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Noor Z, Zhao Z, Guo S, Wei Z, Cai B, Qin Y, Ma H, Yu Z, Li J, Zhang Y. A Testis-Specific DMRT1 (Double Sex and Mab-3-Related Transcription Factor 1) Plays a Role in Spermatogenesis and Gonadal Development in the Hermaphrodite Boring Giant Clam Tridacna crocea. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5574. [PMID: 38891762 PMCID: PMC11172331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115574] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The testis-specific double sex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) has long been recognized as a crucial player in sex determination across vertebrates, and its essential role in gonadal development and the regulation of spermatogenesis is well established. Here, we report the cloning of the key spermatogenesis-related DMRT1 cDNA, named Tc-DMRT1, from the gonads of Tridacna crocea (T. crocea), with a molecular weight of 41.93 kDa and an isoelectric point of 7.83 (pI). Our hypothesis is that DMRT1 machinery governs spermatogenesis and regulates gonadogenesis. RNAi-mediated Tc-DMRT1 knockdown revealed its critical role in hindering spermatogenesis and reducing expression levels in boring giant clams. A histological analysis showed structural changes, with normal sperm cell counts in the control group (ds-EGFP) but significantly lower concentrations of sperm cells in the experimental group (ds-DMRT1). DMRT1 transcripts during embryogenesis exhibited a significantly high expression pattern (p < 0.05) during the early zygote stage, and whole-embryo in-situ hybridization confirmed its expression pattern throughout embryogenesis. A qRT-PCR analysis of various reproductive stages revealed an abundant expression of Tc-DMRT1 in the gonads during the male reproductive stage. In-situ hybridization showed tissue-specific expression of DMRT1, with a positive signal detected in male-stage gonadal tissues comprising sperm cells, while no signal was detected in other stages. Our study findings provide an initial understanding of the DMRT1 molecular machinery controlling spermatogenesis and its specificity in male-stage gonads of the key bivalve species, Tridacna crocea, and suggest that DMRT1 predominantly functions as a key regulator of spermatogenesis in giant clams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohaib Noor
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
- Animal Science and Technology College, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shuming Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Zonglu Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
- Animal Science and Technology College, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Borui Cai
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Yanping Qin
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Haitao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Ziniu Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Yuehuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.N.); (Z.Z.); (S.G.); (Z.W.); (B.C.); (Y.Q.); (H.M.); (Z.Y.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519015, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biology Technology, Sanya Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
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Zhao H, Xiao Y, Xiao Z, Wu Y, Ma Y, Li J. Genome-wide investigation of the DMRT gene family sheds new insight into the regulation of sex differentiation in spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) with fusion chromosomes (Y). Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128638. [PMID: 38070801 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128638] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The role of the DMRT family in male sex determination and differentiation is significant, but its regulatory role in spotted knifejaw with Y fusion chromosomes remains unclear. Through genome-wide scanning, transcriptome analysis, qPCR, FISH, and RNA interference (RNAi), we investigated the DMRT family and the dmrt1-based sex regulation network. Seven DMRTs were identified (DMRT1/2 (2a,2b)/6, DMRT4/5, DMRT3), and dmrt gene dispersion among chromosomes is possibly driven by three whole-genome duplications. Transcriptome analysis enriched genes were associated with sex regulation and constructed a network associated with dmrt1. qPCR and FISH results showed the expression dimorphism of sex-related genes in dmrt-related regulatory networks. RNAi experiments indicated a distinct sex regulation mode in spotted knifejaw. Dmrt1 knockdown upregulated male-related genes (sox9a, sox9b, dmrt1, amh, amhr2) and hsd11b2 expression, which is critical for androgen synthesis. Amhr2 is located on the heterozygous chromosome (Y) and is specifically localized in primary spermatocytes, and is extremely upregulated after dmrt1 knockdown which suggested besides the important role of dmrt1 in male differentiation, the amhr2 along with amhr2/amh system, also play important regulatory roles in maintaining high expression of the hsd11b2 and male differentiation. This study aims to further investigate sex regulatory mechanisms in species with fusion chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Zhao
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China; Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongshuang Xiao
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China; Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.
| | - Zhizhong Xiao
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China; Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanduo Wu
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China; Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuting Ma
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China; Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jun Li
- CAS and Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China; Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.
