Molecular Responses of Cold Stress Adaptation in the Red Grouper (Epinephelus Akaara): Compensatory Regulation Between FOXO and MAPK Signaling Pathways.

This study explores the molecular responses underlying the FOXO/MAPK signaling pathway's regulation under cold stress in Epinephelus akaara. Using transcriptome sequencing and RT-qPCR analysis, this study elucidates how E. akaara maintains energy balance, immune function, and cellular repair through the regulation of FOXO and MAPK signaling pathways under cold stress. The results demonstrate that several genes involved in energy metabolism and cellular homeostasis regulation, including FOXO1, SGK2, and G6PC, exhibit significant temperature-dependent changes, highlighting the crucial role of these pathways in cold adaptation. The study further reveals that under the suppression of the FOXO pathway, the MAPK pathway compensatorily activates to sustain stress sensing and repair functions, illustrating a multi-pathway signal integration response. Additionally, the expression changes of heat shock proteins further support the cellular adaptation strategies to cold stress. Overall, this study offers a novel molecular perspective on understanding the cold adaptation responses in E. akaara, provides theoretical support for cold-resistant breeding and cold stress mitigation strategies, and lays the groundwork for the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.