Molecular cloning and characterization of the myostatin gene in a cultivated variety of bay scallop, Argopecten irradians

In this study, we cloned and characterized the myostatin (MSTN) gene from a cultivated strain of bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, “Zhongkehong”, and named it as the Ai-MSTN gene. The Ai-MSTN cDNA sequence was 3553 bp, contained three exons with 1380 bp in the open reading frame encoding 459 amino acids, and was 2014 bp longer than one previously reported. Analysis of its genomic structure and expression profiles indicated that the sequence of MSTN was 12473 bp (Genbank: JN684902) containing 3 exons and 2 introns, which was conserved with its vertebrate and invertebrate homologs. In silico analysis revealed that the promoter region of Ai-MSTN contained several muscle specific regulatory elements. The 3D structure of Ai-MSTN was similar to that of the known mouse MSTN. Ai-MSTN was expressed not only in the digestive gland, pericardium, gill, adductor muscle, gonad and mantle of the bay scallop, but also in its hemolymph, which was firstly reported in mollusks. These findings provide genomic and protein information and expression profiles of the Ai-MSTN gene and lay the groundwork for further investigations of its functional significance in this economically important sea food, bay scallops.

► The myostatin gene from the "Zhongkehong" variety of the bay scallop is reported. ► The genomic organization is similar to that of MSTN genes in other species. ► Ai-MSTN is highly expressed in adductor muscle. ► The 3D structure of the mature peptide resembles that of mouse MSTN.