The early immune foundation: Tracking the expression patterns of Crustin and Penaeidin antimicrobial peptide genes in the giant tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon

Abstract

Shrimp aquaculture is a rapidly growing vital industry prone to disease outbreaks impacting both shrimp health and industry sustainability. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are small but mighty proteins play a crucial role as part of the shrimp innate immune defence system. This study investigates the expression dynamics of two important Antimicrobial Peptide (AMP) families, Crustin and Penaeidin, in Penaeus monodon, during its developmental stages, coupled with insights into tissue-specific expressions. Two isoforms from each family were subjected to semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis spanning from early larval stages (Nauplius V, Zoea II, Mysis I) to post-larval stages (3, 10, 13, 19, and 25) and in adult shrimp across gill, haemolymph, and muscle tissues. Our findings unveil an intriguing trajectory: the Penaeidin gene exhibits a consistent upsurge in expression from early larval stages to adulthood, whereas the Crustin gene displays an initial increase during early larval stages followed by diverse expression patterns in later stages. Notably, both genes exhibit high expression in gill tissue, emphasizing its significance as an immune hub. The critical role of AMPs in safeguarding these invertebrates against diseases underscores their potential as a cornerstone of shrimp health management. A better understanding of immunophysiological mechanisms at play along life stages can contribute to the sustainability and growth of the global shrimp aquaculture industry.