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Feng Y, Zhong Z, Wan H, Zhang Z, Zou P, Lin P, Jiang Y, Wang Y. dmrtb1 is involved in the testicular development in Larimichthys crocea. Reproduction 2023; 165:159-170. [PMID: 36342669 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In brief dmrtb1 performs critical functions in sex determination/differentiation and gonadal development in many organisms, but its role in teleost is rarely studied. Through gene cloning, in situ hybridization, and RNA interference technology, the function of dmrtb1 in testicular development of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) was studied; our study will be helpful in understanding further the molecular regulation mechanism of Lcdmrtb1/Lcdmrt6 in testicular development in L. crocea, and our results enrich the theory of fish dmrts involved in reproductive regulation and provide a new idea for sex control breeding of L. crocea by manipulating reproductive pathway. Abstract Doublesex- and mab-3-related transcription factor B1 (dmrtb1/dmrt6) belongs to one of the members of DMRT family, which performs critical functions in sex determination and differentiation, gonadal development, and functional maintenance. However, knowledge of its exact mechanism remains unclear in teleost. Very little is known about the role of dmrtb1 in the gonad development of Larimichthys crocea. In this study, a dmrtb1 homolog in L. crocea named as Lcdmrtb1 with the full-length cDNA was isolated and characterized. Except for the conserved DM domain, the other regions had low homology. Of the tissues sampled, Lcdmrtb1 was only found to be highly expressed in the testis. In situ hybridization of testis revealed Lcdmrtb1 in both spermatogonia and spermatocytes. After Lcdmrtb1 interference in the testis cells (LYCT) of L. crocea, the expression levels of Lcdmrtb1 and Lcdmrt1 were significantly decreased; subsequently, testicular cell morphology changed from fibrous to round and their growth rate slowed. Similarly, the expression levels of Lcdmrtb1, Lcdmrt1, sox9a/b, and amh were significantly decreased after RNAi in the testis. Furthermore, it was discovered that the spermatogonia had disappeared, and the Sertoli cells had been reduced. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of Sox9 protein in the testis was not detected after dmrtb1 was knocked down. These results indicated that the absence of Lcdmrtb1 not only greatly inhibited cell growth and destroyed the morphology of testis cells but also down-regulated Lcdmrt1 expression in the testis. This study will be helpful in understanding further the molecular regulation mechanism of Lcdmrtb1/Lcdmrt6 in testicular development in L. crocea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhaowei Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Haifu Wan
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Ziping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China.,College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Zou
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Peng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Yonghua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Yilei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China
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Establishment of a Spermatogonial Stem Cell Line with Potential of Meiosis in a Hermaphroditic Fish, Epinephelus coioides. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182868. [PMID: 36139441 PMCID: PMC9496998 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are unique adult stem cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into sperm. Grouper is a protogynous hermaphroditic fish farmed widely in the tropical and subtropical seas. In this study, we established an SSC line derived from adult testis of orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. In the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), the cells could be maintained with proliferation and self-renewal over 20 months and 120 passages under in vitro culture conditions. The cells exhibited strong alkaline phosphatase activity and the characteristics of SSCs with the expression of germ cell markers, including Vasa, Dazl, and Plzf, as well as the stem cell markers Nanog, Oct4, and Ssea1. Furthermore, the cultured cells could be induced by 11-ketotestosterone treatment to highly express the meiotic markers Rec8, Sycp3, and Dmc1, and produce some spherical cells, and even sperm-like cells with a tail. The findings of this study suggested that the cultured grouper SSC line would serve as an excellent tool to study the molecular mechanisms behind SSCs self-renewal and differentiation, meiosis during spermatogenesis, and sex reversal in hermaphroditic vertebrates. Moreover, this SSC line has great application value in grouper fish aquaculture, such as germ cell transplantation, genetic manipulation, and disease research.
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Wang L, Li Z, Liu Y, Chen S, Li L, Duan P, Wang X, Li W, Wang Q, Zhai J, Tian Y. A chromosome-level genome assembly of the potato grouper (Epinephelus tukula). Genomics 2022; 114:110473. [PMID: 36049667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The potato grouper, Epinephelus tukula, is one of the largest coral reef teleost, and it is an important germplasm resource for selection and cross breeding. Here we report a potato grouper genome assembly generated using PacBio long-read sequencing, Illumina sequencing and high-throughput chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) technology. The genome size was 1.13 Gb, with a total of 508 contigs anchored into 24 chromosomes. The scaffold N50 was 42.65 Mb. For the genome models, our assembled genome contained 98.11% complete BUSCO with the vertebrata_odb9 database. One more copies of Gh and Hsp90b1 were identified in the E. tukula genome, which might contribute to its fast growth and high resistance to stress. In addition, 435 putative antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes were identified in the potato grouper. This study provides a good reference for whole genome selective breeding of the potato grouper and for future development of novel marine drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linna Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Zhentong Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Shuai Chen
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Linlin Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Pengfei Duan
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Wensheng Li
- Mingbo Aquatic Co. Ltd., Laizhou 261400, China
| | | | | | - Yongsheng Tian
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266000, China.
