Analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with color variation
Golden-colored mutants of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) have recently been identified in aquaculture, presenting a unique opportunity to study the underlying mechanisms of this rare coloration. This study investigated the differences in skin pigment cells and carotenoid metabolism between golden and...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Aquaculture Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425002340 |
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| author | Zhifeng Liu Mingchao Yang Yuelei Shi Pengfei Yan Zhibin Sun Junlian Zhong Zhihui Huang Hui Wang Aijun Ma |
| author_facet | Zhifeng Liu Mingchao Yang Yuelei Shi Pengfei Yan Zhibin Sun Junlian Zhong Zhihui Huang Hui Wang Aijun Ma |
| author_sort | Zhifeng Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Golden-colored mutants of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) have recently been identified in aquaculture, presenting a unique opportunity to study the underlying mechanisms of this rare coloration. This study investigated the differences in skin pigment cells and carotenoid metabolism between golden and normally pigmented turbot. Microscopic and histological analyses revealed that the skin of the control group contained both melanophores and xanthophores, with melanophores exhibiting fully extended dendrites and larger cell volumes, while xanthophores were smaller and dispersed among the melanophores. In contrast, the skin of the golden mutants also contained both melanophores and xanthophores; however, the melanophores were mostly rounded with less extended dendrites and reduced cell volumes, alongside an increase in both the number and size of xanthophores. Additionally, qPCR analysis of the BCL-2 and caspase gene families found no significant differences in the expression levels of selected genes in the skin tissues of turbot with different body colors, suggesting that the color changes in golden mutants are not due to apoptosis of pigment cells. Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) analysis of carotenoid content showed an upregulation of specific carotenoids in the golden mutants, such as ε-carotene and zeaxanthin derivatives. These findings indicate that the golden coloration in turbot is primarily driven by changes in pigment cell composition and carotenoid accumulation. This study provides foundational insights into the genetic and metabolic pathways involved in fish coloration, with significant implications for selective breeding programs in aquaculture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-37e07cee3d62431dbc22dc18f7a1b690 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2352-5134 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aquaculture Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-37e07cee3d62431dbc22dc18f7a1b6902025-08-20T03:10:13ZengElsevierAquaculture Reports2352-51342025-07-014210284810.1016/j.aqrep.2025.102848Analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with color variationZhifeng Liu0Mingchao Yang1Yuelei Shi2Pengfei Yan3Zhibin Sun4Junlian Zhong5Zhihui Huang6Hui Wang7Aijun Ma8State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, China; Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, ChinaLiaoning Xingcheng Longyun Brine Aquaculture Co., Ltd, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China; Corresponding author at: State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Qingdao 266071, China.Golden-colored mutants of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) have recently been identified in aquaculture, presenting a unique opportunity to study the underlying mechanisms of this rare coloration. This study investigated the differences in skin pigment cells and carotenoid metabolism between golden and normally pigmented turbot. Microscopic and histological analyses revealed that the skin of the control group contained both melanophores and xanthophores, with melanophores exhibiting fully extended dendrites and larger cell volumes, while xanthophores were smaller and dispersed among the melanophores. In contrast, the skin of the golden mutants also contained both melanophores and xanthophores; however, the melanophores were mostly rounded with less extended dendrites and reduced cell volumes, alongside an increase in both the number and size of xanthophores. Additionally, qPCR analysis of the BCL-2 and caspase gene families found no significant differences in the expression levels of selected genes in the skin tissues of turbot with different body colors, suggesting that the color changes in golden mutants are not due to apoptosis of pigment cells. Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) analysis of carotenoid content showed an upregulation of specific carotenoids in the golden mutants, such as ε-carotene and zeaxanthin derivatives. These findings indicate that the golden coloration in turbot is primarily driven by changes in pigment cell composition and carotenoid accumulation. This study provides foundational insights into the genetic and metabolic pathways involved in fish coloration, with significant implications for selective breeding programs in aquaculture.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425002340Scophthalmus maximusGolden body colorPigment cellCarotenoid |
| spellingShingle | Zhifeng Liu Mingchao Yang Yuelei Shi Pengfei Yan Zhibin Sun Junlian Zhong Zhihui Huang Hui Wang Aijun Ma Analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with color variation Aquaculture Reports Scophthalmus maximus Golden body color Pigment cell Carotenoid |
| title | Analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with color variation |
| title_full | Analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with color variation |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with color variation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with color variation |
| title_short | Analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) with color variation |
| title_sort | analysis of pigment cell differences and carotenoid content in the skin of golden turbot scophthalmus maximus with color variation |
| topic | Scophthalmus maximus Golden body color Pigment cell Carotenoid |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425002340 |
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