Naslov
Sequencing of endemic cave sponge (Eunapius subterraneus) transcriptomes reveals a comprehensive set of long non-coding RNAs in sponges (Porifera)

Autori
Bodulić, Kristian ; Vlahoviček, Kristian

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
6. Simpozij studenata doktorskih studija PMF-a, Knjiga sažetaka / Schneider, Petra - Zagreb : Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, 2022, 152-153

ISBN
978-953-6076-93-2

Skup
6. Simpozij studenata doktorskih studija PMF-a = 6th Faculty of Science PhD Student Symposium

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 23.04.2022. - 24.04.2022

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Domaća recenzija

Ključne riječi
Sponges ; Porifera ; Eunapius subterraneus ; Long non-coding RNA ; Transcriptomics

Sažetak
With the recent advances in genomic research, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as key players in gene expression regulation [1]. However, research on basal metazoan lncRNAs has been scarce, with a few studies exploring the non-coding transcriptomes in developmental stages of the Amphimedon queenslandica sponge [2]. In this study, we enriched the catalog of sponge lncRNAs by sequencing the transcriptomes of Eunapius subterraneus, an endemic stygobiotic demosponge found in Ogulin, Croatia. Using our lncRNA identification pipeline, we found a comprehensive yet highly confidential set of 1981 poriferan lncRNA transcripts. We discovered that identified lncRNAs exhibit many of the vertebrate lncRNA characteristics, such as relatively low levels of alternative splicing, two-exon bias, shorter length compared to mRNA transcripts and splice sites characteristic for mRNA introns. The majority of identified lncRNAs were found inside the introns of protein-coding genes (59.3%), followed by lncRNAs without overlaps with protein-coding genes (34.1%) and lncRNAs which contain protein-coding genes within their introns (6.6%). We also found an enrichment of transposable element insertions in the identified lncRNAs, highlighting the importance of transposons in poriferan lncRNA origin. Additionally, a surprisingly large number of identified lncRNAs was similar to or syntenic with lncRNAs found in Ephydatia muelleri, a demosponge closely related to Eunapius subterraneus. When analyzing protein-coding genes close to identified lncRNA loci, we found numerous protein-coding genes involved in various biological processes, including DNA binding, DNA integration and protein deubiquitination. Moreover, the majority of lncRNAs proximal to protein-coding genes involved in these processes were conserved or syntenic in multiple sponge species. This finding represents evidence for the potential importance of cis-acting sponge lncRNAs in regulating the expression of protein-coding genes involved in multiple important cellular processes. Taken together, our results demonstrate a surprising similarity between poriferan and bilaterian lncRNAs.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA