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Skin Colour in Salamanders Is Modulated by Both Epitranscriptomic Methylation and Gene Expression.

Nicholas Strowbridge1, David R Vieites2, Michael G Ritchie3

  • 1School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, School of Biodiversity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study reveals RNA methylation and gene expression drive amphibian colour diversity in fire salamanders. These molecular mechanisms influence pigmentation, impacting the ecology of these non-model organisms.

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Area of Science:

  • * Organismal biology and evolutionary developmental biology.
  • * Focus on amphibian colouration and its ecological significance.
  • * Exploration of molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation.

Background:

  • * Animal colouration plays crucial roles in selection, competition, and communication.
  • * Amphibian colour diversity is ecologically important but molecular bases are poorly understood.
  • * Epigenetic and epitranscriptomic roles in colour variation remain largely unexplored, especially in non-model organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * Investigate molecular mechanisms, including RNA methylation and gene expression, behind colour variation in fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra).
  • * Identify specific genes and pathways contributing to differences in black, yellow, and brown skin pigmentation.
  • * Explore the relationship between RNA methylation, gene expression, and observed colour differences.

Main Methods:

  • * Utilized long-read direct RNA sequencing on fire salamanders with distinct colour morphs.
  • * Analyzed differential gene expression and differential gene methylation across colour variations.
  • * Correlated RNA methylation patterns with gene expression levels and pigmentation traits.

Main Results:

  • * Identified 129 differentially expressed genes and 281 differentially methylated genes across colour comparisons.
  • * Found significant involvement of pigmentation-related genes, including those for melanin production (e.g., MLANA, PMEL, TYR, TYRP1).
  • * Observed a positive correlation and overlap between differentially methylated and differentially expressed transcripts.

Conclusions:

  • * Both gene expression and RNA methylation significantly contribute to amphibian colour diversity.
  • * RNA modifications represent a promising avenue for studying morphological variation in non-model species.
  • * Findings provide insights into the molecular basis of colour and its ecological implications in salamanders.