Analysis of the differentially expressed genes and characterization of PIMITF genes of the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus)

Leopard coral grouper ( Plectropomus leopardus ) is an indispensable kind of fish in the coral reef ecosystems and marine aquaculture, and the body color of leopard coral grouper is exhibited in black, brown or red. In order to explore the molecular mechanism affecting the body color of the leopard coral grouper, the illumina sequencing technology was used here, the transcriptome of the skin and brain tissues of the red and black leopard coral grouper were sequenced and the differentially expressed genes between the different body colors of the two tissues were further analyzed in this study. Our results showed that the expressional level of multiple genes in the pathways related to pigment synthesis exhibited significant differences. In addition, encoding gene of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) were identified related to the pigment synthesis, phylogenetic analysis and three-dimensional structure predictions on the MITF protein were performed as well. In conclusion, a relatively complete transcriptome data set of different body colors and different tissues in leopard coral grouper were established in this study. The analysis of genes related to the melanin synthesis pathway here will provide a further understanding of the internal mechanism of body color transition in vertebrate. • The expressional level of multiple genes in the pathways related to pigment synthesis exhibited significant differences. • The encoding gene of MITF were identified, and spatial structure predictions on the MITF protein were performed as well. • A relatively complete transcriptome data set of different body colors and tissues in leopard coral grouper were established.