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Dong C, Zheng G, Peng J, Guo M, Wu H, Tan Z. Integrative Inducer Intervention and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Metabolism of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in Azumapecten farreri. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6519-6531. [PMID: 38578272 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are widely distributed neurotoxins, and the PST metabolic detoxification mechanism in bivalves has received increasing attention. To reveal the effect of phase I (cytochrome P450)-II (GST)-III (ABC transport) metabolic systems on the PST metabolism in Azumapecten farreri, this study amplified stress on the target systems using rifampicin, dl-α-tocopherol, and colchicine; measured PST levels; and conducted transcriptomic analyses. The highest toxin content reached 1623.48 μg STX eq/kg in the hepatopancreas and only 8.8% of that in the gills. Inducer intervention significantly decreased hepatopancreatic PST accumulation. The proportional reductions in the rifampicin-, dl-α-tocopherol-, and colchicine-induced groups were 55.3%, 50.4%, and 36.1%, respectively. Transcriptome analysis showed that 11 modules were significantly correlated with PST metabolism (six positive/five negative), with phase I CYP450 and phase II glutathione metabolism significantly enriched in negatively correlated pathways. Twenty-three phase I-II-III core genes were further validated using qRT-PCR and correlated with PST metabolism, revealing that CYP46A1, CYP4F6, GSTM1, and ABCF2 were significantly correlated, while CYP4F11 and ABCB1 were indirectly correlated. In conclusion, phase I-II-III detoxification enzyme systems jointly participate in the metabolic detoxification of PSTs in A. farreri. This study provides key data support to profoundly elucidate the PST metabolic detoxification mechanism in bivalves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfan Dong
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Guanchao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jixing Peng
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Mengmeng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zhijun Tan
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
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Pinto A, Botelho MJ, Churro C, Asselman J, Pereira P, Pereira JL. A review on aquatic toxins - Do we really know it all regarding the environmental risk posed by phytoplankton neurotoxins? JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118769. [PMID: 37597370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic toxins are potent natural toxins produced by certain cyanobacteria and marine algae species during harmful cyanobacterial and algal blooms (CyanoHABs and HABs, respectively). These harmful bloom events and the toxins produced during these events are a human and environmental health concern worldwide, with occurrence, frequency and severity of CyanoHABs and HABs being predicted to keep increasing due to ongoing climate change scenarios. These contexts, as well as human health consequences of some toxins produced during bloom events have been thoroughly reviewed before. Conversely, the wider picture that includes the non-human biota in the assessment of noxious effects of toxins is much less covered in the literature and barely covered by review works. Despite direct human exposure to aquatic toxins and related deleterious effects being responsible for the majority of the public attention to the blooms' problematic, it constitutes a very limited fraction of the real environmental risk posed by these toxins. The disruption of ecological and trophic interactions caused by these toxins in the aquatic biota building on deleterious effects they may induce in different species is paramount as a modulator of the overall magnitude of the environmental risk potentially involved, thus necessarily constraining the quality and efficiency of the management strategies that should be placed. In this way, this review aims at updating and consolidating current knowledge regarding the adverse effects of aquatic toxins, attempting to going beyond their main toxicity pathways in human and related models' health, i.e., also focusing on ecologically relevant model organisms. For conciseness and considering the severity in terms of documented human health risks as a reference, we restricted the detailed revision work to neurotoxic cyanotoxins and marine toxins. This comprehensive revision of the systemic effects of aquatic neurotoxins provides a broad overview of the exposure and the hazard that these compounds pose to human and environmental health. Regulatory approaches they are given worldwide, as well as (eco)toxicity data available were hence thoroughly reviewed. Critical research gaps were identified particularly regarding (i) the toxic effects other than those typical of the recognized disease/disorder each toxin causes following acute exposure in humans and also in other biota; and (ii) alternative detection tools capable of being early-warning signals for aquatic toxins occurrence and therefore provide better human and environmental safety insurance. Future directions on aquatic toxins research are discussed in face of the existent knowledge, with particular emphasis on the much-needed development and implementation of effective alternative (eco)toxicological biomarkers for these toxins. The wide-spanning approach followed herein will hopefully stimulate future research more broadly addressing the environmental hazardous potential of aquatic toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albano Pinto
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Botelho
