Genome-wide identification, evolution and expression of pax gene family members in mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)

The pax gene family is involved in the development process through its extensive effects on cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Herein, the whole pax gene family members of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) were first identified and characterized. By comparing pax gene family members from another 13 representative animals, an expansion of pax gene family members was observed in teleosts. In mandarin fish, a total of 15 potential pax gene family members, distributed on 13 chromosomes, were found, which shared conserved synteny with other teleosts. The expression profiles revealed that members of pax gene family showed time-specific expression profiles during embryonic and gonad development in mandarin fish, which indicated they might play a specific role in organogenesis during embryonic development and the process of gonad development and differentiation. Our research will lay a good foundation for further functional investigation of pax gene family during fish embryonic and gonad development.