Zhu Qi, Wei Maolei, Chen Xinxin, Rong Zhichao, Yang Dongran, Chen Xiaowu, Wu Xugan
Centre for Research on Environmental Ecology and Fish Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources Certified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
Mol Biol Rep. 2025 Jul 15;52(1):712. doi: 10.1007/s11033-025-10808-5.
Carapace color in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) influences both commercial value and physiological traits, yet its molecular basis remains unclear. The intestine plays a key role in pigment absorption and metabolism, but its involvement in pigmentation has been understudied. This study aimed to investigate intestinal gene expression differences among red, white, and green carapace strains.
We sequenced intestinal RNA from red, white, and green morphs (n = 3 per group) on an Illumina NovaSeq platform. Following fastp quality control and Salmon quantification, 6,214 genes were identified as differentially expressed (|log2FC| ≥ 1, FDR < 0.05). Functional enrichment linked these genes to pigment transport and biosynthesis pathways, including ABC transporters, SLC carriers, carotenoid binding, and tyrosine metabolism. Seven representative DEGs (CRCN‑A1, CRCN-A2, ABCC4, ABCF1, slc23a1, slc49a4, TYROB) were validated by qRT‑PCR, with expression trends congruent to RNA‑seq results.
Intestinal gene expression contributes to carapace pigmentation through distinct carotenoid‑transport and melanin pathways. These insights offer molecular targets for selective breeding and functional validation.
中华绒螯蟹的甲壳颜色会影响其商业价值和生理特性，但其分子基础仍不清楚。肠道在色素吸收和代谢中起关键作用，但其在色素沉着中的作用尚未得到充分研究。本研究旨在调查红色、白色和绿色甲壳品系之间肠道基因表达的差异。
我们在Illumina NovaSeq平台上对红色、白色和绿色形态（每组n = 3）的肠道RNA进行了测序。经过fastp质量控制和Salmon定量分析，共鉴定出6214个差异表达基因（|log2FC|≥1，FDR<0.05）。功能富集分析将这些基因与色素转运和生物合成途径联系起来，包括ABC转运蛋白、SLC载体、类胡萝卜素结合和酪氨酸代谢。通过qRT-PCR验证了7个代表性差异表达基因（CRCN‑A1、CRCN-A2、ABCC4、ABCF1、slc23a1、slc49a4、TYROB），其表达趋势与RNA测序结果一致。
肠道基因表达通过不同的类胡萝卜素转运和黑色素途径促进甲壳色素沉着。这些见解为选择性育种和功能验证提供了分子靶点。
