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Toyota K. Crustacean endocrinology: Sexual differentiation and potential application for aquaculture. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 356:114578. [PMID: 38971237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Crustaceans, which represent a significant subset of arthropods, are classified into three major classes: Ostracoda, Malacostraca, and Branchiopoda. Among them, sex manipulation in decapod species from the Malacostraca class has been extensively researched for aquaculture purposes and to study reproductive physiology and sexual plasticity. Some decapods exhibit sexual dimorphism that influences their biological and economic value. Monosex culture, in which only one sex is cultivated, increases production yields while reducing the risk of invasiveness, as genetic leakage into natural waters is less likely to occur. Differences in yield are also observed when cultivating different sexes, with all-male cultures of Macrobrachium rosenbergii being more profitable than both mixed and all-female cultures. Research on decapod sexual differentiation has led to a better understanding of sex determination and sexual differentiation processes in arthropods. Similar to most mammals and other vertebrate classes, Malacostraca crustaceans, including decapods, exhibit a cell-non-autonomous mode of sexual development. Genetic factors (e.g., sex chromosomes) and endocrine factors (e.g., insulin-like androgenic gland factor and crustacean female sex hormone) play pivotal roles in the development of sexually dimorphic traits. This review synthesizes the existing understanding of sex determination mechanisms and the role of sex hormones in decapod species. Additionally, it provides an overview of the methyl farnesoate, which has been suggested to be involved in male sex differentiation in some crab species, as well as the phenomenon of male-to-female sex reversal in host decapods caused by parasitic crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Toyota
- Department of Bioresource Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, 2946 Tsuchiya, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1293, Japan; Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan.
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2
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Molcho J, Albagly D, Levy T, Manor R, Aflalo ED, Alfaro-Montoya J, Sagi A. Regulation of early spermatogenesis in the giant prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii by a GCL homolog†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:1000-1011. [PMID: 38408206 PMCID: PMC11094379 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae028] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The germ cell-less gene is crucial for gonad development in various organisms. Early interventions in its expression suggested a regulatory role at the mitotic stages of spermatogenesis, and its early knockout resulted in complete sterility in Drosophila. Genomic and transcriptomic data available for the catadromous giant prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii enabled the identification of a germ cell-less homolog for this species, which we termed MroGCL (mRNA accession number OQ533056). An open reading frame containing 494 amino acids and a typical evolutionarily conserved BTB/POZ domain suggests possible protein-protein interaction functions in keeping with the Drosophila germ cell-less protein. Genomic mapping of MroGCL showed a full length of 120 896 bases. Analysis of the temporal expression of MroGCL showed constant expression in early prawn embryonic and larval stages, but a significant increase 10 days after metamorphosis when crucial sexual differentiation processes occur in prawns. In adult animals, high expression was detected in the gonads compared to the somatic tissues. RNAi-based knock-down experiments showed that both the silenced and control groups reached advanced spermatogenic stages, but that there was a significant decrease in the yield of spermatozoa in about half of the silenced animals. This finding supports our hypothesis that MroGCL is crucial for mitosis during early stage spermatogenesis. In conclusion, this study contributes to the understanding of crustacean gonad development and provides a stepping stone in the development of environmentally valuable sterile crustacean populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Molcho
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Dana Albagly
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tom Levy
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Eliahu D Aflalo
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Life Sciences, Achva Academic College, Arugot, Israel
| | | | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Nong C, Chen Y, Yang H, Chen N, Tian C, Li S, Chen H. Phenotypic sorting of individual male and female intersex Cherax quadricarinatus and analysis of molecular differences in the gonadal transcriptome. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2024; 49:101194. [PMID: 38246110 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Cherax quadricarinatus exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males outpacing females in size specification and growth rate. However, there is limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex determination and sex differentiation in crustaceans. To study the differences between intersex individuals and normal individuals, this study counted the proportion of intersex individuals in the natural population, collected the proportion of 7 different phenotypes in 200 intersex individuals, and observed the differences in tissue sections. RNA-seq was used to study the different changes in the transcriptome of normal and intersex gonads. The results showed that: the percentage of intersex in the natural population was 1.5 %, and the percentage of different types of intersex ranged from 0.5 % to 22.5 %; the sections revealed that the development of normal ovaries was stagnant at the primary oocyte stage when intersex individuals with ovaries were present; We screened for pathways and genes that may be associated with gonadal development and sex, including ovarian steroid synthesis, estrogen signaling pathway, oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, etc. Relevant genes including tra2a, dmrta2, ccnb2, foxl2, and smad4. This study provides an important molecular basis for sex determination, sex-controlled breeding, and unisex breeding in red crayfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuntai Nong
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology and Epidemiology for Aquatic Economic Animals, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Yibin Chen
- Guangdong Evergreen Feed Industry Co., Ltd., Evergreen Tower, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology and Epidemiology for Aquatic Economic Animals, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Nanxiong Chen
- Guangdong Evergreen Feed Industry Co., Ltd., Evergreen Tower, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Changxu Tian
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology and Epidemiology for Aquatic Economic Animals, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Sedong Li
- Guangdong Evergreen Feed Industry Co., Ltd., Evergreen Tower, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.; Zhanjiang Ocean and Fishery Development Research Center, Zhanjiang, China.
| | - Huapu Chen
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology and Epidemiology for Aquatic Economic Animals, Zhanjiang 524088, China; Guangdong Havwii agriculture group Co., Ltd, Zhanjiang 524266, China.
