Abstract
Multiple biological processes across development and reproduction are modulated by neuropeptides that are predominantly produced and secreted from an animal's central nervous system. In the past few years, advancement of next-generation sequencing technologies has enabled large-scale prediction of putative neuropeptide genes in multiple non-model species, including commercially important decapod crustaceans. In contrast, knowledge of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), through which neuropeptides act on target cells, is still very limited. In the current study, we have used in silico transcriptome analysis to elucidate genes encoding neuropeptides and GPCRs in the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), which is one of the most valuable crustaceans in Europe. Fifty-seven neuropeptide precursor-encoding transcripts were detected, including phoenixin, a vertebrate neurohormone that has not been detected in any invertebrate species prior to this study. Neuropeptide gene expression analysis of immature and mature female N. norvegicus, revealed that some reproduction-related neuropeptides are almost exclusively expressed in immature females. In addition, a total of 223 GPCR-encoding transcripts were identified, of which 116 encode GPCR-A (Rhodopsin), 44 encode GPCR-B (Secretin) and 63 encode other GPCRs. Our findings increase the molecular toolbox of neural signaling components in N. norvegicus, allowing for further advances in the fisheries/larvae culture of this species.
Highlights
The Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is widely distributed in the North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Mediterranean Sea, where it is economically important for many countries in the area [1]
By employing the described neuropeptide prediction pipeline, we could identify 57 putative neuropeptide precursor transcripts from the de novo reference transcriptome of N. norvegicus, including most neuropeptides previously identified in other crustacean/insect species
Expression analysis showed that the majority of neuropeptides are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) tissues, yet some are exclusive to a single tissue, including the pigment dispersing hormone-3, gonad inhibiting hormone and bursicon-A
Summary
The Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is widely distributed in the North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Mediterranean Sea, where it is economically important for many countries in the area [1]. Norway Lobster Neuropeptides and GPCRs have been indicated as the main reason for this decline [2, 3], while diseases, climate change and sea pollution (e.g., microplastics, heavy metal contamination, and endocrine disruptors) have been implicated [4, 5] To address these issues, there is a growing interest in adopting hatchery technologies, aquaculture and restocking for N. norvegicus (e.g., [6]; Project NEPHROPS, http://cordis.europa.eu/project/ rcn/103402_en.html). There is a growing interest in adopting hatchery technologies, aquaculture and restocking for N. norvegicus (e.g., [6]; Project NEPHROPS, http://cordis.europa.eu/project/ rcn/103402_en.html) These practices are still in their infancy due to a number of limiting factors, including low fecundity, fragile larvae, and cannibalism of post larvae and juveniles [5]. To better enable these technologies, an in-depth knowledge of the species’ reproductive biology is critical
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