Expression Conditions of Melanogenic Enzymes and Immune Molecular Markers in Atlantic Salmon Muscle During Different Productive Stages
Melanosis, or melanized focal changes (MFCs), is a significant issue in the Atlantic salmon (<i>Salmo salar</i>) farming industry, causing economic losses due to fillet downgrading. Nevertheless, molecular mechanisms underlying melanosis remain poorly understood, particularly in Chilean...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Fishes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/7/302 |
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| Summary: | Melanosis, or melanized focal changes (MFCs), is a significant issue in the Atlantic salmon (<i>Salmo salar</i>) farming industry, causing economic losses due to fillet downgrading. Nevertheless, molecular mechanisms underlying melanosis remain poorly understood, particularly in Chilean aquaculture. This study aimed to characterize transcriptional regulation associated with melanogenesis and inflammation in salmon muscle tissues exhibiting melanosis. Samples were collected from fish at three productive stages, all with MFCs in muscle in common: freshwater at two different origins and accumulated thermal units “ATUs” (300 ATUs post-antibiotic overdose, “Security”; 600 ATUs post-vaccination, “Vaccination”) and seawater harvest (“Harvest”). Gene expression analysis by qPCR targeted melanogenesis-related genes (<i>mitf</i>, <i>tyr</i>, and <i>dct</i>) and immune markers (<i>arg2</i>, <i>inos2</i>, and <i>il-1β</i>). Results revealed significant transcriptional modulation in freshwater samples, including downregulation of <i>mitf,</i> upregulation of <i>dct</i>, and changes in immune-related genes (<i>arg2</i> and <i>inos2</i>). In contrast, seawater (“Harvest”) samples showed significant upregulation of <i>tyr</i> and <i>dct</i>, but no significant immune gene modulation. These findings indicate distinct molecular responses depending on the MFCs’ development stage, emphasizing early stages as critical points for intervention. Unlike recent studies, which have predominantly focused on samples from the harvest stage, this work uniquely integrates results from both the freshwater phase and the harvest stage. |
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| ISSN: | 2410-3888 |