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The genome of the reef-building glass sponge Aphrocallistes vastus provides insights into silica biomineralization
Francis, W.R.; Eitel, M.; Vargas, S.; Garcia-Escudero, C.A.; Conci, N.; Deister, F.; Mah, J.L.; Guiglielmoni, N.; Krebs, S.; Blum, H.; Wörheide, G. (2023). The genome of the reef-building glass sponge Aphrocallistes vastus provides insights into silica biomineralization. Royal Society Open Science 10(6): 230423. https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230423
In: Royal Society Open Science. The Royal Society: London. ISSN 2054-5703; e-ISSN 2054-5703, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keywords
    Aphrocallistes vastus Schulze, 1886 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Francis, W.R.
  • Eitel, M.
  • Vargas, S.
  • Garcia-Escudero, C.A.
  • Conci, N.
  • Deister, F.
  • Mah, J.L.
  • Guiglielmoni, N., more
  • Krebs, S.
  • Blum, H.
  • Leys, S.P., illustrator
  • Wörheide, G.
Abstract
    Well-annotated and contiguous genomes are an indispensable resource for understanding the evolution, development, and metabolic capacities of organisms. Sponges, an ecologically important non-bilaterian group of primarily filter-feeding sessile aquatic organisms, are underrepresented with respect to available genomic resources. Here we provide a high-quality and well-annotated genome of Aphrocallistes vastus, a glass sponge (Porifera: Hexactinellida) that forms large reef structures off the coast of British Columbia (Canada). We show that its genome is approximately 80 Mb, small compared to most other metazoans, and contains nearly 2500 nested genes, more than other genomes. Hexactinellida is characterized by a unique skeletal architecture made of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2), and we identified 419 differentially expressed genes between the osculum, i.e. the vertical growth zone of the sponge, and the main body. Among the upregulated ones, mineralization-related genes such as glassin, as well as collagens and actins, dominate the expression profile during growth. Silicateins, suggested being involved in silica mineralization, especially in demosponges, were not found at all in the A. vastus genome and suggests that the underlying mechanisms of SiO2 deposition in the Silicea sensu stricto (Hexactinellida + Demospongiae) may not be homologous.
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