De novo transcriptome analysis reveals possible heterosis for growth, immunity and anti-oxidation of Macrobrachium nipponense hybrid offspring and parent populations

Macrobrachium nipponense is an important aquaculture species widespread in China, but it is currently facing the threat of genetic degradation. Hybridization is one of the methods used for genetic improvement in order to counteract this serious problem. At present, the underlying molecular mechanism of heterosis is unclear. In this study, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to sequence the transcriptome (RNA-Seq) of hybrid offspring and female parent. A total of 1479 DEGs were identified, of which 267 were up-regulated and 1212 were down-regulated. These DEGs were mainly enriched in signal transduction, transport and catabolism, infectious diseases, immune system, endocrine system, cellular community eukaryotes, cancers, carbohydrate metabolism, cell growth and death, amino acid metabolism and neurodegenerative diseases. Pathways and genes related to growth and development, immunity and anti-oxidation were identified, and the related genes in these pathways were verified by real-time quantitative PCR. These findings provided new insights into potential strategies targeting growth traits, stress resistance and selective breeding.