Abstract
Simple SummaryThe presence or absence of intermuscular bones (IBs) is directly related to the economic and edible value of fish. The specific regulatory mechanism of IB formation is not completely known yet. Here, we explored the molecular mechanisms that regulate the formation of IBs based on histological analysis, transcriptome profiling, and gene expression quantification using M. amblycephala (with IBs) and O. niloticus (without IBs) as models. As a result, we identified several bone-related genes and elucidated their regulatory roles in the development of IBs.Intermuscular bones (IBs) are small spicule-like bones located in the myosepta of basal teleosts, which negatively affect the edibleness and economic value of fish. Blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala, with epineural and epipleural IBs) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, without epineural and epipleural IBs) are two major aquaculture species and ideal models for studying the formation mechanisms of fish IBs. Here, we compared myosepta development between M. amblycephala and O. niloticus, based on histological analysis, transcriptome profiling, and expression analysis of bone-related genes. The histological results showed that dye condensation began to appear in the myosepta 20 days post hatching (dph) in M. amblycephala, and IBs could be clearly observed 50 dph in the myosepta, based on different staining methods. However, in O. niloticus, dye condensation was not observed in the myosepta from 10 to 60 dph. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at different developmental stages were screened by comparing the transcriptomes of M. amblycephala and O. niloticus, and KEGG analysis demonstrated that these DEGs were enriched in many bone-related pathways, such as focal adhesion, calcium, and Wnt signaling pathways. Quantitative PCR was performed to further compare the expression levels of some bone-related genes (scxa, scxb, runx2a, runx2b, bgp, sp7, col1a2, entpd5a, entpd5b, phex, alpl, and fgf23). All the tested genes (except for alpl) exhibited higher expression levels in M. amblycephala than in O. niloticus. A comparison of the dorsal and abdominal muscle tissues between the two species also revealed significant expression differences for most of the tested genes. The results suggest that scxa, scxb, runx2a, runx2b, entpd5a, col1a2, and bgp may play important roles in IB development. Our findings provide some insights into the molecular mechanisms of IB formation, as well as clues for further functional analysis of the identified genes to better understand the development of IBs.
Highlights
Intermuscular bones (IBs), which only occur in the myosepta of basal teleosts, are small spicule-like bones generated from tendon differentiation [1]
O. niloticus, dye condensation niloticus, and dye condensation and bone-like nodules were found during myosepta and bone-like nodules were found during myosepta development in M. amblycephala but development in M. amblycephala but not in red Theblue–nuclear results of alizarin red and not in O. niloticus
IBs are characterized as spicule-like bones existing in basal teleosts, with uncertain functions
Summary
Intermuscular bones (IBs), which only occur in the myosepta of basal teleosts, are small spicule-like bones generated from tendon differentiation [1]. The potential risk of harm to the throat or digestive organs upon consumption greatly reduces the attractiveness of fish with IBs to producers and consumers, and causes obstacles for deep processing, value enhancement, and consumption of such fish [3]. Since the 1960s, IBs have received increasing attention, and extensive research has been carried out on the morphology, ossification process, and number of IBs in different species [3]. An IB-deficient grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) was found in an artificial gynogenetic group, and some specimens of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) without IBs were found in a culture population (normal individuals possess a significant number of IBs) [5,8], indicating the feasibility of genetic improvement of the IB trait. The clarification of the molecular mechanisms of IB formation would contribute to the genetic improvement of fish in aquaculture
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
