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Zong W, Wang Y, Zhang L, Lu W, Li W, Wang F, Cheng J. DNA Methylation Mediates Sperm Quality via piwil1 and piwil2 Regulation in Japanese Flounder ( Paralichthys olivaceus). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5935. [PMID: 38892123 PMCID: PMC11172970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important way to regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. In order to reveal the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of germ cell-specific piwi gene expression during spermatogenesis of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), the expression profiles of piwil1 (piwi-like 1) and piwil2 (piwi-like 2) genes in the gonads of female, male, and sex-reversed pseudo-male P. olivaceus were analyzed, and the dynamic of DNA methylation was investigated. As a result, piwil1 and piwil2 genes were highly expressed in the testis of both male and pseudo-male P. olivaceus, with significant variation among male individuals. The DNA methylation levels in the promoter regions of both piwil1 and piwil2 were negatively correlated with their expression levels, which may contribute to the transcriptional regulation of piwi genes during spermatogenesis. There was also sperm quality variation among male P. olivaceus, and the sperm curvilinear velocity was positively correlated with the expression of both piwil1 and piwil2 genes. These results indicated that the DNA methylation in piwil1 and piwil2 promoter regions may affect the initiation of piwi gene transcription, thereby regulating gene expression and further affecting the spermatogenesis process and gamete quality in P. olivaceus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Zong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yapeng Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Lingqun Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Wei Lu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Weigang Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Fengchi Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572024, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
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Sex-Inclined Piwi-Interacting RNAs in Serum Exosomes for Sex Determination in the Greater Amberjack ( Seriola dumerili). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043438. [PMID: 36834847 PMCID: PMC9962539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is a gonochoristic fish with no sexual dimorphism in appearance, making sex identification difficult. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) function in transposon silencing and gametogenesis and are involved in various physiological processes, including sex development and differentiation. Exosomal piRNAs can be indicators for the determination of sex and physiological status. In this study, four piRNAs were differentially expressed in both serum exosomes and gonads between male and female greater amberjack. Three piRNAs (piR-dre-32793, piR-dre-5797, and piR-dre-73318) were significantly up-regulated and piR-dre-332 was significantly down-regulated in serum exosomes and gonads of male fish, compared to female fish, consistent with the serum exosomal results. According to the relative expression of four marker piRNAs derived from the serum exosomes of greater amberjack, the highest relative expression of piR-dre-32793, piR-dre-5797, and piR-dre-73318 in seven female fish and that of piR-dre-332 in seven male fish can be used as the standard for sex determination. The method of sex identification can ascertain the sex of greater amberjack by blood collection from the living body, without sacrificing fish. The four piRNAs did not show sex-inclined expression in the hypothalamus, pituitary, heart, liver, intestine, and muscle tissue. A piRNA-target interaction network involving 32 piRNA-mRNA pairs was generated. Sex-related target genes were enriched in sex-related pathways, including oocyte meiosis, transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and gonadotropin releasing hormone signaling pathway. These results provide a basis for sex determination in greater amberjack and improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying sex development and differentiation in the species.
