Scientists from various disciplines have used tools from the U.S. National Science Foundation-supported Center for High-Energy X-ray Sciences at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source to study comb jellies in deep and shallow water environments. The findings suggest that these creatures have adapted by developing different shaped lipid molecules in their cell membranes, allowing them to maintain the right level of stability based on their habitat.
Interestingly, deep-sea comb jellies brought to the surface experience membrane breakdown due to the lack of external pressure, causing them to “melt.” On the other hand, shallow-water jellies struggle to function at deep-sea pressure levels due to the rigidity of their membranes. These discoveries not only enhance our understanding of survival mechanisms in extreme environments but also hold potential for insights into human biology and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
The researchers found that plasmalogens, a type of lipid found in deep-sea comb jelly’s membranes, are also abundant in the human brain. Loss of plasmalogens has been linked to disease progression and aging in humans. The researchers believe that their discoveries about plasmalogen structure could provide valuable insights into how these molecules function in human physiology and disease processes.
In conclusion, this study provides new insights into how ocean creatures adapt to different environments, which may have implications for understanding human biology and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.