Analysis of Gene Expression Related to Pigmentation Variation in the Brain Tissue of Starry Flounder (Platichthys stellatus) Using RNA-Seq

Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) is extensively farmed in Korea, and the importance of aquaculture technology in the economic and industrial sectors continues to grow. However, pigmentation anomalies, such as skin discoloration during farming, have resulted in significant economic losses. Despite continuous research to uncover the underlying causes, genomic research in this area remains insufficient. This study utilized RNA-seq with de novo assembly analysis to establish candidate genes in brain tissue related to pigmentation variation in P. stellatus. Genes associated with albinism and melanism were identified, with 1053 genes linked to albinism and 642 genes associated with melanism. Functional analysis of these genes was also conducted using gene ontology analysis, categorizing the genes according to biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. KEGG pathway analysis revealed significant associations with five pathways for albinism and two pathways for melanism in brain tissue. The large-scale gene expression profiles identified in this study provide valuable genomic resources for future studies of aquaculture species, including P. stellatus. While the findings provide valuable genomic insights, the study was limited to brain tissue analysis and requires further gene-level validation.