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Hepatic Transcriptomics Reveals Sexually Dimorphic Expression of IGF/IGFR Genes Underlying Growth Differences in
Sixun Li1, Mengmeng Wu1, Min Zhang1
1South China Biodiversity Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.
Marine Biotechnology (New York, N.Y.)
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Sexual dimorphism in fish growth is key for aquaculture efficiency. This study identifies sexually dimorphic insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system genes in S. hollandi liver, revealing their role in faster female growth.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Sexual dimorphism in fish growth impacts aquaculture economics.
- Molecular mechanisms driving growth differences between sexes are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify growth-related genes and pathways in female and male S. hollandi.
- To characterize the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in S. hollandi.
- To investigate the role of the IGF system in sexual growth dimorphism.
Main Methods:
- Comparative liver transcriptomics and genome-wide screening.
- KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.
- Phylogenetic analysis, protein structure analysis, and multi-tissue expression profiling.
Main Results:
- Identified 1063 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 869 upregulated in females.
- Key growth pathways (GH, mTOR, insulin, MAPK) were enriched.
- Characterized seven core IGF system genes (four ligands, three receptors) with high conservation.
- Hepatic expression of igf1, igf2a, igf2b, and igf1ra was significantly higher in females, correlating with faster growth.
Conclusions:
- The sexually dimorphic activity of the hepatic IGF system is a central regulatory mechanism driving growth dimorphism at the transcriptional level.
- Provides candidate genes for understanding sexual growth differences in fish.
- Offers insights for advancing molecular breeding in aquaculture.
