Centre for Genetics, Ecology and Physiology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, Australia.
NSW Department of Industry, Department of Primary Industries, DPI Fisheries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Taylors Beach, NSW, Australia.
DNA Res. 2018 Dec 1;25(6):655-665. doi: 10.1093/dnares/dsy032.
Oysters are keystone species in estuarine ecosystems and are of substantial economic value to fisheries and aquaculture worldwide. Contending with disease and environmental stress are considerable challenges to oyster culture. Here we report a draft genome of the Sydney Rock Oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, an iconic and commercially important species of edible oyster in Australia known for its enhanced resilience to harsh environmental conditions. This is the second reference genome to be reported from the family Ostreidae enabling a genus-level study of lophotrochozoan genome evolution. Our analysis of the 784-megabase S. glomerata genome shows extensive expansions of gene families associated with immunological non-self-recognition. Transcriptomic analysis revealed highly tissue-specific patterns of expression among these genes, suggesting a complex assortment of immune receptors provide this oyster with a unique capacity to recognize invading microbes. Several gene families involved in stress response are notably expanded in Saccostrea compared with other oysters, and likely key to this species' adaptations for improved survival higher in the intertidal zone. The Sydney Rock Oyster genome provides a valuable resource for future research in molluscan biology, evolution and environmental resilience. Its close relatedness to Crassostrea will further comparative studies, advancing the means for improved oyster agriculture and conservation.
牡蛎是河口生态系统中的关键物种，对全球渔业和水产养殖业具有重要的经济价值。疾病和环境压力是牡蛎养殖的巨大挑战。在这里，我们报告了悉尼岩牡蛎（Saccostrea glomerata）的基因组草图，这是一种标志性的、具有商业重要性的食用牡蛎，以其对恶劣环境条件的增强适应能力而闻名。这是来自牡蛎科的第二个参考基因组，使我们能够对担轮动物门基因组进化进行属级研究。我们对 7.84 兆碱基的 S. glomerata 基因组进行分析，发现与免疫非自我识别相关的基因家族广泛扩张。转录组分析显示这些基因在组织中有高度特异性的表达模式，表明复杂的免疫受体组合赋予了这种牡蛎独特的识别入侵微生物的能力。与其他牡蛎相比，Saccostrea 中几种参与应激反应的基因家族明显扩张，这可能是该物种在潮间带更高处提高生存能力的适应关键。悉尼岩牡蛎基因组为未来的软体动物生物学、进化和环境恢复力研究提供了有价值的资源。它与巨牡蛎的密切关系将进一步促进比较研究，为改善牡蛎养殖和保护提供手段。
