Molecular response and developmental speculations in metamorphosis of the veined rapa whelk, Rapana venosa

Metamorphosis is the short developmental stage characterized by dramatic ontogenetic changes that occurs in most animals. However, this important process remains largely unclear in marine invertebrates. In this study, we performed the sequential RNA sequencing of a representative mollusk, the rapa whelk (Rapana venosa), that is undergoing metamorphosis and conducted differential gene expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to investigate the overall and dynamic transcriptome responses. The results revealed that the expression of cytochrome P450 2A and 3A were upregulated during metamorphosis, while the expression of H/ACA ribonucleoproteins increased 4 h after metamorphosis induction (M4 stage), indicating that R. venosa mainly responded to the pelagobenthic changes. At the M24 stage, the enrichment of V-type proton ATPase and insulin indicated the complete development of secretory organs and initiation of hormone secretion. Furthermore, at the M48 stage, the enrichment of zinc metalloproteinase and conotoxin indicated a well-developed predation system that requires exogenous nutrition. Finally, during the PL stage, the genes associated with growth control were highly enriched, implying that R. venosa had completed metamorphosis and has entered the period of rapid growth. Therefore, our study provides useful transcriptomic resources for R. venosa and contributes new insights that may assist in elucidating the mechanisms underlying metamorphosis in marine invertebrates.