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Casas L, Saborido-Rey F. Environmental Cues and Mechanisms Underpinning Sex Change in Fish. Sex Dev 2021; 15:108-121. [PMID: 34111868 DOI: 10.1159/000515274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fishes are the only vertebrates that undergo sex change during their lifetime, but even within this group, a unique reproductive strategy is displayed by only 1.5% of the teleosts. This lability in alternating sexual fate is the result of the simultaneous suppression and activation of opposing male and female networks. Here, we provide a brief review summarizing recent advances in our understanding of the environmental cues that trigger sex change and their perception, integration, and translation into molecular cascades that convert the sex of an individual. We particularly focus on molecular events underpinning the complex behavioral and morphological transformation involved in sex change, dissecting the main molecular players and regulatory networks that shape the transformation of one sex into the opposite. We show that histological changes and molecular pathways governing gonadal reorganization are better described than the neuroendocrine basis of sex change and that, despite important advances, information is lacking for the majority of hermaphrodite species. We highlight significant gaps in our knowledge of how sex change takes place and suggest future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Casas
- Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - Fran Saborido-Rey
- Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain
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Zhang XJ, Zhou L, Lu WJ, Du WX, Mi XY, Li Z, Li XY, Wang ZW, Wang Y, Duan M, Gui JF. Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals an association of gibel carp fatty liver with ferroptosis pathway. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:328. [PMID: 33952209 PMCID: PMC8101161 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07621-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fatty liver has become a main problem that causes huge economic losses in many aquaculture modes. It is a common physiological or pathological phenomenon in aquaculture, but the causes and occurring mechanism are remaining enigmatic. Methods Each three liver samples from the control group of allogynogenetic gibel carp with normal liver and the overfeeding group with fatty liver were collected randomly for the detailed comparison of histological structure, lipid accumulation, transcriptomic profile, latent pathway identification analysis (LPIA), marker gene expression, and hepatocyte mitochondria analyses. Results Compared to normal liver, larger hepatocytes and more lipid accumulation were observed in fatty liver. Transcriptomic analysis between fatty liver and normal liver showed a totally different transcriptional trajectory. GO terms and KEGG pathways analyses revealed several enriched pathways in fatty liver, such as lipid biosynthesis, degradation accumulation, peroxidation, or metabolism and redox balance activities. LPIA identified an activated ferroptosis pathway in the fatty liver. qPCR analysis confirmed that gpx4, a negative regulator of ferroptosis, was significantly downregulated while the other three positively regulated marker genes, such as acsl4, tfr1 and gcl, were upregulated in fatty liver. Moreover, the hepatocytes of fatty liver had more condensed mitochondria and some of their outer membranes were almost ruptured. Conclusions We reveal an association between ferroptosis and fish fatty liver for the first time, suggesting that ferroptosis might be activated in liver fatty. Therefore, the current study provides a clue for future studies on fish fatty liver problems. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07621-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Juan Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.,State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei-Jia Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wen-Xuan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiang-Yuan Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xi-Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ming Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Variance in expression and localization of sex-related genes CgDsx, CgBHMG1 and CgFoxl2 during diploid and triploid Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas gonad differentiation. Gene 2021; 790:145692. [PMID: 33961972 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Several evolutionarily conserved classes of transcriptional regulators were involved in diverse sex determination and differentiation pathways across taxa, whereas their roles in most mollusks is still limited. The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, a dioecious bivalve with sex reversal, could be an ideal model for this issue because of its complex sexuality and potential disruption of sex differentiation in triploid individuals. Here, two mRNA splicing isoforms of a DM domain gene CgDsx and two isoforms of a novel sex-related CgBHMG1 (ortholog of BHMG1 in mammals) were identified in C. gigas. Real time PCR showed that two isoforms of CgDsx and one isoform of CgBHMG1 displayed male-specific expression in diploid oysters, opposite with the female-specific CgFoxl2 (a potential factor of female gonadic differentiation). Interestingly, the four sex-specific transcripts in diploid oyster were expressed in triploid oysters with opposite sex, triploid hermaphrodites and individuals at stage I that sex could not be determined. Subsequent in situ hybridization analysis on gonads of diploid oysters revealed predominant expression of CgDsx in spermatogonia of testes, CgBHMG1 in spermatocytes of testes and follicle cells of ovaries, and CgFoxl2 in follicle cells of ovaries and some male germ cells in testes. And aberrant co-expression of the three genes in triploid oysters was localized in gonadal tubules of gonads at stage I, ovarian follicle cells and undetermined gonial cells in nontypical hermaphroditic gonads with rare female materials. From the above, temporal and spatial expression of sex-related genes in diploid and triploid gonads indicated that CgDsx and CgFoxl2 might mainly function in C. gigas sex differentiation, and CgBHMG1 appeared as a factor involved in meiosis. This work will help to illuminate the gene network of sex differentiation in bivalves and provides new sight on this issue from comparison between diploid and triploid individuals.
