Genomic Identification and Expression Analysis of Collagen Genes Family in Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis
LIN Lehe, WU Qinjun, WANG Chun, ZOU Huafeng
National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Abstract：To explore the molecular basis of the hard and thick exoskeleton of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis, collagen gene (COL) family members were identified in Chinese mitten crab by bioinformatics. The physicochemical properties, chromosomal location, gene structure, and phylogenetic relationships of the encoded proteins were analyzed, and transcriptome data from muscles, gills, hepatopancreas, and zoea larvae of Chinese mitten crab and swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus were quantified using Salmon software. The results showed that there was significant evolutionary divergence in the phylogenetic relationships of COL gene family members among six species: swimming crab, Chinese mitten crab, green mud crab Scylla paramamosain, Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis, Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, and red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Transcriptomics revealed that high expression of COL4 was observed in muscle, gills, and hepatopancreas of both crab species, highlighting its key role in maintaining tissue structural integrity. The expression levels of all COL genes were found to be significantly higher in Chinese mitten crab than those in swimming crabin the zoea stage. In addition, expression of the EsCOL23A1 gene was not detected in muscle, gill, and hepatopancreas tissues. It is speculated that the EsCOL23A1 gene may be expressed in the exoskeletal tissues of zoea, playing an adhesive role in inorganic mineral adhesion. In summary, collagen, as a key structural component of crustacean tissue organs and exoskeletons, plays a crucial role in maintaining tissue integrity and improves inorganic mineral deposition in the exoskeleton. The finding provides essential theoretical foundations for advancing the understanding of crustacean exoskeleton developmental mechanisms and their regulatory networks.
林乐和, 吴勤俊, 王春, 邹华锋. 中华绒螯蟹胶原蛋白基因家族的鉴定与分析[J]. 水产科学, 2025, 44(6): 881-889.
LIN Lehe, WU Qinjun, WANG Chun, ZOU Huafeng. Genomic Identification and Expression Analysis of Collagen Genes Family in Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis. Fisheries Science, 2025, 44(6): 881-889.
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2025, Vol. 44 
