Transcriptomic variation of hepatopancreas reveals the energy metabolism and biological processes associated with molting in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis

Authors

Shu Huang, Shanghai Ocean University
Jun Wang, Shanghai Ocean University
Wucheng Yue, Shanghai Ocean University
Jiao Chen, Shanghai Ocean University
Sarah Gaughan, Shanghai Ocean University
Weiqun Lu, Shanghai Ocean University
Guoqing Lu, Shanghai Ocean UniversityFollow
Chenghui Wang, Shanghai Ocean University

Author ORCID Identifier

Guoqing Lu

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-15-2015

Publication Title

Scientific Reports

Volume

5

Abstract

Molting is a critical developmental process for crustaceans, yet the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. In this study, we used RNA-Seq to investigate transcriptomic profiles of the hepatopancreas and identified differentially expressed genes at four molting stages of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). A total of 97,398 transcripts were assembled, with 31,900 transcripts annotated. Transcriptomic comparison revealed 1,189 genes differentially expressed amongst different molting stages. We observed a pattern associated with energy metabolism and physiological responses during a molting cycle. In specific, differentially expressed genes enriched in postmolt were linked to energy consumption whereas genes enriched in intermolt were related to carbohydrates, lipids metabolic and biosynthetic processes. In premolt, a preparation stage for upcoming molting and energy consumption, highly expressed genes were enriched in response to steroid hormone stimulus and immune system development. The expression profiles of twelve functional genes detected via RNA-Seq were corroborated through real-time RT-PCR assay. Together, our results, including assembled transcriptomes, annotated functional elements and enriched differentially expressed genes amongst different molting stages, provide novel insights into the functions of the hepatopancreas in energy metabolism and biological processes pertaining to molting in crustaceans.

Comments

© 2015 Scientific Reports.

© 2015 The Authors.

Recommended Citation

Huang, S. et al. Transcriptomic variation of hepatopancreas reveals the energy metabolism and biological processes associated with molting in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. Sci. Rep. 5, 14015; doi: 10.1038/srep14015 (2015).

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