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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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Cui H, Zhu H, Ban W, Li Y, Chen R, Li L, Zhang X, Chen K, Xu H. Characterization of Two Gonadal Genes, zar1 and wt1b, in Hermaphroditic Fish Asian Seabass ( Lates calcarifer). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:508. [PMID: 38338151 PMCID: PMC10854929 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Zygote arrest-1 (Zar1) and Wilms' tumor 1 (Wt1) play an important role in oogenesis, with the latter also involved in testicular development and gender differentiation. Here, Lczar1 and Lcwt1b were identified in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), a hermaphrodite fish, as the valuable model for studying sex differentiation. The cloned cDNA fragments of Lczar1 were 1192 bp, encoding 336 amino acids, and contained a zinc-binding domain, while those of Lcwt1b cDNA were 1521 bp, encoding a peptide of 423 amino acids with a Zn finger domain belonging to Wt1b family. RT-qPCR analysis showed that Lczar1 mRNA was exclusively expressed in the ovary, while Lcwt1b mRNA was majorly expressed in the gonads in a higher amount in the testis than in the ovary. In situ hybridization results showed that Lczar1 mRNA was mainly concentrated in oogonia and oocytes at early stages in the ovary, but were undetectable in the testis. Lcwt1b mRNA was localized not only in gonadal somatic cells (the testis and ovary), but also in female and male germ cells in the early developmental stages, such as those of previtellogenic oocytes, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. These results indicated that Lczar1 and Lcwt1b possibly play roles in gonadal development. Therefore, the findings of this study will provide a basis for clarifying the mechanism of Lczar1 and Lcwt1b in regulating germ cell development and the sex reversal of Asian seabass and even other hermaphroditic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Cui
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Haoyu Zhu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wenzhuo Ban
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yulin Li
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ruyi Chen
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lingli Li
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Kaili Chen
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China; (H.C.); (H.Z.); (W.B.); (Y.L.); (R.C.); (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
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F. L A, K. O S, E A, L K, R. B E, B N, P. G F, T. J H, R. W S, A W. The Piwil1 N domain is required for germ cell survival in Atlantic salmon. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:977779. [PMID: 36200047 PMCID: PMC9527287 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.977779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic introgression of farmed salmon into wild populations can damage the genetic integrity of wild stocks and is therefore considered as an environmental threat. One possible solution is to induce sterility in farmed salmon. We have searched for proteins potentially essential for germline survival in Atlantic salmon. One of these is the argonaute protein Piwil1, known to be required for germ cell survival. To examine Piwil1 function in salmon, we induced indels in the N domain by CRISPR-Cas9. The encoded domain is present in all vertebrate Piwi proteins and has been linked to Tdrd1 protein interaction and PAZ lobe structure. The F0 founder generation of piwil1 crispant males and females displayed a mosaic pattern of piwil1 mutations, exhibiting highly mutated alleles (53%–97%) in their fin gDNA samples. In general, piwil1 crispants carried germ cells, went through puberty and became fertile, although a transient and partial germ cell loss and delays during the spermatogenic process were observed in many male crispants, suggesting that Piwil1 functions during salmon spermatogenesis. By crossing highly mutated F0 founders, we produced F1 fish with a mixture of: loss-of-function alleles (−); functional in frame mutated alleles (+) and wt alleles (+). In F1, all piwil1−/− fish lacked germ cells, while piwil1+/+ siblings showed normal ovaries and testes. Yet, most juvenile F1 piwil1+/−males and females displayed an intermediate phenotype with a higher somatic/germ cell ratio without an increase in germ cell apoptosis, suggestive of a gene dose effect on the number of germ cells and/or insufficient replacement of lost germ cells in heterozygous fish. Interestingly, the two longest in-frame indels in the N domain also ensured germ cell loss. Hence, the loss of 4–6 aa in this region Phe130-Ser136 may result in crucial changes of the protein structure, potentially affecting piRNA binding of the PAZ lobe, and/or affecting the binding of Piwil1 interacting proteins such as Tdrd protein, with critical consequences for the survival of primordial germ cells. In conclusion, we show that loss of piwil1 leads to loss of germ cells in salmon and that part of the N domain of Piwil1 is crucial for its function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almeida F. L
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Embrapa Amazonia Ocidental, Manaus, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Almeida F. L,
