Sequencing of mRNA expressed in cultures and tissues of stugeon integument

Sturgeon species are threatened or endangered worldwide due to habitat loss and increasing pollution. An epithelial cell culture model promises to help investigate hazardous environmental exposures. The stratified squamous integument of green and white sturgeons (Acipenser medirostris and transmontanus, respectively) and cells cultured from their epithelia expressed substantial levels of TGM1-like transglutaminases, types I and II keratins and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) proteins analogous to those in mammalian integument. Overall design: RNA from samples of sturgeon integument (skin, mouth, ampullae of Lorenzini), upper palate, esophagus and confluent epithelial cultures from these tissues were sequened using PacBio methodology to find relative amounts of various transcripts.