Genome and tissue-specific transcriptomes of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia (Euphyllia) ancora: a recipe for a coral polyp

• Published in: Communications biology Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 899 - 14
• Main Authors: Shikina, Shinya, Yoshioka, Yuki, Chiu, Yi-Ling, Uchida, Taiga, Chen, Emma, Cheng, Yin-Chu, Lin, Tzu-Chieh, Chu, Yu-Ling, Kanda, Miyuki, Kawamitsu, Mayumi, Fujie, Manabu, Takeuchi, Takeshi, Zayasu, Yuna, Satoh, Noriyuki, Shinzato, Chuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 24.07.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 13; 13/1; 13/51; 14; 14/1; 45; 45/23; 631/208/212/2019; 631/337/2019; Algae; Animals; Anthozoa - genetics; Anthozoa - metabolism; Biology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Body wall; Corals; Digestive enzymes; Filaments; Gene Expression Profiling; Genome; Genomes; Innate immunity; Life Sciences; Mineralization; Neuropeptides; Neurosciences; Organ Specificity; Pharynx; Polyps; Polyps (organisms); Polyps - genetics; Polyps - pathology; Predation; Symbiosis; Symbiosis - genetics; Tentacles; Transcriptome; Transcriptomes; Transcriptomics
• ISSN: 2399-3642; 2399-3642
• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06544-4

Coral polyps are composed of four tissues; however, their characteristics are largely unexplored. Here we report biological characteristics of tentacles ( Te ), mesenterial filaments ( 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 . This dataset and new insights into tissue functions will facilitate a deeper understanding of symbiotic biology, immunology, biomineralization, digestive biology, and neurobiology in corals. A draft genome and tissue-specific transcriptome assemblies of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia ancora were established. This dataset and new insights into tissue functions will facilitate a deeper understanding of coral biology.