Identification and functional characterization of WNT5 in the ovarian maturation of Exopalaemon carinicauda (Holthuis, 1950) (Caridea, Palaemonidae)

Abstract

Abstract The Wnt family, the ligand of the Wnt signal pathway, is highly conserved and plays an important role in various cellular processes including reproduction and development. In this study, wnt5 was cloned from the ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda (Ec-wnt5) and its function in ovarian maturation was investigated. The results showed that the Ec-wnt5 cDNA was 2422 bp, including an ORF with 1116 bp encoding a polypeptide with 371 amino acids. Ec-WNT5 had the highest homology with WNT5 from Penaeus vannamei (93.1%). Ec-wnt5 was expressed in 9 tissues with the most expression in ovary and increased significantly () along with ovarian maturation, while decreased significantly () with vitellogenin and cathepsin L in E. carinicauda ovary post Ec-wnt5 RNA interference. All gonadosmatic indices of the RNAi group were significantly lower than those of the control (). The results suggest that Ec-WNT5 might be the key member of the Wnt family involved in ovarian maturation.