- IPMA, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Av. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165, Algés, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Catarina Churro
- IPMA, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Av. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165, Algés, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge Building, Ostend Science Park 1, 8400, Ostend, Belgium
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
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Prego-Faraldo MV, Martínez L, Méndez J. RNA-Seq Analysis for Assessing the Early Response to DSP Toxins in Mytilus galloprovincialis Digestive Gland and Gill. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10100417. [PMID: 30332849 PMCID: PMC6215123 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10100417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The harmful effects of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins on mammalian cell lines have been widely assessed. Studies in bivalves suggest that mussels display a resistance to the cytogenotoxic effects of DSP toxins. Further, it seems that the bigger the exposure, the more resistant mussels become. To elucidate the early genetic response of mussels against these toxins, the digestive gland and the gill transcriptomes of Mytilus galloprovincialis after Prorocentrum lima exposure (100,000 cells/L, 48 h) were de novo assembled based on the sequencing of 8 cDNA libraries obtained using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. The assembly provided 95,702 contigs. A total of 2286 and 4523 differentially expressed transcripts were obtained in the digestive gland and the gill, respectively, indicating tissue-specific transcriptome responses. These transcripts were annotated and functionally enriched, showing 44 and 60 significant Pfam families in the digestive gland and the gill, respectively. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to validate the differential expression patterns of several genes related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, energy production, genome integrity and defense, suggesting their participation in the protective mechanism. This work provides knowledge of the early response against DSP toxins in the mussel M. galloprovincialis and useful information for further research on the molecular mechanisms of the bivalve resistance to these toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Verónica Prego-Faraldo
- Grupo Xenomar, Departamento de Bioloxía, Facultade de Ciencias and CICA (Centro de Investigacións Científicas Avanzadas), Universidade da Coruña, Campus de A Zapateira, 15071 A Coruña, Spain.
| | - Luisa Martínez
- Grupo Xenomar, Departamento de Bioloxía, Facultade de Ciencias and CICA (Centro de Investigacións Científicas Avanzadas), Universidade da Coruña, Campus de A Zapateira, 15071 A Coruña, Spain.
| | - Josefina Méndez
- Grupo Xenomar, Departamento de Bioloxía, Facultade de Ciencias and CICA (Centro de Investigacións Científicas Avanzadas), Universidade da Coruña, Campus de A Zapateira, 15071 A Coruña, Spain.
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Beal A, Rodriguez-Casariego J, Rivera-Casas C, Suarez-Ulloa V, Eirin-Lopez JM. Environmental Epigenomics and Its Applications in Marine Organisms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/13836_2018_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Leonardo S, Toldrà A, Rambla-Alegre M, Fernández-Tejedor M, Andree KB, Ferreres L, Campbell K, Elliott CT, O'Sullivan CK, Pazos Y, Diogène J, Campàs M. Self-assembled monolayer-based immunoassays for okadaic acid detection in seawater as monitoring tools. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 133:6-14. [PMID: 29174400 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Rapid and cost-effective methods to monitor the presence of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins in seawater samples in an easy and reliable manner are required to protect human health and avoid economic losses to shellfish industry. Immunoassays for the detection of okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxin-1 and dinophysistoxin-2 are developed by immobilising OA on self-assembled monothiols or dithiols in an ordered and oriented way, providing an effective limit of detection of ∼1 ng OA equiv./mL seawater. The immunoassays are applied to the analysis of the particulate fraction of seawater samples from two Catalan harbours (NW Mediterranean) and samples collected periodically from the Galician Rias (E Atlantic), as well as a reference mussel sample. Results are in agreement with LC-MS/MS and the certified values. OA concentration in seawater correlates with Dinophysis cell abundance, with a 1-2 weeks lag. The immunoassays provide powerful high-throughput analytical methods potentially applicable as alternative monitoring tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Leonardo
- IRTA, Ctra. Poble Nou, Km. 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Anna Toldrà
- IRTA, Ctra. Poble Nou, Km. 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | | | | | - Karl B Andree
- IRTA, Ctra. Poble Nou, Km. 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Laura Ferreres
- IRTA, Ctra. Poble Nou, Km. 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Katrina Campbell
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher T Elliott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Ciara K O'Sullivan
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Pg. Lluís Companys, 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pazos
- INTECMAR, Peirao de Vilaxoán, s/n, 36611 Vilagarcía de Arousa, Spain
| | - Jorge Diogène
- IRTA, Ctra. Poble Nou, Km. 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Mònica Campàs
- IRTA, Ctra. Poble Nou, Km. 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain.
