Non-coding RNAs and regulatory networks involved in the Ameson portunus (Microsporidia)-Portunus trituberculatus interaction

Abstract

Ameson portunus, the causative agent of “toothpaste disease" in Portunus trituberculatus and “slurry-like syndrome” in Scylla paramamosain, has resulted in considerable economic losses in the marine crab aquaculture industry in China. Practical control strategies are yet unavailable. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial components of gene regulation of intracellular parasites, however, their roles in regulating the microsporidia-host interaction remain limited. Here we conducted a whole-transcriptome RNA-seq analysis to identify ncRNAs and to establish the interaction regulatory networks to get further insights into the A. portunus-P. trituberculatus interaction. Totally, 2805 mRNAs, 484 lncRNAs, 5 circRNAs, and 496 miRNAs were identified from A. portunus. These ncRNAs are possibly important regulators for its own energy and substrate metabolism, thereby supporting the intracellular survival and proliferation of A. portunus. DNA replication-associated mRNAs were significantly up-regulated after P. trituberculatus infection with A. portunus. It can be hypothesized that up-regulated lncRNAs may be responsible for the up-regulation of these DNA replication-related genes by miRNAs in P. trituberculatus. The downregulation of metabolic pathways is one of possible strategies of P. trituberculatus to respond the infection of A. portunus. Cross-species miRNAs were suggested to play important roles in the cross-talk of P. trituberculatus-A. portunus, e.g. the disruption of the cytoskeletal organization and normal cell function of host by this microsporidian. The results enrich the knowledge of ncRNAs in microsporidia and offer new insights into microsporidia-host interactions.