Transcriptome and DNA Methylation Responses in the Liver of Yellowfin Seabream Under Starvation Stress

Fish suffer from starvation due to environmental risks such as extreme weather in the wild and due to insufficient feedings in farms. Nutrient problems from short-term or long-term starvation conditions can result in stress-related health problems for fish. Yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) is an important marine economic fish in China. Understanding the molecular responses to starvation stress is vital for propagation and culturing yellowfin seabream. In this study, the transcriptome and genome-wide DNA methylation levels in the livers of yellowfin seabream under 14-days starvation stress were analyzed. One hundred sixty differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by RNA-Seq analysis and 737 differentially methylated-related genes by whole genome bisulfite sequencing analysis were identified. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis found that energy metabolism-related pathways such as glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism were in response to starvation. Using bisulfite sequencing PCR, we confirmed the presence of CpG methylation differences within the regulatory region of a DEG ppargc1a in response to 14-days starvation stress. This study revealed the molecular responses of livers in response to starvation stress at the transcriptomic and whole genome DNA methylation levels in yellowfin seabream.