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Oliveira JIN, Cardoso AL, Wolf IR, de Oliveira RA, Martins C. First characterization of PIWI-interacting RNA clusters in a cichlid fish with a B chromosome. BMC Biol 2022; 20:204. [PMID: 36127679 PMCID: PMC9490952 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01403-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND B chromosomes are extra elements found in several eukaryote species. Usually, they do not express a phenotype in the host. However, advances in bioinformatics over the last decades have allowed us to describe several genes and molecular functions related to B chromosomes. These advances enable investigations of the relationship between the B chromosome and the host to understand how this element has been preserved in genomes. However, considering that transposable elements (TEs) are highly abundant in this supernumerary chromosome, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the dynamics of TE control in B-carrying cells. Thus, the present study characterized PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) clusters and pathways responsible for silencing the mobilization of TEs in gonads of the cichlid fish Astatotilapia latifasciata carrying the B chromosome. RESULTS Through small RNA-seq and genome assembly, we predicted and annotated piRNA clusters in the A. latifasciata genome for the first time. We observed that these clusters had biased expression related to sex and the presence of the B chromosome. Furthermore, three piRNA clusters, named curupira, were identified in the B chromosome. Two of them were expressed exclusively in gonads of samples with the B chromosome. The composition of these curupira sequences was derived from LTR, LINE, and DNA elements, representing old and recent transposition events in the A. latifasciata genome and the B chromosome. The presence of the B chromosome also affected the expression of piRNA pathway genes. The mitochondrial cardiolipin hydrolase-like (pld6) gene is present in the B chromosome, as previously reported, and an increase in its expression was detected in gonads with the B chromosome. CONCLUSIONS Due to the high abundance of TEs in the B chromosome, it was possible to investigate the origin of piRNA from these jumping genes. We hypothesize that the B chromosome has evolved its own genomic guardians to prevent uncontrolled TE mobilization. Furthermore, we also detected an expression bias in the presence of the B chromosome over A. latifasciata piRNA clusters and pathway genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordana Inácio Nascimento Oliveira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Bioscience at Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Adauto Lima Cardoso
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Bioscience at Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Ivan Rodrigo Wolf
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Bioscience at Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Rogério Antônio de Oliveira
- Department of Biostatistics, Plant Biology, Parasitology and Zoology, Institute of Bioscience at Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Cesar Martins
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Bioscience at Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, 18618-689, Brazil.
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Zhao N, Jia L, Deng Q, Zhu C, Zhang B. Comparative piRNAs Profiles Give a Clue to Transgenerational Inheritance of Sex-Biased piRNAs in Cynoglossus semilaevis. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 24:335-344. [PMID: 35290559 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-022-10109-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Piwi interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are involved in the epigenetic and post-transcriptional gene silencing of retrotransposons in germ line cells, especially in spermatogenesis. There are many related reports on model organisms, such as flies and mice. In fish, however, there are few studies on piRNAs. Cynoglossus semilaevis, a benthic warm water flatfish, with remarkable sexual dimorphism, especially the "pseudo males" with sex reversal, mating with normal females to produce viable offspring, is an ideal material for the study of sex development. Here, sperm piwi-interacting RNAs profiles of Cynoglossus semilaevis were characterized, comparing between male and pseudomale groups. Differential piRNAs were identified with their predicted and annotated targets. Attention was then focused on candidate piRNAs associated with sex development and methylation. We continued to compare the expression levels of 10 candidates differentially expressed piRNAs in F1 spermatozoa. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that five of the ten piRNAs showed sex bias consistent with parental sequencing results, with four significantly higher expression level in sperm of five males offspring than that of pseudomales, while one piRNAs showed the opposite expression profile. The five signature piRNAs (piR-mmu-49600337, piR-mmu-95849, piR-xtr-7474223, piR-xtr-1790334, and piR-mmu-4491546) could be employed as male-specific molecular biomarkers for C. semilaevis. Besides, this study also implied the possibility of transgenerational inheritance of sex-biased piRNAs exiting in sperm of Cynoglossus semilaevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhao
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, 524000, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhanjiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Jia
- Tianjin Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin, 300201, China
| | - Qiuxia Deng
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, 524000, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Chunhua Zhu
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, 524000, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhanjiang, China.
| | - Bo Zhang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, 524000, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhanjiang, China.
