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Actively transcribed and expressed atp8 gene in Mytilus edulis mussels.

ABSTRACT: Background:Animal mitochondrial genomes typically encode 37 genes: 13 proteins, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs. However, many species represent exceptions to that rule. Bivalvia along with Nematoda and Platyhelminthes are often suspected to fully or partially lack the ATP synthase subunit 8 (atp8) gene. This raises the question as to whether they are really lacking this gene or is this maybe an annotation problem? Among bivalves, Mytilus edulis has been inferred to lack an ATP8 gene since the characterization of its mitochondrial genome in 1992. Even though recent bioinformatic analyses suggested that atp8 is present in Mytilus spp., due to high divergence in predicted amino acid sequences, the existence of a functional atp8 gene in this group remains controversial. Results:Here we demonstrate that M. edulis mitochondrial open reading frames suggested to be atp8 (in male and female mtDNAs) are actively translated proteins. We also provide evidence that both proteins are an integral part of the ATP synthase complex based on in-gel detection of ATP synthase activity and two-dimensional Blue-Native and SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Conclusion:Many organisms (e.g., Bivalvia along with Nematoda and Platyhelminthes) are considered to be lacking certain mitochondrial genes often only based on poor similarity between protein coding gene sequences in genetically closed species. In some situations, this may lead to the inference that the ATP8 gene is absent, when it is in fact present, but highly divergent. This shows how important complementary role protein-based approaches, such as those in the present study, can provide to bioinformatic, genomic studies (i.e., ability to confirm the presence of a gene).

SUBMITTER: Lubosny M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5995098 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundLarval connectivity between distinct benthic populations is essential for their persistence. Although connectivity is difficult to measure in situ, it can be predicted via models that simulate biophysical interactions between larval behaviour and ocean currents. The blue mussel (Mytilus Edulis L.) is widespread throughout the northern hemisphere and extensively commercialised worldwide. In the Irish Sea, this industry represents ~ 50% of Welsh shellfisheries, where cultivation is mainly based on wild spat. However, the main sources and amount of spat varied interannually (1100 tonnes harvest in 2014 against zero in 2018). The aim of this study is to characterise the structure and dynamics of the blue mussel metapopulation within the northern part of the Irish Sea.MethodsWe develop a Lagrangian particle tracking model, driven by a high-resolution (from 30 to 5000 m) validated unstructured coastal hydrodynamic model of the Irish Sea, to simulate spatial and temporal variability of larval dispersal and connectivity between distinct mussel populations and potential settlement areas.ResultsOur results showed that: (1) larvae positioned near the surface were strongly influenced by wind-driven currents suggesting that connectivity networks had the potential to span hundreds of kilometres; (2) in contrast, larvae positioned deeper in the water column were driven by tidal currents, producing intricate spatial patterns of connectivity between mussel beds over tens of kilometres that were consistent over time.ConclusionsDispersal of mussel larvae in the tidally energetic Irish Sea during the April-May spawning season is potentially driven by wind-driven surface currents, as confirmed by fisherman observations of inter-annual variability in wild spat collection. These results have important implications for metapopulation dynamics within the context of climate change and sustainable shellfisheries management (i.e. gain and loss of populations and harvest areas according to wind conditions).

Project description:Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L. 1758) are important components of coastal ecosystems and in the economy of rural and coastal areas. The understanding of their physiological processes at key life stages is important both within food production systems and in the management of wild populations. Lipids are crucial molecules for bivalve growth, but their diversity and roles have not been fully characterised. In this study, traditional lipid profiling techniques, such as fatty acid (FA) and lipid class analysis, are combined to untargeted lipidomics to elucidate the lipid metabolism in newly settled spat fed on a range of diets. The evaluated diets included single strains treatments (Cylindrotheca fusiformis CCAP 1017/2 -CYL, Isochrysis galbana CCAP 927/1- ISO, Monodopsis subterranean CCAP 848/1 -MONO, Nannochloropsis oceanica CCAP 849/10- NANNO) and a commercial algae paste (SP). Spat growth was influenced by the diets, which, according to their efficacy were ranked as follows: ISO>NANNO/CYL>SP>MONO. A higher triacylglycerols (TG) content, ranging from 4.23±0.82 ?g mgashfree Dry weight (DW)-1 at the beginning of the trial (T0) to 51±15.3 ?g mgashfreeDW-1 in ISO, characterised significant growth in the spat, whereas, a reduction of TG (0.3±0.08 ?g mgashfreeDW-1 in MONO), mono unsaturated FA-MUFA (from 8.52±1.02 ?g mgFAashfreeDW-1 at T0 to 2.81±1.02 ?g mgFAashfreeDW-1 in MONO) and polyunsaturated FA-PUFA (from 17.57±2.24 ?g mgFAashfreeDW-1 at T0 to 6.19±2.49 ?g mgFAashfreeDW-1 in MONO) content characterised poor performing groups. Untargeted lipidomics evidenced how the availability of dietary essential PUFA did not influence only neutral lipids but also the membrane lipids, with changes in lipid molecular species in relation to the essential PUFA provided via the diet. Such changes have the potential to affect spat production cycle and their ability to respond to the surrounding environment. This study evidenced the advantages of coupling different lipid analysis techniques, as each technique disclosed relevant information on nutritional requirements of M. edulis juveniles, expanding the existing knowledge on the physiology of this important species.

Project description:Sedimentation in the sea occurs through natural processes, such as wave and tidal action, which can be exacerbated during storms and floods. Changes in terrestrial land use, marine aggregate extraction, dredging, drilling and mining are known to result in substantial sediment deposition. Research suggests that deposition will also occur due to the modern development of marine renewable energy. The response to individual burial under three depths of sediment, three sediment fractions and five burial durations was investigated in two mussel species, Modiolus modiolus and Mytilus edulis in specialist mesocosms. Both mussel species showed substantial mortality, which increased with duration of burial and burial by finer sediment fractions. M. modiolus was better able to survive short periods of burial than M. edulis, but at longer durations mortality was more pronounced. No mortality was observed in M. modiolus in burial durations of eight days or less but by 16 days of burial, over 50% cumulative mortality occurred. Under variable temperature regimes, M. edulis mortality increased from 20% at 8°C to over 60% at 14.5 and 20°C. Only M. edulis was able to emerge from burial, facilitated by increased byssus production, laid mostly on vertical surfaces but also on sediment particles. Emergence was higher from coarse sediment and shallow burials. Byssus production in M. edulis was not related to the condition index of the mussels. Results suggest that even marginal burial would result in mortality and be more pronounced in warm summer periods. Our results suggest that in the event of burial, adult M. modiolus would not be able to emerge from burial unless local hydrodynamics assist, whereas a small proportion of M. edulis may regain contact with the sediment water interface. The physiological stress resulting in mortality, contribution of local hydrodynamics to survival and other ecological pressures such as mussels existing in aggregations, are discussed.

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Actively transcribed and expressed atp8 gene in Mytilus edulis mussels.

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