A genome and tissue-specific transcriptomes of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia (Euphyllia) ancora: Recipe for a coral polyp

• Published in: bioRxiv
• Main Authors: Shikina, Shinya, Yoshioka, Yuki, Yi-Ling, Chiu, Uchida, Taiga, Chen, Emma, Yin-Chu, Cheng, Lin, Tzu-Chieh, Yu-Ling, Chu, Kanda, Miyuki, Kawamitsu, Mayumi, Fujie, Manabu, Takeuchi, Takeshi, Zayasu, Yuna, Satoh, Noriyuki, Shinzato, Chuya
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Cold Spring Harbor Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 18.12.2023; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
• Edition: 1.1
• Subjects: Algae; Body wall; Digestive enzymes; Genomics; Innate immunity; Mineralization; Neuropeptides; Pharynx; Polyps (organisms); Predation; Symbiosis; Transcriptomes; Transcriptomics; genome; polyp tissues; tissue-specific transcriptome; histology
• ISSN: 2692-8205; 2692-8205
• DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.17.572093

Coral polyps are composed of several tissues; however, their characteristics are largely unexplored. Here we report biological characteristics of the four tissues that comprise polyps: tentacle (Te), mesenterial filament (Me), body wall (Bo), and mouth with pharynx (MP), using comparative genomic, morpho-histological, and transcriptomic analyses of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia ancora. A draft F. ancora genome assembly of 434 Mbp was created. Morpho-histological and transcriptomic characterization of the four tissues showed that they have distinct differences in structure, primary cellular composition, and transcriptional profiles. Tissue-specific, highly expressed genes (HEGs) of Te are related to biological defense, predation, and coral-algal symbiosis. Me expresses multiple digestive enzymes, whereas Bo expresses innate immunity and biomineralization-related molecules. Many receptors for neuropeptides and neurotransmitters are expressed in MP. The established dataset and new insights into tissue functions will facilitate a deeper understanding of coral biology.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.