Dissecting the nutritional regulations of a whole amino acid transporter family from a complex genome species: A holistic approach turning weaknesses into strengths

Amino acid transporters (AATs) are described as pivotal in maintaining circulating and cellular concentrations of AA via regulation of their expression in response to the cellular environment. Rainbow trout (RT), a complex genome species, is poorly described for AATs roles in controlling its predominant AA-based metabolism, despite representing a major challenge in the aquaculture nutrition field. Therefore, we identified the whole repertoire of AAT found in RT genome (>200), its expression in tissues and its nutritional regulations in vitro. Results garnered revealed the existence of different clusters of AATs, notably due to promoters bearing ATF4-related AA response elements. Moreover, the modeling of each AAT-specific cluster activities disclosed mTOR-related signaling functions of Ile and Phe, yet unknown in RT. Thus, this novel approach herein described should help to better grasp AA homeostasis in most organisms and topics such as fish nutrition and evolution.