Identification and characterization of Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) in the Enteric Nervous System of Octopus vulgaris

The primary goal of this study was to investigate whether interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were present in the enteric nervous system of Octopus vulgaris using an integrated approach that combines in-silico investigation with molecular techniques. These cells are well-known in mammals and other vertebrates, including humans, where their role in regulating intestinal motility, their function and mechanism have been extensively studied. However, their presence and potential function in invertebrates, such as the cephalopod mollusk O. vulgaris, remain unknown. The first step of this study involved identifying key molecular players unique to ICC by reviewing available scientific literature and confirming their existence through the analysis of genomes, transcriptomes, and proteomes of different animal species. To obtain the most reliable data and formulate hypotheses, it was essential to consult databases and use advanced analytical software to perform phylogenetic analyses and select the most accurate sequences for the chosen genes. Subsequently, laboratory experiments were conducted to acquire molecular evidence supporting these hypotheses. This was done using molecular techniques such as PCR, in conjunction with RNA extraction from the tissues of the species under study. At the end of the experiment, the study aimed to confirm or refute the hypothesis of the presence of ICC in O. vulgaris and provide new elements to better understand their possible role in this organism. This study, thus, represents one of the first attempts to identify ICC in a cephalopod and to correlate their presence with gastrointestinal physiology.