Transcriptomic and proteomic dynamics during metamorphosis of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

Many marine invertebrate phyla are characterized by indirect development. These animals transit from planktonic larvae to benthic adults via settlement and metamorphosis, which contributes to the adaption to the marine environment. Studying the biological process of metamorphosis is thus a key to understand the origin and evolution of indirect development. Numerous studies have been conducted on the relationships of metamorphosis with the marine environment, microorganisms, as well as the neurohormones, however, little is known on the gene regulation network (GRN) dynamics during metamorphosis. Metamorphosis competent pediveliger of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was assayed in this study. By identifying genes enriched in competent pediveliger and early spat, as well as pediveligers treated with epinephrine, the dynamics of genes and proteins was examined with transcriptomics and proteomics methods. The results indicated significantly different gene regulation networks before, during, and post metamorphosis. Genes encoding membrane integrated receptors and related to the remodeling of the nervous system were upregulated before the initiation of metamorphosis. Massive biogenesis, e.g., various enzymes and structural proteins, occurred during metamorphosis. Correspondingly, the protein synthesis system was comprehensively activated after epinephrine stimulation. Hierarchical downstream gene networks were also stimulated, where some transcription factors showed different temporal response patterns, including some important Homeobox, basic helix-loop-helix factors and nuclear receptors. Nuclear receptors, as well as their retinoic acid receptor partners, should play critical roles during the oyster metamorphosis, although they may not be responsible for the initiation process. Enriched genes in early spat were mainly related to environmental stress responses, indicating the GRN complexity of the transition stage during oyster metamorphosis.