Abstract Metamorphosis is crucial in the life-cycle transition between the larval and juvenile stages of marine invertebrates. Although a number of agonists and antagonists of the adrenergic receptor (AR) are known to regulate larval metamorphosis in Mytilus coruscus (Mc), the molecular basis of the modulation of larval metamorphosis by the AR gene in this species remains elusive. Herein, the role of the AR gene in M. coruscus larval metamorphosis using the RNA interference technique was examined. The Mcα2AR transcript was observed to be present during the entire process of larval development and its level in the post-larvae was significantly increased compared to that in the pediveligers. Mcα2AR-knockdown resulted in a substantial reduction in the abundance of the Mcα2AR transcript and significantly inhibited the metamorphosis of M. coruscus larvae. These findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of modulation of larval metamorphosis in M. coruscus by the AR gene.

中文翻译：

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ɑ2-肾上腺素能受体参与贻贝的幼虫变态，贻贝

摘要 变态在海洋无脊椎动物幼体和幼体阶段之间的生命周期过渡中至关重要。尽管已知许多肾上腺素能受体 (AR) 的激动剂和拮抗剂可调节贻贝 (Mc) 中的幼虫变态，但该物种中 AR 基因调节幼虫变态的分子基础仍然难以捉摸。在此，使用 RNA 干扰技术检查了 AR 基因在 M. coruscus 幼虫变态中的作用。观察到 Mcα2AR 转录物在幼虫发育的整个过程中都存在，并且与幼虫相比，其在幼虫后期的水平显着增加。Mcα2AR 敲低导致 Mcα2AR 转录本丰度的显着降低，并显着抑制了 M. 花序幼虫。这些发现为 AR 基因调节 M. coruscus 幼虫变态的分子基础提供了新的见解。