Sex-Biased Transcription Expression of Vitellogenins Reveals Fusion Gene and MicroRNA Regulation in the Sea Louse Caligus rogercresseyi

Overview
TitleSex-Biased Transcription Expression of Vitellogenins Reveals Fusion Gene and MicroRNA Regulation in the Sea Louse Caligus rogercresseyi
AuthorsCasuso A, Benavente BP, Leal Y, Carrera-Naipil C, Valenzuela-Muñoz V, Gallardo-Escárate C
TypeLetter
Media TitleMarine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.)
VolumeN/A
IssueN/A
Year2024
Page(s)N/A
CitationCasuso A, Benavente BP, Leal Y, Carrera-Naipil C, Valenzuela-Muñoz V, Gallardo-Escárate C. Sex-Biased Transcription Expression of Vitellogenins Reveals Fusion Gene and MicroRNA Regulation in the Sea Louse Caligus rogercresseyi. Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.). 2024 Jan 31.

Abstract

The caligid ectoparasite, Caligus rogercresseyi, is one of the main concerns in the Chilean salmon industry. The molecular mechanisms displayed by the parasite during the reproductive process represent an opportunity for developing novel control strategies. Vitellogenin is a multifunctional protein recognized as a critical player in several crustaceans' biological processes, including reproduction, embryonic development, and immune response. This study aimed to characterize the C. rogercresseyi vitellogenins, including discovering novel transcripts and regulatory mechanisms associated with microRNAs. Herein, vitellogenin genes were identified by homology analysis using the reference sea louse genome, transcriptome database, and arthropods vitellogenin-protein database. The validation of expression transcripts was conducted by RNA nanopore sequencing technology. Moreover, fusion gene profiling, miRNA target analysis, and functional validation were performed using luciferase assay. Six putative vitellogenin genes were identified in the C. rogercresseyi genome with high homology with other copepods vitellogenins. Furthermore, miR-996 showed a putative role in regulating the Cr_Vitellogenin1 gene, which is highly expressed in females. Moreover, vitellogenin-fusion genes were identified in adult stages and highly regulated in males, demonstrating sex-related expression patterns. In females, the identified fusion genes merged with several non-vitellogenin genes involved in biological processes of ribosome assembly, BMP signaling pathway, and biosynthetic processes. This study reports the genome array of vitellogenins in C. rogercresseyi for the first time, revealing the putative role of fusion genes and miRNA regulation in sea lice biology.

Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Journal CountryUnited States
Publication TypeLetter
Language Abbreng
LanguageEnglish
Copyright© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Elocation10.1007/s10126-024-10291-2
DOI10.1007/s10126-024-10291-2
Journal AbbreviationMar Biotechnol (NY)
Publication Date2024 Jan 31
eISSN1436-2236
ISSN1436-2236
Publication ModelPrint-Electronic
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PMID: PMID:38294574