Deciphering deep-sea chemosynthetic symbiosis by single-nucleus RNA-sequencing

作者：Hao Wang, Kai He, Huan Zhang, Quanyong Zhang, Lei Cao, Jing Li, Zhaoshan Zhong, Hao Chen, Zhou Li, Chao Lian, Minxiao Wang, Kai Chen, Pei‐Yuan Qian, Chaolun Li · 发表于：eLife · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.7554/elife.88294.4 · 被引用次数：12 · 研究领域：Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology、Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses、Marine Biology and Ecology Research

Bathymodioline mussels dominate deep-sea methane seep and hydrothermal vent habitats and obtain nutrients and energy primarily through chemosynthetic endosymbiotic bacteria in the bacteriocytes of their gill. However, the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate mussel host–symbiont interactions remain unclear. Here, we constructed a comprehensive cell atlas of the gill in the mussel Gigantidas platifrons from the South China Sea methane seeps (1100 m depth) using single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) and whole-mount in situ hybridisation. We identified 13 types of cells, including three previously unknown ones, and uncovered unknown tissue heterogeneity. Every cell type has a designated function in supporting the gill’s structure and function, creating an optimal environment for chemosynthesis, and effectively acquiring nutrients from the endosymbiotic bacteria. Analysis of snRNA-seq of in situ transplanted mussels clearly showed the shifts in cell state in response to environmental oscillations. Our findings provide insight into the principles of host–symbiont interaction and the bivalves' environmental adaption mechanisms.