禽类的蛋壳颜色是重要的性状,主要由胆绿素和原卟啉色素决定。各种因素会影响蛋壳色素的沉积和着色;然而,潜在机制尚不清楚.我们分析了长顺绿壳母鸡产下深绿色和浅绿色卵的肝脏转录组和代谢组,以探讨肝脏在调节绿蛋壳颜色强度方面的潜在作用。总的来说,鉴定了350个差异表达的基因和211个差异改变的代谢物。基因集富集分析显示富集通路和基因本体论(GO)术语主要与能量,豁免权,和营养代谢。代谢物集富集分析显示富集途径主要与氨基酸有关,维生素,胆汁酸,和脂质代谢。此外,基因-代谢物相互作用网络分析显示有1个子网络。确定该子网络中的大多数基因和代谢物与黑色素代谢和运输有关。总之,我们的研究结果表明,肝黑色素代谢和运输是关键的蛋壳着色。六个候选基因(CDKN2B,DDC,PYCR1,ABCG5,SLC3A1和P2RX2)和7种候选代谢物(5-羟色胺,5-羟基吲哚乙酸,鸟氨酸,乙酰胆碱,L-色氨酸,D-鸟氨酸,和ADP)被建议在此过程中发挥重要作用。同时,这项研究表明肝脏能量代谢的变化,免疫状态,抗氧化活性,营养可用性,胆汁酸合成会损害蛋壳着色。
The eggshell color of avian species is an important trait that is predominantly determined by the pigments
biliverdin and protoporphyrin. Various factors affect eggshell pigment deposition and coloration; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We analyzed the hepatic transcriptomes and metabolomes of Changshun green-shell hens laying dark green and light green eggs to investigate the potential role of the liver in regulating the intensity of the green eggshell color. In total, 350 differentially expressed genes and 211 differentially altered metabolites were identified. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the enriched pathways and Gene Ontology (GO) terms were mainly associated with energy, immunity, and nutrient metabolism. Metabolite set enrichment analysis revealed that the enriched pathways were mainly associated with amino acid, vitamin, bile acid, and lipid metabolism. Moreover, gene-metabolite interaction network analysis revealed 1 subnetwork. Most genes and metabolites in this subnetwork were determined to be related to melanin metabolism and transport. In conclusion, our results suggest that hepatic melanin metabolism and transport are critical for eggshell coloration. Six candidate genes (CDKN2B, DDC, PYCR1, ABCG5, SLC3A1, and P2RX2) and 7 candidate metabolites (serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, ornithine, acetylcholine, L-tryptophan, D-ornithine, and ADP) were suggested to play important roles in this process. Meanwhile, this study suggests that changes in hepatic energy metabolism, immune status, antioxidation activity, nutrient availability, and bile acid synthesis can impair eggshell coloration.