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Wahl M, Levy T, Ventura T, Sagi A. Monosex Populations of the Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii-From a Pre-Molecular Start to the Next Generation Era. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17433. [PMID: 38139271 PMCID: PMC10743721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417433] [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: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual manipulation in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii has proven successful in generating monosex (both all-male and all-female) populations for aquaculture using a crustacean-specific endocrine gland, the androgenic gland (AG), which serves as a key masculinizing factor by producing and secreting an insulin-like AG hormone (IAG). Here, we provide a summary of the advancements from the discovery of the AG and IAG in decapods through to the development of monosex populations in M. rosenbergii. We discuss the broader sexual development pathway, which is highly divergent across decapods, and provide our future perspective on the utility of novel genetic and genomic tools in promoting refined approaches towards monosex biotechnology. Finally, the future potential benefits of deploying monosex prawn populations for environmental management are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Wahl
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Tom Levy
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Tomer Ventura
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia;
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
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Miao M, Li S, Yuan J, Liu P, Fang X, Zhang C, Zhang X, Li F. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene mutation of EcIAG leads to sex reversal in the male ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1266641. [PMID: 38075036 PMCID: PMC10703455 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1266641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the culture of crustaceans, most species show sexual dimorphism. Monosex culture is an effective approach to achieve high yield and economic value, especially for decapods of high value. Previous studies have developed some sex control strategies such as manual segregation, manipulation of male androgenic gland and knockdown of the male sexual differentiation switch gene encoding insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG) in decapods. However, these methods could not generate hereditable changes. Genetic manipulation to achieve sex reversal individuals is absent up to now. In the present study, the gene encoding IAG (EcIAG) was identified in the ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda. Sequence analysis showed that EcIAG encoded conserved amino acid structure like IAGs in other decapod species. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology was used to knock out EcIAG. Two sgRNAs targeting the second exon of EcIAG were designed and microinjected into the prawn zygotes or the embryos at the first cleavage with commercial Cas9 protein. EcIAG in three genetic males was knocked out in both chromosome sets, which successfully generated sex reversal and phenotypic female characters. The results suggest that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology is an effective way to develop sex manipulation technology and contribute to monosex aquaculture in crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Miao
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shihao Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jianbo Yuan
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Peipei Liu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochen Fang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengsong Zhang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Fuhua Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- The Innovation of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Zupo V, Costantini M, Aflalo ED, Levy T, Chalifa-Caspi V, Obayomi O, Mutalipassi M, Ruocco N, Glaviano F, Somma E, Nieri P, Sagi A. Ferroptosis precedes apoptosis to facilitate specific death signalling by fatty acids. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231327. [PMID: 37876198 PMCID: PMC10598420 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1327] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell death is physiologically induced by specific mediators. However, our power to trigger the process in selected cells is quite limited. The protandric shrimp Hippolyte inermis offers a possible answer. Here, we analyse a de novo transcriptome of shrimp post-larvae fed on diatoms. The sex ratio of diatom-fed shrimps versus shrimps fed on control diets was dramatically altered, demonstrating the disruption of the androgenic gland, and their transcriptome revealed key modifications in gene expression. A wide transcriptomic analysis, validated by real-time qPCR, revealed that ferroptosis represents the primary factor to re-shape the body of this invertebrate, followed by further apoptotic events, and our findings open biotechnological perspectives for controlling the destiny of selected tissues. Ferroptosis was detected here for the first time in a crustacean. In addition, this is the first demonstration of a noticeable effect prompted by an ingested food, deeply impacting the gene networks of a young metazoan, definitely determining its future physiology and sexual differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Zupo
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Dohrn, Ischia, Italy
| | - Maria Costantini
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Ammiraglio Ferdinando Acton, 55, 80133 Napoli, Italy
| | - Eliahu D. Aflalo
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Department of Life Sciences, Achva Academic College, Mobile Post, Shikmim 79800, Israel
| | - Tom Levy
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Hopkins Marine Station, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Vered Chalifa-Caspi
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Olabiyi Obayomi
- Interdepartmental Center of Marine Pharmacology, Pisa University, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, J. Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben Gurion 84990, Israel
| | - Mirko Mutalipassi
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Nadia Ruocco
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Calabria Marine Centre, C. da Torre Spaccata, Amendolara, Italy
| | - Francesca Glaviano
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Dohrn, Ischia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Somma
- Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Dohrn, Ischia, Italy
- Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Nieri
- Department of Pharmacy, Pisa University, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
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Yang YH, Wang R, Li M, Yang HZ, Huang GH, Ma KY, Qiu GF, Lin Y. Comparative transcriptomes analysis of the ovary reveals potential ovarian development-related genes and pathways in Macrobrachium rosenbergii. INVERTEBR REPROD DEV 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/07924259.2022.2156822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hao Yang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, MiMinistry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University)ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai 201306, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Institute of Fisheries, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Institute of Fisheries, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ming Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Institute of Fisheries, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Hui-Zan Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Institute of Fisheries, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Guang-Hua Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Institute of Fisheries, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ke-Yi Ma
