Identification and Expression Characterization of the Smad3 Gene and SNPs Associated with Growth Traits in the Hard Clam (Meretrix meretrix)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Esteemed Editor in Chief of Fishes

I have completed my revision to the manuscript ¨Identification and expression characterization of Smad3 gene 2 and SNPs associated with growth traits in the hard clam 3 (Meretrix meretrix)¨. The manuscript is well-written, concise, and straightforward. I recommend its publication in its present form.

Sincerely

Author Response

Thank you for your approval.

Reviewer 2 Report

Please see the attached file for my specific comments

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript titled " Identification and expression characterization of Smad3 gene and SNPs associated with growth traits in the hard clam (Meretrix meretrix)" (Fishes- 1474617) aims the association between a gene and growth traits of the mollusk hard clam, and the identification of  SNPs in the exons of this gene.

 

In general, this work is a very interesting paper and it provides undoubtedly important results that make a new contribution to the research of hard clam.

 

The paper is very well written and the results are solid and carefully interpreted and discussed.

Approach, methodologies and analysis used in this work are considered satisfactory. Language is clear and understandable. Figure are of good quality. Results are very clearly presented and the organization of the paper meets the criteria of the journal.

The conclusions are drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

 

I want to express my appreciation to the authors for their excellent paper, which makes significant contributions to the understanding the role of the gene Mm-Smad3 in the regulation of growth and tissue repair of this bivalve species. I support its publication.

 

In my opinion only the paragraph "4.3 " could be slightly improved. 

I think that a small sentence with a hypothesis related to the fluctuation of gene expression (Figure 5), particularly after 48-96h where the authors record a drop (L232-233) should be added. I understand that the authors declare that further studies should be done, but in my opinion, they could venture in a possible interpretation to open up new research.

Author Response

Point 1: In my opinion only the paragraph "4.3 " could be slightly improved.

I think that a small sentence with a hypothesis related to the fluctuation of gene expression (Figure 5), particularly after 48-96h where the authors record a drop (L232-233) should be added. I understand that the authors declare that further studies should be done, but in my opinion, they could venture in a possible interpretation to open up new research.

Response 1: (P13, Line346-349) In this study, the expression of Mm-Smad3 gene after trauma showed a fluctuating pattern, speculating that the body may regulate the gene expression of Smad3 to inhibit inflammation and the proliferation of fibroblasts to participate in wound healing.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf