Molecular characterization and expression profiles of cyclin A and cyclin B during ovarian development of the giant tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

The meiotic maturation of oocytes is regulated by maturation promoting factor (MPF), a complex of cdc2 (Cdk1) and cyclin B and other Cdk/cyclin complexes. To better understand molecular aspects governing reproductive maturation of the giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), the full length cDNAs and genomic organization of cyclins A and B (PMCyA and PMCyB) were characterized. A single form of PMCyA contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1326 bp corresponding to a deduced protein of 441 amino acids. Its genomic sequence contained 5 exons, 4 introns and untranslated regions (UTRs) spanning 2586 bp in length. In contrast, PMCyB possessed three isoforms with an identical ORF of 1206 bp (401 amino acids) but three different 3′ UTR lengths of 416, 543 and 1117 bp, respectively. Their respective genomic sequences were composed of 8 exons, 7 introns and UTRs covering 4181, 4307 and 4940 bp. Expression levels of both PMCyA and PMCyB in ovaries of broodstock were much greater than those of juveniles (P < 0.05). During ovarian development and after spawning of normal shrimp broodstock, PMCyA was not differentially expressed (P > 0.05) whereas the level of PMCyB in stage IV was greater than that of stage I ovaries (P < 0.05). Unilateral eyestalk ablation, a technique commonly used to induce spawning in P. monodon female brooders, had no effects on transcription of PMCyB (P > 0.05) but resulted in a lower expression of PMCyA at stage IV of ovarian development of this economically important species (P < 0.05).