Identification and Characterization of microRNAs in the Gonads of Litopenaeus vannamei Using High-Throughput Sequencing

Although the expression of miRNAs has been widely applied to investigate on gonads, role in gonadal development white Pacific shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) remains unknown. In this study, we performed high-throughput sequencing identify sex-related microRNAs (miRNAs) that elucidated regulatory mechanisms differentiation L. vannamei. We obtained a total 29,671,557 and 28,526,942 raw reads from ovaries testes library, respectively. then mapped 26,365,828 (92.73%) ovarian clean sequences 23,694,294 (85.65%) testicular for transcriptome reference sequence After blasting miRNA against miRBase database, identified 153 significantly differentially expressed between testes. To confirm results, used reverse transcriptase–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) verify patterns seven most (i.e., novel_mir23, miR-92b-3p_3, miR-12-5p_2, novel_mir67, miR-279_1, let-7-5p_6, miR-263a-5p_1). According results RT-qPCR, were consistently with results. addition, target genes enriched several Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genome (KEGG) pathways closely related development, including extracellular matrix–receptor interaction, Hedgehog signaling pathway, protein digestion absorption cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). This study revealed first vannamei gonads. KEGG pathways, which will be helpful facilitate future research into mechanism