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, MiMinistry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University)ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Gao-Feng Qiu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, MiMinistry of Agriculture (Shanghai Ocean University), Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture (Shanghai Ocean University)ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Institute of Fisheries, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Wahl M, Levy T, Manor R, Aflalo ED, Sagi A, Aizen J. Genes Encoding the Glycoprotein Hormone GPA2/GPB5 and the Receptor LGR1 in a Female Prawn. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:823818. [PMID: 35399936 PMCID: PMC8990981 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.823818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrate reproduction, metabolism, growth and development, essential roles are played by glycoprotein hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), all of which are heterodimers consisting of two subunits, a structurally identical alpha subunit, and a variable beta subunit, which provides specificity. A 'new' glycoprotein hormone heterodimer identified in both vertebrates and invertebrates, including decapod crustaceans, was shown to be composed of the glycoprotein alpha 2 (GPA2) and glycoprotein beta 5 (GPB5) subunits. The putative receptor for GPA2/GPB5 in invertebrates is the leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 1 (LGR1). In this study in the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, we identified and characterized the GPA2 (MrGPA2), GPB5 (MrGPB5) and LGR1 (MrLGR1) encoding genes and revealed their spatial expression patterns in female animals. Loss-of-function RNA interference (RNAi) experiments in M. rosenbergii females demonstrated a negative correlation between MrGPA2/MrGPB5 silencing and MrLGR1 transcript levels, suggesting a possible ligand-receptor interaction. The relative transcript levels of M. rosenbergii vitellogenin (MrVg) in the hepatopancreas were significantly reduced following MrGPA2/MrGPB5 knockdown. MrLGR1 loss-of-function induced MrVg receptor (MrVgR) transcript levels in the ovary and resulted in significantly larger oocytes in the silenced group compared to the control group. Our results provide insight into the possible role of GPA2/GPB5-LGR1 in female reproduction, as shown by its effect on MrVg and MrVgR expression and on the oocyte development. Here, we suggest that the GPA2/GPB5 heterodimer act as a gonad inhibiting factor in the eyestalk-hepatopancreas-ovary endocrine axis in M. rosenbergii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Wahl
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tom Levy
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Eliahu D. Aflalo
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Life Sciences, Achva Academic College, Arugot, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- *Correspondence: Amir Sagi, ; Joseph Aizen,
| | - Joseph Aizen
- The Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Michmoret, Israel
- *Correspondence: Amir Sagi, ; Joseph Aizen,
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Grinshpan N, Abayed FA, Wahl M, Ner-Gaon H, Manor R, Sagi A, Shay T. The transcriptional landscape of the giant freshwater prawn: Embryonic development and early sexual differentiation mechanisms. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1059936. [PMID: 36568080 PMCID: PMC9767951 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1059936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The giant freshwater prawn pjMacrobrachium rosenbergii is one of the best studied species in aquaculture. However, the transcriptional changes associated with embryonic development and the sexual differentiation mechanism of M. rosenbergii remain to be elucidated. To characterize the embryonic development of this prawn and to determine whether differential expression and differential splicing play roles in the early sexual differentiation of M. rosenbergii, we profiled five developmental days of male and female embryos by RNA sequencing. We identified modules of co-expressed genes representing waves of transcription that correspond to physiological processes in early embryonic development (such as the maternal-to-zygotic transition) up to preparation for life outside the egg (development of muscles, cuticle etc.). Additionally, we found that hundreds of genes are differentially expressed between sexes, most of them uncharacterized, suggesting that the sex differentiation mechanism of M. rosenbergii might contain clade-specific elements. The resulting first-of-a-kind transcriptional map of embryonic development of male and female M. rosenbergii will guide future studies to reveal the roles of specific genes and splicing isoforms in the embryonic development and sexual differentiation process of M. rosenbergii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nufar Grinshpan
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Faiza A.A. Abayed
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Melody Wahl
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hadas Ner-Gaon
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- *Correspondence: Amir Sagi, ; Tal Shay,
| | - Tal Shay
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- *Correspondence: Amir Sagi, ; Tal Shay,
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Toyota K, Miyakawa H, Hiruta C, Sato T, Katayama H, Ohira T, Iguchi T. Sex Determination and Differentiation in Decapod and Cladoceran Crustaceans: An Overview of Endocrine Regulation. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020305. [PMID: 33669984 PMCID: PMC7924870 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying sex determination and differentiation in animals are known to encompass a diverse array of molecular clues. Recent innovations in high-throughput sequencing and mass spectrometry technologies have been widely applied in non-model organisms without reference genomes. Crustaceans are no exception. They are particularly diverse among the Arthropoda and contain a wide variety of commercially important fishery species such as shrimps, lobsters and crabs (Order Decapoda), and keystone species of aquatic ecosystems such as water fleas (Order Branchiopoda). In terms of decapod sex determination and differentiation, previous approaches have attempted to elucidate their molecular components, to establish mono-sex breeding technology. Here, we overview reports describing the physiological functions of sex hormones regulating masculinization and feminization, and gene discovery by transcriptomics in decapod species. Moreover, this review summarizes the recent progresses of studies on the juvenile hormone-driven sex determination system of the branchiopod genus Daphnia, and then compares sex determination and endocrine systems between decapods and branchiopods. This review provides not only substantial insights for aquaculture research, but also the opportunity to re-organize the current and future trends of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Toyota
- Marine Biological Station, Sado Center for Ecological Sustainability, Niigata University, Sado, Niigata 952-2135, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1293, Japan;
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.T.); (T.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Hitoshi Miyakawa
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan;
| | - Chizue Hiruta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan;
| | - Tomomi Sato
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.T.); (T.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Hidekazu Katayama
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, School of Engineering, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan;
| | - Tsuyoshi Ohira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1293, Japan;
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.T.); (T.S.); (T.I.)
