Identification of regulatory genes and signalling pathways that coordinate the fabrication of the gastropod shell
Final Report Abstract
In this project we have cloned and characterized more than 90 genes either associated with known signaling pathways, anterior patterning genes or early patterning genes that may be associated with shell gland specification in L. stagnalis. In addition, pilot trials of various drug treatments indicate the importance of WNT signaling (AZK) during early embryonic development, and the importance of 5-α reductase (dutasteride) to shell shape. We have also generated significant RNAseq resources for L. stagnalis that cover the period of shell gland specification. From this RNAseq data we have identified a set of 19 genes that are differentially expressed at the contact event timepoint. The characterization of these genes, their potential role in shell gland specification and the analysis of additional RNAseq data is ongoing, and we envisage intern and Masters students to be involved in these future efforts. We also seek to apply other cutting-edge methods such as single cell RNAseq and ATACseq (coupled with a high-quality genome assembly and annotation that is in preparation) to the overall goal of this project. While the work funded by this proposal has not yielded a clear answer to the initial overall objectives, the tools and resources that we have built during the progress of this work are invaluable to the Lymnaea model, and we look forward to sharing them with the community and utilizing them in future projects.
Publications
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A technical review and guide to RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization. PeerJ, 8 (2020, 3, 19), e8806.
Young, Alexander P.; Jackson, Daniel J. & Wyeth, Russell C.
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Challenging the concept that eumelanin is the polymorphic brown banded pigment in Cepaea nemoralis. Scientific Reports, 10(1).
Affenzeller, Susanne; Wolkenstein, Klaus; Frauendorf, Holm & Jackson, Daniel J.
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A survey of miRNAs involved in biomineralization and shell repair in the freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis. Discover Materials, 1(1).
Cerveau, Nicolas & Jackson, Daniel John
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Mantle Modularity Underlies the Plasticity of the Molluscan Shell: Supporting Data From Cepaea nemoralis. Frontiers in Genetics, 12 (2021, 2, 5).
Jackson, Daniel J.
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Molecular characterization of accripin11, a soluble shell protein with an acidic C‐terminus, identified in the prismatic layer of the Mediterranean fan mussel Pinna nobilis (Bivalvia, Pteriomorphia). FEBS Open Bio, 13(1), 10-25.
Khurshid, Benazir; Jackson, Daniel J.; Engilberge, Sylvain; Motreuil, Sébastien; Broussard, Cédric; Thomas, Jérôme; Immel, Françoise; Harrington, Matthew J.; Crowley, Peter B.; Vielzeuf, Daniel; Perrin, Jonathan & Marin, Frédéric
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Tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA corroborates protein localization in the nervous system of the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Invertebrate Biology, 141(2).
Young, Alexander P.; Beach, Griffin A.; Croll, Roger P.; Jackson, Daniel J. & Wyeth, Russell C.
