Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals molecular mechanism of temperature effect on body color of red swamp...

The carapace coloration is of great significance to Procambarus clarkii, and the molecular mechanism of temperature affecting carapace color has not yet been reported. In this study, comparative transcriptome was used to study molecular mechanism of temperature-induced changes in carapace coloration of P. clarkii. This study identified many genes (such as tyrosinase, APOD) and signaling pathways (such as tyrosine metabolism) related to pigment accumulation. As an important environmental factor, temperature can change metabolism and accumulation of pigment in P. clarkii by changing expression patterns of related genes and pathways. High temperature can damage transport of related proteins (such as ABC transporters), thus affecting the metabolism of carotenoids and melanin, and finally lead to the change of body color of P. clarkii. Oxidative stress caused by high temperature can destroy pigment metabolism and accumulation, resulting in changes in body color. The results of this study revealed molecular mechanism of temperature affecting body color of P. clarkii, provided basic data for subsequent selective breeding and practical production, and provided new insights for crustacean body color formation and change.