Characterization of nAChRs in Nematostella vectensis supports neuronal and non-neuronal roles in the cnidarian–bilaterian common ancestor

摘要

Acetylcholine induces tentacular contractions. Contractile response to 0 µM–25 mM acetylcholine in 3-month-old polyps. The first response to acetylcholine occurred at 500 µM acetylcholine with 33.6 ± 2.4% of animals contracting their tentacles but was not significantly different than the controls (  = 0.339). At 1 mM, tentacular contractions occurred in 12 ± 3.97% of polyps tested. At 5 mM, tentacular contractions occurred in 18 ± 10.82% of polyps. Tentacular contractions occurred in 88 ± 1.42% of polyps treated with 10 mM and 85.9 ± 5.63% of polyps treated with 25 mM acetylcholine. Tentacular contractions observed at 10 mM and 25 mM were statistically significant from contractions observed polyps treated with control and lower concentrations of acetylcholine (  ≤ 0.05). – Single frame images from movies showing tentacular response to the addition of growth medium. – Single frame images from movies showing tentacular response to the addition of 10 mM acetylcholine ( ), and the subsequent relaxation that occurs after treatment ( ). Response to acetylcholine is not significantly different (  = 0.196) between 13 day postfertilization (13 dpf), 2-month post fertilization (2 mpf), or 3-month postfertilization (3 mpf) old polyps ( ). In all images, oral is to the left. These data were calculated using a one-way ANOVA. Contractile response to 0 µM–25 mM acetylcholine in 3-month-old polyps = 53.7,  H) Response to acetylcholine at different timepoints = 1.98,  = 0.196. Each experiment was performed  ≥ 3 times with an  ≥ 8/replicate. Points that do not share letters in ( ) are statistically different from each other. (mpf) month postfertilization. (dpf) day postfertilization