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Gender-specific function of melatonin receptor (MTRI) in gonads of red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

Meng Hu1, Long Wang1, Qianqian Zhu1

  • 1Jiangsu Engineering Center for Breeding of Special Aquatic Organisms, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai'an, 223300, China.

Scientific Reports
|December 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin receptor (MTRI) in crayfish is highly expressed in gonads and eyestalks. Silencing MTRI hinders gonadal development, revealing melatonin

Area of Science:

  • * Crustacean endocrinology and molecular biology.
  • * Investigating melatonin signaling pathways in invertebrates.

Background:

  • * Melatonin receptor (MTR) is key to melatonin signaling.
  • * Understanding MTR function is vital for reproductive studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To clone and characterize the melatonin receptor (MTRI) in Procambarus clarkii.
  • * To investigate the role of MTRI in regulating hormone levels and gonadal development.

Main Methods:

  • * Cloning of full-length MTRI cDNA from Procambarus clarkii.
  • * Phylogenetic analysis of MTRI amino acid sequences.
  • * Quantitative gene expression analysis (RNA interference).

Main Results:

  • * MTRI highly expressed in gonadal tissues and eyestalks.
  • * Melatonin significantly impacts Procambarus clarkii gonads.
  • * MTRI silencing decreased sex hormones (E2, T), hindering gonadal development.

Conclusions:

  • * Melatonin signaling via MTRI is crucial for crustacean reproduction.
  • * MTRI plays a significant role in regulating reproductive hormone levels.
  • * Provides a foundation for further research on melatonin's role in crustacean gonads.
Keywords:
Procambarus clarkiiGonadMelatoninMelatonin receptor

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