval metamorphosis, was specifically tested for its effect on RD.
Main Results:
- Different potentials for RD were observed between Turritopsis dohrnii and Hydractinia carnea.
- Exposure to cesium chloride (CsCl) successfully induced RD in the studied hydrozoans.
- The morphogenetic events during RD share similarities with larval metamorphosis at molecular and cellular levels.
Conclusions:
- Cesium chloride (CsCl) can induce reverse development (RD) in hydrozoans, similar to its role in larval metamorphosis.
- RD and larval metamorphosis in cnidarians share underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.
- The study highlights distinct RD potentials among hydrozoan species and provides insights into developmental plasticity.
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