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Pazos AJ, Ventoso P, Martínez-Escauriaza R, Pérez-Parallé ML, Blanco J, Triviño JC, Sánchez JL. Transcriptional response after exposure to domoic acid-producing Pseudo-nitzschia in the digestive gland of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Toxicon 2017; 140:60-71. [PMID: 29031804 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Bivalve molluscs are filter feeding species that can accumulate biotoxins in their body tissues during harmful algal blooms. Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) is caused by species of the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia, which produces the toxin domoic acid. The Mytilus galloprovincialis digestive gland transcriptome was de novo assembled based on the sequencing of 12 cDNA libraries, six obtained from control mussels and six from mussels naturally exposed to domoic acid-producing diatom Pseudo-nitzschia australis. After de novo assembly 94,727 transcripts were obtained, with an average length of 1015 bp and a N50 length of 761 bp. The assembled transcripts were clustered (homology > 90%) into 69,294 unigenes. Differential gene expression analysis was performed (DESeq2 algorithm) in the digestive gland following exposure to the toxic algae. A total of 1158 differentially expressed unigenes (absolute fold change > 1.5 and p-value < 0.05) were detected: 686 up-regulated and 472 down-regulated. Several membrane transporters belonging to the family of the SLC (solute carriers) were over-expressed in exposed mussels. Functional enrichment was performed using Pfam annotations obtained from the genes differentially expressed, 37 Pfam families were found to be significantly (FDR adjusted p-value < 0.1) enriched. Some of these families (sulfotransferases, aldo/keto reductases, carboxylesterases, C1q domain and fibrinogen C-terminal globular domain) could be putatively involved in detoxification processes, in the response against of the oxidative stress and in immunological processes. Protein network analysis with STRING algorithm found alteration of the Notch signaling pathway under the action of domoic acid-producing Pseudo-nitzschia. In conclusion, this study provides a high quality reference transcriptome of M. galloprovincialis digestive gland and identifies potential genes involved in the response to domoic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Pazos
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain.
| | - Pablo Ventoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Roi Martínez-Escauriaza
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - M Luz Pérez-Parallé
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Juan Blanco
- Centro de Investigacións Mariñas, Xunta de Galicia, Pedras de Corón s/n Apdo 13, Vilanova de Arousa, 36620, Spain
| | - Juan C Triviño
- Sistemas Genómicos, Ronda G. Marconi 6, Paterna, Valencia, 46980, Spain
| | - José L Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
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Gonzalez-Romero R, Suarez-Ulloa V, Rodriguez-Casariego J, Garcia-Souto D, Diaz G, Smith A, Pasantes JJ, Rand G, Eirin-Lopez JM. Effects of Florida Red Tides on histone variant expression and DNA methylation in the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2017; 186:196-204. [PMID: 28315825 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Massive algal proliferations known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) represent one of the most important threats to coastal areas. Among them, the so-called Florida Red Tides (FRTs, caused by blooms of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis and associated brevetoxins) are particularly detrimental in the southeastern U.S., causing high mortality rates and annual losses in excess of $40 million. The ability of marine organisms to cope with environmental stressors (including those produced during HABs) is influenced by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, the latter resulting in phenotypic changes caused by heritable modifications in gene expression, without involving changes in the genetic (DNA) sequence. Yet, studies examining cause-effect relationships between environmental stressors, specific epigenetic mechanisms and subsequent responses are still lacking. The present work contributes to increase this knowledge by investigating the effects of Florida Red Tides on two types of mechanisms participating in the epigenetic memory of Eastern oysters: histone variants and DNA methylation. For that purpose, a HAB simulation was conducted in laboratory conditions, exposing oysters to increasing concentrations of K. brevis. The obtained results revealed, for the first time, the existence of H2A.X, H2A.Z and macroH2A genes in this organism, encoding histone variants potentially involved in the maintenance of genome integrity during responses to the genotoxic effect of brevetoxins. Additionally, an increase in H2A.X phosphorylation (γH2A.X, a marker of DNA damage) and a decrease in global DNA methylation were observed as the HAB simulation progressed. Overall, the present work provides a basis to better understand how epigenetic mechanisms participate in responses to environmental stress in marine invertebrates, opening new avenues to incorporate environmental epigenetics approaches into management and conservation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Gonzalez-Romero
- Environmental Epigenetics Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Victoria Suarez-Ulloa
- Environmental Epigenetics Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Javier Rodriguez-Casariego
- Environmental Epigenetics Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA; Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment Laboratory, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Daniel Garcia-Souto
