miRNA-mRNA joint analysis reveals the response mechanism of Ruditapes philippinarum to CO2-driven ocean acidification

Abstract

To explore the response mechanism of Ruditapes philippinarum to CO2-driven ocean acidification, 540 clams with healthy physique and consistent specifications were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 3 repetitions in each group, and 60 specimens in each repetition. Stress tests were then conducted under different pH conditions (8.0, 7.2, 6.4). After 96 hours of stress, gill tissues were collected for mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis. The results show that when Philippine clams are stimulated by seawater acidification, the gene expression levels in the glycine, serine and threonine metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways in their gill tissue are increased, thereby inducing the occurrence of inflammation in the body and reducing the body's immunity and disease resistance. Philippine clams can also alleviate the adverse effects of seawater acidification on the body by regulating the expression of genes such as miR-184–3p. And when Philippine clams are stimulated by seawater acidification, they can also regulate the interferon-inducible GTPase (IIGP) by regulating the expression of Novel-m0002–3p, which ultimately affects the cellular defense mechanism, material transport ability, and ion exchange ability with the external environment.

Keywords

• Ocean acidification
• Ruditapes philippinarum
• mRNA
• miRNA