MolluscaGenes: A Transcriptomic Database for the Mollusca

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• The phylum Mollusca is highly diverse but lacks comprehensive genomic data.
• Fragmented transcriptomic resources hinder evolutionary and biological studies in molluscs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create MolluscaGenes, a unified database of molluscan transcriptomes.
• To provide tools for enhanced genomic analysis within Mollusca.
• To facilitate evolutionary and biological research on molluscs.

Main Methods:

• Compiled transcriptomic data from 299 species across all eight mollusc classes.
• Developed searchable databases (BLAST, DIAMOND) and molluscan-specific Hidden Markov Models (HMMs).
• Conducted a phylum-wide analysis of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) superfamily.

Main Results:

• MolluscaGenes integrates transcriptomes from 299 species, covering diverse tissues and developmental stages.
• The nAChR superfamily analysis identified 3,586 sequences across 190+ species, revealing 15 phylogenetic clades.
• Discovered lineage-specific expansions, novel nAChR clades with altered ligand-binding residues, and the placement of CRs within the nAChR phylogeny.

Conclusions:

• MolluscaGenes is a foundational resource for molluscan research.
• The database accelerates the study of unique molluscan biology and evolutionary history.
• The nAChR analysis highlights significant evolutionary innovations within Mollusca.