Biology subjects

Pieroni, E. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Pieroni, E. M..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Sensory and developmental phenotyping of C. elegans parses autism associated genes into behavioural classifications

Differences in sensory processing and development are traits described by the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The inclusion of sensory processing has been accompanied by increased investigation of this criterion to better understand how autism risk genes bring about changes in sensory biology. The contribution of epigenetic modifiers to sensory and developmental phenotypes is of particular interest, given they represent genetically encoded signalling cascades that regulate the environments' ability to modulate gene expression. ~50% of the highest confidence genes ranked on the Simons Foundation Autism Research Institute (SFARI) can be classified as epigenetic modifiers, further highlighting the contribution of aberrant epigenetic function in shaping the landscape of ASD. Here, we utilise the model organism C. elegans to investigate epigenetic modifiers, their role in sensory and developmental biology and behavioural outcomes. C. elegans provides robust readouts for both developmental and sensory biology allowing phenotypic signatures of ASD to be systematically investigated. 52 epigenetic modifiers (65 strains) were selected for study in C. elegans based on gene function, presence of an orthologue in C. elegans and the availability of viable putative null strains. This identified significant changes to reproduction, gross development and sensory processing across the range of epigenetic modifiers. We identified subgroups of mutant strains with either impaired sensation or development, or both. This study provides a link between the ASD phenotypes of sensory impairment and developmental delay and suggests sensory testing in human cohorts can help to further refine sub-categorisation of heterogenous ASD cohorts.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Identification and functional investigation of Octopus vulgaris TRPV channels as potential nociceptors in cephalopods

Nociception is an essential response for organisms to avoid potential harm and promote survival. Its molecular determinants are largely conserved across Eumetazoa. TRPV receptors are polymodal ion channels exhibiting selective peripheral expression and functional coupling that underpins nociception and pain modulation in complex organisms. However, the execution of protective behaviours triggered by TRPVs is also found in species with a simpler nervous organisation, thus encouraging their investigation in invertebrate model organisms to increase understanding of animal nociception. Cephalopods represent an interesting invertebrate phylum with respect to the evolution of the nervous system, whose complexity suggests it might support pain-like states that exist in vertebrates. This possibility is reflected by the inclusion of cephalopods in the UK and EU animal welfare legislations. Despite this, there is poor characterisation of cephalopod molecular nociceptors. For this reason, we used in silico analysis to identify two TRPV channels in Octopus vulgaris genome (Ovtrpv1 and Ovtrpv2). We validated the putative transcript sequences and highlighted prevalent expression in sensory tissues. We investigated the functional competence of these TRPVs by heterologously expressing Ovtrpv1 and Ovtrpv2 cDNA into Caenorhabditis elegans null mutants of the orthologous genes, ocr-2 and osm-9 respectively. Ovtrpvs successfully rescued the aversive response to chemical and mechanical noxious stimuli in the C. elegans mutants, suggesting these receptors are polymodal nociceptors. Additionally, complementary investigation using Xenopus laevis oocytes showed Ovtrpv1 and Ovtrpv2 form an active heteromeric channel gated by nicotinamide. This study highlights Ovtrpvs as an important route to better understand nociceptive detection in cephalopods.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

In silico identification and deorphanisation of an allatostatin C GPCR system in the cephalopod Octopus vulgaris reveals two receptors with distinct potency

Neuropeptide signalling is transversally important in all living animals as it constitutes the basis of cellular communication. The investigation of the functional roles of peptide signalling represents an important route to understanding evolution of specific physiological traits and behaviours in metazoans. Allatostatins and their cognate receptors are classically defined as invertebrate neuropeptide hormones. Among these, allatostatin C was firstly associated with insect development. However, accumulating evidence recognises the presence of allatostatin C as a conserved signalling molecule across all invertebrate lineages, with reported functions spanning from regulation of feeding and digestion to immune responses and modulation of core nociception. Here we combined in silico and experimental approaches to reveal the interacting molecular determinants of the allatostatin C signalling in the cephalopod Octopus vulgaris, a scientifically and culturally interesting invertebrate for its centralised nervous system, capable of top-down modulation of complex behaviours. This resolved a single prepropeptide encompassing allatostatin C peptide (OvAstC), whose conserved mature form (AVITACYFQAVSCY) was shown to differentially activate two identified cognate receptors (OvAstCR1 and OvAstCR2) when heterologously expressed in the recombinant system HEK293G5A. PCR analysis carried out in O. vulgaris tissues, showed a broad distribution of OvAstC and OvAstCRs. This wide expression across nervous, immune and digestive tissues is consistent with a pleiotropic role of this peptidergic system. Together, the opioid/somatostatin-related phylogenetic placement of OvAstCRs and the broad expression of OvAstC components in nervous and sensory tissues nominate this pathway as a candidate for neuromodulatory control of sensory processing, including nociception, with potential welfare relevance in cephalopods. Significance statementCephalopods represent an evolutionarily distinctive molluscan lineage that evolved a centralised nervous system capable of displaying advanced learning and behavioural complexity compared with other invertebrates. These features, speculated to allow elaboration of pain-like states, granted cephalopods inclusion as the only invertebrate taxon requiring protection under European legislations when used in research. Investigation of the neuropeptide signalling in cephalopods is currently understudied despite its crucial role in regulating broad physiological functions in organisms. This study identified for the first time a single allatostatin C peptide and two cognate receptors in Octopus vulgaris. Our characterisation of a putative endogenous allatostatin C system in octopus, the accumulating evidence of its central role in invertebrate antinociception and its evolutionary relationship with the vertebrate-exclusive analgesic opioid family, represent a critical starting point for a more in-depth analysis of the physiological role of allatostatin C in this subclass of molluscs, with important welfare implications.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Identification of molecular nociceptors in Octopus vulgaris through functional characterisation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Nociception, a phenomenon crucial for animal survival, deploys evolutionarily conserved molecular mechanisms. Among invertebrate species, cephalopods are of particular interest as they possess a well-developed brain speculated to be able to encode pain-like states. This has led to their inclusion in the Directive 2010/63 EU for welfare protection. However, the molecular mechanisms of nociception in cephalopods are still poorly characterised and it is important to address this knowledge gap to better understand cephlapods capacity to express pain states. Here we describe a bioinformatic pipeline utilising conserved nociceptive genes, to identify the orthologous candidates in the Octopus vulgaris transcriptome. We identified 51 genes we predict to function in nociception. These add to the mechanosensory TRPN and the unique chemotactile receptors recently identified in octopus suckers, thus expanding the set of genes that merit further functional characterisation in cephalopods. We therefore selected 38 orthologues in Caenorhabditis elegans, a tractable experimental platform and tested loss of function mutant strains of distinct functional gene classes (e.g., osm-9, egl-3, frpr-3) in a low pH avoidance paradigm. This identified 18 nociceptive-related genes to be prioritised for further functional characterisation in O. vulgaris.

neuroscience↗