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Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) is a staple Chinese herbal medicine in which the primary bioactive compound is glycyrrhizic acid (GA), which has important pharmacological functions. To date, the structural genes involved in GA biosynthesis have been identified. However, the regulation of these genes in G. uralensis has not been elucidated. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis based on the transcriptome and small RNAome by high-throughput sequencing. In total, we identified 18 structural GA genes and 3924 transporter genes. We identified genes encoding 2374 transporters, 1040 transcription factors (TFs), 262 transcriptional regulators (TRs) and 689 protein kinases (PKs), which were coexpressed with at least one structural gene. We also identified 50,970 alternative splicing (AS) events, in which 17 structural genes exhibited AS. Finally, we also determined that miRNAs potentially targeted 4 structural genes, and 318, 8, and 218 miRNAs potentially regulated 150 TFs, 34 TRs, and 88 PKs, respectively, related to GA. Overall, the results of this study helped to elucidate the gene expression and regulation of GA biosynthesis in G. uralensis, provided a theoretical basis for the synthesis of GA via synthetic biology, and laid a foundation for the cultivation of new varieties of licorice with high GA content.

Insulin-like growth factor (Igf) is the key regulator for development, growth, and reproduction. In most vertebrate species, the Igf family has two forms: Igf1 and Igf2. A novel form of Igf, termed Igf3, was recently discovered in fish. In the present study, we isolated igf3 from the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). The orange-spotted grouper igf3 consisted of a full-length cDNA of 1014 nucleotides with an open reading frame (ORF) of 597 bp, encoding for proteins of 199 amino acid residues in length. Tissue distribution analysis showed that igf1 widely expressed with the highest expression in the pituitary and liver. igf2 was expressed highly in all the tissues except the olfactory bulb, while igf3 showed the highest expression in the ovary, and moderate expression in brain areas. The expression profiles of three igf genes during the ovarian development and growth hormone (Gh) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment were also investigated. Three igf genes exhibited different expression patterns during the ovarian development, and showed different responses to the Gh and hCG treatments, appearing to play distinct roles in ovarian development. The present study provides further evidence for the existence of an intraovarian Igf system in orange-spotted grouper.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Sparus aurata was presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,652 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, ...

Using Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of black and reddish morphs of the coral trout Plectropomus leopardus. High-throughput sequencing generated a total of 958,614 sequence reads covering 164.80 Mb of two mitogenomes with a coverage of 4800X. Thirty-seven mitochondrial genes and gene order of P. leopardus was quite similar to that of other teleostean fishes. Most genes were either abutted or overlapped, and all the protein-coding genes began with an ATG start codon except for COX1 and ATP6. The number of stop codon was different for the black and reddish P. leopardus. Comparisons between the mitochondrial sequences of the two morphs revealed a total of 74 variable sites and one indel. Nucleotide diversity across protein-coding gene varied from 0.0006 (16s rRNA) to 0.0070 (Cytochrome b). As expected, the highest level of nucleotide diversity (0.0291) was detected in the control region. Our results demonstrate the NGS technology based on Ion torrent platform can be used to assemble the mitogenome of fish species.

To evaluate the population genetic diversity of the ovate pompano, we isolated and characterized 19 microsatellite markers using a (CA)13-enriched genomic library. Polymorphism was assessed in 30 individuals from a single population collected from the Daya Bay Aquaculture Center, Guangdong, China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 18 with an average of 7.8. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.2667 to 1.000 and from 0.3960 to 0.9435, respectively. Sixteen of 19 loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and no significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between any locus pairs. Our study supplies candidate microsatellite markers that can be useful for studying the population genetic structure of ovate pompano.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Lutjanus erythopterus is presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,509 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. The gene order and the composition of Lutjanus erythopterus mitochondrial genome were similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand in descending order are 29.74% of G, 28.14% of T, 25.95% of A, and 16.17% of C. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. The phylogenetic analysis by maximum-likelihood (ML) method shows that the Lutjanus erythopterus was closer to Lutjanus russellii in the phylogenetic relationship.

The giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) is a coral fish with high commercial value in Southeast Asia. In the present study, we isolated 11 microsatellite DNA markers, and analysed the genetic diversity and differentiation between cultured stocks and wild populations of the giant grouper originating from the South China Sea. A total of 390 alleles at 11 microsatellite loci were detected in 130 individuals from five different populations. The expected heterozygosity varied from 0.131 to 0.855 with a mean value of 0.623 and the observed heterozygosity varied from 0.145 to 0.869 with a mean value of 0.379. The allelic richness and heterozygosity studies revealed that the genetic diversity of the cultured population was significantly reduced when compared with that of the wild population. The Fis, pairwise Fst values, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), threedimensional factorial correspondence analysis and structure analysis revealed significant population differentiation between the cultured stocks and the wild populations, among the three cultured populations and between the two wild populations. These differences may be caused by random genetic drift, the effects of artificial selection and founder effects. Our results will be useful in the management of cultured stocks and conservation of wild populations of the giant grouper.

