To elucidate the functional dynamics of the serum proteome in relation to conservation, aquaculture, and population sustainability, the proteomic profile of female Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), a species of significant ecological and economic value, was investigated across multiple age classes. Using advanced LC–MS/MS–based proteomics coupled with bioinformatic analyses, diverse proteins were identified and annotated with Gene Ontology (GO) terms and enriched KEGG pathways—including phagosome, mTOR, Apelin signaling, and herpes simplex virus pathways—implicated in immune regulation and defense responses.
Age-dependent differences were evident in the expression levels of key immune-related proteins, particularly those associated with inflammatory and cellular defense processes. A total of 952, 494, 415, and 282 proteins were annotated from year class IV to class I, respectively, revealing a more than threefold increase in novel protein identification from the youngest to the oldest group. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses further illustrated the functional complexity of these stage-specific variations.
This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the serum proteome of T. ilisha across developmental stages, offering new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying proteomic modulation during migration. The findings contribute valuable information for understanding immune adaptability and may support future efforts in Hilsa management, conservation, and captive propagation.
Key words: Hilsa, Proteomics, Protein, STRING, LC-MS/MS, Network analysis, KEGG