Transcriptomic analysis of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) reveals insights into immune development in their early life stages

Abstract

With the rapid growth in the global demand, the shrimp industry needs integrated approaches for sustainable production. A high-quality shrimp larva is one of the crucial key requirements to maximize shrimp production. Survival and growth rates during larval development are often criteria to evaluate larval quality, however many aspects of gene regulation during shrimp larval development have not yet been identified. To further our understanding of biological processes in their early life, transcriptomic analysis of larval developmental stages (nauplius, zoea, mysis, and postlarva) were determined in the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon using next-generation RNA sequencing. Gene clustering and gene enrichment analyses revealed that most of the transcripts were mainly related to metabolic processes, cell and growth development, and immune system. Interestingly, Spätzle and Toll receptors were found in nauplius stage, providing evidence that Toll pathway was a baseline immune system established in early larval stages. Genes encoding pathogen pattern-recognition proteins (LGBP, PL5-2 and c-type lectin), prophenoloxidase system (PPAE2, PPAF2 and serpin), antimicrobial peptides (crustin and antiviral protein), blood clotting system (hemolymph clottable protein) and heat shock protein (HSP70) were expressed as they developed further, suggesting that these immune defense mechanisms were established in later larval stages.

The transcriptome of Litopenaeus vannamei in zoea larvae and adults infected by Vibrio parahaemolyticus

“…MjSerp1 has been shown to play a direct effector role in the bacterial clearance of M. japonicus (Zhao et al, 2014). The immune-related pathways are ECM-receptor interactions, endocytosis, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, Toll and Imd signaling pathways and phagosome, which were consistently seen in both Zoea larvae and adults, implying that innate immunity against bacterial invasion may exist in zoea larvae, which is consistent with the findings of (Angthong et al, 2021).…”

“…During the period of Zoea larvae, the larvae rely on external food sources and are more sensitive to external environmental impacts, particularly infections by pathogenic Vibrio, which hinder larval growth. It has been reported that transcriptomic sequencing analysis has been performed throughout the early developmental stages of shrimp with the aim of comparatively analyzing the physiological changes during shrimp metamorphosis (Wei et al, 2014;Angthong et al, 2021). At present, majority of the research have focused on the adult stage, with few studies investigating the anti-vibrio immunity in the early stages of shrimp.…”

“…It is a critical process that largely determines the success of L. vannamei culture. In successive shrimp culture phases, the growth, development, and stress/disease resistance of the shrimp are directly proportional to the quality of the larvae (Angthong et al, 2021).…”

“…Vibrio Parahemolyticus is gram-negative bacteria that has strong pathogenicity and high transmissibility for aquatic animals (Velázquez-Lizárraga et al, 2019). Infection with Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the early stages of shrimp, particularly the Zoea stage, often results in huge death of larvae (Angthong et al, 2021). In China, an unique illness known as "translucent postlarvae disease" (TPD) or "glass post-larvae disease" (GPD) caused by highly pathogenic vibrios with virulence has lately caused significant economic losses (Zou et al, 2020).…”

Towards a ‘systems’ approach for viral challenge experiments in shrimp: Reporting guidelines for publication

“…Characteristics of the experimental shrimp, including species, life stage, genetic and geographical source, stress, and preexisting pathogen infections can influence the dynamics of disease expression. 45,47,58,59 Detailed reporting of such metadata in published PCEs will also enable progressive knowledge development for largerscale comparative meta-analyses, such as for understanding speciesand population-level responses to pathogen challenges.…”