Molecular characterization and developmental function of jagged-1 in Exopalaemon carinicauda (Decapoda, Caridea, Palaemonidae)

The Notch signalling pathway is widely present in organisms and is an essential factor involved in the developmental process. JAGGED-1, as an important ligand in the Notch signalling pathway, has been cloned from Exopalaemon carinicauda and its role in growth and development have been studied. The full length of the jagged-1 cDNA of E. carinicauda was 5148 bp encoding a protein composed of 1307 amino acids, which had the highest identity with JAGGED-1 of Procambarus clarkii. The expression of jagged-1 varied with development, with the highest expression at the gastrula stage of embryonic development, the Z2 stage of larval development, and the G4 stage of ovary development, respectively. The expression of jagged-1 in the interference group was significantly lower than that in the control group between 3 and 72 h post jagged-1 RNA interference. The expression of key genes in the Notch signalling pathway, including notch1 and delta, and genes related to growth and development, including chh, gih and mih, decreased significantly post jagged-1 RNA interference. After continuous jagged-1 RNA interference, the ovary of the interference group only developed to the G3 stage, while the ovary of the control group developed to the G4 stage. Further study found that there were 8 SNPs including one missense mutation (SNP 2389 T > C) and seven synonymous mutations, and the SNP 2389 T > C and SNP 2799 G > C might be related to the growth of E. carinicauda. The results showed that jagged-1 was involved in the growth and development of E. carinicauda.