Molecular phylogenetic study of Clithon retropictus using metallothionein gene = 기수갈고둥 (Clithon retropictus) Metallothionein 유전자를 이용한 분자계통분류학적 연구

Abstract

Clithon retropictus is a small gastropod belonging to Neritidae that lives in gravel areas of the brackish water zone. Due to these limited habitat conditions and indiscriminate coastal development, it has been designated as a second-class endangered species since 2005. Although its continued interest is low, it is important to investigate the endangered species-specific characterization and analysis of its genetic information. As of June 2021, genetic information of C. retropictus registered in the NCBI was 78 cases, and related studies are also insufficient. In addition, it has not yet been studied the identification and functional characterization of MT gene, which plays a critical role in controlling metal toxicity and oxidative stress, in C. retropictus. In this context, we analyzed basic structure and specific domains of MT sequence of C. retropictus (CrMT) and the taxonomic location of CrMT with its othologs registered in NCBI. As a result, CrMT gene containing with mollusca-specific MT pattern was identified in C. retropictus. In addition, phylogenetic analysis through the maximum-likelihood method indicates that C. retropictus was closely related to the order Lepetelida inhabiting the sea. Taken together, our results may support basic information of endangered species living in brackish water zone.