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Specific Developmental Defects in Molluscs after Treatment with Retinoic Acid during Gastrulation: (retinoic
Robbert Créton1, Gideon Zwaan1, René Dohmen1
1Department of Experimental Zoology, University of Utrecht, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
All-trans retinoic acid is known as a teratogen in vertebrate development. To study whether molluscan morphogenesis is sensitive to retinoic acid, the development of Lymnaea stagnalis, Physa fontinalis and Bithynia tentaculata was examined after treatment with retinoic acid. Low concentrations retinoic acid (10-7 M) specifically affected eye formation in each of these species. In Lymnaea, it was shown that 10-6 M retinoic acid resulted in a wider spectrum of deficiencies, including eye defects, arrested development and shell deformations. Pulse treatments revealed that embryos were most sensitive during gastrulation. Soon after gastrulation the embryos had lost their sensitivity to retinoic acid, which indicates that the observed defects do not result from a general non-specific toxic effect on cells. Even though molluscan development differs in numerous respects from vertebrate development, the present results suggest that molluscs share common features with vertebrates in morphogenetic processes that operate in early development.
Insights
All-trans retinoic acid, a known vertebrate teratogen, impacts early molluscan development. Studies on Lymnaea stagnalis, Physa fontinalis, and Bithynia tentaculata show retinoic acid specifically affects eye formation and morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Teratology
- Molluscan research
Background:
- All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a well-established teratogen in vertebrate development.
- Understanding the effects of ATRA on invertebrate development can reveal conserved biological pathways.
- Molluscan development offers a model to investigate early morphogenetic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sensitivity of molluscan morphogenesis to all-trans retinoic acid.
- To determine if ATRA affects specific developmental processes in gastropod species.
- To compare the teratogenic effects of ATRA in mollusks and vertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of Lymnaea stagnalis, Physa fontinalis, and Bithynia tentaculata embryos to varying concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid.
- Observation and documentation of developmental abnormalities, including eye formation, arrested development, and shell deformation.
- Pulse treatments to identify sensitive developmental stages, specifically during gastrulation.
Main Results:
- Low concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid (10^-7 M) specifically impaired eye formation in all three species.
- Higher concentrations (10^-6 M) in Lymnaea stagnalis caused a broader range of defects, including arrested development and shell malformations.
- Embryonic sensitivity to retinoic acid was highest during gastrulation, with sensitivity decreasing rapidly thereafter, suggesting specific, non-toxic mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Molluscan embryos exhibit sensitivity to all-trans retinoic acid, particularly affecting eye development and overall morphogenesis.
- The observed teratogenic effects suggest conserved molecular pathways between vertebrate and molluscan early development.
- Retinoic acid's impact during gastrulation highlights this critical period for developmental sensitivity in these invertebrates.
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