Identification of a novel male reproduction-related gene and its regulated expression patterns in the prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

To identify male-specific genes that could be involved in male development, we screened a subtracted male reproductive tract library and isolated a novel gene named Mar-Mrr (M. rosenbergii male reproduction-related gene). The Mar-Mrr cDNA sequence consists of 683 nucleotides with a 333 nucleotide open reading frame, encoding putative 110 amino acids (11.7473 kDa) precursor protein and a signal peptide consisting of 24 amino acids. Significant developmentally dependent accumulation of the mRNA was observed in the male reproductive tract, specifically in epithelial cells of vas deferens and terminal ampullae.