LAUSR

Abstract In this study, three members of the Bmp family were cloned and characterized in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, including Bmp2a, Bmp4 and Bmp9. The predicted amino acid sequences of P. fulvidraco Bmp2a, Bmp4 and Bmp9 showed the characteristic domains of the Bmp family, including an N-terminal signal peptide, Arg-X-X-Arg site, TGF-β family signature and seven conserved cysteines, indicating that function is likely to have been conserved during evolution. mRNAs of the three Bmp genes had a variable level of expression in tissues. Compared to the control diet, a high fat diet tended to down-regulate the mRNA expression of Bmp2a, Bmp4 and Bmp9 in mesenteric fat, liver and ovary, while it tended to up-regulate their mRNA levels in muscle and kidney. The responses to dietary lipid status and the potential role in lipid metabolism have not previously been reported and reinforces the idea of their multiple functions. Our findings provide the first data about the potential role of the Bmp family in lipid metabolism in teleost.