Red tilapia's aquaculture production in China is facing challenges due to pigmentation differences and genetic breeding issues, particularly in skin color during winter.
The study focused on the slc7a11 gene, linked to pheomelanin synthesis, revealing three cDNA sequences and high expression of this gene in the pink-spotting fish's ventral skin.
Findings indicate that slc7a11 is vital for red tilapia skin color differentiation, as inhibiting this gene altered expressions of related genes involved in melanogenesis.