| | - Skaftnesmo K. O
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Andersson E
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kleppe L
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Edvardsen R. B
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Norberg B
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Fjelldal P. G
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hansen T. J
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Schulz R. W
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Reproductive Biology Group, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wargelius A
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
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Milani L, Cinelli F, Iannello M, Lazzari M, Franceschini V, Maurizii MG. Immunolocalization of Vasa, PIWI, and TDRKH proteins in male germ cells during spermatogenesis of the teleost fish Poecilia reticulata. Acta Histochem 2022; 124:151870. [PMID: 35218995 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2022.151870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Vasa, PIWI and TDRKH are conserved components of germ granules that in metazoans are involved in germline specification and differentiation, as documented by mutational experiments in some model animals. So far, investigations on PIWI during spermatogenesis of fish has been limited to a few species, and no information is available for TDRKH, another protein involved in the piRNA pathway. In this study, the immunolocalization of these three germline determinants was analyzed in male gonads of the teleost fish Poecilia reticulata to document their localization pattern in the different stages of germ cell differentiation. To analyze their distribution pattern during the different stages of spermatogenesis we performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays using primary polyclonal antibodies after testing their specificity with Western Blot. Moreover, sections of testis stained with haematoxylin and eosin clarified the structural organization of P. reticulata testis, while the use of the confocal microscope and the nuclear staining clarified the different stages of germ cell differentiation during spermatogenesis. The results showed that Vasa, PIWI and TDRKH were specifically immunolocalized in the germ cells of P. reticulata, with no specific signal detected in Sertoli cells and in other somatic cells of the gonad. These markers were detected in all stages of differentiation from early spermatogonia to advanced spermatids. Vasa staining was the strongest in spermatogonia, and then decreases throughout differentiation. Instead, both PIWI and TDRKH staining increases during differentiation, and their distribution pattern, similar to what observed in the mouse, suggests their concerted participation in the piRNA pathway also in this fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Milani
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - F Cinelli
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Iannello
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Lazzari
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - V Franceschini
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M G Maurizii
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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5
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Almeida MV, Vernaz G, Putman AL, Miska EA. Taming transposable elements in vertebrates: from epigenetic silencing to domestication. Trends Genet 2022; 38:529-553. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Pou5f1 and Nanog Are Reliable Germ Cell-Specific Genes in Gonad of a Protogynous Hermaphroditic Fish, Orange-Spotted Grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:genes13010079. [PMID: 35052423 PMCID: PMC8774525 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pluripotency markers Pou5f1 and Nanog are core transcription factors regulating early embryonic development and maintaining the pluripotency and self-renewal of stem cells. Pou5f1 and Nanog also play important roles in germ cell development and gametogenesis. In this study, Pou5f1 (EcPou5f1) and Nanog (EcNanog) were cloned from orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. The full-length cDNAs of EcPou5f1 and EcNanog were 2790 and 1820 bp, and encoded 475 and 432 amino acids, respectively. EcPou5f1 exhibited a specific expression in gonads, whereas EcNanog was expressed highly in gonads and weakly in some somatic tissues. In situ hybridization analyses showed that the mRNA signals of EcNanog and EcPou5f1 were exclusively restricted to germ cells in gonads. Likewise, immunohistofluorescence staining revealed that EcNanog protein was limited to germ cells. Moreover, both EcPou5f1 and EcNanog mRNAs were discovered to be co-localized with Vasa mRNA, a well-known germ cell maker, in male and female germ cells. These results implied that EcPou5f1 and EcNanog could be also regarded as reliable germ cell marker genes. Therefore, the findings of this study would pave the way for elucidating the mechanism whereby EcPou5f1 and EcNanog regulate germ cell development and gametogenesis in grouper fish, and even in other protogynous hermaphroditic species.