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Xenetica e Inmunoloxia, Universidade de Vigo, E-36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Gabriel Diaz
- Environmental Epigenetics Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Abraham Smith
- Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment Laboratory, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Juan Jose Pasantes
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Xenetica e Inmunoloxia, Universidade de Vigo, E-36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Gary Rand
- Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment Laboratory, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Jose M Eirin-Lopez
- Environmental Epigenetics Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA.
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Rivera-Casas C, González-Romero R, Vizoso-Vazquez Á, Cheema MS, Cerdán ME, Méndez J, Ausió J, Eirin-Lopez JM. Characterization of mussel H2A.Z.2: a new H2A.Z variant preferentially expressed in germinal tissues from Mytilus. Biochem Cell Biol 2016; 94:480-490. [DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2016-0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Histones are the fundamental constituents of the eukaryotic chromatin, facilitating the physical organization of DNA in chromosomes and participating in the regulation of its metabolism. The H2A family displays the largest number of variants among core histones, including the renowned H2A.X, macroH2A, H2A.B (Bbd), and H2A.Z. This latter variant is especially interesting because of its regulatory role and its differentiation into 2 functionally divergent variants (H2A.Z.1 and H2A.Z.2), further specializing the structure and function of vertebrate chromatin. In the present work we describe, for the first time, the presence of a second H2A.Z variant (H2A.Z.2) in the genome of a non-vertebrate animal, the mussel Mytilus. The molecular and evolutionary characterization of mussel H2A.Z.1 and H2A.Z.2 histones is consistent with their functional specialization, supported on sequence divergence at promoter and coding regions as well as on varying gene expression patterns. More precisely, the expression of H2A.Z.2 transcripts in gonadal tissue and its potential upregulation in response to genotoxic stress might be mirroring the specialization of this variant in DNA repair. Overall, the findings presented in this work complement recent reports describing the widespread presence of other histone variants across eukaryotes, supporting an ancestral origin and conserved role for histone variants in chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Rivera-Casas
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution (Chromevol) Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Rodrigo González-Romero
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution (Chromevol) Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Ángel Vizoso-Vazquez
- Exprela Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruña, A Coruña E15071, Spain
| | - Manjinder S. Cheema
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada
| | - M. Esperanza Cerdán
- Exprela Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruña, A Coruña E15071, Spain
| | - Josefina Méndez
- Xenomar Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruña, A Coruña E15071, Spain
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada
| | - Jose M. Eirin-Lopez
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution (Chromevol) Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
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Rivera-Casas C, Gonzalez-Romero R, Cheema MS, Ausió J, Eirín-López JM. The characterization of macroH2A beyond vertebrates supports an ancestral origin and conserved role for histone variants in chromatin. Epigenetics 2016; 11:415-25. [PMID: 27082816 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2016.1172161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone variants play a critical role in chromatin structure and epigenetic regulation. These "deviant" proteins have been historically considered as the evolutionary descendants of ancestral canonical histones, helping specialize the nucleosome structure during eukaryotic evolution. Such view is now challenged by 2 major observations: first, canonical histones present extremely unique features not shared with any other genes; second, histone variants are widespread across many eukaryotic groups. The present work further supports the ancestral nature of histone variants by providing the first in vivo characterization of a functional macroH2A histone (a variant long defined as a specific refinement of vertebrate chromatin) in a non-vertebrate organism (the mussel Mytilus) revealing its recruitment into heterochromatic fractions of actively proliferating tissues. Combined with in silico analyses of genomic data, these results provide evidence for the widespread presence of macroH2A in metazoan animals, as well as in the holozoan Capsaspora, supporting an evolutionary origin for this histone variant lineage before the radiation of Filozoans (including Filasterea, Choanoflagellata and Metazoa). Overall, the results presented in this work help configure a new evolutionary scenario in which histone variants, rather than modern "deviants" of canonical histones, would constitute ancient components of eukaryotic chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Rivera-Casas
- a Department of Biological Sciences, Chromatin Structure and Evolution (Chromevol) Group , Florida International University , North Miami , FL , USA
| | - Rodrigo Gonzalez-Romero
- a Department of Biological Sciences, Chromatin Structure and Evolution (Chromevol) Group , Florida International University , North Miami , FL , USA
| | - Manjinder S Cheema
