The hypothalamus predates the origin of vertebrates

Laurence A. Lemaire, Chen Cao, Peter H. Yoon, Juanjuan Long, Michael Levine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hypothalamus coordinates neuroendocrine functions in vertebrates. To explore its evolutionary origin, we describe integrated transcriptome/connectome brain maps for swimming tadpoles of Ciona, which serves as an approximation of the ancestral proto-vertebrate. This map features several cell types related to different regions of the vertebrate hypothalamus, including the mammillary nucleus, the arcuate nucleus, and magnocellular neurons. Coronet cells express melanopsin and share additional properties with the saccus vasculosus, a specialized region of the hypothalamus that mediates photoperiodism in nontropical fishes. Comparative transcriptome analyses identified orthologous cell types for mechanosensory switch neurons, and VP+ and VPR+ relay neurons in different regions of the mouse hypothalamus. These observations provide evidence that the hypothalamus predates the evolution of the vertebrate brain. We discuss the possibility that switch neurons, coronet cells, and FoxP+/VPR+ relay neurons comprise a behavioral circuit that helps trigger metamorphosis of Ciona larvae in response to twilight.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbereabf7452
JournalScience Advances
Volume7
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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