Project description:The marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) is a unique freshwater crayfish characterized by genetic uniformity, phenotypic variability, and substantial invasive potential. As invasion into different habitats occurs in the absence of genetic variation, epigenetic mechanisms have been suggested to mediate phenotypic adaptation. However, epigenetic regulation has not been analyzed in this organism yet. Here we show that the recently published P. virginalis draft genome sequence encodes a conserved DNA methylation system. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of multiple replicates and different tissues revealed a methylation pattern that is characterized by gene body methylation of housekeeping genes. Interestingly, this pattern was largely tissue-invariant, suggesting a function that is unrelated to cell-fate specification. Indeed, integrative analysis of RNA-seq datasets showed that gene body methylation correlated with stable gene expression, while unmethylated genes often showed a high degree of inter-individual expression variation. Our findings thus establish the methylome of an emerging model organism and suggest that methylation-dependent regulation of gene expression variability may facilitate the phenotypic adaptation and invasive spread of this animal.
Project description:The marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) is a unique freshwater crayfish characterized by genetic uniformity, phenotypic variability, and substantial invasive potential. As invasion into different habitats occurs in the absence of genetic variation, epigenetic mechanisms have been suggested to mediate phenotypic adaptation. However, epigenetic regulation has not been analyzed in this organism yet. Here we show that the recently published P. virginalis draft genome sequence encodes a conserved DNA methylation system. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of multiple replicates and different tissues revealed a methylation pattern that is characterized by gene body methylation of housekeeping genes. Interestingly, this pattern was largely tissue-invariant, suggesting a function that is unrelated to cell-fate specification. Indeed, integrative analysis of RNA-seq datasets showed that gene body methylation correlated with stable gene expression, while unmethylated genes often showed a high degree of inter-individual expression variation. Our findings thus establish the methylome of an emerging model organism and suggest that methylation-dependent regulation of gene expression variability may facilitate the phenotypic adaptation and invasive spread of this animal.
Project description:The marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) is a unique freshwater crayfish characterized by genetic uniformity, phenotypic variability, and substantial invasive potential. As invasion into different habitats occurs in the absence of genetic variation, epigenetic mechanisms have been suggested to mediate phenotypic adaptation. However, epigenetic regulation has not been analyzed in this organism yet. Here we show that the recently published P. virginalis draft genome sequence encodes a conserved DNA methylation system. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of multiple replicates and different tissues revealed a methylation pattern that is characterized by gene body methylation of housekeeping genes. Interestingly, this pattern was largely tissue-invariant, suggesting a function that is unrelated to cell-fate specification. Indeed, integrative analysis of RNA-seq datasets showed that gene body methylation correlated with stable gene expression, while unmethylated genes often showed a high degree of inter-individual expression variation. Our findings thus establish the methylome of an emerging model organism and suggest that methylation-dependent regulation of gene expression variability may facilitate the phenotypic adaptation and invasive spread of this animal.
Project description:The marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) is a unique freshwater crayfish characterized by genetic uniformity, phenotypic variability, and substantial invasive potential. As invasion into different habitats occurs in the absence of genetic variation, epigenetic mechanisms have been suggested to mediate phenotypic adaptation. However, epigenetic regulation has not been analyzed in this organism yet. Here we show that the recently published P. virginalis draft genome sequence encodes a conserved DNA methylation system. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of multiple replicates and different tissues revealed a methylation pattern that is characterized by gene body methylation of housekeeping genes. Interestingly, this pattern was largely tissue-invariant, suggesting a function that is unrelated to cell-fate specification. Indeed, integrative analysis of RNA-seq datasets showed that gene body methylation correlated with stable gene expression, while unmethylated genes often showed a high degree of inter-individual expression variation. Our findings thus establish the methylome of an emerging model organism and suggest that methylation-dependent regulation of gene expression variability may facilitate the phenotypic adaptation and invasive spread of this animal.
2018-10-11 | GSE120358 | GEO
Project description:Population genomic analysis of the monoclonal marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis)
Project description:The aim of the present study was to investigate potential effects of low and high thermal shocks on the protein composition of hemolymph of marbled crayfish using quantitative proteomics. The results of the present study can provide insight into the mechanisms applied by decapod crustaceans to overcome high and low temperatures and may help the development of approaches to protect decapods in both natural habitats and artificial farms against thermal shocks, especially those imposed by ongoing climate change and global warming.