Transcriptome comparison reveals a genetic network regulating the lower temperature limit in fish

• DOI: 10.1038/srep28952
• Publication Date: 2016-06-30T09:23:57Z
• Authors: Peng Hu; Mingli Liu; Yimeng Liu; Jinfeng Wang; Dong Zhang; Hongbo Niu; Shouwen Jiang; Jian Wang; Dongsheng Zhang; Bingshe Han; Qianghua Xu; Liangbiao Chen
• Keywords: Danio; KEGG

Abstract Transcriptional plasticity is a major driver of phenotypic differences between species. The lower temperature limit (LTL), namely the end survival temperature, an important trait delimiting geographical distribution species, however, genetic mechanisms are poorly understood. We investigated inter-species transcriptional diversification in cold responses zebrafish Danio rerio and tilapia Oreochromis niloticus , which were reared at common (28 °C) but have distinct LTLs. identified significant expressional divergence two species orthologous genes from gills when cooled to LTL (8 °C). Five KEGG pathways found sequentially over-represented zebrafish/tilapia divergently expressed duration (12 hour) 8 °C exposure, forming signaling cascade metabolic regulation apoptosis via FoxO signaling. Consistently, we differential progression manifested delayed milder apoptotic phenotype than tilapia, corresponding with zebrafish. diverged expression 25 apoptosis-related transcription factors forms interacting network involving regulation. propose regulates fishes.