Key Neuropeptides Regulating Molting in Pacific White Shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>): Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis

Molting is a vital physiological process essential for the growth and development of <i>Penaeus vannamei</i>, with significant implications for aquaculture productivity. This study aimed to identify neuropeptide-related genes involved in molting through transcriptomic analysis. RNA seque...

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Main Authors: Xianliang Li, Yunjiao Li, Zecheng Li, Hu Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/540
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author Xianliang Li
Yunjiao Li
Zecheng Li
Hu Chen
author_facet Xianliang Li
Yunjiao Li
Zecheng Li
Hu Chen
author_sort Xianliang Li
collection DOAJ
description Molting is a vital physiological process essential for the growth and development of <i>Penaeus vannamei</i>, with significant implications for aquaculture productivity. This study aimed to identify neuropeptide-related genes involved in molting through transcriptomic analysis. RNA sequencing of pre-molt and post-molt samples revealed 1203 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these genes play significant roles in cuticle formation and molting regulation. Among the DEGs, 243 were predicted to be neuropeptides based on the presence of signal peptides and the absence of transmembrane domains. Five key neuropeptide genes—<i>PvCHH</i>, <i>PvMIH</i>, <i>PvEH</i> I, <i>PvCDA</i> I, and <i>PvCDA</i> II—were identified as critical regulators of molting. Their role was further validated through RT-qPCR analysis, confirming their close association with the molting process. These genes were highlighted in this study as pivotal factors driving molting in <i>P. vannamei.</i> The neuropeptides identified in this research are anticipated to offer valuable insights into the regulation of molting. Additionally, their synthetic products hold promise for improving molting consistency in shrimp aquaculture.
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spelling doaj-art-7b3a9e9f9d7248aa96e3fb0026fbc02b2025-08-20T03:11:07ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-02-0115454010.3390/ani15040540Key Neuropeptides Regulating Molting in Pacific White Shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>): Insights from Transcriptomic AnalysisXianliang Li0Yunjiao Li1Zecheng Li2Hu Chen3Key Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaFisheries Research Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yibin 644000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology of Hainan Province, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, School of Marine Biology and Fisheries, School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaMolting is a vital physiological process essential for the growth and development of <i>Penaeus vannamei</i>, with significant implications for aquaculture productivity. This study aimed to identify neuropeptide-related genes involved in molting through transcriptomic analysis. RNA sequencing of pre-molt and post-molt samples revealed 1203 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these genes play significant roles in cuticle formation and molting regulation. Among the DEGs, 243 were predicted to be neuropeptides based on the presence of signal peptides and the absence of transmembrane domains. Five key neuropeptide genes—<i>PvCHH</i>, <i>PvMIH</i>, <i>PvEH</i> I, <i>PvCDA</i> I, and <i>PvCDA</i> II—were identified as critical regulators of molting. Their role was further validated through RT-qPCR analysis, confirming their close association with the molting process. These genes were highlighted in this study as pivotal factors driving molting in <i>P. vannamei.</i> The neuropeptides identified in this research are anticipated to offer valuable insights into the regulation of molting. Additionally, their synthetic products hold promise for improving molting consistency in shrimp aquaculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/540<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>moltingneuropeptidestranscriptomic neuropeptidestranscriptomic
spellingShingle Xianliang Li
Yunjiao Li
Zecheng Li
Hu Chen
Key Neuropeptides Regulating Molting in Pacific White Shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>): Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis
Animals
<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>
molting
neuropeptides
transcriptomic neuropeptides
transcriptomic
title Key Neuropeptides Regulating Molting in Pacific White Shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>): Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis
title_full Key Neuropeptides Regulating Molting in Pacific White Shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>): Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis
title_fullStr Key Neuropeptides Regulating Molting in Pacific White Shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>): Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Key Neuropeptides Regulating Molting in Pacific White Shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>): Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis
title_short Key Neuropeptides Regulating Molting in Pacific White Shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei</i>): Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis
title_sort key neuropeptides regulating molting in pacific white shrimp i penaeus vannamei i insights from transcriptomic analysis
topic <i>Penaeus vannamei</i>
molting
neuropeptides
transcriptomic neuropeptides
transcriptomic
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/540
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AT zechengli keyneuropeptidesregulatingmoltinginpacificwhiteshrimpipenaeusvannameiiinsightsfromtranscriptomicanalysis
AT huchen keyneuropeptidesregulatingmoltinginpacificwhiteshrimpipenaeusvannameiiinsightsfromtranscriptomicanalysis