- b Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Victoria , Victoria , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Juan Ausió
- b Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Victoria , Victoria , British Columbia , Canada
| | - José M Eirín-López
- a Department of Biological Sciences, Chromatin Structure and Evolution (Chromevol) Group , Florida International University , North Miami , FL , USA
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Murgarella M, Puiu D, Novoa B, Figueras A, Posada D, Canchaya C. A First Insight into the Genome of the Filter-Feeder Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151561. [PMID: 26977809 PMCID: PMC4792442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mussels belong to the phylum Mollusca, one of the largest and most diverse taxa in the animal kingdom. Despite their importance in aquaculture and in biology in general, genomic resources from mussels are still scarce. To broaden and increase the genomic knowledge in this family, we carried out a whole-genome sequencing study of the cosmopolitan Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). We sequenced its genome (32X depth of coverage) on the Illumina platform using three pair-end libraries with different insert sizes. The large number of contigs obtained pointed out a highly complex genome of 1.6 Gb where repeated elements seem to be widespread (~30% of the genome), a feature that is also shared with other marine molluscs. Notwithstanding the limitations of our genome sequencing, we were able to reconstruct two mitochondrial genomes and predict 10,891 putative genes. A comparative analysis with other molluscs revealed a gene enrichment of gene ontology categories related to multixenobiotic resistance, glutamate biosynthetic process, and the maintenance of ciliary structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Murgarella
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology and Unidad Asociada CSIC, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Daniela Puiu
- Center for Computational Biology. McKusick-Nathans, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Beatriz Novoa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Vigo, Spain
| | - Antonio Figueras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Vigo, Spain
| | - David Posada
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology and Unidad Asociada CSIC, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Carlos Canchaya
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology and Unidad Asociada CSIC, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Suarez-Ulloa V, Fernandez-Tajes J, Aguiar-Pulido V, Prego-Faraldo MV, Florez-Barros F, Sexto-Iglesias A, Mendez J, Eirin-Lopez JM. Unbiased high-throughput characterization of mussel transcriptomic responses to sublethal concentrations of the biotoxin okadaic acid. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1429. [PMID: 26618092 PMCID: PMC4655091 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) responsible for Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) represent a major threat for human consumers of shellfish. The biotoxin Okadaic Acid (OA), a well-known phosphatase inhibitor and tumor promoter, is the primary cause of acute DSP intoxications. Although several studies have described the molecular effects of high OA concentrations on sentinel organisms (e.g., bivalve molluscs), the effect of prolonged exposures to low (sublethal) OA concentrations is still unknown. In order to fill this gap, this work combines Next-Generation sequencing and custom-made microarray technologies to develop an unbiased characterization of the transcriptomic response of mussels during early stages of a DSP bloom. Methods. Mussel specimens were exposed to a HAB episode simulating an early stage DSP bloom (200 cells/L of the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima for 24 h). The unbiased characterization of the transcriptomic responses triggered by OA was carried out using two complementary methods of cDNA library preparation: normalized and Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH). Libraries were sequenced and read datasets were mapped to Gene Ontology and KEGG databases. A custom-made oligonucleotide microarray was developed based on these data, completing the expression analysis of digestive gland and gill tissues. Results. Our findings show that exposure to sublethal concentrations of OA is enough to induce gene expression modifications in the mussel Mytilus. Transcriptomic analyses revealed an increase in proteasomal activity, molecular transport, cell cycle regulation, energy production and immune activity in mussels. Oppositely, a number of transcripts hypothesized to be responsive to OA (notably the Serine/Threonine phosphatases PP1 and PP2A) failed to show substantial modifications. Both digestive gland and gill tissues responded similarly to OA, although expression modifications were more dramatic in the former, supporting the choice of this tissue for future biomonitoring studies. Discussion. Exposure to OA concentrations within legal limits for safe consumption of shellfish is enough to disrupt important cellular processes in mussels, eliciting sharp transcriptional changes as a result. By combining the study of cDNA libraries and a custom-made OA-specific microarray, our work provides a comprehensive characterization of the OA-specific transcriptome, improving the accuracy of the analysis of expresion profiles compared to single-replicated RNA-seq methods. The combination of our data with related studies helps understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying molecular responses to DSP episodes in marine organisms, providing useful information to develop a new generation of tools for the monitoring of OA pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Suarez-Ulloa
