Abstract:
To explore the molecular structure and biological function of
SRBI in the process of carotenoids accumulation in
Meretrix meretrix, we cloned cDNA of
Mm-SRBI by SMART RACE technique and conducted the bioinformatics, expression analysis and intron amplification. The full length cDNA of
Mm-SRBI is 1723 bp that contains a complete 1515 bp ORF encoding 504 amino acids with one functional domain of Mm-SRBI protein (CD36).
Mm-SRBI is highly homologous with
Mimachlamys nobilis and shares 55% similarity in amino acid sequence. It shares 34%—40% similarity with vertebrates. We also amplified 12 introns of
Mm-SRBI, which followed the principle of GT-AG.
Mm-SRBI gene expressed in all six tested tissues with the highest level in mantle (
P<0.01), suggesting that
Mm-SRBI gene maybe relate to high carotenoid in mantle. Moreover, the expression of
Mm-SRBI gene in red shell strain was significantly higher than that of white shell strain (
P<0.05). In conclusion, this study provides helpful foundation to explore the shell colors on this species.