Tissue Specificity of the AqE Gene Activity in the Yellow Croaker Larimichthys crocea

The study of the diversity of metabolic pathways is an important aspect for understanding the evolutionary relationships between metabolic pathways and their biochemical precursors. Recently, researchers described a sulfolactate dehydrogenase-like protein encoded in eukaryotes by the AqE gene, which remains highly conserved in teleosts. However, the metabolic role of this enzyme is still unknown. In the present work, we studied the transcriptional activity of the AqE gene, as well as other genes associated with energy exchange in the large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea. The quantitative analysis of expression showed the tissue specificity of the AqE gene activity in the yellow croaker. The gene is active in the liver, skin, and gills. The analysis of gene expression in various organs and under the influence of stressful conditions suggests that the enzyme encoded by the AqE gene is involved in the malate-aspartate shuttle or in the excretion of the final metabolites (sulfolactate) from the organism.