Molecular cloning and characterisation of integrin gene in the mud crab Scylla serrata (Forskal, 1775)


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Authors

  • Thanuja S ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education
  • Jeena Kezhedath ICAR-CIFE, MUMBAI
  • Gayatri Tripathi ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education
  • Megha Kadam Bedekar ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education
  • Rajendran Kooloth Valappil ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education

https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2026.73.3.179597-13

Keywords:

Integrin gene, Mud crab , Scylla serrata

Abstract

The present study reports the first full-length sequence of the integrin gene of the mud crab Scylla serrata (Ss-integrin). Ss-integrin cDNA comprises an open reading frame (ORF) of 2349 bp encoding a putative protein of 782 amino acids (aa). The sequence showed high similarity with the integrin gene of Scylla paramamosain (97.06% nucleotide identity and 95.78% amino acid identity). mRNA expression of Ss-integrin was detected in haemocytes, heart, gills, hepatopancreas, gut and muscle tissues. The response of the gene to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was investigated in experimentally infected S. serrata. The virus challenge resulted in varying patterns of immune response of the gene in different tissues. Ss-integrin was significantly upregulated in haemocytes, heart, gill, and hepatopancreas post-WSSV challenge, showing a tissue-specific temporal correlation with WSSV infection. The study indicated the role of Ss-Integrin in the immune response against WSSV infection in the mud crab, a relatively resistant host of the virus.

Keywords: Host defense mechanism, Scylla paramamosain, White spot syndrome virus

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Author Biographies

  • Thanuja S, ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education

    PhD scholar, Aquatic Animal Health Management Department

  • Jeena Kezhedath, ICAR-CIFE, MUMBAI

    Senior Scientist, Aquatic Animal Health Management Department

  • Gayatri Tripathi, ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education

    Principal Scientist, Aquatic Animal Health Management Department

  • Megha Kadam Bedekar, ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education

    Principal Scientist, Aquatic Animal Health Management Department

  • Rajendran Kooloth Valappil, ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education

    Principal Scientist

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2026-09-30

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How to Cite

S, T., Kezhedath, J., Gayatri Tripathi, Bedekar, M. K. ., & Valappil, R. K. (2026). Molecular cloning and characterisation of integrin gene in the mud crab Scylla serrata (Forskal, 1775). Indian Journal of Fisheries, 73(3). https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2026.73.3.179597-13
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