Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Growth Traits in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

TL;DR

This study combines transcriptome and metabolome data to uncover genes and metabolic pathways that influence growth in large yellow croaker, a key fish in Chinese aquaculture.

Contribution

The study identifies three key genes and multiple metabolic pathways involved in growth regulation in large yellow croaker.

Findings

2344 differentially expressed genes and 198 differentially expressed metabolites were identified across growth and sex groups.

Genes bpgm, mstnb, and mylpfb are crucial for growth regulation in large yellow croaker.

Several metabolic pathways, including aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and inositol phosphate metabolism, are linked to growth differences.

Abstract

The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is an economically important marine fish in China, whose growth rate in aquaculture has yet to meet the industry’s demands. Understanding the mechanism underlying inter-individual growth differences will create a favorable condition for selective breeding. In combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses, this study collected muscle tissues from four groups of croakers categorized based on sex and growth rate: fast-growing males, slow-growing males, fast-growing females, and slow-growing females. We identified 2344 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 198 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). Three genes, bpgm, mstnb, and mylpfb, played a crucial role in the growth regulation of large yellow croaker. The pathway enrichment analysis showed that “Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis”, “Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism”, “Inositol phosphate metabolism” and “Retrograde endocannabinoid signaling” pathways were involved in growth regulation. This study provides new clues for future research on the molecular mechanisms of growth regulation in large yellow croaker and builds a theoretical basis for improving the growth quality of this species.

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