Alternatively spliced variants in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) support response to variable salinity environment

Analysis of gill transcriptome of the Atlantic cod from the Baltic Sea demonstrated that alternatively spliced (AS) variants may be actively involved in the process of adaptation to altered salinity. Some AS variants of different genes, like phospholipase A2 group IVC (PLA2G4C), appeared only in fish exposed to altered salinity, while other isoforms of the same genes were present in all experimental groups. Novel sequence arrangements represent 89% of all AS in the Baltic cod compared to the Atlantic population. Profiles of modified pathways suggest that regulation by AS can afford specific changes of genes expressed in response to the environment. The AS variants appear to be involved in the response to stress by modifications of signalling in apoptosis pathways, an innate immunological response and pro-inflammatory process. Present results support the hypothesis that developing new AS variants could support genome complexity and reinforce the ability to fast adapt to local environments.