Abstract
BackgroundAcute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) has emerged as a major debilitating disease that causes massive shrimp death resulting in substantial economic losses in shrimp aquaculture. Given that several diseases and infections have been associated with microRNAs (miRNAs), we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis using the AHPND (VA) and non-AHPND (VN) strains of Vibrio parahemolyticus to identify miRNAs potentially involved in AHPND pathogenesis in Litopenaeus vannamei.ResultsA total of 83 miRNAs (47 upregulated and 36 downregulated) were significantly differentially expressed between the VA and VN challenged groups, while 222 target genes of these miRNAs were predicted. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the miRNAs target genes were involved in multiple biological processes including metabolic pathways, amoebiasis, Vibrio cholerae infection etc. Finally, interaction network and qPCR (Real-time Quantitative PCR) analysis of 12 potential key AHPND-related miRNAs and their predicted target genes, revealed their possible involvement in modulating several immune-related processes in the pathogenesis of AHPND.ConclusionsWe have shown using comparative transcriptomic analysis, miRNAs and their target genes that are responsive to AHPND V. parahemolyticus infection in shrimp, therefore suggesting their possible role in defense response to AHPND V. parahemolyticus infection.
Highlights
Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) has emerged as a major debilitating disease that causes massive shrimp death resulting in substantial economic losses in shrimp aquaculture
MicroRNAs are endogenous non-coding small RNA [1], which act by negatively modulating gene expression at the post-transcription level [2], via repression of messenger RNAs translation, destabilization and degradation of transcript by binding to the 3′ UTR (Untranslated Region) of the target mRNAs [3]
The Non-AHPND Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VN) group denotes shrimps injected with 50 μl of non-AHPND V. parahaemolyticus (1.0 × 105 colony forming units (CFU)/ml), VA group represent shrimps injected with 50 μl of AHPND V. parahaemolyticus (1.0 × 105 CFU/ml), while the NS group denotes shrimps injected with 50 μl of normal saline (0.65% NaCl, Xilong Scientific, Shantou, China)
Summary
Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) has emerged as a major debilitating disease that causes massive shrimp death resulting in substantial economic losses in shrimp aquaculture. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding small RNA (sRNA) [1], which act by negatively modulating gene expression at the post-transcription level [2], via repression of messenger RNAs (mRNA) translation, destabilization and degradation of transcript by binding to the 3′ UTR (Untranslated Region) of the target mRNAs [3]. These molecules act as important regulators in diverse life processes, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis and immunity [4]. Zhu et al screened 55 host miRNAs which responded to Vibrio alginolyticus infection in shrimp
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
