Characterization of TGFβ Signaling Components in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and Their Role in Growth and Body Shape Regulation

The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling axis plays a pivotal role in orchestrating a wide array of biological functions, encompassing cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation. The aim of the present study was to identify the members of TGFβ signaling pathway and their expression patterns in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) under different culture modes. TGFβ signaling pathway and their expression patterns in fish reared under two different culture modes: Group N (2400 fish in a 120 m3 cage) and Group V (168,000 fish in a 5600 m3 aquaculture vessel). After 120 days, we analyzed 15 fish from each group and found that Group V exhibited faster growth and a slender body shape compared to Group N. Bioinformatics analysis identified 48 TGFβ superfamily members in L. crocea, including 21 ligands, 10 receptors, and 3 Smads. mRNA expression levels indicated that these signaling molecules influence growth rate and body shape through five distinct ligand–receptor–R-Smad pathways, with the INHBB-, Nodal-, and GDF3-ACVR2A-ALK4-Smad2 axis playing a predominant role in regulating these traits.