Molekularne osnove adaptacija jednakonožnih rakova roda Proasellus na špiljski okoliš

master's thesis

• Title (english): The molecular basis of adaptations in isopod crustaceans of the Proasellus genus to cave environments
• Author: Eva Marković
• Mentor: Helena Bilandžija (mentor)
• Mentor: Anamaria Štambuk (komentor)
• Committee member: Anamaria Štambuk (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Duje Lisičić (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Sandra Hudina (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Zoran Marčić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-09-24, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Život u špiljama može biti stresan. Nedostatak svjetlosti i limitirana dostupnost hrane usmjeravaju evoluciju špiljskih vrsta, selektirajući za prilagodbe nužne za preživljavanje u takvom okolišu. Bilo da se radi o gubitku pigmentacije, redukciji ili potpunom gubitku očiju, sporijem metabolizmu ili odgovoru na hipoksiju izazvanu niskim razinama kisika u špiljskim vodama, sve prilagodbe počinju na molekularnoj razini. Kako bi se došlo do dubljeg uvida u ove prilagodbe, provedeno je istraživanje... More komparativne transkriptomike, uspoređujući dvije špiljske (Proasellus anophtalmus i Proasellus hercegovinensis) i dvije vanjske vrste (Proasellus coxalis i Proasellus karamani) slatkovodnih jednakonožnih rakova. U ovom istraživanju sklopljeno je četiri transkiptoma kutikula ovih jednakonožnih rakova. Određena je genska ortologija, te je provedena analiza diferencijalne ekspresije na zajedničkim ortolozima. Rezultati istraživanja ukazali su na visoke razine ekspresije gena C15orf48, attractin i tramtrac u obje špiljske vrste, sugerirajući na zajedničku konvergentnu strategiju prilagodbe za špiljske vrste. Ovaj pronalazak ukazuje na prilagodbu na hipoksiju, očuvanje i skladištenje energije, imunološki odgovor te regresiju očiju, rasvijetljavajući načine na koje se špiljske vrste prilagođavaju kako bi opstajale u zahtjevnom špiljskom okolišu. Less

Abstract (english)

Life in a cave can be stressful. An absence of light and limited food availability drives the evolution of cave species, selecting adaptations crucial for survival in such environments. Whether it’s the loss of pigmentation, reduction or loss of eyes, a slower metabolism due to food scarcity, or a hypoxic response due to oxygen-poor cave waters, all adaptations originate at a molecular level. To gain deeper insights into these adaptations, a comparative transcriptomics study was conducted,... More comparing two cave-dwelling (Proasellus anophtalmus and Proasellus hercegovinensis) and two surface-dwelling species of freshwater isopods (Proasellus coxalis and Proasellus karamani). In this study, four high-quality de novo transcriptomes were assembled from the cuticular tissue of the isopods. Gene orthology was inferred, and a differential expression analysis was performed on the common orthologues, a first of its kind for the species. The study revealed high expression levels of the genes C15orf48, attractin and tramtrac in both cave species suggesting a shared, convergent adaptive strategy among the cave-dwellers. Indicating an adaptation to hypoxia, energy conservation and storage, immune response, and eye regression, highlighting the intricate ways these species have evolved to thrive in the demanding cave environment. Less

• Keywords: de novo sklapanje transkriptoma; komparativna transkriptomika; analiza diferencijalne ekspresije
• Keywords (english): de novo transcriptome assembly; comparative transcriptomics; differential expression analysis
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:957766
• Project: Number: TTP-2018-07-9675; Title: Evolucija u tami; Title: Evolution in the dark; Acronym: Evodark; Leader: Helena Bilandžija; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funder: Hrvatska zaklada za znanost; Funding stream: Tenure Track Pilot Programme
• Study programme: Title: Molecular Biology-University graduate programme; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a magistar/magistra molekularne biologije (sveučilišni/a magistar/magistra molekularne biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2025-02-11 14:47:10