A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> Larvae under Experimental Acidification
Ocean acidification (OA) is a major threat to marine calcifiers, and little is known regarding acclimation to OA in bivalves. This study combined physiological assays with next-generation sequencing to assess the potential for recovery from and acclimation to OA in the eastern oyster (<i>Crass...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Genes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/13/9/1529 |
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| author | Michelle Barbosa Caroline Schwaner Emmanuelle Pales Espinosa Bassem Allam |
| author_facet | Michelle Barbosa Caroline Schwaner Emmanuelle Pales Espinosa Bassem Allam |
| author_sort | Michelle Barbosa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ocean acidification (OA) is a major threat to marine calcifiers, and little is known regarding acclimation to OA in bivalves. This study combined physiological assays with next-generation sequencing to assess the potential for recovery from and acclimation to OA in the eastern oyster (<i>Crassostrea virginica</i>) and identify molecular mechanisms associated with resilience. In a reciprocal transplant experiment, larvae transplanted from elevated <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> (~1400 ppm) to ambient <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> (~350 ppm) demonstrated significantly lower mortality and larger size post-transplant than oysters remaining under elevated <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> and had similar mortality compared to those remaining in ambient conditions. The recovery after transplantation to ambient conditions demonstrates the ability for larvae to rebound and suggests phenotypic plasticity and acclimation. Transcriptomic analysis supported this hypothesis as genes were differentially regulated under OA stress. Transcriptomic profiles of transplanted and non-transplanted larvae terminating in the same final <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> converged, further supporting the idea that acclimation underlies resilience. The functions of differentially expressed genes included cell differentiation, development, biomineralization, ion exchange, and immunity. Results suggest acclimation as a mode of resilience to OA. In addition, the identification of genes associated with resilience can serve as a valuable resource for the aquaculture industry, as these could enable marker-assisted selection of OA-resilient stocks. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:56:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8e3fc20e23e042ac845ebff01990261e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:56:35Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Genes |
| spelling | doaj.art-8e3fc20e23e042ac845ebff01990261e2023-11-23T16:23:38ZengMDPI AGGenes2073-44252022-08-01139152910.3390/genes13091529A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> Larvae under Experimental AcidificationMichelle Barbosa0Caroline Schwaner1Emmanuelle Pales Espinosa2Bassem Allam3School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Sony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USASchool of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Sony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USASchool of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Sony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USASchool of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Sony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USAOcean acidification (OA) is a major threat to marine calcifiers, and little is known regarding acclimation to OA in bivalves. This study combined physiological assays with next-generation sequencing to assess the potential for recovery from and acclimation to OA in the eastern oyster (<i>Crassostrea virginica</i>) and identify molecular mechanisms associated with resilience. In a reciprocal transplant experiment, larvae transplanted from elevated <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> (~1400 ppm) to ambient <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> (~350 ppm) demonstrated significantly lower mortality and larger size post-transplant than oysters remaining under elevated <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> and had similar mortality compared to those remaining in ambient conditions. The recovery after transplantation to ambient conditions demonstrates the ability for larvae to rebound and suggests phenotypic plasticity and acclimation. Transcriptomic analysis supported this hypothesis as genes were differentially regulated under OA stress. Transcriptomic profiles of transplanted and non-transplanted larvae terminating in the same final <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> converged, further supporting the idea that acclimation underlies resilience. The functions of differentially expressed genes included cell differentiation, development, biomineralization, ion exchange, and immunity. Results suggest acclimation as a mode of resilience to OA. In addition, the identification of genes associated with resilience can serve as a valuable resource for the aquaculture industry, as these could enable marker-assisted selection of OA-resilient stocks.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/13/9/1529oysterocean acidificationRNASeqacclimation |
| spellingShingle | Michelle Barbosa Caroline Schwaner Emmanuelle Pales Espinosa Bassem Allam A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> Larvae under Experimental Acidification Genes oyster ocean acidification RNASeq acclimation |
| title | A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> Larvae under Experimental Acidification |
| title_full | A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> Larvae under Experimental Acidification |
| title_fullStr | A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> Larvae under Experimental Acidification |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> Larvae under Experimental Acidification |
| title_short | A Transcriptomic Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> Larvae under Experimental Acidification |
| title_sort | transcriptomic analysis of phenotypic plasticity in i crassostrea virginica i larvae under experimental acidification |
| topic | oyster ocean acidification RNASeq acclimation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/13/9/1529 |
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