The significant sex-biased expression pattern of Sp-Wnt4 provides novel insights into the ovarian development of mud crab (Scylla Paramamosain)

The full-length cDNA of Sp-Wnt4 consists of 2659 bp, encoding 359 amino acids.

• Sp-Wnt4 protein shares 98.9% identity with the Wnt4 protein of Portunus trituberculatus.
• Expression of Sp-Wnt4 is highest in the ovary at the third stage of ovarian development.
• A significant decrease in Sp-Wnt4 expression occurs from the embryo stage to crablet stages.
• Unilateral eyestalk ablation results in a 14-fold increase in Sp-Wnt4 expression in testis and a 3.1-fold decrease in the gill of females.
• Sp-Wnt4 transcripts are mainly localized in the cytoplasm of oocyte cells.

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