Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) digestive gland tissue: gene expression profiles across an annual cycle
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ABSTRACT: Transcriptional profiling of natural population of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) -digestive gland tissue- comparing female individuals sampled in the Bizerta Lagoon, Tunisia, across May 2007 - April 2008. Background: Seasonal environmental changes may affect the physiology of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lam.), an intertidal filter-feeder bivalve occurring commonly in Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal areas. We investigated seasonal variations in relative transcript abundance of the digestive gland and the mantle (gonads) of males and females. To identify gene expression trends, we used a medium-density cDNA microarray (1.7 K probes) in dual-color competitive hybridization analyses. Results: Hierarchical clustering of digestive gland microarray data showed two main branches, distinguishing profiles associated with the “hot” months (May–August) from the other months. Genes involved in chitin metabolism, associated with mussel nutrition and digestion, showed higher expression during summer. Moreover, we found different gene expression patterns in the digestive glands of males and females during the four stages of mussel gonadal development. Microarray data from gonadal transcripts also displayed clear patterns during the different developmental phases with peak relative mRNA abundance at the ripe phase (stage III) for both sexes. Conclusion: These data showed a clear temporal pattern in gene expression profiles of mussels sampled over an annual cycle. Physiological response to thermal variation, food availability, and reproductive status across months may contribute to variation in gene expression.
ORGANISM(S): Mytilus galloprovincialis
PROVIDER: GSE22915 | GEO | 2011/06/06
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA133101
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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