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11
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Levy T, Ventura T, De Leo G, Grinshpan N, Abu Abayed FA, Manor R, Savaya A, Sklarz MY, Chalifa-Caspi V, Mishmar D, Sagi A. Two Homogametic Genotypes - One Crayfish: On the Consequences of Intersexuality. iScience 2020; 23:101652. [PMID: 33103088 PMCID: PMC7578757 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Australian redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (WZ/ZZ system), intersexuals, although exhibiting both male and female gonopores, are functional males bearing a female genotype (WZ males). Therefore, the occurrence of the unusual homogametic WW females in nature is plausible. We developed W/Z genomic sex markers and used them to investigate the genotypic structure of experimental and native C. quadricarinatus populations in Australia. We discovered, for the first time, the natural occurrence of WW females in crustacean populations. By modeling population dynamics, we found that intersexuals contribute to the growth rate of crayfish populations in the short term. Given the vastly fragmented C. quadricarinatus habitat, which is characterized by drought-flood cycles, we speculate that intersexuals contribute to the fitness of this species since they lead to occasional increment in the population growth rate which potentially supports crayfish population restoration and establishment under extinction threats or colonization events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Levy
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Tomer Ventura
- GenEcology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - Giulio De Leo
- Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Nufar Grinshpan
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Faiza Amterat Abu Abayed
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Amit Savaya
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Menachem Y. Sklarz
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Vered Chalifa-Caspi
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Dan Mishmar
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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12
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Shaked SA, Abehsera S, Levy T, Chalifa-Caspi V, Sagi A. From sporadic single genes to a broader transcriptomic approach: Insights into the formation of the biomineralized exoskeleton in decapod crustaceans. J Struct Biol 2020; 212:107612. [PMID: 32896659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
One fundamental character common to pancrustaceans (Crustacea and Hexapoda) is a mineralized rigid exoskeleton whose principal organic components are chitin and proteins. In contrast to traditional research in the field that has been devoted to the structural and physicochemical aspects of biomineralization, the present study explores transcriptomic aspects of biomineralization as a first step towards adding a complementary molecular layer to this field. The rigidity of the exoskeleton in pancrustaceans dictates essential molt cycles enabling morphological changes and growth. Thus, formation and mineralization of the exoskeleton are concomitant to the timeline of the molt cycle. Skeletal proteinaceous toolkit elements have been discovered in previous studies using innovative molt-related binary gene expression patterns derived from transcriptomic libraries representing the major stages comprising the molt cycle of the decapod crustacean Cherax quadricarinatus. Here, we revisited some prominent exoskeleton-related structural proteins encoding and, using the above molt-related binary pattern methodology, enlarged the transcriptomic database of C. quadricarinatus. The latter was done by establishing a new transcriptomic library of the cuticle forming epithelium and molar tooth at four different molt stages (i.e., inter-molt, early pre-molt, late pre-molt and post-molt) and incorporating it to a previous transcriptome derived from the gastroliths and mandible. The wider multigenic approach facilitated by the newly expanded transcriptomic database not only revisited single genes of the molecular toolkit, but also provided both scattered and specific information that broaden the overview of proteins and gene clusters which are involved in the construction and biomineralization of the exoskeleton in decapod crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai A Shaked
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Shai Abehsera
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tom Levy
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Vered Chalifa-Caspi
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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13
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Multi-Tissue Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Key Sexual Development-Related Genes of the Ornate Spiny Lobster ( Panulirus ornatus). Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101150. [PMID: 33003631 PMCID: PMC7600227 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual development involves the successive and overlapping processes of sex determination, sexual differentiation, and ultimately sexual maturation, enabling animals to reproduce. This provides a mechanism for enriched genetic variation which enables populations to withstand ever-changing environments, selecting for adapted individuals and driving speciation. The molecular mechanisms of sexual development display a bewildering diversity, even in closely related taxa. Many sex determination mechanisms across animals include the key family of "doublesex- and male abnormal3-related transcription factors" (Dmrts). In a few exceptional species, a single Dmrt residing on a sex chromosome acts as the master sex regulator. In this study, we provide compelling evidence for this model of sex determination in the ornate spiny lobster Panulius ornatus, concurrent with recent reports in the eastern spiny lobster Sagmariasus verreauxi. Using a multi-tissue transcriptomic database established for P. ornatus, we screened for the key factors associated with sexual development (by homology search and using previous knowledge of these factors from related species), providing an in-depth understanding of sexual development in decapods. Further research has the potential to close significant gaps in our understanding of reproductive development in this ecologically and commercially significant order.