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9
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Wang Q, Lin F, He Q, Huang Q, Duan X, Liu X, Xiao S, Yang H, Zhao H. Cloning and characterization of rec8 gene in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) and Dmrt1 regulation of rec8 promoter activity. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2021; 47:393-407. [PMID: 33547601 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-020-00920-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division critical for gamete production during sexual reproduction in eukaryotes. The meiotic recombination protein Rec8 has been identified as an important factor in germ cell meiotic initiation in vertebrates; however, its equivalent role in teleosts is poorly characterized. In this study, we cloned and sequenced the rec8 gene from orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). The cDNA sequence consisted of 2244 base pairs (bp), including a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 198 bp and a 3'UTR of 284 bp. The open reading frame of grouper rec8 was 1752 bp, encoding 584 amino acids. Expression levels of rec8 were higher in the ovary, intersex gonad, and testis. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree based on the deduced amino acid sequence indicated a common origin for grouper and other teleost rec8 molecules. Immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal anti-Rec8 antibody localized the protein in the oogonia and primary oocytes in the ovary and in spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the intersex gonad and testis, suggesting that Rec8 may play an important role in the meiotic division and the development of grouper germ cells. In addition, we found that the transcription factor Dmrt1 increased rec8 promoter activity through the second binding site, based on dual-luciferase assays. Together, these results suggest that Rec8 plays a crucial role in meiosis and may be regulated by Dmrt1 to affect meiosis in groupers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangmei Lin
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi He
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Qifeng Huang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuzhuo Duan
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaochun Liu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiqiang Xiao
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Huirong Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - HuiHong Zhao
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Cross I, García E, Rodríguez ME, Arias-Pérez A, Portela-Bens S, Merlo MA, Rebordinos L. The genomic structure of the highly-conserved dmrt1 gene in Solea senegalensis (Kaup, 1868) shows an unexpected intragenic duplication. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241518. [PMID: 33137109 PMCID: PMC7605655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowing the factors responsible for sex determination in a species has significant theoretical and practical implications; the dmrt1 gene (Doublesex and Mab-3 (DM)-related Transcription factor 1) plays this role in diverse animal species. Solea senegalensis is a commercially important flat fish in which females grow 30% faster than males. It has 2n = 42 chromosomes and an XX / XY chromosome system for sex determination, without heteromorph chromosomes but with sex proto-chromosome. In the present study, we are providing the genomic structure and nucleotide sequence of dmrt1 gene obtained from cDNA from male and female adult gonads. A cDNA of 2027 containing an open-reading frame (ORF) of 1206 bp and encoding a 402 aa protein it is described for dmrt1 gene of S. senegalensis. Multiple mRNA isoforms indicating a high variable system of alternative splicing in the expression of dmrt1 of the sole in gonads were studied. None isoforms could be related to sex of individuals. The genomic structure of the dmrt1 of S. senegalensis showed a gene of 31400 bp composed of 7 exons and 6 introns. It contains an unexpected duplication of more than 10399 bp, involving part of the exon I, exons II and III and a SINE element found in the sequence that it is proposed as responsible for the duplication. A mature miRNA of 21 bp in length was localized at 336 bp from exon V. Protein-protein interacting networks of the dmrt1 gene showed matches with dmrt1 protein from Cynoglossus semilaevis and a protein interaction network with 11 nodes (dmrt1 plus 10 other proteins). The phylogenetic relationship of the dmrt1 gene in S. senegalensis is consistent with the evolutionary position of its species. The molecular characterization of this gene will enhance its functional analysis and the understanding of sex differentiation in Solea senegalensis and other flatfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Cross
- Area de Genética, CASEM, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Emilio García
- Area de Genética, CASEM, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - María E. Rodríguez
- Area de Genética, CASEM, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | | | | | - Manuel A. Merlo
- Area de Genética, CASEM, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
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11