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Sun ZH, Wei JL, Cui ZP, Han YL, Zhang J, Song J, Chang YQ. Identification and functional characterization of piwi1 gene in sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicas. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 252:110536. [PMID: 33212209 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2020.110536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is an economically important mariculture species in Asia. However, the genetic breeding of sea cucumbers is difficult because the sexes cannot be identified by appearance. Therefore, studies on sex-related genes are helpful in revealing the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in sea cucumbers. P-element induced wimpy testis (piwi) is a germ cell marker involved in gametogenesis in vertebrates; however, the expression pattern and function during gametogenesis remain unclear in sea cucumbers. In this study, we identified a piwi homolog gene in A. japonicus (Ajpiwi1) and investigated its expression pattern, and function. Ajpiwi1 is a maternal factor and is ubiquitously expressed in adult tissues, including the ovary and testis. Ajpiwi1 expression is strong in early oocytes, spermatocytes, and spermatogonia; weak in mature oocytes; and undetected in spermatids and intra-gonadal somatic cells. The knockdown of Ajpiwi1 by RNA interference (RNAi) led to the downregulation of other conserved sex-related genes such as dmrt1, foxl2, and germ cell-less. Therefore, Ajpiwi1 might play a critical role during gametogenesis in A. japonicus. This study creates new possibilities for studying sex-related gene functions in the sea cucumber and builds a gene function research platform based on RNAi for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture& Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Jin-Liang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture& Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Zhou-Ping Cui
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture& Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Ya-Lun Han
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture& Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture& Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Jian Song
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture& Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Ya-Qing Chang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture& Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China.
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Enhanced Enrichment of Medaka Ovarian Germline Stem Cells by a Combination of Density Gradient Centrifugation and Differential Plating. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111477. [PMID: 33114294 PMCID: PMC7690863 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fish ovarian germline stem cells (OGSCs) have great potential in various biological fields due to their ability to generate large numbers of mature eggs. Therefore, selective enrichment of OGSCs is a prerequisite for successful applications. To determine the optimal conditions for the enrichment of OGSCs from Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), we evaluated the effects of Percoll density gradient centrifugation (PDGC), differential plating (DP), and a combination of both methods. Based on cell morphology and gene expression of germ cell-specific Vasa and OGSC-specific Nanos2, we demonstrated that of seven density fractions obtained following PDGC, the 30-35% density fraction contained the highest proportion of OGSCs, and that Matrigel was the most effective biomolecule for the enrichment of Oryzias latipes OGSCs by DP in comparison to laminin, fibronectin, gelatin, and poly-l-lysine. Furthermore, we confirmed that PDGC and DP in combination significantly enhanced the efficiency of OGSC enrichment. The enriched cells were able to localize in the gonadal region at a higher efficiency compared to non-enriched ovarian cells when transplanted into the developing larvae. Our approach provides an efficient way to enrich OGSCs without using OGSC-specific surface markers or transgenic strains expressing OGSC-specific reporter proteins.
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Physiological impact and comparison of mutant screening methods in piwil2 KO founder Nile tilapia produced by CRISPR/Cas9 system. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12600. [PMID: 32724054 PMCID: PMC7387559 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69421-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of genome engineering techniques to understand the mechanisms that regulate germ cell development opens promising new avenues to develop methods to control sexual maturation and mitigate associated detrimental effects in fish. In this study, the functional role of piwil2 in primordial germ cells (PGCs) was investigated in Nile tilapia using CRISPR/Cas9 and the resultant genotypes were further explored. piwil2 is a gonad-specific and maternally deposited gene in Nile tilapia eggs which is known to play a role in repression of transposon elements and is therefore thought to be important for maintaining germline cell fate. A functional domain of piwil2, PIWI domain, was targeted by injecting Cas9 mRNA and sgRNAs into Nile tilapia embryos at 1 cell stage. Results showed 54% of injected mutant larvae had no or less putative PGCs compared to control fish, suggesting an essential role of piwil2 in survival of PGCs. The genotypic features of the different phenotypic groups were explored by next generation sequencing (NGS) and other mutant screening methods including T7 endonuclease 1 (T7E1), CRISPR/Cas-derived RNA-guided engineered nuclease (RGEN), high resolution melt curve analysis (HRMA) and fragment analysis. Linking phenotypes to genotypes in F0 was hindered by the complex mosacism and wide indel spectrum revealed by NGS and fragment analysis. This study strongly suggests the functional importance of piwil2 in PGCs survival. Further studies should focus on reducing mosaicism when using CRISPR/Cas9 system to facilitate direct functional analysis in F0.
