Hydra, a candidate for an alternative model in environmental genomics

Abstract

The need for nonmammalian and nonvertebrate experimental systems for toxicology is increasing because of growing concern about animal welfare. Hydra, a genus of freshwater cnidarian, has been used in classical toxicology for more than 40 years and has been recommended as a standard model for ecotoxicology. Functional assays using Hydra homologues of the signal molecules and transcription factors of other metazoans have demonstrated that Hydra shares the common molecular mechanisms for pattern formation with bilaterian animals. The availability of the Hydra genome and mRNA information has meant that it can be used as a model organism in biological sciences. The purpose of this review is to explore recent developments in our understanding of the molecular aspects of axis formation, bud formation, regeneration, and the nervous system in Hydra and to introduce Hydra as an alternative animal model in environmental toxicogenomics for predicting the toxicity of environmental pollutants at the molecular level.ars and has been recommended as a standard model for ecotoxicology. Functional assays using Hydra homologues of the signal molecules and transcription factors of other metazoans have demonstrated that Hydra shares the common molecular mechanisms for pattern formation with bilaterian animals. The availability of the Hydra genome and mRNA information has meant that it can be used as a model organism in biological sciences. The purpose of this review is to explore recent developments in our understanding of the molecular aspects of axis formation, bud formation, regeneration, and the nervous system in Hydra and to introduce Hydra as an alternative animal model in environmental toxicogenomics for predicting the toxicity of environmental pollutants at the molecular level.