In the present study, ten novel microsatellite markers were developed from an enriched-(CA)13 genomic library of Epinephelus akaara. The mean number of alleles per locus was 21.6, with a range of 12 to 33. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.767 to 0.967, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.831 to 0.975, with mean values of 0.877 and 0.923, respectively. Among the ten loci, three loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after sequential Bonferroni's correction. These polymorphic microsatellite markers may be useful for studies on the population genetics of E. akaara.

In this study, we have sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the Parastromateus niger. The mitochondrial genome is 16,561 bp long and contains 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of Parastromateus niger mitochondrial genome is similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 28.23% of A, 29.51% of C, 26.01% of T and 16.16% of G. With the exception of five tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of the Trachinotus ovatus in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,563 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of T. ovatus mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 29.03% of A, 28.86% of C, 26.23% of T and 15.88% of G. With the exception of ND6 and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. Two copies of tandem repeat sequence (56 bp) was observed in the 5' end of the control region.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Siganus canaliculatus was presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,492 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of Siganus canaliculatus mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand in descending order is 29.74% of C, 28.15% of A, 25.43% of T and 16.68% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and 8 tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of the Culter recurviceps in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,622 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of C. recurviceps mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 31.36% of A, 24.77% of T, 27.77% of C and 16.09% of G. With the exception of ND6 and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. Two copies of tandem repeat sequence (24 bp) was observed in the end of the 123 bp in control region.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Hemibagrus guttatus was presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,523 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of H. guttatus mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 31.73% of A, 25.42% of C, 28.02% of T and 14.83% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Epinephelus tukula was presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,503 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of Epinephelus tukula mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 28.37% of A, 29.00% of C, 26.36% of T and 16.26% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and seven tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Acanthopagrus schlegelii was presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16 798 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of Acanthopagrus schlegelii mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand in descending order is 28.04% of T, 27.94% of G, 27.87% of A and 16.15% of C. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. The phylogenetic analysis by maximum-likelihood (ML) method shown that the Acanthopagrus schlegelii has the closer relationship to the Rhabdosargus sarba in the phylogenetic relationship.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Epinephelus bleekeri was first presented in this study. It is 17,227 bp in length, consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a non-coding control region. The overall base composition of the H-strand is 26.32% A, 28.65% T, 28.72% G and 16.31% C. With the exception of ND6 and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. In particular, gene duplication is found on the tRNA-Asp gene, and five tandem repeat of this gene in E. bleekeri is different from most other vertebrates. The control region is rich in A + T (67.12%) and poor in G (14.00%), and tandem repeat sequences are observed in this non-coding region, indicating a useful marker for population genetic studies.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the hybrid grouper (Epinephelus coioides♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂) was presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,743 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. The gene order and the composition of the hybrid grouper mitochondrial genome were similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 26.56% of A, 15.79% of C, 28.74% of T, and 28.91% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

We presented the complete mitochondrial genome of the Epinephelus corallicola in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,647 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of Epinephelus corallicola mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 26.60% of A, 15.89% of C, 28.66% of T and 28.85% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

We presented the complete mitochondrial genome of the Epinephelus moara in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,696 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of Epinephelus tukula mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 26.45% of A, 16.09% of C, 28.60% of T and 28.86% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Epinephelus lanceolatus was presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,743 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of E. lanceolatus mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 26.55% of A, 15.02% of C, 29.67% of T and 28.76% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Drepane punctata was presented in our study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,397 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 16 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of D. punctata mitochondrial genome was different from that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 24.56% of A, 16.02% of C, 27.81% of T and 31.61% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and five tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Rhabdosargus sarba was presented in our study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,644 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of R. sarba mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 27.01% of A, 17.96% of C, 26.02% of T and 29.01% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Piaractus brachypomus is described in the present study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,561 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The P. brachypomus mitochondrial genome shows the similar gene order and composition with those of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand in descending order is 31.57% of A, 26.19% of C, 26.18% of T and 16.06% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Pampus nozawae was presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,556 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of Pampus nozawae mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 30.01% of A, 27.51% of C, 27.29% of T and 15.18% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and seven tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.

We presented the complete mitochondrial genome of the Platax teira in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,561 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The gene order and composition of Epinephelus tukula mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand are 28.80% of A, 31.16% of C, 24.44% of T and 15.60% of G. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and seven tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand.