Decoding the Transcriptome of Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras: Insights into Their Physiology, Morphology, Evolution, and Biomedical Applications
Author:
Seixas Manuel J.12, Domingues Rodrigo R.123, Antunes Agostinho12ORCID
Affiliation:
1. CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal 2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal 3. Oceanographic Institute, Department of Biological Oceanography, University of Sao Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-120, Brazil
Abstract
Chondrichthyes (including sharks, rays, and chimaeras) are a class of jawed cartilaginous fishes (with skeletons composed primarily of cartilage), with major relevance to the marine ecosystems and to humanity. However, cartilaginous fishes are facing various threatens, inflicting abrupt declines in their populations. Thus, critical assessment of available molecular genetic variation, particularly retrieved from Chondrichthyans’ transcriptomic analyses, represents a major resource to foster genomics research in this ancient group of vertebrate species. Briefly, RNA-Seq involves the sequencing of RNA strands present on a target tissue, which can assist genome annotation and elucidate genetic features on species without a sequenced genome. The resulting information can unravel responses of an individual to environmental changes, evolutionary processes, and support the development of biomarkers. We scrutinized more than 800 RNA-Seq entries publicly available, and reviewed more than one decade of available transcriptomic knowledge in chondrichthyans. We conclude that chondrichthyans’ transcriptomics is a subject in early development, since not all the potential of this technology has been fully explored, namely their use to prospectively preserve these endangered species. Yet, the transcriptomic database provided findings on the vertebrates’ evolution, chondrichthyans’ physiology, morphology, and their biomedical potential, a trend likely to expand further in the future.
Funder
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Strategic Funding European Regional Development Fund
Subject
Ecology,Aquatic Science,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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