Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is an important transcription factor involving in formation and maintenance of muscles in mammals. However, no data are available on KLF4 function in shellfish muscles which play vital roles in the movement, stress response, and physiology in shellfish. In the present study, we revealed that the Klf4 mRNA of Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri was expressed in most tissues, which has high level in adductor muscle, mantle, kidney, and testis. Positive signals of the Klf4 mRNA and protein were visible in all skeletal muscle fibers of adductor muscle, and all the cells of C. farreri mantle. Furthermore, the knockdown of Klf4 mRNA in adductor muscle and mantle by means of in vivo RNA interference led to some different phenotypes, including disordered arrangement of muscle fibers in adductor muscle and mantle, abnormal structures of skeletal muscles, and reduced muscle fibers under endepidermis of mantle. Our findings demonstrated that Klf4 plays important roles in maintenance of muscle functions in C. farreri adductor muscle and mantle, and suggested that its regulatory way in skeletal muscle may be different from the smooth muscle in shellfish.

中文翻译：

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Krüppel样因子4在芝空扇贝衣藻内收肌和地幔中的表达特征及功能分析。

Krüppel样因子4（KLF4）是一种重要的转录因子，参与哺乳动物肌肉的形成和维持。但是，尚无有关贝类肌肉中KLF4功能的数据，贝类肌肉在贝类的运动，应激反应和生理中起着至关重要的作用。在本研究中，我们揭示了志空扇贝衣原体的Klf4 mRNA在大多数组织中都有表达，其在内收肌，地幔，肾脏和睾丸中的含量很高。的的积极信号KLF4 mRNA和蛋白质均收肌的全部骨骼肌纤维可见的，并且所有的细胞栉孔扇贝的衣钵。此外，Klf4的淘汰赛通过体内RNA干扰，内收肌和外套膜中的mRNA导致一些不同的表型，包括内收肌和外套膜中肌肉纤维的排列紊乱，骨骼肌的异常结构以及在外套膜内表皮下的肌肉纤维减少。我们的发现表明，Klf4在维持C的肌肉功能中起重要作用。farreri内收肌和地幔，并建议其在骨骼肌中的调节方式可能与贝类中的平滑肌不同。