Phenotypic plasticity has been increasingly recognized for its importance in adaptation to novel environments, and initial rapid plastic response to acute stresses usually serves as the stepping stone for future adaptation. Differential gene expression and alternative splicing have been proposed as two underlying mechanisms for rapid plastic response to environmental stresses. Here, we used an invasive model species, Ciona savignyi, to investigate the temporary plastic changes under temperature stresses on gene expression and alternative splicing. Our results revealed rapid and highly dynamic gene expression reprogramming and alternative splicing switch under acute stresses. Distinct transcriptional response profiles were triggered by two types of temperature stresses, showing resilience recovery and increasing divergence under heat and cold challenges, respectively. Interestingly, alternative exons were more inclined to be skipped under both heat and cold stresses, leading to shorter isoforms but with maintained Open Reading Frames (ORFs). Although similar response patterns were observed between differential gene expression and alternative splicing, low overlap between Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) and Differentially Alternative Spliced Genes (DASGs) suggests that distinct gene sets and associated functions should be involved in temperature challenges. Thus, alternative splicing should offer an additional layer of plastic response to environmental challenges. Finally, we identified key plastic genes involved in both gene expression regulation and alternative splicing. The results obtained here shed light on adaptation and accommodation mechanisms during biological invasions, particularly for acute environmental changes at early stages of biological invasions such as transport and introduction.

表型可塑性在适应新环境中的重要性已得到越来越多的认可，最初对急性应力的快速塑性反应通常充当未来适应的垫脚石。已经提出差异基因表达和选择性剪接作为对环境胁迫快速塑料反应的两个基本机制。在这里，我们使用了入侵模型物种Ciona savignyi，以研究温度胁迫下基因表达和选择性剪接的暂时塑性变化。我们的结果揭示了在急性应激下快速且高度动态的基因表达重编程和选择性剪接切换。两种不同的温度胁迫触发了不同的转录应答谱，分别显示了在热和冷刺激下的弹性恢复和差异增加。有趣的是，替代性外显子更倾向于在热和冷胁迫下都被跳过，从而导致较短的亚型，但保持开放阅读框（ORF）。尽管在差异基因表达和选择性剪接之间观察到相似的响应模式，差异表达基因（DEG）与差异选择剪接基因（DASG）之间的低重叠表明温度挑战应涉及不同的基因集和相关功能。因此，替代拼接应提供额外的塑料层以应对环境挑战。最后，我们确定了参与基因表达调控和选择性剪接的关键可塑性基因。此处获得的结果阐明了生物入侵期间的适应和适应机制，特别是对于生物入侵早期阶段的急性环境变化（例如运输和引入）的适应和适应机制。替代拼接应为应对环境挑战提供更多的塑料响应。最后，我们确定了参与基因表达调控和选择性剪接的关键可塑性基因。此处获得的结果阐明了生物入侵期间的适应和适应机制，特别是对于生物入侵早期阶段的急性环境变化（例如运输和引入）的适应和适应机制。替代拼接应为应对环境挑战提供更多的塑料响应。最后，我们确定了参与基因表达调控和选择性剪接的关键可塑性基因。此处获得的结果阐明了生物入侵期间的适应和适应机制，特别是对于生物入侵早期阶段的急性环境变化（例如运输和引入）的适应和适应机制。