Jellyfish oocyte maturation and spawning triggered by light-cued released of neuropeptides

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26840073
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Developmental biology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Takeda Noriyo 東北大学, 生命科学研究科, 助教(研究特任) (40433742)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 卵成熟 / 放卵 / 神経ペプチド / ホルモン / クラゲ / 刺胞動物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Marine hydrozoan jellyfish, Clytia hemisphaerica, induces oocyte maturation and spawning daily in response to changes in light condition (from dark to light). In this study, we found several features of neuropeptides as potential maturation-inducing hormones.
Neuropeptides are derived from precursor genes in Clytia ovary. The mesh-like networks of neuropeptide-positive neurons appear in ovarian ectodermal epithelium before the initiation of oocyte maturation. The neuropeptides are released from them in response to light stimulus. Finally, we obtained the time course and timing of accumulation of neuropeptides after the previous spawning.

Free Research Field

生殖生物学