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Liu Z, Liu S, Guo S, Lu W, Zhang Q, Cheng J. Evolutionary dynamics and conserved function of the Tudor domain-containing (TDRD) proteins in teleost fish. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:18-30. [PMID: 37073353 PMCID: PMC10077171 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-021-00118-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Tudor domain-containing (TDRD) proteins, the germline enriched protein family, play essential roles in the process of gametogenesis and genome stability through their interaction with the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway. Several studies have suggested the rapid evolution of the piRNA pathway in teleost lineages with striking reproductive diversity. However, there is still limited information about the function and evolution of Tdrd genes in teleost species. In this study, through genome wide screening, 13 Tdrd family genes were identified in economically important aquaculture fish, including spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus), Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer), and tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). With copy number, structure, phylogeny, and synteny analysis, duplication of Tdrd6 and Tdrd7, as well as loss of Stk31 and Tdrd10, were characterized in teleost lineages. Codon based molecular evolution analysis indicated faster evolution of teleost Tdrd genes than that in mammals, potentially associated with the accelerated evolution of the piRNA pathway in teleost lineages. The evolutionary diversity of Tdrd genes was also detected between different teleost lineages. RNA-seq analysis showed that most teleost Tdrd genes were dominantly expressed in gonads, particularly highly expressed in testis, such as Tdrd6, Tdrd7a, Tdrd9, Ecat8, and Tdrd15. The varied expression and evolutionary pattern between the duplicated Tdrd6 and Tdrd7 in teleosts may indicate their functional diversification. All these results suggest a conserved function of teleost Tdrd family in gametogenesis and the piRNA pathway, which could lay a foundation for the evolution of Tdrd genes and be helpful for further deciphering of Tdrd functions in teleosts. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-021-00118-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Saisai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Shiyang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Wei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237 China
- Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572000 China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237 China
- Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, 572000 China
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Degree of piRNA sharing and Piwi gene expression in the skeletal muscle of Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacu), Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui), and the hybrid tambacu. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 264:111120. [PMID: 34822974 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.111120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PiRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNAs that, in their mature form, bind to Piwi proteins to repress transposable element activity. Besides their role in gametogenesis and genome integrity, recent evidence indicates their action in non-germinative tissues. We performed a global analysis of piRNA and Piwi gene expression in the skeletal muscle of juveniles pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), and the hybrid tambacu to evaluate the degree of piRNA sharing among these three genotypes. Total RNA was sequenced and analyzed using specific parameters of piRNAs by bioinformatics tools. piRNA and Piwi gene expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR. We detected 24 piRNA clusters common to the three genotypes, with eight shared between pacu and tambacu, three between pacu and tambaqui, and five between tambaqui and tambacu; seven, five, and four clusters were unique to pacu, tambacu, and tambaqui, respectively. Genomic localization and fold change values showed two clusters and 100 piRNAs shared among the three genotypes. The gene expression of four piRNAs was evaluated to validate our bioinformatics results. piRNAs from cluster 17 were higher in tambacu than pacu and piRNAs from cluster 18 were more highly expressed in tambacu than tambaqui and pacu. In addition, the expression of Piwis 1 and 2 was higher in tambacu and tambaqui than pacu. Our results open an important window to investigate whether these small noncoding RNAs benefit the hybrid in terms of faster growth and offer a new perspective on the function of piRNAs and Piwis in fish skeletal muscle.