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14
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Levy T, Sagi A. The "IAG-Switch"-A Key Controlling Element in Decapod Crustacean Sex Differentiation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:651. [PMID: 33013714 PMCID: PMC7511715 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The androgenic gland (AG)-a unique crustacean endocrine organ that secretes factors such as the insulin-like androgenic gland (IAG) hormone-is a key player in crustacean sex differentiation processes. IAG expression induces masculinization, while the absence of the AG or a deficiency in IAG expression results in feminization. Therefore, by virtue of its universal role as a master regulator of crustacean sexual development, the IAG hormone may be regarded as the sexual "IAG-switch." The switch functions within an endocrine axis governed by neuropeptides secreted from the eyestalks, and interacts downstream with specific insulin receptors at its target organs. In recent years, IAG hormones have been found-and sequenced-in dozens of decapod crustacean species, including crabs, prawns, crayfish and shrimps, bearing different types of reproductive strategies-from gonochorism, through hermaphroditism and intersexuality, to parthenogenesis. The IAG-switch has thus been the focus of efforts to manipulate sex developmental processes in crustaceans. Most sex manipulations were performed using AG ablation or knock-down of the IAG gene in males in order to sex reverse them into "neo-females," or using AG implantation/injecting AG extracts or cells into females to produce "neo-males." These manipulations have highlighted the striking crustacean sexual plasticity in different species and have permitted the manifestation of either maleness or femaleness without altering the genotype of the animals. Furthermore, these sex manipulations have not only facilitated fundamental studies of crustacean sexual mechanisms, but have also enabled the development of the first IAG-switch-based monosex population biotechnologies, primarily for aquaculture but also for pest control. Here, we review the crustacean IAG-switch, a unique crustacean endocrine mechanism, from the early discoveries of the AG and the IAG hormone to recent IAG-switch-based manipulations. Moreover, we discuss this unique early pancrustacean insulin-based sexual differentiation control mechanism in contrast to the extensively studied mechanisms in vertebrates, which are based on sex steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Levy
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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15
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Cai L, Zheng J, Jia Y, Gu Z, Liu S, Chi M, Cheng S. Molecular Characterization and Expression Profiling of Three Transformer-2 Splice Isoforms in the Redclaw Crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. Front Physiol 2020; 11:631. [PMID: 32733260 PMCID: PMC7363937 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex determination/sex differentiation is determined by genetics, environmental factors, or the interactions of the two. The Transformer-2 (Tra-2) gene plays an important role in the sex determination cascade signal pathway in insects. In this study, the Tra-2 gene was isolated and characterized from the cDNA library of gonad tissues in the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. Three splice variants were identified, designated as CqTra-2A, CqTra-2B, and CqTra-2C, and sequence analysis showed that they had a highly conserved RRM domain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by the NJ method, and the results revealed that the Tra-2 protein of the redclaw crayfish was very closely related to those of Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Fenneropenaeus chinensis, and Macrobrachium nipponense. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the three isoforms were predominantly expressed in the ovary and gradually increased with embryonic development. Additionally, the expression pattern of CqTra-2 at different developmental stages was analyzed by qPCR and revealed that the phase of having a body length of 3 cm may be the key period for the sex differentiation of C. quadricarinatus. RNAi-targeting gene silencing further confirmed the function of CqTra-2 in sexual differentiation in redclaw crayfish. Our experimental data will contribute to understanding the mechanism of sex determination in crustaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Cai
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Jianbo Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Yongyi Jia
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Zhimin Gu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Shili Liu
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Meili Chi
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Shun Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
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16
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Hoover CM, Sokolow SH, Kemp J, Sanchirico JN, Lund AJ, Jones IJ, Higginson T, Riveau G, Savaya A, Coyle S, Wood CL, Micheli F, Casagrandi R, Mari L, Gatto M, Rinaldo A, Perez-Saez J, Rohr JR, Sagi A, Remais JV, De Leo GA. Modelled effects of prawn aquaculture on poverty alleviation and schistosomiasis control. NATURE SUSTAINABILITY 2020; 2:611-620. [PMID: 33313425 PMCID: PMC7731924 DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0301-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that snail predators may aid efforts to control the human parasitic disease schistosomiasis by eating aquatic snail species that serve as intermediate hosts of the parasite. Potential synergies between schistosomiasis control and aquaculture of giant prawns are evaluated using an integrated bio-economic-epidemiologic model. Combinations of stocking density and aquaculture cycle length that maximize cumulative, discounted profit are identified for two prawn species in sub-Saharan Africa: the endemic, non-domesticated Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, and the non-native, domesticated Macrobrachium rosenbergii. At profit maximizing densities, both M. rosenbergii and M. vollenhovenii may substantially reduce intermediate host snail populations and aid schistosomiasis control efforts. Control strategies drawing on both prawn aquaculture to reduce intermediate host snail populations and mass drug administration to treat infected individuals are found to be superior to either strategy alone. Integrated aquaculture-based interventions can be a win-win strategy in terms of health and sustainable development in schistosomiasis endemic regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Hoover
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Susanne H. Sokolow
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 USA
- Woods Institute for the Environment and Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Jonas Kemp
- Program in Human Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - James N. Sanchirico
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Andrea J. Lund
- Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Isabel J. Jones
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 USA
| | - Tyler Higginson
- Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, Monterey, CA 93940 USA
| | - Gilles Riveau
- Biomedical Research Center EPLS, Saint Louis, Senegal
| | - Amit Savaya
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Shawn Coyle
- Kentucky State University, Aquaculture Division, Aquaculture Research Center, Frankfort, KY 40601 USA
| | - Chelsea L. Wood
- University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Fiorenza Micheli
- Hopkins Marine Station and Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 USA
| | - Renato Casagrandi
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Mari
