Comparative transcriptome analysis of brain and gonad reveals reproduction-related miRNAs in the giant prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Macrobrachium rosenbergii (M. rosenbergii), as a species of common prawn, is a delicacy that is consumed all over the world. By interacting with the target gene 3 & PRIME;-untranslated region (3'-UTR), microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate its expression and ultimately participate in the regulation of reproductive development. However, research focusing on miRNA regulation during gonadal development in M. rosenbergii received very little attention. To explore the association between miRNA and reproduction, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on brain and gonad organs in male and female M. rosenbergii. A total of 494 miRNAs were obtained in RNA-seq, including 31 and 59 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs in the brain and gonads, respectively. Furthermore, 9 DE miRNAs were randomly selected from the brain and gonads, and qRT-PCR was conducted to validate the results of RNA-seq. Interestingly, dpu-miR-133 was found to be substantially expressed in the male brain and testis but poorly expressed in the female brain, ovary, and other organs. Analysis of dpu-miR-133 by Targetscan and MiRanda predicted to target 5-HT1. Furthermore, the dual-luciferase reporter assay manifested that dpu-miR-133 can combine with 5-HT1. Overall, our research work provides basic data for further study on the miRNA-mediated regulation of brain, gonad, and reproductive development of study M. rosenbergii.

Automated summary

In this study, RNA sequencing was performed on the brain and gonad organs of Macrobrachium rosenbergii to explore the differential expression of miRNAs. A specific miRNA, dpu-miR-133, was found to be significantly expressed in the male brain and testis but not in the female brain and ovary. Further analysis indicated that dpu-miR-133 targets 5-HT1. This research provides basic data for studying miRNA-mediated regulation of brain, gonad, and reproductive development in M. rosenbergii.