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution Group (Chromevol), Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University , Miami, FL , United States of America
| | - Juan Fernandez-Tajes
- McCarthy Group, Wellcome Trust Center for Human Genetics, University of Oxford , Oxford , United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Aguiar-Pulido
- Bioinformatics Research Group (BioRG), School of Computing & Information Sciences, Florida International University , Miami, FL , United States of America
| | - M Veronica Prego-Faraldo
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution Group (Chromevol), Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University , Miami, FL , United States of America ; Xenomar Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruña , A Coruña , Spain
| | - Fernanda Florez-Barros
- Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Alexia Sexto-Iglesias
- Xenomar Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruña , A Coruña , Spain
| | - Josefina Mendez
- Xenomar Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruña , A Coruña , Spain
| | - Jose M Eirin-Lopez
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution Group (Chromevol), Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University , Miami, FL , United States of America
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12
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Suarez-Ulloa V, Gonzalez-Romero R, Eirin-Lopez JM. Environmental epigenetics: A promising venue for developing next-generation pollution biomonitoring tools in marine invertebrates. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 98:5-13. [PMID: 26088539 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental epigenetics investigates the cause-effect relationships between specific environmental factors and the subsequent epigenetic modifications triggering adaptive responses in the cell. Given the dynamic and potentially reversible nature of the different types of epigenetic marks, environmental epigenetics constitutes a promising venue for developing fast and sensible biomonitoring programs. Indeed, several epigenetic biomarkers have been successfully developed and applied in traditional model organisms (e.g., human and mouse). Nevertheless, the lack of epigenetic knowledge in other ecologically and environmentally relevant organisms has hampered the application of these tools in a broader range of ecosystems, most notably in the marine environment. Fortunately, that scenario is now changing thanks to the growing availability of complete reference genome sequences along with the development of high-throughput DNA sequencing and bioinformatic methods. Altogether, these resources make the epigenetic study of marine organisms (and more specifically marine invertebrates) a reality. By building on this knowledge, the present work provides a timely perspective highlighting the extraordinary potential of environmental epigenetic analyses as a promising source of rapid and sensible tools for pollution biomonitoring, using marine invertebrates as sentinel organisms. This strategy represents an innovative, groundbreaking approach, improving the conservation and management of natural resources in the oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Suarez-Ulloa
- CHROMEVOL Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Rodrigo Gonzalez-Romero
- CHROMEVOL Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jose M Eirin-Lopez
- CHROMEVOL Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
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13
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Gerdol M, Venier P. An updated molecular basis for mussel immunity. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 46:17-38. [PMID: 25700785 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-self recognition with the consequent tolerance or immune reaction is a crucial process to succeed as living organisms. At the same time the interactions between host species and their microbiome, including potential pathogens and parasites, significantly contribute to animal life diversity. Marine filter-feeding bivalves, mussels in particular, can survive also in heavily anthropized coastal waters despite being constantly surrounded by microorganisms. Based on the first outline of the Mytilus galloprovincialis immunome dated 2011, the continuously growing transcript data and the recent release of a draft mussel genome, we explored the available sequence data and scientific literature to reinforce our knowledge on the main gene-encoded elements of the mussel immune responses, from the pathogen recognition to its clearance. We carefully investigated molecules specialized in the sensing and targeting of potential aggressors, expected to show greater molecular diversification, and outlined, whenever relevant, the interconnected cascades of the intracellular signal transduction. Aiming to explore the diversity of extracellular, membrane-bound and intracellular pattern recognition receptors in mussel, we updated a highly complex immune system, comprising molecules which are described here in detail for the first time (e.g. NOD-like receptors) or which had only been partially characterized in bivalves (e.g. RIG-like receptors). Overall, our comparative sequence analysis supported the identification of over 70 novel full-length immunity-related transcripts in M. galloprovincialis. Nevertheless, the multiplicity of gene functions relevant to immunity, the involvement of part of them in other vital processes, and also the lack of a refined mussel genome make this work still not-exhaustive and support the development of more specific studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgeri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Paola Venier
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padua, Italy.