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marino Gatto
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Rinaldo
- Laboratory of Ecohydrology, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Switzerland
| | - Javier Perez-Saez
- Laboratory of Ecohydrology, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Switzerland
| | - Jason R. Rohr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute of Global Health, Environmental Change Initiative University of Notre Damea, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620 USA
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Justin V. Remais
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Giulio A. De Leo
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 USA
- Woods Institute for the Environment and Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
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17
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Shi W, Liu F, Liu A, Huang H, Lin Q, Zeng C, Ye H. Roles of gonad-inhibiting hormone in the protandric simultaneous hermaphrodite peppermint shrimp†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:817-827. [PMID: 32582944 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, the molecular mechanisms of the unique gonadal development mode known as protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism (PSH) are unclear in crustaceans. In this study, cDNA of a gonad-inhibiting hormone (Lv-GIH1) was isolated from the PSH peppermint shrimp Lysmata vittata, and its expression was exclusively found in the eyestalk ganglion. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that the expression of Lv-GIH1 increased during gonadal development of the functional male stages but decreased significantly at subsequent simultaneous hermaphroditism stage. Further in vitro experiment showed that recombinant GIH1 protein (rGIH1) effectively inhibited Vg expression in the cultured hepatopancreas tissues while the short-term injection of GIH1-dsRNA resulted in reduced expression of Lv-GIH1 and upregulated expression of Vg in the hepatopancreas. Moreover, long-term rGIH1 injection led to significantly reduced expression of Lv-Vg, Lv-VgR, and Lv-CFSH1, subdued growth of oocytes, and feathery setae as a secondary sexual characteristic in females. Interestingly, while germ cells in testicular part were suppressed by rGIH1 injection, the expression of Lv-IAGs showed no significant difference; and long-term GIH1-dsRNA injection results were contrary to those of rGIH1 injection. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that Lv-GIH1 is involved in gonadal development and might also participate in controlling secondary sexual characteristic development in L. vittata by inhibiting Lv-CFSH1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyuan Shi
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - An Liu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiyang Huang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Lin
- Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoshu Zeng
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Haihui Ye
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
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18
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Jiang Q, Lu B, Lin D, Huang H, Chen X, Ye H. Role of crustacean female sex hormone (CFSH) in sex differentiation in early juvenile mud crabs, Scylla paramamosain. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 289:113383. [PMID: 31904358 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that crustacean female sex hormone (CFSH) is involved in the development of reproductive phenotype. In the present study, observation of sexually dimorphic traits revealed that gender could be distinguished from the third stage juveniles onwards in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain. Sp-cfsh expression levels were analyzed in early juveniles. The results showed that, Sp-cfsh expression levels differed among individuals at post-molt of the first stage and second stage, and significantly different between the two sexes at post-molt of the third stage, which suggested that Sp-cfsh might participate in the sex differentiation in early juveniles. The expression of Sp-cfsh was examined during the molting cycle at the third stage juveniles, and the results showed that it was highest at the pre-molt stage. Based on the results, the expression of Sp-cfsh at pre-molt stage was further analyzed between the sexes from the third stage to the fifth stage, and it was found that the expression of Sp-cfsh was similar between two sexes at the third stage and the fourth stage; whereas at the fifth stage, when the gonopores occurred, the expression of Sp-cfsh significantly increased in females but decreased in males; suggesting that the expression of Sp-cfsh could influence the formation of gonopores. Finally, the role of Sp-cfsh in the reproductive phenotypes was confirmed through RNA interference knockdown. The combined results suggest that CFSH is involved in the regulation of sex differentiation of early juvenile in S. paramamosain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingling Jiang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Bei Lu
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Dongdong Lin
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Huiyang Huang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Xuelei Chen
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Haihui Ye
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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19
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Levy T, Tamone SL, Manor R, Bower ED, Sagi A. The protandric life history of the Northern spot shrimp Pandalus platyceros: molecular insights and implications for fishery management. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1287. [PMID: 31992795 PMCID: PMC6987223 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58262-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Northern spot shrimp, Pandalus platyceros, a protandric hermaphrodite of commercial importance in North America, is the primary target species for shrimp fisheries within Southeast Alaska. Fishery data obtained from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game indicate that spot shrimp populations have been declining significantly over the past 25 years. We collected spot shrimps in Southeast Alaska and measured reproductive-related morphological, gonadal and molecular changes during the entire life history. The appendix masculina, a major sexual morphological indicator, is indicative of the reproductive phase of the animal, lengthening during maturation from juvenile to the male phase and then gradually shortening throughout the transitional stages until its complete disappearance upon transformation to a female. This morphological change occurs in parallel with the degeneration of testicular tissue in the ovotestis and enhanced ovarian vitellogenesis. Moreover, we obtained the entire mRNA sequence of the yolk protein precursor, vitellogenin, and monitored its transcript levels throughout the entire shrimp life-cycle. Vitellogenin transcript levels in the hepatopancreas increased in the early transitional stage until reaching a peak prior to extruding eggs. Such transcriptomic analyses, coupled with a comprehensive description of the gonad, external sex characters and timing of the reproductive life history of spot shrimps contribute to a better understanding of the hermaphroditic reproduction process in the cold Southeast Alaskan waters. This knowledge can contribute to a revision of current conservation efforts to maintain wild populations sustainable for both commercial and ecological considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Levy
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Sherry L Tamone
- University of Alaska Southeast, 11066 Auke Lake Way Hwy, Juneau, AK, 99801, USA.
