Transcriptomic analysis of post-mating neural reprogramming and its coordinated control of ovarian development in the...

The cerebral ganglion and eyestalk are pivotal regulators of reproduction in decapod crustaceans. To understand how mating drives ovarian development, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of these neural tissues in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain. Our findings reveal that mating induces significant molecular reprogramming, coordinating post-mating neuroendocrine functions. Functional specialization was also evident: the cerebral ganglion showed enrichment in pathways for tight junctions and cytoskeletal reorganization, while the eyestalk primarily activated second messenger signaling crucial for neurohormone release. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Follistatin-like and TDRD1 were implicated in neuroendocrine mechanisms that promote vitellogenesis. Other DEGs related to synaptic transmission (e.g., SERCA-like, 5-HT receptor) and neuroplasticity further highlighted the profound neural impact of mating. Furthermore, a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified hub genes involved in cytoskeletal dynamics, protein folding, and vesicular transport that regulate ovarian development. Collectively, these findings propose a model in which mating activates a conserved neuroendocrine interface. This process reshapes neural physiology by modulating calcium signaling, neurotransmission, and neurodevelopment, ultimately driving ovarian development and adaptive reproductive behaviors in S. paramamosain.