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Shen H, Nibona E, Xu G, Al Hafiz MA, Ke X, Liang X, Yao Q, Zhong X, Zhou Q, Zhao H. Identification, expression pattern, and immune response of Tim-1 and Tim-4 in embryos and adult medaka (Oryzias latipes). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2020; 334:235-244. [PMID: 32150339 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
T-cell immunoglobulin (Ig) and mucin domain-containing 1 (Tim-1) and Tim-4 are two members of the Tim family. In mammals, Tim-1 and Tim-4 are proteins mainly expressed in immune cells and are associated with immune response. In the present study, medaka Oryzias latipes' Tim-1 (OlTim-1) and OlTim-4 were identified and characterized using bioinformatics analyses. With the use of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, the expression profiles of OlTim-1 and OlTim-4 were examined in embryos and adult fish and in immune tissues following the intraperitoneal injection of stimulants. The results revealed that OlTim-1 possesses a cytoplasmic region, a transmembrane region, a mucin domain, and an Ig-like domain, while OlTim-4 is composed of two Ig-like domains and a mucin domain, but without the transmembrane region and cytoplasmic region. OlTim-1 and OlTim-4 expressions are detectable from the gastrula stage on, indicating that they are zygotic genes. Furthermore, OlTim-1 and OlTim-4 are expressed ubiquitously in the adult. Administration of immune stimulants, namely lipopolysaccharides and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, significantly increased the expression levels of OlTim-1 and OlTim-4 in the liver and intestine within 1 day and in the head, kidney, and spleen within 3 to 4 days postinjection. These results suggest that OlTim-1 and OlTim-4 are possibly involved in both innate and adaptive immunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Shen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Emile Nibona
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Gongyu Xu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Md Abdullah Al Hafiz
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaomei Ke
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoting Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiting Yao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xueping Zhong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qingchun Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Haobin Zhao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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11
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Li F, Zhu H, Hou M, Zhang X, Li Z, Zhao H, Zhou Q, Zhong X. Identification, expression and functional analysis of prmt7 in medaka Oryzias latipes. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2020; 334:77-87. [PMID: 31990140 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Arginine methylation is an important posttranslational modification and catalyzed by a family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). PRMT7 is the type III PRMT and produces solely monomethylarginine products. PRMT7 has been found to play important roles in multiple biological processes in mammals. However, the expression pattern and function of Prmt7 remain largely unknown in fish. In this study, we characterized the medaka prmt7 gene and determined its expression pattern and function during embryogenesis and germ cell development. The results showed that the chromosomal location and gene structure of medaka prmt7 were similar to its mammalian orthologs. Comparisons of deduced amino acid sequences indicated that medaka Prmt7 was a homolog of human PRMT7 with two methyltransferase domains. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real time RT-PCR revealed that medaka prmt7 had maternal origin with continuous and dynamical expression during embryonic development. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis observed that the transcripts of prmt7 were ubiquitous at morula and gastrula stage, and were later riched in the brain and otic vesicles during embryogenesis. In the adult stage, prmt7 messenger RNA was detected in all examined tissues with the high levels in the ovary and testis. The expression of prmt7 in the gonads was restricted to oocytes of the ovary and spermatids/sperm of the testis. Functional analysis showed that knockdown of medaka prmt7 did not reduce the total number of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vivo but significantly affected PGCs distribution during embryonic development. These results indicate that prmt7 may be involved in germ cell development in medaka.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqing Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Huihui Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Mengying Hou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyi Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Zhenzhen Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Haobin Zhao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Qingchun Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Xueping Zhong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P. R. China
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12
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Jin Y, Davie A, Migaud H. Expression pattern of nanos, piwil, dnd, vasa and pum genes during ontogenic development in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Gene 2019; 688:62-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.11.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Wen X, Wang D, Li X, Zhao C, Wang T, Qian X, Yin S. Differential expression of two Piwil orthologs during embryonic and gonadal development in pufferfish, Takifugu fasciatus. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 219-220:44-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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14
