Integrated analysis of microRNA and mRNA expression profiles during the sex-differentiation sensitive period in oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense

Male oriental river prawns (Macrobrachium nipponense) grow faster than females, and therefore, reach larger sizes by harvest time. Histological observations have indicated that the sex-differentiation sensitive period (which includes the formation of the androgenic gland, the testis, and the ovary) is from post-larvae (PL) developmental stage for M. nipponense. In this study, we prepared four microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA libraries using samples collected from sex-differentiation sensitive period (PL7 to PL16) to perform RNA-sequencing for identifying sex-related candidate miRNAs, genes, and metabolic pathways. A total of nine intersection miRNAs were identified, of which three were highly expressed in the androgenic gland, and their expression was verified by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR). These three miRNAs and their 11 predicted target genes may be strong candidates for sex-related miRNAs and sex-related genes in M. nipponense. Five vital sex-related metabolic pathways were also identified that may regulate other sex-differentiation and sex-determination mechanisms. Finding of the study provide important insights to enhance our understanding on sex-differentiation and sex-determination mechanisms for M. nipponense.