Using iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis to Identify Differentially Expressed Proteins Related to Larval Development of Portunus trituberculatus

The swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus is an economically important marine crustacean species.Here isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation(iTRAQ)analysis were used to identify proteins that are differentially expressed during larval development of P.trituberculatus to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.In comparison with the first zoea stage(Z1),3980 proteins were identified from 32789 peptides,which were matched with 115497 spectrums.A total of 241 proteins were screened with significantly differential expressions in all development stages.These 241 proteins are involved in various biological processes,such as cytoskeleton organization,protein synthesis,energy production and substance metabolism,physiological activities,and transport.Cluster analyses of the 241 differentially expressed proteins led to the generation of four protein clusters based on the overall similarity in protein expression patterns.Exactly 54,70,36,and 45 proteins clustered in profiles 10(0,0,0,−1,0,0),15(0,1,0,1,0,1),18(0,1,2,2,1,0),and 19(0,1,2,3,4,5),respectively.Muscle development and exoskeleton renewal were important processes throughout the development stages.In addition,protein synthesis,degradation,and digestion actively occurred,especially at the Z4 stage.These results provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying larval development of swimming crab and can assist in larval rearing.