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Thönnes M, Vogt M, Steinborn K, Hausken KN, Levavi-Sivan B, Froschauer A, Pfennig F. An ex vivo Approach to Study Hormonal Control of Spermatogenesis in the Teleost Oreochromis niloticus. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:443. [PMID: 32793114 PMCID: PMC7366826 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As the male reproductive organ, the main task of the testis is the production of fertile, haploid spermatozoa. This process, named spermatogenesis, starts with spermatogonial stem cells, which undergo a species-specific number of mitotic divisions until starting meiosis and further morphological maturation. The pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone, are indispensable for vertebrate spermatogenesis, but we are still far from fully understanding the complex regulatory networks involved in this process. Therefore, we developed an ex vivo testis cultivation system which allows evaluating the occurring changes in histology and gene expression. The experimental circulatory flow-through setup described in this work provides the possibility to study the function of the male tilapia gonads on a cellular and transcriptional level for at least 7 days. After 1 week of culture, tilapia testis slices kept their structure and all stages of spermatogenesis could be detected histologically. Without pituitary extract (tilPE) however, fibrotic structures appeared, whereas addition of tilPE preserved spermatogenic cysts and somatic interstitium completely. We could show that tilPE has a stimulatory effect on spermatogonia proliferation in our culture system. In the presence of tilPE or hCG, the gene expression of steroidogenesis related genes (cyp11b2 and stAR2) were notably increased. Other testicular genes like piwil1, amh, or dmrt1 were not expressed differentially in the presence or absence of gonadotropins or gonadotropin containing tilPE. We established a suitable system for studying tilapia spermatogenesis ex vivo with promise for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Thönnes
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marlen Vogt
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Steinborn
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Krist N. Hausken
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Berta Levavi-Sivan
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander Froschauer
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Pfennig
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- *Correspondence: Frank Pfennig
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Wan H, Han K, Jiang Y, Zou P, Zhang Z, Wang Y. Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profile of the Sox Gene Family During Embryo Development in Large Yellow Croaker, Larimichthys crocea. DNA Cell Biol 2019; 38:1100-1111. [DOI: 10.1089/dna.2018.4586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Haifu Wan
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Kunhuang Han
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China
| | - Yonghua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Pengfei Zou
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ziping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China
- College of Animal Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yilei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China
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Song H, Xing C, Lu W, Liu Z, Wang X, Cheng J, Zhang Q. Rapid evolution of piRNA pathway and its transposon targets in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2019; 31:100609. [PMID: 31362144 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2019.100609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is essential for germline specification, gametogenesis, and genome integrity as defense against transposable elements (TEs). This pathway has been suggested to have undergone rapid adaptive evolution in spite of its conserved role in TE silencing. However, with diverse sexual development patterns, piRNA pathway evolution and its adaptation to transposon activity in teleost lineages remain less known. This study illustrated the evolutionary significance of piRNA pathway via a systematic comparative analysis on diverse teleosts, including flatfish lineages. Molecular evolution of piRNA pathway and microRNA/small interfering RNA pathway genes indicated a faster evolution of piRNA pathway in teleosts than in mammals. Positive selection was detected at the PAZ (Piwi-Argonaute-Zwille) domain involved in Piwi-piRNA interaction, thereby suggesting that the amino acid substitutions were adaptive to their functions in teleost piRNA pathway. Notably, Piwil1 evolved faster in Japanese flounder than in other teleosts, and the piRNA pathway genes expressed higher in testes than in ovaries. In addition, gonadal transcriptomic analysis revealed male under-represented TE families mainly from DNA transposons, which were the potential targets of the complex formed by male-biased Piwi genes and male over-represented piRNAs in Japanese flounder testes. The potential piRNA-TE regulatory relationships suggested that the rapidly evolved piRNA pathway in Japanese flounder was likely involved in the regulation of transposon activity in germlines and could play important roles in Japanese flounder gonadal development and spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haofei Song
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Changjin Xing
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xubo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
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10
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Roles of piwil1 gene in gonad development and gametogenesis in Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Gene 2019; 701:104-112. [PMID: 30905810 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PIWI family member piwil1, which associates with Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), is responsible in regulation of germ cell differentiation and maintenance of reproductive stem cells. In this study, we analyzed the piwil1 gene in Paralichthys olivaceus. Bioinformatics analysis and structure prediction showed that piwil1 had the conserved domains: PAZ domain and PIWI domain. Expression analysis during embryonic development implied that piwil1 gene was maternally inherited. The tissue distribution showed a sexually dimorphic gene expression pattern, with higher expression level in testis than ovary. In situ hybridization results demonstrated that piwil1 was predominantly distributed in oogonia, oocytes, sertoli cells and spermatocytes. A CpG island was predicted in the 5'-flanking region of piwil1 gene, and its methylation levels showed significant disparity between males and females, indicating that the sexually dimorphic expression of piwil1 gene might be regulated by methylation. Furthermore, we explored the distinct roles of human chorionic gonadotropin and 17α-methyltestosterone in regulating the expression of piwil1, and found that piwil1 was interacting with the HPG axis hormones. These results indicated that piwil1 might play a crucial role in gonadal development and gametogenesis in Paralichthys olivaceus.
