The Chinese longsnout catfish genome provides novel insights into the feeding preference and corresponding metabolic strategy of carnivores

• Published in: Genome research Vol. 34; no. 7; pp. 981 - 996
• Main Authors: Liu, Yulong, Zhai, Gang, Su, Jingzhi, Gong, Yulong, Yang, Binyuan, Lu, Qisheng, Xi, Longwei, Zheng, Yutong, Cao, Jingyue, Liu, Haokun, Jin, Junyan, Zhang, Zhimin, Yang, Yunxia, Zhu, Xiaoming, Wang, Zhongwei, Gong, Gaorui, Mei, Jie, Yin, Zhan, Gozlan, Rodolphe E, Xie, Shouqi, Han, Dong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Adaptation; Carnivores; Ctenopharyngodon idella; Danio rerio; Diet; Evolutionary genetics; Feeding behavior; Genetic diversity; Genomes; Metabolism; Nutrient deficiency; Positive selection; Taste receptors; Trypsin
• ISSN: 1088-9051; 1549-5469; 1549-5469
• DOI: 10.1101/gr.278476.123

Fish show variation in feeding habits to adapt to complex environments. However, the genetic basis of feeding preference and the corresponding metabolic strategies that differentiate feeding habits remain elusive. Here, by comparing the whole genome of a typical carnivorous fish ( Günther) with that of herbivorous fish, we identify 250 genes through both positive selection and rapid evolution, including taste receptor ( ) and We demonstrate that is required for carnivore preference in -deficient zebrafish and in a diet-shifted grass carp model. We confirm that trypsin correlates with the metabolic strategies of fish with distinct feeding habits. Furthermore, marked alterations in trypsin activity and metabolic profiles are accompanied by a transition of feeding preference in -deficient zebrafish and diet-shifted grass carp. Our results reveal a conserved adaptation between feeding preference and corresponding metabolic strategies in fish, and provide novel insights into the adaptation of feeding habits over the evolution course.