A first glimpse into the m6A modification machinery of shrimp: Genomic features, expression patterns and potential roles in molting regulation

作者：Yiguo Lei, Qingtian Zeng, Guangsheng Tan, Zhixiang Yuan, Ning Zhang, Jianyong Liu, Wei Wang · 发表于：Aquaculture Reports · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1016/j.aqrep.2023.101493 · 被引用次数：11 · 研究领域：RNA modifications and cancer、Cancer-related gene regulation、HVDC Systems and Fault Protection

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant type of RNA modification in eukaryotes, yet information on the m6A methylation enzymatic machinery of decapod crustaceans is quite scarce. Here, three essential genes for m6A modification, including two m6A methyltransferases (LvMETTL3 and LvWTAP) and a m6A-binding protein (LvYTHDF2), were identified from the Pacific whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Their genomic structures were dissected in an evolutionary context. Common transcription factor binding sites and conserved functional motifs were identified, but the three m6A modification genes also possessed some unique features, illustrating lineage-specific diversification of regulatory elements and functions of these genes. The three genes displayed ubiquitous tissue expression profiles, and showed dynamic expression changes at different molting stages. Following suppression of LvMETTL3, LvWTAP or LvYTHDF2 by RNA interference, the molting rate of shrimp was significantly accelerated, and expression of the molt inhibiting hormone MIH plummeted, while major genes in the ecdysone signaling pathway including EcR, RXR and E75 all showed significant induction. The results indicated that m6A modification may regulate shrimp molting process via MIH and the ecdysone signaling pathway. The current study provided the first molecular characterization of several key components of the m6A enzymatic machinery in penaeid shrimp, and established a foundation for further exploration of the ro...