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Esther D Bower
- University of Alaska Southeast, 11066 Auke Lake Way Hwy, Juneau, AK, 99801, USA
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel. .,The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel.
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Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Gonads for the Identification of Sex-Related Genes in Giant Freshwater Prawns ( Macrobrachium Rosenbergii) Using RNA Sequencing. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10121035. [PMID: 31835875 PMCID: PMC6947849 DOI: 10.3390/genes10121035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) exhibits sex dimorphism between the male and female individuals. To date, the molecular mechanism governing gonadal development was unclear, and limited data were available on the gonad transcriptome of M. rosenbergii. Here, we conducted comprehensive gonadal transcriptomic analysis of female (ZW), super female (WW), and male (ZZ) M. rosenbergii for gene discovery. A total of 70.33 gigabases (Gb) of sequences were generated. There were 115,338 unigenes assembled with a mean size of 1196 base pair (bp) and N50 of 2195 bp. Alignment against the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) non-redundant nucleotide/protein sequence database (NR and NT), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, SwissProt database, Protein family (Pfam), Gene ontology (GO), and the eukaryotic orthologous group (KOG) database, 36,282 unigenes were annotated at least in one database. Comparative transcriptome analysis observed that 10,641, 16,903, and 3393 genes were significantly differentially expressed in ZW vs. ZZ, WW vs. ZZ, and WW vs. ZW samples, respectively. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) resulted in 268, 153, and 42 significantly enriched GO terms, respectively, and a total of 56 significantly enriched KEGG pathways. Additionally, 23 putative sex-related genes, including Gtsf1, IR, HSP21, MRPINK, Mrr, and other potentially promising candidate genes were identified. Moreover, 56,241 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified. Our findings provide a valuable archive for further functional analyses of sex-related genes and future discoveries of underlying molecular mechanisms of gonadal development and sex determination.
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Amterat Abu Abayed F, Manor R, Aflalo ED, Sagi A. Screening for Dmrt genes from embryo to mature Macrobrachium rosenbergii prawns. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 282:113205. [PMID: 31201800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor (Dmrt) gene family is known to be related to the sexual regulators doublesex of arthropods and mab-3 of annelids and to hold highly conserved functions in sexual determination and differentiation across phyla. Here, we report a study of the Dmrt gene family in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, a crustacean whose sexual differentiation has been widely researched. A wide transcriptomic screen, from the embryo to the adult M. rosenbergii, identified five novel Dmrt genes (MroDmrts) and confirmed two known MroDmrts. The seven MroDmrts encode proteins of 275-855 amino acids; each protein contained at least one conserved DNA-binding DM domain, which is typical of Dmrt proteins, and five proteins contained 1-4 transactivation domains (TADs). Importantly, in the embryonic, larval and post-larval stages, MroDmrt genes exhibited time-dependent expression patterns rather than sex-specific expression. In-silico screening of the expression of the MroDmrt genes in adult males revealed the enrichment of MroiDmrt1b and MroiDmrt1c in the androgenic gland (AG) as compared to the eyestalks. In vivo silencing of the androgenic gland insulin-like (IAG) encoding gene significantly decreased the expression of the above two Dmrt genes, while not affecting the expression of control genes, thereby suggesting the possible role of these two genes in the IAG-switch and in sex-differentiation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Amterat Abu Abayed
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-5 Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-5 Sheva 84105, Israel; National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Eliahu D Aflalo
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-5 Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-5 Sheva 84105, Israel; National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
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Levy T, Rosen O, Manor R, Dotan S, Azulay D, Abramov A, Sklarz MY, Chalifa-Caspi V, Baruch K, Shechter A, Sagi A. Production of WW males lacking the masculine Z chromosome and mining the Macrobrachium rosenbergii genome for sex-chromosomes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12408. [PMID: 31455815 PMCID: PMC6712010 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47509-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The cultivation of monosex populations is common in animal husbandry. However, preselecting the desired gender remains a major biotechnological and ethical challenge. To achieve an efficient biotechnology for all-female aquaculture in the economically important prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), we achieved – for the first time – WW males using androgenic gland cells transplantation which caused full sex-reversal of WW females to functional males. Crossing the WW males with WW females yielded all-female progeny lacking the Z chromosome. We now have the ability to manipulate – by non-genomic means – all possible genotype combinations (ZZ, WZ and WW) to retain either male or female phenotypes and hence to produce monosex populations of either gender. This calls for a study of the genomic basis underlying this striking sexual plasticity, questioning the content of the W and Z chromosomes. Here, we report on the sequencing of a high-quality genome exhibiting distinguishable paternal and maternal sequences. This assembly covers ~ 87.5% of the genome and yielded a remarkable N50 value of ~ 20 × 106 bp. Genomic sex markers were used to initiate the identification and validation of parts of the W and Z chromosomes for the first time in arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Levy
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Ohad Rosen
- Enzootic HK, Ltd., Unit 1109, 11/F, Kowloon Centre, 33 Ashley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Shahar Dotan
- Enzootic HK, Ltd., Unit 1109, 11/F, Kowloon Centre, 33 Ashley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Dudu Azulay
- Enzootic HK, Ltd., Unit 1109, 11/F, Kowloon Centre, 33 Ashley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Anna Abramov
- Enzootic HK, Ltd., Unit 1109, 11/F, Kowloon Centre, 33 Ashley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Menachem Y Sklarz
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Vered Chalifa-Caspi
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | | | - Assaf Shechter
- Enzootic HK, Ltd., Unit 1109, 11/F, Kowloon Centre, 33 Ashley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel. .,The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel.
