Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Provide Insights into the Growth and Development Advantages of Triploid Apostichopus japonicus

Abstract

AbstractPolyploid breeding is widely used in aquaculture as an important area of new research. We have previously grownApostichopus japonicustriploids with a growth advantage. The body length, body weight, and aestivation time of triploid and diploidA. japonicuswere measured in this study, and the transcriptome and metabolome were used to examine the growth advantage of triploidsA. japonicus. The results showed that the proportion of triploidA. japonicuswith a body length of 6–12 cm and 12–18 cm was significantly higher than that of diploidA. japonicus, and triploidA. japonicushad a shorter aestivation time (39 days) than diploid (63 days). We discovered 3296 differentially expressed genes (DEGs); 13 DEGs (for example,cyclin-dependent kinase 2) related to growth advantage, immune regulation, and energy storage were screened as potential candidates. According to Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, DEGs were significantly enriched in the cytoplasm (cellular component), ATP binding process (molecular function), oxidation–reduction process (biological process), and other pathways. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment data, DEGs were significantly enriched in ribosome production and other areas. We discovered 414 significant differential metabolites (SDMs), with 11 important SDMs (for example, nocodazole) linked to a growth advantage. SDMs are significantly enriched in metabolic pathways, as well as other pathways, according to the KEGG enrichment results. According to a combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis, 6 DEGs have regulatory relationships with 11 SDMs, which act on 11 metabolic pathways together. Our results further enrich the biological data of triploidA. japonicusand provide useful resources for genetic improvement of this species.