Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025
Using RNA-mediated Interference Feeding Strategy to Screen for Genes Involved in Body Size Regulation in the Nematode C. elegans
Published on: February 13, 2013
Transcriptome analysis of Macrobrachium rosenbergii: Identification of precocious puberty and slow-growing
Na Ying1, Yuan Wang1, Xuefeng Song1
1East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, China Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China.
Abstract:
Macrobrachium rosenbergii is an important economic aquatic animal and has been cultivated worldwide. However, it has suffered a disease of precocious puberty and growth retardation. This disease was also called iron prawn syndrome (IPS) in recent years. However, the cause of this disease has thus far remained a mystery . The present work utilized transcriptome sequencing technology to acquire gene expression information of gonads and to find the differentially expressed genes(DEGs) between diseased and normal male prawn. Finally, 426 significantly expressed genes were identified(p less than 0.01, |log2FC|≥1), of which 171 genes were up-regulated and 255 were down-regulated. Furthermore, DEGs were annotated to 36 GO terms and 202 KEGG pathways. Enrichment analysis of DEGs resulted in 10 significantly enriched GO terms and a total of 12 significantly enriched KEGG pathways. Analysis of the transcriptome sequences and DEGs identified several unigenes and pathways involved in precocious puberty and growth retardation. Quantitative PCR was performed to validate accuracy of the RNA-seq and the expression level of 10 genes, calculated by two analysis method, was mostly consistent. This is the first time to report precocious puberty and growth retardation male M. rosenbergii by transcriptome sequencing. The data presented here reveals key insights into the genetic markers of precocious puberty and growth retardation of male M. rosenbergii.
Insights
This study investigates the genetic causes of precocious puberty and growth retardation in male Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawn). Transcriptome sequencing identified key differentially expressed genes and pathways linked to this economically significant aquaculture disease.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Macrobrachium rosenbergii is a globally important aquaculture species.
- A prevalent disease causes precocious puberty and growth retardation, termed iron prawn syndrome (IPS).
- The underlying causes of IPS remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in male M. rosenbergii affected by precocious puberty and growth retardation.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying IPS using transcriptome sequencing.
- To provide genetic markers for diagnosing and managing IPS in aquaculture.
Main Methods:
- Whole transcriptome sequencing of gonads from diseased and normal male M. rosenbergii.
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify DEGs, Gene Ontology (GO) terms, and KEGG pathways.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) for validation of RNA-sequencing results.
Main Results:
- Identified 426 significantly differentially expressed genes (171 up-regulated, 255 down-regulated) between diseased and normal prawns (p < 0.01, |log2FC|≥1).
- Annotated DEGs to 36 GO terms and 202 KEGG pathways, with 10 GO terms and 12 KEGG pathways significantly enriched.
- Discovered specific unigenes and pathways associated with precocious puberty and growth retardation.
- Validated RNA-seq data accuracy and gene expression levels using qPCR.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to utilize transcriptome sequencing to investigate precocious puberty and growth retardation in male M. rosenbergii.
- The identified DEGs and enriched pathways offer crucial insights into the genetic basis of IPS.
- The findings provide potential genetic markers for understanding and managing this disease in aquaculture.
