Identification, tissue specific expression analysis and functional characterization of arrestin gene (ARRDC) in the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae: a molecular hypothesis behind worm photoreception

Background: The arrestin domain containing proteins (ARRDCs) are crucial adaptor proteins assist in signal transduction and regulation of sensory physiology. The molecular localization of the ARRDC gene has been confined mainly to the mammalian system while in invertebrates the expression pattern was not addressed significantly. The present study reports the identification, tissue specific expression and functional characterization of an ARRDC transcript in earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae. Methods and results: The coding region of earthworm ARRDC transcript was 1146 bp in length and encoded a protein of 381 amino acid residues. The worm ARRDC protein consists of conserved N-terminal and C-terminal regions and showed significant homology with the ARRDC3 sequence of other species. The tissue specific expression analysis through whole mount in-situ hybridization denoted the expression of ARRDC transcript in the central nervous system of the worm which includes cerebral ganglion and ventral nerve cord. Besides, the expression of ARRDC gene was observed in the epidermal region of earthworm skin. The functional characterization of ARRDC gene was assessed through siRNA silencing and the gene was found to play key role in the light sensing ability and photophobic movement of the worm. Conclusions: The neuronal and dermal expression patterns of ARRDC gene and its functional characterization hypothesized the role of the gene in assisting the photosensory cells to regulate the process of photoreception and phototransduction in the worm.