The Penaeus monodon chitinase 1 gene is differentially expressed in the hepatopancreas during the molt cycle

We have isolated a full-length chitinase complementary DNA from the tiger s hrimp Penaeus monodon that encodes a 621 amino acid protein possessing the functional domains of the chitinase protein family. Thr Penaeus monodon chi tinase 1 (PmChi-1) gene product is 81.8% identical to a chitinase 1 protein expressed in the hepatopancreas of Penaeus japonicus. Analysis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) indicates that PmChi-1 mes senger RNA is detectable in the hepatopancreas and the gut. PmChi-1 express ion during the molt cycle fluctuates markedly, with lowest mRNA levels at s tages A(1), C, and D-3; there is a dramatic increase in transcript abundanc e at the D-2 stage. Using the same tissues and molt stages, RT-PCR analyses of genes encoding other digestive enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, and cath epsin L), a muscle structural protein (tropomyosin IT), and housekeeping pr oteins (elongation factor II and GTP-binding protein) indicate that PmChi-1 is expressed in a distinct tissue-specific and stage-specific manner. The other digestive enzyme genes are expressed in a similar spatiotemporal patt ern, hut none exhibited a dramatic increase in transcript abundance at stag e D-2. Increased expression of PmChi-1 at D-2 suggests that hepatopancreas- expressed chitinase is involved in the degradation of endogenous chitin in the gut peritrophic membrane prior to molting.