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14
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Gerdol M, Puillandre N, De Moro G, Guarnaccia C, Lucafò M, Benincasa M, Zlatev V, Manfrin C, Torboli V, Giulianini PG, Sava G, Venier P, Pallavicini A. Identification and Characterization of a Novel Family of Cysteine-Rich Peptides (MgCRP-I) from Mytilus galloprovincialis. Genome Biol Evol 2015. [PMID: 26201648 PMCID: PMC4558851 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the identification of a novel gene family (named MgCRP-I) encoding short secreted cysteine-rich peptides in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. These peptides display a highly conserved pre-pro region and a hypervariable mature peptide comprising six invariant cysteine residues arranged in three intramolecular disulfide bridges. Although their cysteine pattern is similar to cysteines-rich neurotoxic peptides of distantly related protostomes such as cone snails and arachnids, the different organization of the disulfide bridges observed in synthetic peptides and phylogenetic analyses revealed MgCRP-I as a novel protein family. Genome- and transcriptome-wide searches for orthologous sequences in other bivalve species indicated the unique presence of this gene family in Mytilus spp. Like many antimicrobial peptides and neurotoxins, MgCRP-I peptides are produced as pre-propeptides, usually have a net positive charge and likely derive from similar evolutionary mechanisms, that is, gene duplication and positive selection within the mature peptide region; however, synthetic MgCRP-I peptides did not display significant toxicity in cultured mammalian cells, insecticidal, antimicrobial, or antifungal activities. The functional role of MgCRP-I peptides in mussel physiology still remains puzzling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicolas Puillandre
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Département Systématique et Evolution, ISyEB Institut (UMR 7205 CNRS/UPMC/MNHN/EPHE), Paris, France
| | | | - Corrado Guarnaccia
- Protein Structure and Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Ventislav Zlatev
- Protein Structure and Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Manfrin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Gianni Sava
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Venier
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy
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15
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Gerdol M, De Moro G, Manfrin C, Milandri A, Riccardi E, Beran A, Venier P, Pallavicini A. RNA sequencing and de novo assembly of the digestive gland transcriptome in Mytilus galloprovincialis fed with toxinogenic and non-toxic strains of Alexandrium minutum. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:722. [PMID: 25314922 PMCID: PMC4203926 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is marine bivalve with a relevant commercial importance as well as a key sentinel organism for the biomonitoring of environmental pollution. Here we report the RNA sequencing of the mussel digestive gland, performed with the aim: a) to produce a high quality de novo transcriptome assembly, thus improving the genetic and molecular knowledge of this organism b) to provide an initial assessment of the response to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) on a molecular level, in order to identify possible molecular markers of toxin accumulation. Results The comprehensive de novo assembly and annotation of the transcriptome yielded a collection of 12,079 non-redundant consensus sequences with an average length of 958 bp, with a high percentage of full-length transcripts. The whole-transcriptome gene expression study indicated that the accumulation of paralytic toxins produced by the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum over a time span of 5 days scarcely affected gene expression, but the results need further validation with a greater number of biological samples and naturally contaminated specimens. Conclusion The digestive gland reference transcriptome we produced significantly improves the data collected from previous sequencing efforts and provides a basic resource for expanding functional genomics investigations in M. galloprovincialis. Although not conclusive, the results of the RNA-seq gene expression analysis support the classification of mussels as bivalves refractory to paralytic shellfish poisoning and point out that the identification molecular biomarkers of PSP in the digestive gland of this organism is problematic. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-722) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgeri 5, Trieste 34126, Italy.
