Transcriptomic dataset for Sardina pilchardus: Assembly, annotation, and expression of nine tissues

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Genomics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• European sardines (Sardina pilchardus) are ecologically significant small pelagic fish with high nutritional and economic value.
• Despite their importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying protein and lipid synthesis in sardines remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reconstruct the transcriptome of Sardina pilchardus.
• To identify protein-coding genes and analyze their functions related to metabolism.
• To provide a foundation for understanding the molecular basis of sardine's nutritional value.

Main Methods:

• Collection of nine tissue samples from Sardina pilchardus.
• Transcriptome sequencing and assembly, yielding 198,597 transcripts.
• Bioinformatic analysis including quality assessment, Single Copy Orthologs searching, Gene Ontology, and KEGG annotation.

Main Results:

• Successfully reconstructed a comprehensive transcriptome with 68,031 protein-coding transcripts.
• Annotated a significant portion of protein-coding genes, enabling functional analysis.
• Quantified gene expression patterns across different tissues using Transcripts Per Million.

Conclusions:

• The generated transcriptome provides a valuable resource for studying molecular mechanisms in European sardines.
• This work lays the groundwork for future research into sardine's metabolic pathways and nutritional quality.
• Understanding these molecular processes can aid in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management.