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Main Authors: Zheng, Xiaoxu, Liu, Wanting, Xu, Minhui, Li, Jiji, Ye, Yingying
Format: Artículo científico
Language:en
Published: International journal of biological macromolecules 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41605397/
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author Zheng, Xiaoxu
Liu, Wanting
Xu, Minhui
Li, Jiji
Ye, Yingying
author_facet Zheng, Xiaoxu
Liu, Wanting
Xu, Minhui
Li, Jiji
Ye, Yingying
Zheng, Xiaoxu
Liu, Wanting
Xu, Minhui
Li, Jiji
Ye, Yingying
collection PubMed - marine biology
contents Molecular mechanisms of melanin-mediated shell pigmentation in Mytilus coruscus: Functional characterization of Tyr family genes and regulatory pathways. Zheng, Xiaoxu Liu, Wanting Xu, Minhui Li, Jiji Ye, Yingying Animals Melanins Pigmentation Animal Shells Monophenol Monooxygenase Mytilus Melanogenesis RNA Interference Gene Expression Profiling Multigene Family Phylogeny Shell color, pigmentation intensity, and patterning are crucial phenotypic traits in mollusks, influenced by Mendelian inheritance, feeding behavior, ecological adaptation, physiological metabolism, and environmental factors. These traits are vital for evolutionary biology, population genetics, and selective breeding programs aimed at enhancing economically valuable characteristics. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing pigmentation related genes in Mytilus coruscus remain underexplored. This study identified key genes involved in melanin synthesis, including Tyr, Tyr1, Tyr2, MITF, and CHS1, through genome and transcriptome analyses. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that during larval development, the expression levels of Tyr, Tyr2, MITF, and CHS1 peaked at the post-larval stage, coinciding with enhanced shell pigment deposition. In adults, elevated expression of Tyr, Tyr2, and CHS1 was observed in the mantle and foot, with the mantle being the primary tissue for shell formation and pigmentation. In situ hybridization (ISH) confirmed strong expression of these genes in both the mantle and foot. Functional validation by RNA interference (RNAi) mediated silencing of Tyr resulted in a pronounced downregulation of Tyr, Tyr1, Tyr2, and MITF. ISH further confirmed a decrease in Tyr-associated pigment deposition in the mantle. Shell regeneration assays showed that Tyr knockdown delayed shell regrowth and pigmentation compared to controls. These findings highlight the coordinated regulatory roles of Tyr, Tyr1, Tyr2, MITF, and CHS1 in mediating shell pigment deposition in M. coruscus, thereby establishing a molecular foundation for future studies on shell coloration mechanisms in mollusks.
format Artículo científico
id pubmed_41605397
institution PubMed
language en
publishDate 2026
publisher International journal of biological macromolecules
record_format pubmed
spellingShingle Molecular mechanisms of melanin-mediated shell pigmentation in Mytilus coruscus: Functional characterization of Tyr family genes and regulatory pathways.
Zheng, Xiaoxu
Liu, Wanting
Xu, Minhui
Li, Jiji
Ye, Yingying
Animals
Melanins
Pigmentation
Animal Shells
Monophenol Monooxygenase
Mytilus
Melanogenesis
RNA Interference
Gene Expression Profiling
Multigene Family
Phylogeny
Molecular mechanisms of melanin-mediated shell pigmentation in Mytilus coruscus: Functional characterization of Tyr family genes and regulatory pathways. Zheng, Xiaoxu Liu, Wanting Xu, Minhui Li, Jiji Ye, Yingying Animals Melanins Pigmentation Animal Shells Monophenol Monooxygenase Mytilus Melanogenesis RNA Interference Gene Expression Profiling Multigene Family Phylogeny Shell color, pigmentation intensity, and patterning are crucial phenotypic traits in mollusks, influenced by Mendelian inheritance, feeding behavior, ecological adaptation, physiological metabolism, and environmental factors. These traits are vital for evolutionary biology, population genetics, and selective breeding programs aimed at enhancing economically valuable characteristics. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing pigmentation related genes in Mytilus coruscus remain underexplored. This study identified key genes involved in melanin synthesis, including Tyr, Tyr1, Tyr2, MITF, and CHS1, through genome and transcriptome analyses. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that during larval development, the expression levels of Tyr, Tyr2, MITF, and CHS1 peaked at the post-larval stage, coinciding with enhanced shell pigment deposition. In adults, elevated expression of Tyr, Tyr2, and CHS1 was observed in the mantle and foot, with the mantle being the primary tissue for shell formation and pigmentation. In situ hybridization (ISH) confirmed strong expression of these genes in both the mantle and foot. Functional validation by RNA interference (RNAi) mediated silencing of Tyr resulted in a pronounced downregulation of Tyr, Tyr1, Tyr2, and MITF. ISH further confirmed a decrease in Tyr-associated pigment deposition in the mantle. Shell regeneration assays showed that Tyr knockdown delayed shell regrowth and pigmentation compared to controls. These findings highlight the coordinated regulatory roles of Tyr, Tyr1, Tyr2, MITF, and CHS1 in mediating shell pigment deposition in M. coruscus, thereby establishing a molecular foundation for future studies on shell coloration mechanisms in mollusks.
title Molecular mechanisms of melanin-mediated shell pigmentation in Mytilus coruscus: Functional characterization of Tyr family genes and regulatory pathways.
topic Animals
Melanins
Pigmentation
Animal Shells
Monophenol Monooxygenase
Mytilus
Melanogenesis
RNA Interference
Gene Expression Profiling
Multigene Family
Phylogeny
url https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41605397/