Identification of long non-coding RNAs involved in ovary development of female banana shrimp, (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis)

Abstract

The long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in several biological processes, including reproduction. However, there has not been identified in shrimp so far. In this study, the ovarian transcriptome data derived from 4 stages of development stages were used to identify lncRNA in banana shrimp, Fenneropenaeus merguiensis. The 4,133 putative lncRNAs that were differentially expressed among the ovarian development stage were identified. The expression profile of the selected lncRNA was validated by qRT-PCR.The result showed that lncVP01 expression was significantly increased in mature stages, whereas lncVP15 expression was not changed among developmental stages. This suggested that lncVP01 may be involved in vitellogenesis or the ovary development process. In addition, the expression of lncRNAs was determined in shrimp tissue. The result revealed that lncVP01 was mainly expressed in nerve tissue, including eyestalk, brain, thoracic ganglia, while lncVP15 expression was found in various tissue but less in hepatopancreas, suggesting tissue-specific expression of lncRNA. Here, the lncRNA and expression analysis can be used in further experiments to improve female reproduction in shrimp.