AUTHOR=Styfhals Ruth , Seuntjens Eve , Simakov Oleg , Sanges Remo , Fiorito Graziano 

TITLE=In silico Identification and Expression of Protocadherin Gene Family in Octopus vulgaris

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.01905

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2018.01905

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>Connecting millions of neurons to create a functional neural circuit is a daunting challenge. Vertebrates developed a molecular system at the cell membrane to allow neurons to recognize each other by distinguishing self from non-self through homophilic protocadherin interactions. In mammals, the protocadherin gene family counts about 50 different genes. By hetero-multimerization, protocadherins are capable of generating an impressive number of molecular interfaces. Surprisingly, in the California two-spot octopus, <italic>Octopus bimaculoides</italic>, an invertebrate belonging to the Phylum Mollusca, over 160 protocadherins (PCDHs) have been identified. Here we briefly discuss the role of PCDHs in neural wiring and conduct a comparative study of the protocadherin gene family in two closely related octopus species, <italic>Octopus vulgaris</italic> and <italic>O. bimaculoides</italic>. A first glance at the expression patterns of protocadherins in <italic>O. vulgaris</italic> is also provided. Finally, we comment on PCDH evolution in the light of invertebrate nervous system plasticity.</p>