Transcriptome analysis reveals functional roles of nacreous protein N16 in prednisolone-induced osteoporotic zebrafish

N16 is an active protein isolated and screened from nacre proteins. Our previous studies have shown that N16 exerted a good effect on osteoporosis caused by dexamethasone on female rats. In order to further confirm the action of N16 against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) and clarify its possible mechanisms, prednisolone-treated larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) model was adopted. Administration of N16 resulted in a significant increase of vertebral bone density of osteoporotic zebrafish, indicating a good effect of N16 against GIOP. Transcriptomic sequencing analysis was then performed to investigate the mechanisms of the action of N16 against GIOP. It was observed that N16 modulated the osteoporotic phenotype by up-regulating the osteoblastic characteristic genes and down-regulating the osteoclastic characteristic genes in zebrafish.