Aphrocallistes vastus transcriptome

Aphrocallistes vastus or common name cloud sponge is a primitive organism of the order Hexactinosa in the class Hexactinellida. It is a deep-water reef-forming animal. Here, using pyrosequencing approach we initiated transcriptome analysis of this model. Specifically, we developed a reduced representation sequencing method that can detect low abundant transcripts. Our method greatly reduces the amount of sequencing with more accurate quantification. Basically, sequential addition of adaptors paired with controlled digestion of cDNA generates a one transcript on read type of analysis. Combined 5’ with 3’ targeted libraries produces greater coverage of individual transcripts and high quality assembly. Our initial analysis allowed us to identify more than 2,000 of novel transcripts including many components of signal transduction pathways essential for future analysis of this model organism.