Nuestro último artículo, publicado en Molecular Biology and Evolution

Evolution in metazoans of the TRPM channel family involves multiple gains and losses of genes and domains

Marina Morini, Christina Bergqvist, Juan F. Asturiano, Sylvie Dufour, Dan Larhammar

Abstract

Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels of the melastatin family (TRPM) have eight members in mammals with a broad spectrum of functions. We investigated the evolution of this complex gene family across metazoans. The characteristic aminoterminal melastatin domain and the carboxyterminal NUDT9 homology domain with similarity to ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase were added to the common ancestor of TRPM and its sister channel TRPS. Gene duplications before the origin of bilaterians resulted in four TRPM genes: α, β, βlike and γ. The two latter were discovered in this study. All four and TRPS are present in extant mollusks, while differential losses occurred in the other animal lineages. TRPS, TRPMβlike and TRPMγ were lost in early chordates, meaning that the vertebrate ancestor started with TRPMα and β, both of which were duplicated before the first vertebrate tetraploidization 1R. The ancestor of the micro-RNA genes mir-211 and mir-204 was inserted in an intron of the ancestor of TRPM1/TRPM3. The TRPM6/TRPM7 ancestor acquired a kinase domain, probably a copy of the syntenic alpha protein kinase ALPK2/3 ancestor gene. Vertebrate 1R and gnathostome 2R together with local gene duplication and losses resulted in eight TRPM (TRPM1-8) in the gnathostome ancestor. In cyclostomes, extensive gene losses after the hexaploidization led to four TRPM. The teleost-specific tetraploidization 3R generated further TRPM ohnologs. The NUDT9 homology domain is retained in TRPM2 and TRPS but was lost repeatedly during TRPM evolution. Thus, the TRPM family displays considerable evolutionary variation with regard to gene and domain gains and losses.

Molecular Biology and Evolution 43: 1-25, 2026

https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msag098

Nuestro último artículo, publicado en Aquaculture Reports

Seminal plasma as an extender for short-term storage and cryopreservation of sperm in European sea bass

Laís P. Borges, Thales S. França, Fátima Fernández-García, Alicia Felip, Juan F. Asturiano

Abstract

The preservation of male sperm is a tool gaining importance for assisted reproduction programs, genetic conservation, and reproductive management in aquaculture. This study compared the effects of natural seminal plasma and a synthetic non-activating medium (NAM) on the short-term storage and cryopreservation of sperm samples in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The NAM extender consisted of (in mM): NaCl 59.83, KCl 1.47, MgCl₂ 12.91, CaCl₂ 3.51, NaHCO₃ 20, and glucose 0.44, supplemented with BSA (1% w/v), with an osmolality of 310 mOsm/kg and pH adjusted to 7.7. Two experiments were conducted: (1) sperm undergone refrigerated (4 ºC) for up to 144 h, assessing total motility (MOT), progressive motility (MOTp), and additional kinetic parameters using a CASA system; (2) sperm was cryopreserved using DMSO followed by thawing, with evaluation of the same parameters and DNA integrity using the comet assay. In short-term storage, samples diluted with seminal plasma maintained significantly higher motility and kinetic parameters than those diluted with NAM up to 48 h, with a marked decline in both extenders after 144 h. In the cryopreservation trials, seminal plasma yielded better results for sperm motility and kinetic parameters, but no significant differences were found in DNA fragmentation between extenders. The findings indicate that natural seminal plasma, due to its biochemical composition rich in ions, proteins, and antioxidants, offers advantages in maintaining sperm motility and structural integrity compared with NAM. Nevertheless, the motility decline after prolonged storage underscores the need for optimized cryopreservation protocols. It is concluded that seminal plasma is a promising alternative to NAM for D. labrax sperm preservation, and further studies are recommended to standardize its concentration, supplement it with antioxidants, and assess post-thaw fertility.

Aquaculture Reports, 48: 103605. 2026

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2026.103605

Tiburón zorro capturado accidentalmente como fuente de información para la conservación de elasmobranquios

El pasado 18 de marzo, tuvo lugar una captura ciertamente inusual en la costa valenciana: un tiburón zorro (Alopias vulpinus). Fue recuperado por pescadores de trasmallo frente a las costas de Xàbia, y trasladado a puerto. El tiburón zorro es una especie que habita las aguas del Mediterráneo y del Atlántico norte, pero aún así siempre es un hallazgo impactante, ya que no suelen dejarse ver debido a sus hábitos profundos (viven a unos 500 metros de profundidad). Lamentablemente, está clasificado como "Vulnerable" a nivel mundial, una situación que se replica o agrava en el Mediterráneo, con una disminución poblacional superior al 99% en el último siglo debido a la sobrepesca.

Por todo ello, obtener información sobre la especie a partir de eventos como los varamientos o las capturas accidentales, es clave para poder ayudar a su conservación. En este caso, fue un equipo del Oceanogràfic de Valencia el que recogió al animal y le practicó la necropsia.

Por nuestra parte, desde el Laboratorio de Reproducción de Peces de la UPV, obtuvimos muestras de esperma de este ejemplar que están siendo analizadas, y que fueron criopreservadas, pasando a formar parte de nuestro criobanco: una reserva de esperma de diferentes especies amenazadas que podría ser útil en futuros programas de conservación de especies de elasmobranquios.

En el video se observa cómo se ven al microscopio los espermatozoides de tiburón zorro, que varían en morfología con respecto a otras especies.