Stress responses in expressions of microRNAs in mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to cadmium

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to have complicated functions in aquatic species, but little is about the role of miRNAs mollusk species under environmental stress. In this study, we performed small RNA sequencing characterize differentially expressed different tissues (whole tissues, digestive glands, gills, and gonads) blue mussels ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ) exposed cadmium (Cd). summary, 107 32 novel were significantly p < 0.01) after Cd exposure. The peak size was 22 nucleotides. Target genes these expressions related immune defense, apoptosis, lipid xenobiotic metabolism showed significant changes These findings provide first characterization mussel M. many target response • miRNA expression pattern characterized Cd. A total mature identified . induced toxicity apoptosis affected