Transcriptome analysis of Litopenaeus vannamei during the early stage of limb regeneration process

Regeneration is a process in which organisms regrow new tissues or organs at the injury site, which has attracted the attention of many scientists and nonscientists. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of regeneration after autotomy are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq sequencing on regenerated limb bud tissues of Litopenaeus vannamei at 0 hours post autotomy (0 hpa), 12 hours post autotomy (12 hpa), and 24 hours post autotomy (24 hpa). A total of 2,192 differentially expressed genes related to energy metabolism, transcription and translation, and epidermis development were identified between 0 hpa and 12 hpa, such as triosephosphate isomerase A, triosephosphate isomerase B, and zinc finger protein 367 that is upregulated in 12 hpa. Between 12 hpa and 24 hpa, 1,447 differentially expressed genes were identified that were related to cuticle development and energy metabolism, such as cuticle protein 6, which is upregulated in 24 hpa, and triosephosphate isomerase is downregulated in 24 hpa. The results indicated that energy metabolism, transcription and translation, epidermal formation, and chitin metabolism processes are involved during the early stage of limb regeneration. This study provides basic knowledge for investigating the molecular mechanisms associated with limb regeneration in crustaceans at the early regeneration stage.