Transcriptome profiling of triploid Crassostrea gigas gills indicates the host immune mechanism against bacterial infection.

Abstract

As an important member of global aquaculture, oysters (Crassostrea gigas) have significant economic value. With the development of commercial aquaculture, the frequent occurrence of diseases caused by Vibrio alginolyticus has become a hindrance to high-density aquaculture. Gill tissue, as an important component of immune system of the oysters, plays the key point in the face of invasion by foreign substances. Compared to the diploid oyster, the triploid oyster presents a higher growth rate and lower growth investment, making it a more ideal model for studying oyster immune defense. In this study, triploid oysters were as the research subject, and gill tissues attacked by V. alginolyticus were sequenced. By analyzing samples from different time points, 1746 DEGs were obtained. The KEGG and GO functional enrichment analysis showed that gill tissues mainly participate in immune function through the PIK3-Akt signaling pathway and the MAPK signaling pathway. The protein interaction network revealed three genes (CASP8, CASP9 and PIK3CA) that play core roles in immune defense by analyzing the interaction relationship between genes. Finally, qRT-PCR verified the expression of key genes. This study provides a more effective scientific basis for disease prevention and control of oysters and other bivalve shellfish, and helps to promote the sustainable development of aquaculture.