Wang Panpan, Zhu Jiawei, Chen Huanyu, Hu Qingyuan, Chen Zhenxiang, Li Wenjia, Yang Ting, Zhu Jin, Yan Binlun, Gao Huan, Xing Chaofan
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China.
Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-Industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Mar 4;15(5):727. doi: 10.3390/ani15050727.
There are two phenotypes in the natural populations of , which is an ideal model for studying the formation of markings and body color in crustaceans. In a previous study, we used comparative transcriptome technology to screen some functional genes related to body color regulation. Here, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to perform microRNA (miRNA) sequencing analysis on the exoskeleton of with two types of carapace markings, and functional studies of related genes were performed. A total of 687 mature miRNAs belonging to 135 miRNA families were identified in this study, and 111 novel miRNAs were found. Through stringent screening conditions, a total of 18 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, including 14 with upregulated expression and 4 with downregulated expression. Multiple target genes were predicted for almost all of the differentially expressed miRNAs. The expression levels of several target genes, such as those related to cytoplasmic microtubule organization, transmembrane transportation, and signal transduction, were confirmed using qRT-PCR. This study revealed that both the and genes were highly expressed in type I individuals, while the expression levels of their related miRNAs in type I individuals were lower than those in type II individuals, which is consistent with the mechanism of miRNAs negatively regulating mRNA expression. Through interference with the and genes, a clear regulatory relationship was found between the two genes, and the dendritic xanthophores in the carapace of gradually changed from bright yellow to dark black, with obvious shrinkage. In summary, our studies provide references for the regulatory mechanisms of marking formation in .
在……的自然种群中有两种表型，这是研究甲壳类动物斑纹和体色形成的理想模型。在先前的一项研究中，我们使用比较转录组技术筛选了一些与体色调节相关的功能基因。在此，利用高通量测序技术对具有两种类型甲壳斑纹的……外骨骼进行了微小RNA（miRNA）测序分析，并对相关基因进行了功能研究。本研究共鉴定出属于135个miRNA家族的687个成熟miRNA，发现了111个新的miRNA。通过严格的筛选条件，共鉴定出18个差异表达的miRNA，其中14个表达上调，4个表达下调。几乎所有差异表达的miRNA都预测了多个靶基因。使用qRT-PCR证实了几个靶基因的表达水平，如与细胞质微管组织、跨膜运输和信号转导相关的基因。本研究表明，……基因在I型个体中均高表达，而其相关miRNA在I型个体中的表达水平低于II型个体，这与miRNA负调控mRNA表达的机制一致。通过干扰……基因，发现这两个基因之间存在明确的调控关系，……甲壳中的树突状黄色素细胞逐渐从亮黄色变为深黑色，且明显收缩。总之，我们的研究为……斑纹形成的调控机制提供了参考。
