Generation of chromosome level genome assembly of the marine sponge Dysidea avara and exploration of immune receptor NOD-Like structures and expansion. Exploration of NOD-Like Receptors in the chromosome-level genome of the demosponge Dysidea avara (Schmidt, 1862)

In this study we generated the chromosome level genome of the marine sponge Dysidea avara. We further explored the immune repertoire of this species focusing on the NLR receptors. We studied their expansion in this species and the domain architecture of the different types of NLR. We found Canonical NLRs with stucture similar to that described in vertebrates, bona fide NLRs, with the NACHT domain and the repeats of LRRs, and several NACHT containing proteins or incoplete NLRs. THis is the frst study that NLRs were studied in such extent in sponges.