A new study sheds new light on the origins of modern brain cells. Researchers find evidence that specialized secretory cells found in placozoans, tiny sea creatures the size of a grain of sand, have many similarities to the neuron, such as the genes required to create a partial synapse. From an evolutionary point of view, early neurons might have started as something like these cells, eventually gaining the ability to create a complete synapse, form axons and dendrites and create ion channels that generate fast electrical signals -- innovations which gave rise to the neuron in more complex animals such as jellyfish. Though the complete story of how the first neuron appeared remains to be told, the study demonstrates that the basic building blocks for our brain cells were forming in the ancestors of placozoans grazing inconspicuously in the shallow seas of Earth around 800 million years ago.
sheds new light on the evolution of neurons, focusing on the placozoans, a millimetre-sized marine animal. Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona find evidence that specialized secretory cells found in these unique and ancient creatures may have given rise to neurons in more complex animals.
The sea creatures coordinate their behaviour thanks to peptidergic cells, special types of cells that release small peptides which can direct the animal's movement or feeding. Driven by the intrigue of the origin of these cells, the authors of the study employed an array of molecular techniques and computational models to understand how placozoan cell types evolved and piece together how our ancient ancestors might have looked and functioned.
Surprisingly, the peptidergic cells shared many similarities to neurons -- a cell type which didn't appear until many millions of years later in more advanced animals such as and bilateria. Cross-species analyses revealed these similarities are unique to placozoans and do not appear in other early-branching animals such as sponges or comb jellies .The similarities between peptidergic cells and neurons were threefold.
Finally, the authors used deep learning techniques to show that placozoan cell types communicate with each other using a system in cells where specific proteins, called GPCRs , detect outside signals and start a series of reactions inside the cell. These outside signals are mediated by neuropeptides, chemical messengers used by neurons in many different physiological processes.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New COVID variant BA.2.86 spotted in 10 states, though highly mutated strain remains rareThe variant, which has an unusually large number of mutations, has also been spotted in numerous countries, but remains rare for now.
Read more »
‘I swear, though, that this happened’: The ghosts of Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg served as a final resting place for an estimated 51,000-plus souls that lost their lives on the grounds. And it’s the soul of these soldiers — as well as a few others — that are said to still haunt the students and staff of Gettysburg College.
Read more »
71pc of UK fashion companies have D&I strategies, though most are 'underdeveloped': BFCNew findings backed by executive advisory firm MBS Group show that while diversity and inclusion are top of mind for many companies, inadequate implementation is hampering progress.
Read more »
10 Failed Fantasy Movies That Deserve A Reboot (Even Though They Bombed The First Time)These fantasy movies have tons of potential.
Read more »
Tiny Beautiful Things Season 1: Where to Watch & StreamLooking for a streamer where Tiny Beautiful Things Season 1 is available? Here is where you can watch the show online.
Read more »
CERN researchers continue to look for elusive monopolesMagnetic monopoles are consistent with quantum mechanics and are called 'as one of the safest bets that one can make about physics not yet seen.”
Read more »