Molecular Genetics Applied to Aquaculture: From Breeding Stock Selection to Biotechnological Innovations

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 1555

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Bragança, PA, Brazil
Interests: comparative physiology; Macrobrachium; aquaculture; molecular; genetics; transcriptome

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Guest Editor
Coastal Studies Institute (IECOS), Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
Interests: aquaculture; fish; molecular; genetics

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Guest Editor Assistant
Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Bragança, PA, Brazil
Interests: cytogenetics; development of molecular markers, with emphasis on studies in population genetics for fish conservation

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Guest Editor Assistant
Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Bragança, PA, Brazil
Interests: conservation and biodiversity; bioecology of crustaceans; fish; artisanal and industrial fishing; dynamics of fish populations; assessment and management of fish stocks; genetics applied to fishing and aquaculture and forensic inspection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable aquaculture is crucial to increasing production efficiency, competitiveness, and product quality. To achieve these goals, improvements in feeding practices, breeding conditions, disease control, and genetics are essential. Genetic management of breeding stocks, supported by pedigree programs, can produce animals with higher growth rates, fertility, and disease resistance. Advances in molecular genetics now allow precise monitoring of genetic diversity using molecular markers, which aids in the selection of superior breeding stocks. Forensic tools also allow the detection of commercial fraud, safeguarding the integrity of aquaculture practices. Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized the field, providing vast data that fuels biotechnological innovations. Nutrigenomics, for example, guides nutritional testing, optimizing resources and time. In addition, genetic manipulation techniques, such as the production of monosex populations, have become practical solutions for many aquatic species. This Special Issue aims to present research on molecular genetic tools to advance aquaculture. Our aim is to discuss and develop strategies that not only improve production efficiency and competitiveness but also ensure that aquaculture is sustainable.

Dr. Cristiana Ramalho Maciel
Prof. Dr. Fernando Araújo Abrunhosa
Guest Editors

Dr. Vanessa Paes da Cruz
Dr. Ítalo Antônio de Freitas Lutz
Guest Editor Assistant

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Keywords

  • genomic information
  • nutrigenomic
  • breeding programs
  • genetic structure
  • population structure
  • technological innovations in aquaculture
  • genetic improvement
  • marker-assisted selection (mas)
  • genetic diversity
  • application of omics in aquaculture

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 2705 KiB  
Article
Phylogenomic and Evolutionary Insights into Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) Genes in Tambaqui: Gene Duplication, Tissue-Specific Expression and Physiological Implications
by Rômulo Veiga Paixão, Izabel Correa Bandeira, Vanessa Ribeiro Reis, Gilvan Ferreira da Silva, Fernanda Loureiro de Almeida O’Sullivan and Eduardo Sousa Varela
Genes 2025, 16(5), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16050548 - 30 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme in lipid metabolism, crucial for the hydrolysis of triglycerides in lipoproteins and maintaining lipid homeostasis in vertebrates. This study aims to characterize the lipoprotein lipase genes in the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) genome, investigating [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme in lipid metabolism, crucial for the hydrolysis of triglycerides in lipoproteins and maintaining lipid homeostasis in vertebrates. This study aims to characterize the lipoprotein lipase genes in the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) genome, investigating their evolutionary history from a phylogenomic perspective. Methods: Phylogenetic and syntenic analyses were used to identify the lpl gene copies in the tambaqui genome and expression patterns were examined across different tissues. A comparative analysis with lpl genes from other vertebrates was also conducted to assess evolutionary relationships and functional diversification. Results: We identified three lpl gene copies in the tambaqui genome: lpl1a, lpl1b, and the lesser-known member of the lipoprotein lipase subfamily, lpl2a. These proteins possess conserved sites essential for lipoprotein lipase function, with variations that may affect their physicochemical properties and lipolytic activity. Key amino acid variations, such as in the lid region and glycosylation sites, were observed among orthologs. Gene expression analysis showed high lpl1a and lpl2a expression in the liver, and lpl1b expression in the gonads, suggesting tissue-specific roles. Comparative analysis revealed distinct expression patterns among teleost fish, with tambaqui exhibiting a unique profile consistent with its migratory lifestyle and varied diet. Conclusions: This study offers new insights into the evolution and functional diversification of lipoprotein lipases in vertebrates, highlighting the complexity of lipid metabolism in fish. These findings contribute to understanding the adaptability of teleost fish to diverse environments and lay the foundation for future research in lipid metabolism regulation, including Neotropical species, with potential applications in aquaculture and conservation. Full article
16 pages, 10886 KiB  
Article
In Silico Identification of the Laccase-Encoding Gene in the Transcriptome of the Amazon River Prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862)
by Gabriel Monteiro de Lima, Fernando Araújo Abrunhosa, Bruna Ramalho Maciel, Ítalo Lutz, Janieli do Socorro Amorim da Luz Sousa, Carlos Murilo Tenório Maciel and Cristiana Ramalho Maciel
Genes 2024, 15(11), 1416; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15111416 - 31 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Background: Macrobrachium amazonicum is an opportunistic and omnivorous species that primarily feeds on plant material. Recent studies have shown that Endo-β-1,4-glucanase and Endo-β-1,4-mannanase are expressed in the transcriptome of adult specimens, while juveniles are capable of digesting nutrients from purified cellulose in their [...] Read more.
Background: Macrobrachium amazonicum is an opportunistic and omnivorous species that primarily feeds on plant material. Recent studies have shown that Endo-β-1,4-glucanase and Endo-β-1,4-mannanase are expressed in the transcriptome of adult specimens, while juveniles are capable of digesting nutrients from purified cellulose in their diet. In organisms that degrade raw plant material, laccase plays a key role in oxidizing phenolic compounds found in lignin, leading to its depolymerization and increasing access to cellulose and hemicellulose microfibrils. Objective: In this study, we conducted an in silico identification and characterization of the laccase-encoding gene, as this enzyme is linked to lignin biodegradation in herbivorous crustaceans. Methods: We analyzed the transcriptomes of the hepatopancreas from adult M. amazonicum, sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Subsequently, bioinformatics analyses were conducted to predict the conserved regions and active sites associated with laccase activity. Results: A complete open reading frame (ORF) of the laccase protein was identified in all datasets, comprising 609 amino acids. The top 40 similarity hits corresponded exclusively to crustaceans such as prawns, crayfish, and crabs (86.3–51.4%), while the highest divergence was observed in relation to fungi, plants, and bacteria. Three conserved domains were detected, along with the complete set of copper-binding centers (T1Cu, T2Cu, and T3Cu). A notable variable residue was methionine, suggesting a reduced redox potential in M. amazonicum laccase. Conclusion: These findings, combined with recent reports on the nutritional requirements of M. amazonicum, contribute to a deeper understanding of the digestive physiology of this species and offer valuable insights into its ability to utilize plant fibers as energy sources. Full article
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