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Neurobiology of the basal platyhelminth Macrostomum lignano: map and digital 3D model of the juvenile brain neuropile

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Abstract

We have analyzed brain structure in Macrostomum lignano, a representative of the basal platyhelminth taxon Macrostomida. Using confocal microscopy and digital 3D modeling software on specimens labeled with general markers for neurons (tyrTub), muscles (phalloidin), and nuclei (Sytox), an atlas and digital model of the juvenile Macrostomum brain was generated. The brain forms a ganglion with a central neuropile surrounded by a cortex of neuronal cell bodies. The neuropile contains a stereotypical array of compact axon bundles, as well as branched terminal axons and dendrites. Muscle fibers penetrate the flatworm brain horizontally and vertically at invariant positions. Beside the invariant pattern of neurite bundles, these “cerebral muscles” represent a convenient system of landmarks that help define discrete compartments in the juvenile brain. Commissural axon bundles define a dorsal and ventro-medial neuropile compartment, respectively. Longitudinal axons that enter the neuropile through an invariant set of anterior and posterior nerve roots define a ventro-basal and a central medial compartment in the neuropile. Flanking these “fibrous” compartments are neuropile domains that lack thick axon bundles and are composed of short collaterals and terminal arborizations of neurites. Two populations of neurons, visualized by antibodies against FMRFamide and serotonin, respectively, were mapped relative to compartment boundaries. This study will aid in the documentation and interpretation of patterns of gene expression, as well as functional studies, in the developing Macrostomum brain.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NSF Grant IBN-0110718 to V.H. and the Graduate Student Training Fellowship GM0718 to J.M.

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  1. Joshua Morris

    Present address: Department of Biology and Chemistry, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA, 91702, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Joshua Morris, Albert Cardona, Maria Del Mar De Miguel-Bonet & Volker Hartenstein

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  1. Joshua Morris
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Correspondence to Volker Hartenstein.

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Communicated by D.A. Weisblat

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Morris, J., Cardona, A., De Miguel-Bonet, M.D.M. et al. Neurobiology of the basal platyhelminth Macrostomum lignano: map and digital 3D model of the juvenile brain neuropile. Dev Genes Evol 217, 569–584 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00427-007-0166-z

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