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Wang H, Wang B, Liu J, Li A, Zhu H, Wang X, Zhang Q. Piwil1 gene is regulated by hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): A different effect in ovaries and testes. Gene 2018. [PMID: 29524575 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As constituent factors of Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathways, Piwi proteins are essential for germline maintenance and gonadal development. Previous studies show that Piwi-piRNA pathways could be regulated by hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, however, related studies have not been reported in marine species. Here we reported the identification of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) piwil1 gene, which was abundantly expressed in testis and ovary in a tissue-specific manner. Phylogenetic and genomic structure analyses revealed that piwil1 was conserved in its sequence and function during vertebrate evolution. We also investigated the effects of HPG axis hormones, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estradiol-17β (E2) and 17α-methyltestosterone (MT), on gonadal piwil1 expression via in vivo and in vitro approaches. In ovary, hCG and E2 suppressed piwil1 expression both in vivo and in vitro, and MT increased piwil1 expression in vivo. In testis, hCG had upregulating effects on piwil1 expression in vivo and in vitro, and MT also increased piwil1 expression in vitro. In addition, E2 suppressed expression of piwil1 in vivo. These results indicated that the decreased or increased expression of piwil1 regulated by hormones might play a crucial role during gonadal differentiation and development in S. maximus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (MGB), Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (MGB), Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jinxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (MGB), Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Aoyun Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (MGB), Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - He Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (MGB), Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - XuBo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (MGB), Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (MGB), Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 266003, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266237, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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Zhao C, Zhu W, Yin S, Cao Q, Zhang H, Wen X, Zhang G, Xie W, Chen S. Molecular characterization and expression of Piwil1 and Piwil2 during gonadal development and treatment with HCG and LHRH-A 2 in Odontobutis potamophila. Gene 2018; 647:181-191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Wang H, Wang B, Liu X, Liu Y, Du X, Zhang Q, Wang X. Identification and expression of piwil2 in turbot Scophthalmus maximus, with implications of the involvement in embryonic and gonadal development. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 208-209:84-93. [PMID: 28438683 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Piwil2, a member of the Argonaute family, is involved in the biogenesis of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and plays an important role in regulating gametogenesis. In the present study, we identified turbot Scophthalmus maximus piwil2 gene, named Smpiwil2, which contained a PAZ domain and a PIWI domain. Sequence comparison, genomic structure and phylogenetic analyses showed that Smpiwil2 is homologous to that of teleosts and tetrapods. The Smpiwil2 transcript showed higher expression in the ovary than in the testis, demonstrating a sexually dimorphic gene expression pattern. In situ hybridization (ISH) showed that Smpiwil2 was expressed in the oogonia and all the stages of oocytes in the ovary as well as in spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the testis. Embryonic expression profile revealed that Smpiwil2 was maternally inherited, and its level was higher from the zygote to the blastula stage and subsequently decreased until hatching. Moreover, a CpG island was predicted to locate in the 5'-flanking region of Smpiwil2 gene, and its methylation levels detected by sodium bisulfite sequencing showed significant disparity between females and males, implying that the sexually dimorphic expression of Smpiwil2 might be regulated by methylation. These results indicated that Smpiwil2 had potentially vital functions in embryonic and gonadal development in this species. In addition, the temporal and sex differences in Smpiwil2 expression indicated that this gene may play different roles in gonadal development of different sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaobing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yuezhong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xinxin Du
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - XuBo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, 266003 Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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