Comparative transcriptome analysis of Rimicaris sp reveals novel molecular features associated with survival in deep-sea hydrothermal vent

Shrimp of the family Alvinocarididae are the predominant megafauna of deep-sea hydrothermal vents. However, genome information on this family is currently unavailable. In the present study, by employing Illumina sequencing, we performed the first de novo transcriptome analysis of the gills of the shrimp Rimicaris sp. from the hydrothermal vent in Desmos, Manus Basin. The analysis was conducted in a comparative manner with the shrimp taken directly from the vent (GR samples) and the shrimp that had been maintained for ten days under normal laboratory condition (mGR samples). Among the 128,938 unigenes identified, a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the GR and mGR samples were detected, including 2365 and 1607 genes significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in GR. The DEGs covered diverse functional categories. Most of the DEGs associated with immunity were downregulated in GR, while most of the DEGs associated with sulfur metabolism and detoxification were upregulated in GR. These results provide the first comprehensive transcriptomic resource for hydrothermal vent Rimicaris and revealed varied categories of genes likely involved in deep-sea survival.