Recently, the team of professors Caihuan Ke and Danqing Feng from College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, collaborated with associate professor Yuan-Ye Zhang from College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, published their research in Nature Genetics, revealing the mechanisms of new genes involved in the adaptation to the benthic sessile lifestyle of acorn barnacles.
New genes helped acorn barnacles adapt to a sessile lifestyle
Zhaofang Han, Zhixuan Wang, Daniel Rittschof, Zekun Huang, Liying Chen, Huanhuan Hao, Shanshan Yao, Pei Su, Miaoqin Huang, Yuan-Ye Zhang, Caihuan Ke & Danqing Feng
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-024-01733-7
Published: 23 April 2024
Abstract
Barnacles are the only sessile lineages among crustaceans, and their sessile life begins with the settlement of swimming larvae (cyprids) and the formation of protective shells. These processes are crucial for adaptation to a sessile lifestyle, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. While investigating these mechanisms in the acorn barnacle, Amphibalanus amphitrite, we discovered a new gene, bcs-6, which is involved in the energy metabolism of cyprid settlement and originated from a transposon by acquiring the promoter and cis-regulatory element. Unlike mollusks, the barnacle shell comprises alternate layers of chitin and calcite and requires another new gene, bsf, which generates silk-like fibers that efficiently bind chitin and aggregate calcite in the aquatic environment. Our findings highlight the importance of exploring new genes in unique adaptative scenarios, and the results will provide important insights into gene origin and material development.
Background
About 170 years ago, Darwin spent eight years observing and studying the barnacles. Today, this remarkable organism continues to enlighten life and materials sciences. Barnacle cement can be rapidly polymerized in aquatic environments, making it an important biomimetic material. They often settle on the surfaces of ships, aquaculture nets and other marine facilities, which makes them major fouling organisms worldwide.
Main findings
Their study constructs a chromosome-level genome assembly of the acorn barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite. Using this genome together with multi-omics datasets and functional evidence, they reveal the evolution and function of two lineage-specific genes, bcs-6 and bsf, that help the acorn barnacle adapt to a sessile lifestyle.
