Rap2a Is Negatively Regulated by NF-κB and Contributes to Growth via Wnt Pathway in Shrimp

Rap2a, a member of Ras family small GTPases, plays key role in growth and development. So far, no Rap2a homolog has been discovered crustaceans. Herein, from shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei , named LvRap2a, was cloned identified. LvRap2a showed high level sequence conservation to other homologs different species. found be abundantly expressed hemocytes, muscle, hepatopancreas intestine tissues. Importantly, knockdown effectively suppressed the length weight experiment. Mechanistically, we that could induce expression several Wnts, which are positive regulators cellular growth, differentiation, tissue homeostasis. Moreover, observed negatively regulated by LvDorsal (NF-κB), transcription factor innate immune signaling pathway. These results indicated contributed probably activating Wnt pathway, crosstalk between immunity as well serve potential target for promotion.