AUTHOR=Jiang Sufei , Xiong Yiwei , Zhang Wenyi , Zhu Junpeng , Cheng Dan , Gong Yongsheng , Wu Yan , Qiao Hui , Fu Hongtuo 

TITLE=Molecular Characterization of a Novel Cathepsin L in Macrobrachium nipponense and Its Function in Ovary Maturation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.816813

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2021.816813

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Cathepsin L</italic> genes, which belonged to cysteine proteases, were a series of multifunctional protease and played important roles in a lot of pathological and physiological processes. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics a <italic>cathepsin L</italic> (named <italic>Mn-CL2</italic>) in the female oriental river prawn, <italic>Macrobrachium nipponense</italic> which was involved in ovary maturation. The <italic>Mn-CL2</italic> was1,582 bp in length, including a 978 bp open reading frame that encoded 326 amino acids. The <italic>Mn-CL2</italic> was classified into the <italic>cathepsin L</italic> group by phylogenetic analysis. Real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis indicated that <italic>Mn-CL2</italic> was highly expressed in the hepatopancreas and ovaries of female prawns. During the different ovarian stages, <italic>Mn-CL2</italic> expression in the hepatopancreas and ovaries peaked before ovarian maturation. <italic>In situ</italic> hybridization studies revealed that <italic>Mn-CL2</italic> was localized in the oocyte of the ovary. Injection of <italic>Mn-CL2</italic> dsRNA significantly reduced the expression of vitellogenin. Changes in the gonad somatic index also confirmed the inhibitory effects of <italic>Mn-CL2</italic> dsRNA on ovary maturation. These results suggest that <italic>Mn-CL2</italic> has a key role in promoting ovary maturation.</p>