Salinity stress alters the expression patterns of novel <scp>miR</scp>‐2008 and its target gene <i>PLEKHA3</i> in the sea cucumber <i>Apostichopus japonicus</i>

The responses of sea cucumbers to salinity changes are reflected in the expression profiles multiple genes and microRNAs. miR-2008 Pleckstrin Homology Domain Containing A3 (PLEKHA3) were previously shown be involved cucumbers. To better understand relationship between PLEKHA3, PLEKHA3 predicted interaction was investigated using luciferase reporter assays gene knockdowns. Dual-luciferase analysis indicated that overexpression decreased activity PLEKHA3-WT group. coelomocytes increasingly downregulated agomir group with acclimation. patterns upregulated after 6 48 h 24 low-salinity stress. peaked exposure inhibition affected ion concentrations, osmotic pressure, Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) activity, ROS levels. NKA 6–24 stress observed. results initiation may critical salinity-acclimation process