title: Molecular and functional characterization of the vitellogenin receptor in oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense.
abstract: A complementary DNA (cDNA) that encodes the vitellogenin receptor (VgR) in the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, was cloned using expressed sequence tag analysis and a rapid amplification of cDNA ends approach. The coding region consists of 5920 base pairs (bp) that encode a 1902 amino acid protein, with a predicted molecular mass of 209 kDa. The coding region is flanked by a 45 bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR) and a 166 bp 3'-UTR. The deduced amino acid sequence of the M. nipponense VgR cDNA had typically conserved domains, such as an extracellular, lipoprotein-binding domain, epidermal growth factor-like and O-glycosylation domains, a transmembrane domain and a short C-terminal, cytosolic tail. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) indicated that Mn-VgR is highly expressed in the female ovary. Expression analysis by qPCR demonstrated the larval and ovarian developmental stage-specific expression pattern. As the ovaries developed, the expression level of Mn-VgR gradually increased during the reproductive cycle (stage I), to reach a peak in stage III. Levels then dropped as a new development cycle was entered after reproduction molting. Eyestalk ablation led to a significant increase in the expression of Mn-VgR during the ovarian development stages (P<0.05), when compared with the eyestalk-intact group. The investigation revealed that eyestalk ablation initially affected Mn-VgR expression and then influenced vitellogenesis. In adult females, VgR RNA interference (RNAi) dramatically delayed the maturation of the ovary, in accordance with the gonad somatic index. In addition, Mn-VgR RNAi led to vitellin depletion in the oocytes and the accumulation of vitellin in the hepatopancreas.
authors.affiliation: Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Hongkun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.affiliation: Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; Weifang University of Science and Technology, Shouguang 262700, China.
authors.forename: Fajun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China. Electronic address: fuht@ffrc.cn.
authors.forename: Hongtuo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Sufei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Wenyi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
authors.forename: Yuedi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Yiwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Shengming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Shubo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Yongsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003445:Crustacea / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004527:Egg Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C030474:vitellogenin receptor; D004247:DNA
keywords: Eyestalk ablation; Macrobrachium nipponense; RNA interference; Vitellogenin receptor