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Transcriptome Analyses Provide Insights into the Auditory Function in Trachemys scripta elegans.
Ningning Lu1, Bo Chen1, Jiao Qing1
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|September 23, 2022
Summary
This study reveals key genes in the turtle auditory system, identifying specific genes related to hearing differences between sexes. This research provides a foundation for understanding turtle hearing genetics.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Herpetology
Background:
- Auditory ability is crucial for vertebrate communication, with significant research in mammals, birds, and frogs.
- Turtles were historically considered deaf, but recent evidence confirms auditory capabilities and sex-related hearing differences in *Trachemys scripta elegans*.
- Previous research focused on turtle auditory organ morphology and physiology, leaving gene expression patterns largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gene expression patterns within the hearing system of *Trachemys scripta elegans*.
- To identify hub genes associated with the inner ear and tympanic membrane.
- To pinpoint candidate genes responsible for sexually dimorphic hearing sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of 36 transcriptomes from six tissues: inner ear, tympanic membrane, brain, eye, lung, and muscle.
- Application of weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify gene networks and hub genes.
- Differential gene expression analysis to identify candidate genes linked to sex-related hearing variations.
Main Results:
- Weighted gene co-expression network analysis highlighted hub genes in the inner ear and tympanic membrane involved in development and signal transduction.
- Six differentially expressed genes (*GABRA1*, *GABRG2*, *GABBR2*, *GNAO1*, *SLC38A1*, and *SLC12A5*) within the GABAergic synapse pathway were identified.
- These genes are proposed as candidates for explaining the observed sex-related differences in hearing sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes a foundational understanding of the genetic basis of auditory function in turtles.
- The identified genes offer potential targets for future research into turtle hearing mechanisms and evolution.
- The findings contribute to the broader field of vertebrate auditory genetics, particularly in reptiles.
