Different targets, different phenotypes: comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the impact of bmp6 deficiency on intermuscular bone development in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

In this study, CRISPR/Cas9 technology was successfully used to target and disrupt exon 2 and exon 4 of bmp6 in silver carp, respectively, resulting in the generation of two bmp6-deficient chimeras, named chimera-E2 (CH-E2) and chimera-E4 (CH-E4), respectively. Both two types of chimeras are capable of normal growth and development; however, their IBs exhibit distinct defective phenotypes. Subsequently, the transcriptome sequencing was performed. We investigated the impact of bmp6 deficiency on the development of IBs and elucidated its potential molecular mechanisms in silver carp. The findings offer valuable insights for the future breeding of new varieties devoid of IBs.