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Yosef I, Edry‐Botzer L, Globus R, Shlomovitz I, Munitz A, Gerlic M, Qimron U. A genetic system for biasing the sex ratio in mice. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e48269. [PMID: 31267640 PMCID: PMC6680165 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Biasing the sex ratio of populations of different organisms, including plants, insects, crustacean, and fish, has been demonstrated by genetic and non-genetic approaches. However, biasing the sex ratio of mammalian populations has not been demonstrated genetically. Here, we provide a first proof of concept for such a genetic system in mammals by crossing two genetically engineered mouse lines. The maternal line encodes a functional Cas9 protein on an autosomal chromosome, whereas the paternal line encodes guide RNAs on the Y chromosome targeting vital mouse genes. After fertilization, the presence of both the Y-encoded guide RNAs from the paternal sperm and the Cas9 protein from the maternal egg targets the vital genes in males. We show that these genes are specifically targeted in males and that this breeding consequently self-destructs solely males. Our results pave the way for a genetic system that allows biased sex production of livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Yosef
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Liat Edry‐Botzer
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Rea Globus
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Inbar Shlomovitz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Ariel Munitz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Motti Gerlic
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Udi Qimron
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologySackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
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Levy T, Rosen O, Simons O, Savaya Alkalay A, Sagi A. The gene encoding the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone in an all-female parthenogenetic crayfish. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189982. [PMID: 29261765 PMCID: PMC5738133 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Male sexual differentiation in crustaceans is controlled by the androgenic gland (AG), a unique male endocrine organ that, in decapods, is located at the base of the 5th pereiopod. In these animals, the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG) is the major factor secreted from the AG to induce masculinization and maintain male characteristics. It has, however, recently been proposed that this hormone also plays a role in growth and ovarian development in females. In this study, we tested such a possibility by searching for the IAG gene in the marbled crayfish, a parthenogenetic animal that reproduces asexually to form an all-female genetic clone. Based on the phylogenetic relationship between the marbled crayfish and Procambarus fallax, a gonochoristic species of the same North American Cambaridae family, we searched for the IAG gene in the marbled crayfish and then fully sequenced it. The open reading frame of the gene was found to be completely identical in the two species, and their introns shared over 94% identity. It was also found that, in addition to its expression at the base of the 5th pereiopod and in the testes of male P. fallax crayfish, IAG was expressed in the muscle tissue of P. fallax males and females and even of the parthenogenetic marbled crayfish. These findings provide new insight into possible functions of IAG, in addition to its role as a masculinization-inducing factor, and also constitute the basis for a discussion of the evolutionary relationship between the above two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Levy
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ohad Rosen
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ohad Simons
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Amit Savaya Alkalay
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Sex and tissue specific gene expression patterns identified following de novo transcriptomic analysis of the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:622. [PMID: 28814267 PMCID: PMC5559819 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3981-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, is economically important in European fisheries and is a key organism in local marine ecosystems. Despite multi-faceted scientific interest in this species, our current knowledge of genetic resources in this species remains very limited. Here, we generated a reference de novo transcriptome for N. norvegicus from multiple tissues in both sexes. Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to detect transcripts that were expressed exclusively in either males or females. Patterns were validated via RT-PCR. RESULTS Sixteen N. norvegicus libraries were sequenced from immature and mature ovary, testis and vas deferens (including the masculinizing androgenic gland). In addition, eyestalk, brain, thoracic ganglia and hepatopancreas tissues were screened in males and both immature and mature females. RNA-Sequencing resulted in >600 million reads. De novo assembly that combined the current dataset with two previously published libraries from eyestalk tissue, yielded a reference transcriptome of 333,225 transcripts with an average size of 708 base pairs (bp), with an N50 of 1272 bp. Sex-specific transcripts were detected primarily in gonads followed by hepatopancreas, brain, thoracic ganglia, and eyestalk, respectively. Candidate transcripts that were expressed exclusively either in males or females were highlighted and the 10 most abundant ones were validated via RT-PCR. Among the most highly expressed genes were Serine threonine protein kinase in testis and Vitellogenin in female hepatopancreas. These results align closely with gene annotation results. Moreover, a differential expression heatmap showed that the majority of differentially expressed transcripts were identified in gonad and eyestalk tissues. Results indicate that sex-specific gene expression patterns in Norway lobster are controlled by differences in gene regulation pattern between males and females in somatic tissues. CONCLUSIONS The current study presents the first multi-tissue reference transcriptome for the Norway lobster that can be applied to future biological, wild restocking and fisheries studies. Sex-specific markers were mainly expressed in males implying that males may experience stronger selection than females. It is apparent that differential expression is due to sex-specific gene regulatory pathways that are present in somatic tissues and not from effects of genes located on heterogametic sex chromosomes. The N. norvegicus data provide a foundation for future gene-based reproductive studies.
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