Daily Rhythmicity of Muscle-Related and Rhythm Genes Expression in Mackerel Tuna (Euthynnus affinis)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the circadian rhythm of muscle-related gene expression in mackerel tuna under different weather conditions. The experiment was carried out under two weather conditions at four sampling times (6:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 24:00) to determine the expression of growth, function, and rhythm genes: white muscle rhythm genes were rhythmic on sunny and cloudy days, except for PER3 and RORA; all functional genes had daily rhythmicity. Red muscle had daily rhythmicity on both sunny and cloudy days; functional genes had daily rhythmicity except for MBNL. The expression levels of the rhythm gene PER1 were determined to be significantly different by independent t-test samples in white muscle at 6:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 24:00 under different weather conditions; the expression levels of the functional genes MBNL and MSTN were both significantly different. In the red muscle, the expression of the rhythm genes PER3, REVERBA, and BMAL1 was determined by independent t-test samples at 6:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 24:00 on cloudy and sunny days; the functional gene MBNL was significantly different. The present study showed that mackerel tuna muscle rhythm genes and functional genes varied significantly in expression levels depending on weather, time of day, and light intensity and that the expression levels of myogenic genes were closely related to clock gene expression. The fish were also able to adapt to changes in light intensity in different weather conditions through positive physiological regulation.

Keywords: biological clock; daily expression; mackerel tuna; muscle; related gene expression.

Figure 1

Expression of the white muscle rhythm gene in mackerel tuna at 24 h under different weather conditions. (a) CREB1; (b) PER1; (c) PER3; (d) RORA; (e) REVERBA; (f) CRY1; (g) CRY2; (h) BMAL1. The pink color in the figure indicates sunny days, and purple indicates cloudy days. Different letters mean significant differences in ANOVA (p < 0.05). Different capital letters mean differences between groups in sunny weather bars (p < 0.05), and different lowercase letters mean differences between groups in cloudy weather (p < 0.05). * indicates significant differences at the same time in different weather conditions (p < 0.05).

Figure 1

Expression of the white muscle rhythm gene in mackerel tuna at 24 h under different weather conditions. (a) CREB1; (b) PER1; (c) PER3; (d) RORA; (e) REVERBA; (f) CRY1; (g) CRY2; (h) BMAL1. The pink color in the figure indicates sunny days, and purple indicates cloudy days. Different letters mean significant differences in ANOVA (p < 0.05). Different capital letters mean differences between groups in sunny weather bars (p < 0.05), and different lowercase letters mean differences between groups in cloudy weather (p < 0.05). * indicates significant differences at the same time in different weather conditions (p < 0.05).

Figure 2

Expression of the red muscle rhythm gene in mackerel tuna at 24 h under different weather conditions. (a) CREB1; (b) PER1; (c) PER3; (d) RORA; (e) REVERBA; (f) CRY1; (g) CRY2; (h) BMAL1. The pink color in the figure indicates sunny days, and purple indicates cloudy days. Different letters mean significant differences in ANOVA (p < 0.05). Different capital letters mean differences between groups in sunny weather bars (p < 0.05), and different lowercase letters mean differences between groups in cloudy weather (p < 0.05). * indicates significant differences at the same time in different weather conditions (p < 0.05).

Figure 2

Expression of the red muscle rhythm gene in mackerel tuna at 24 h under different weather conditions. (a) CREB1; (b) PER1; (c) PER3; (d) RORA; (e) REVERBA; (f) CRY1; (g) CRY2; (h) BMAL1. The pink color in the figure indicates sunny days, and purple indicates cloudy days. Different letters mean significant differences in ANOVA (p < 0.05). Different capital letters mean differences between groups in sunny weather bars (p < 0.05), and different lowercase letters mean differences between groups in cloudy weather (p < 0.05). * indicates significant differences at the same time in different weather conditions (p < 0.05).

Figure 3

Expression of functional genes in mackerel tuna white muscle under different weather conditions for 24 h. (a) TRIM25; (b) STAT3; (c) MBNL; (d) MSTN. The pink color in the figure indicates sunny days, and purple indicates cloudy days. Different letters mean significant differences in ANOVA (p < 0.05). Different capital letters mean differences between groups in sunny weather bars (p < 0.05), and different lowercase letters mean differences between groups in cloudy weather (p < 0.05). * indicates significant differences at the same time in different weather conditions (p < 0.05).

Figure 3

Expression of functional genes in mackerel tuna white muscle under different weather conditions for 24 h. (a) TRIM25; (b) STAT3; (c) MBNL; (d) MSTN. The pink color in the figure indicates sunny days, and purple indicates cloudy days. Different letters mean significant differences in ANOVA (p < 0.05). Different capital letters mean differences between groups in sunny weather bars (p < 0.05), and different lowercase letters mean differences between groups in cloudy weather (p < 0.05). * indicates significant differences at the same time in different weather conditions (p < 0.05).

Figure 4

Expression of functional genes in mackerel tuna red muscle at 24 h under different weather conditions. (a) TRIM25; (b) STAT3; (c) MBNL; (d) MSTN. The pink color in the figure indicates sunny days, and purple indicates cloudy days. Different letters mean significant differences in ANOVA (p < 0.05). Different capital letters mean differences between groups in sunny weather bars (p < 0.05), and different lowercase letters mean differences between groups in cloudy weather (p < 0.05). * indicates significant differences at the same time in different weather conditions (p < 0.05).