Researchers Unlock Genomic Secrets of the Scaly Foot Snail

Despite an extreme environment characterized by high pressure, high temperature, strong acidity, and low oxygen levels that resemble living conditions in prehistoric times, hydrothermal vents harbor a diverse population of creatures, most of which have potential for biomedical and other research. Among other inhabitants of this difficult environment, the scaly foot snail, also known as the “marine pangolin”, is of particular interest to marine scientists.

The scaly foot snail is the only extant gastropod that possesses armor-shaped scales, a very common feature for gastropods during the Cambrian period more than 540 million years ago. This snail is also the only organism in the world known to incorporate iron into its exoskeleton. However, little is known about its genome and unusual morphology, as the creature is extremely difficult to locate and collect.

Now, a research team led by Professor Qian Peiyuan, Senior Lecturer at HKUST’s Department of Ocean Sciences and Life Sciences Division, has managed to collect 20 scaly standing snails at about 2,900 meters below sea level in the Ocean. Indica in collaboration with researchers from the Japanese Agency for Science and Technology of Land and Sea (JAMSTEC), and analyze the sequence of the snail genome.

Contrary to previous expectations that the creature contains new and specialized genes that give rise to its strange morphology, the team found that all of the snail’s genes already existed in other mollusks such as squid and pearl oyster, and the snail’s genetic sequence. it has remained almost unchanged throughout its evolution. The 25 transcription factors that contribute to the formation of scales and shells of the snail, as identified by the team, have also contributed to the formation of many other unique hard parts in Mollusca, such as the operculum in gastropods, beaks in squid, spicules in chiton. , and chaetae on polychaetes.

“Although no new genes were identified, our research offers valuable insights into biomineralization, a process by which grouping, positioning, and turning on and off a gene combination defines the morphology of a species,” said Professor Qian. . “Discovering the genome of the scaly foot snail advances our understanding of the genetic mechanism of mollusks, laying the genetic foundation that paves the way for research applications. One possible direction is how their iron-clad shells withstand heavy knocks, which can provide us with information on ways to make armor more protective. “

The findings were recently published in Nature’s Communications.

The study of the genomic sequencing of organisms often produces advances in the biomedical sector and others and others. An enzyme from a microbe that lives in such vents, for example, was recently used for the detection of COVID-19 and other viruses such as AIDS and SARS.