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16
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Suárez-Ulloa V, Fernández-Tajes J, Manfrin C, Gerdol M, Venier P, Eirín-López JM. Bivalve omics: state of the art and potential applications for the biomonitoring of harmful marine compounds. Mar Drugs 2013; 11:4370-89. [PMID: 24189277 PMCID: PMC3853733 DOI: 10.3390/md11114370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The extraordinary progress experienced by sequencing technologies and bioinformatics has made the development of omic studies virtually ubiquitous in all fields of life sciences nowadays. However, scientific attention has been quite unevenly distributed throughout the different branches of the tree of life, leaving molluscs, one of the most diverse animal groups, relatively unexplored and without representation within the narrow collection of well established model organisms. Within this Phylum, bivalve molluscs play a fundamental role in the functioning of the marine ecosystem, constitute very valuable commercial resources in aquaculture, and have been widely used as sentinel organisms in the biomonitoring of marine pollution. Yet, it has only been very recently that this complex group of organisms became a preferential subject for omic studies, posing new challenges for their integrative characterization. The present contribution aims to give a detailed insight into the state of the art of the omic studies and functional information analysis of bivalve molluscs, providing a timely perspective on the available data resources and on the current and prospective applications for the biomonitoring of harmful marine compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Suárez-Ulloa
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution (CHROMEVOL) Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Juan Fernández-Tajes
- Wellcome Trust Center for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Chiara Manfrin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy; E-Mails: (C.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy; E-Mails: (C.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Paola Venier
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova 35121, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - José M. Eirín-López
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution (CHROMEVOL) Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA; E-Mail:
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-305-919-4000; Fax: +1-305-919-4030
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Prego-Faraldo MV, Valdiglesias V, Méndez J, Eirín-López JM. Okadaic acid meet and greet: an insight into detection methods, response strategies and genotoxic effects in marine invertebrates. Mar Drugs 2013; 11:2829-45. [PMID: 23939476 PMCID: PMC3766868 DOI: 10.3390/md11082829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) constitute one of the most important sources of contamination in the oceans, producing high concentrations of potentially harmful biotoxins that are accumulated across the food chains. One such biotoxin, Okadaic Acid (OA), is produced by marine dinoflagellates and subsequently accumulated within the tissues of filtering marine organisms feeding on HABs, rapidly spreading to their predators in the food chain and eventually reaching human consumers causing Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) syndrome. While numerous studies have thoroughly evaluated the effects of OA in mammals, the attention drawn to marine organisms in this regard has been scarce, even though they constitute primary targets for this biotoxin. With this in mind, the present work aimed to provide a timely and comprehensive insight into the current literature on the effect of OA in marine invertebrates, along with the strategies developed by these organisms to respond to its toxic effect together with the most important methods and techniques used for OA detection and evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Verónica Prego-Faraldo
- XENOMAR Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruna, E15071 A Coruña, Spain; E-Mails: (M.V.P.-F.); (J.M.)
| | - Vanessa Valdiglesias
- Toxicology Unit, Department of Psychobiology, University of A Coruña, E15071 A Coruña, Spain; E-Mail:
| | - Josefina Méndez
- XENOMAR Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruna, E15071 A Coruña, Spain; E-Mails: (M.V.P.-F.); (J.M.)
| | - José M. Eirín-López
- XENOMAR Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of A Coruna, E15071 A Coruña, Spain; E-Mails: (M.V.P.-F.); (J.M.)
- Chromatin Structure and Evolution (CHROMEVOL) Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +34-981-167-000; Fax: +34-981-167-065
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