MicroRNA expression signature in adductor muscles of Yesso scallop

Increasing evidences point to the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in muscle growth and development in animals. However, knowledge on the identity of miRNAs and their targets in molluscs remains largely unknown. Scallops have one large adductor muscle, composed of fast (striated) and slow (smooth) muscle types, which display great differences in muscle fibers, meat quality, cell types and molecular components. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive investigation of miRNA transcriptomes in fast and slow adductor muscles of Yesso scallop Patinopecten yessoensis. The identification and functional validation of these different miRNAs in scallops will greatly help our understanding the miRNA regulatory mechanism that achieves the unique muscle phenotypes in scallops. The present findings provide the direct evidences for muscle-specific miRNAs involved in muscle growth and differentiation in molluscs.