© ICAR-CMFRI
The Asian green mussel, known locally as kallummakkaya, is an important aquaculture species and findings should help to improve genomic selection and breeding practices, leading to enhanced productivity.
“The development will be a game-changer in boosting sustainable mussel aquaculture in the country, as this research will help gain insights into its growth, reproduction and disease resistance,” said Dr Grinson George, director of CMFRI.
The breakthrough is the first-ever chromosome-level genome sequencing of a marine invertebrate species from India and was published in the journal Scientific Data. A team of researchers from CMFRI led by principal scientist Dr Sandhya Sukumaran carried out the study, with funding support from the department of biotechnology, New Delhi. The team includes Dr A Gopalakrishnan, V G Vysakh, Dr Wilson Sebastian, Dr Lalitha Hari Dharani, Dr Akhilesh Pandey, Dr Abishek Kumar and Dr J K Jena.
Combating diseases
According to scientists, the discovery will help develop new strategies to combat diseases in the mussel.
“Genomic investigations on this species are vital to understand genes, gene combinations and signaling pathways leading to the parasitic diseases, which constitute a major threat to Asian green mussel aquaculture in India, causing substantial mortalities in farms,” said Dr Sukumaran.
It may also be a valuable tool for exploring cancer mechanisms and developing new therapeutic strategies for humans.
“A total of 49,654 protein-coding genes were identified, including 634 genes associated with the cancer pathway and 408 genes associated with viral carcinogenesis. This indicates that this species is a novel model organism for cancer research,” Dr Sukumaran said.
Apart from its aquaculture prospects, Asian green mussel plays a vital role as a bio-monitor as it is capable of accumulating heavy metals and other environmental pollutants in large quantities. Understanding the genome assembly will provide valuable information about the genomic pathways involved in response to pollutants.
“The genetic markers to be developed from this research could be used to monitor pollutants in aquatic bodies, a significant milestone in safeguarding the aquatic environment,” Dr Sandhya said.
