RNA-seq and Analysis of Argyrosomus japonicus Under Different Salinities

Abstract

Salinity variation affects the physiological processes of fish. This study analyzed the transcriptome of the gill tissue of Argyrosomus japonicus to determine the significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of A. japonicus under salinity changes. Transcriptome analysis of nine samples yielded 55.873 Gb of clean data, 64,912 transcripts, and 29,567 unigenes, and 83.62% of the transcripts and 81.89% of the unigenes were annotated. Compared with the control group, the high- and low-salt groups showed 1,731 and 695 DEGs, respectively. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in transportation, metabolism, and stress response. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment revealed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in some signaling pathways. Several key genes (KRT1, KRT2, ATP1A, LDH, PFN, ACTB_G1, TUBB, GZMB, MHC2, CCL19, EPX, ANXA5, ACBP, EHF, BHMT, COL1A, and RHOA) were related to salinity adaptation. When environmental salinity fluctuated, genes related to stress, immunity, ion transport, and metabolism became more sensitive. These results suggest that the adaptation of A. japonicus under salinity changes is a complex process that involves multiple genes acting together.

The role of salinity in recovery of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) from stimulated angling stress

“…The reduction seems to be the most pronounced in the 10‰, and although it is not statistically significant, this may represent a change in capacity for heart pH i regulation. Salinity acclimation is associated with altered gene expression: gill tissue of Siberian sturgeon ( Guo et al, 2018 ), medaka ( Oryzias melastigma ) ( Liang et al, 2021 ), stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ) ( Gibbons et al, 2017 ), and Argyrosomus japonicus ( Li et al, 2021 ) all exhibited differential expression of genes associated with ion transport and cell permeability to ions and water. Medaka also exhibited changes in differential expression of genes in liver associated with protein synthesis and metabolism ( Liang et al, 2021 ).…”

Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses Revealed the Effects of Poly (I:C) on the Liver and Spleen of Argyrosomus japonicus

“…Therefore, reports on both A. japonicus and N. japonicus are on the same species. By now, as far as we know, most of the research on the fish is focused on the fields of nutrient and feed [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], environmental stress [ 14 , 15 , 16 ] and fishery resources [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], and research on the molecular-response mechanism induced by some beneficial substances (e.g., immunological adjuvants and vaccines) is rare [ 20 ].…”