Comparative transcriptome analysis depicts candidate genes involved in skin color diferentiation in red tilapia

Jinzhao He; Pengfei Feng; Junqi Qin; Yun Teng; Xu Luo; Zigui Chen; Huawei Ma; Dayan Zhou

doi:10.17582/journal.pjz/20200326090308

This study aimed to investigate the genetic molecular mechanism of body color differentiation and variation of red tilapia, selecting the main genes related to the variation and cultivating the pure and stable red tilapia variety. The effects of different temperature treatments on body color and survival of Guam red tilapia, pearl white red tilapia and Florida red tilapia were compared. Besides, comparative transcriptome analysis was used to screen the candidate genes linked to the skin color differentiation of pearl white red tilapia. Among them, the body color of Guam red tilapia changed when the water temperature dropped to 16-14°C, and continued to drop to about 11°C, it was discolored in a large area reaching above 90%. According to the differential analysis: Tyrosine Kinase STYK1, HSP70, HSP30 and Transcription factor Sp6 expressions were significantly increased in the low temperature group, while MC1R, Transcription factor (MafB, jun-D, AP-1, E2F5, ETV6, Sp9, Sp7, E2F1, Sp4) expressions were notably decreased. Further, the color variation of red tilapia at low temperature may result from the change of tyrosine activity in the body. The in-depth study of its regulatory mechanism contributes to understanding the genetic mechanism of red tilapia and improving the body shape.