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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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15
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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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16
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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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17
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Biscotti MA, Canapa A, Forkoni M, Gerdol M, Pallavicini A, Schartl M, Barucca M. The small non-coding RNA processing machinery of two living fossil species, lungfish and coelacanth, gives new insights into the evolution of the Argonaute protein family. Genome Biol Evol 2017; 9:438-453. [PMID: 28206606 PMCID: PMC5381642 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Assunta Biscotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Adriana Canapa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Mariko Forkoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste (Italy)
| | | | - Manifred Schartl
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg and Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; and Texas Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Marco Barucca
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
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Gonad specific genes in Atlantic salmon (Salmon salar L.): characterization of tdrd7-2, dazl-2, piwil1 and tdrd1 genes. Gene 2015; 560:217-25. [PMID: 25668702 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Revised: 01/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Atlantic salmon is a commercially important species. Understanding key processes in their life history, such as germ cell development is essential for further improvements within salmon farming. Since salmonids have undergone an additional whole genome duplication compared to many other fish species, they possess more gene paralogues. Therefore, data on gene expression and function from other species may not apply for salmon. Our aim was to study the spatial and tissue specific expression of genes known from model species to be essential for germ cell development, to identify germ cell specific factors in salmon. Based on homology with other species, selected genes were predicted in the salmon genome assembly. Gene expression was measured by PCR in a variety of juvenile salmon tissues. For genes expressed exclusively in gonads we measured the expression in the same tissues as well as in eggs, embryos and larvae by qPCR. Finally, we revealed the cellular localization of the gonad specific mRNAs by in situ hybridization (ISH). Several of the selected genes (tdrd7, cxcr4b and dazl), were found in more than one copy (indicated by a number following the gene name) in the salmon genome. Expression of tdrd7-2, dazl-2, piwil1 and tdrd1 was detected exclusively in the testis and ovary of juvenile salmon, and transcripts of tdrd7-2, dazl-2 and piwil1 were localized within male and female germ cells. While tdrd7-2, piwil1 and tdrd1 were expressed in unfertilized eggs and all embryo and larval stages measured, dazl-2 was expressed in unfertilized eggs and embryos until the onset of gastrulation. This study shows that several of the genes known from model species to be essential for germ cell development, display paralogues in salmon with dissimilar and similar expression patterns in comparison to other species. Transcripts of tdrd7-2, dazl-2, piwil1 and tdrd1 are detected exclusively in gonads of juveniles and are found among maternal RNA of eggs and subsequent embryos. This information is valuable for further studies aiming at understanding salmon germ cell development.
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19
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Xiang DF, Zhu JQ, Hou CC, Yang WX. Identification and expression pattern analysis of Piwi genes during the spermiogenesis of Portunus trituberculatus. Gene 2014; 534:240-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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20
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Shirakashi R, Mischke M, Fischer P, Memmel S, Krohne G, Fuhr GR, Zimmermann H, Sukhorukov VL. Changes in the dielectric properties of medaka fish embryos during development, studied by electrorotation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 428:127-31. [PMID: 23063978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Japanese medaka fish, Oryzias latipes, has become a powerful vertebrate model organism in developmental biology and genetics. The present study explores the dielectric properties of medaka embryos during pre-hatching development by means of the electrorotation (ROT) technique. Due to their layered structure, medaka eggs exhibited up to three ROT peaks in the kHz-MHz frequency range. During development from blastula to early somite stage, ROT spectra varied only slightly. But as the embryo progressed to the late-somite stage, the ROT peaks underwent significant changes in frequency and amplitude. Using morphological data obtained by light and electron microscopy, we analyzed the ROT spectra with a three-shell dielectric model that accounted for the major embryonic compartments. The analysis yielded a very high value for the ionic conductivity of the egg shell (chorion), which was confirmed by independent osmotic experiments. A relatively low capacitance of the yolk envelope was consistent with its double-membrane structure revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Yolk-free dead eggs exhibited only one co-field ROT peak, shifted markedly to lower frequencies with respect to the corresponding peak of live embryos. The dielectric data may be useful for monitoring the development and changes in fish embryos' viability/conditions in basic research and industrial aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Shirakashi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
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