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Li S, Lin G, Fang W, Huang P, Gao D, Huang J, Xie J, Lu J. Gonadal Transcriptome Analysis of Sex-Related Genes in the Protandrous Yellowfin Seabream ( Acanthopagrus latus). Front Genet 2020; 11:709. [PMID: 32765585 PMCID: PMC7378800 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus), a protandrous hermaphroditic fish, is a good model for studying the mechanism of sex reversal. However, limited knowledge is known about the genetic information related to reproduction and sex differentiation in this species. Here, we performed de novo transcriptome sequencing analysis of the testis, ovotestis, and ovary to identify sex-related genes in yellowfin seabream. The results assembled 71,765 unigenes in which 16,126 and 17,560 unigenes were differentially expressed in the ovotestis and ovary compared to the testis, respectively. The most differentially expressed gene (DEG)-enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and GO pathways were closely associated with the synthesis of sex steroid hormones. Functional analyses identified 55 important sex-related DEGs, including 32 testis-biased DEGs (dmrt1, amh, and sox9, etc.), 20 ovary-biased DEGs (cyp19a, foxl2, and wnt4, etc.), and 3 ovotestis-biased DEGs (lhb, dmrt2, and foxh1). Furthermore, the testis-specific expression of dmrt1 and the brain-pituitary-ovary axis expression of foxl2 were characterized, suggesting that they might play important roles in sex differentiation in yellowfin seabream. Our present work provided an important molecular basis for elucidating the mechanisms underlying sexual transition and reproductional regulation in yellowfin seabream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhu Li
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Genmei Lin
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenyu Fang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Peilin Huang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Dong Gao
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jing Huang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jingui Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jianguo Lu
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, China
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12
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Palma P, Nocillado J, Superio J, Ayson EGDJ, Ayson F, Bar I, Elizur A. Gonadal response of juvenile protogynous grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) to long-term recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone administration†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:798-809. [PMID: 30371741 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the gonadal development of protogynous hermaphroditic grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) was investigated. Recombinant giant grouper (E. lanceolatus) FSH (rggFSH) was produced in yeast. Its receptor-binding capacity and steroidogenic potency were confirmed in vitro. Weekly injections of rggFSH to juvenile tiger grouper for 8 weeks (100 μg/kg body weight, BW) resulted in significantly larger and more advanced oocytes (cortical alveolar stage vs primary growth stage in control). Sustained treatment with rggFSH (20 to 38 weeks at 200 μg/kg BW) resulted in significant reduction in gonad size, degeneration of oocytes, and proliferation of spermatogonial cells, indicative of female to male sex change. Gene expression analysis showed that, while initiating female to male sex change, the rggFSH significantly suppressed the steroidogenic genes cyp11b, cyp19a1a, and foxl2 which restrained the endogenous production of sex steroid hormones and thus prevented the differentiation of spermatogonial cells. Expression profile of sex markers dmrt1, amh, figla, and bmp15 suggests that the observed sex change was restricted at the initiation stage. Based on these results, we propose that the process of female to male sex change in the protogynous grouper is initiated by FSH, rather than sex steroids, and likely involves steroid-independent pathway. The cortical alveolar stage in oocyte development is the critical point after which FSH-induced sex change is possible in grouper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Palma
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia.,Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines
| | - Josephine Nocillado
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Joshua Superio
- Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines
| | | | - Felix Ayson
- Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines
| | - Ido Bar
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, School of Natural Sciences and Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Abigail Elizur
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
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13
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Integration of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq Unravels Chromatin Accessibility during Sex Reversal in Orange-Spotted Grouper ( Epinephelus coioides). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082800. [PMID: 32316525 PMCID: PMC7215633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin structure plays a pivotal role in maintaining the precise regulation of gene expression. Accessible chromatin regions act as the binding sites of transcription factors (TFs) and cis-elements. Therefore, information from these open regions will enhance our understanding of the relationship between TF binding, chromatin status and the regulation of gene expression. We employed an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA-seq analyses in the gonads of protogynous hermaphroditic orange-spotted groupers during sex reversal to profile open chromatin regions and TF binding sites. We focused on several crucial TFs, including ZNF263, SPIB, and KLF9, and analyzed the networks of TF-target genes. We identified numerous transcripts exhibiting sex-preferred expression among their target genes, along with their associated open chromatin regions. We then investigated the expression patterns of sex-related genes as well as the mRNA localization of certain genes during sex reversal. We found a set of sex-related genes that—upon further study—might be identified as the sex-specific or cell-specific marker genes that trigger sex reversal. Moreover, we discovered the core genes (gnas, ccnb2, and cyp21a) of several pathways related to sex reversal that provide the guideposts for future study.
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14
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Qu M, Ding S, Schartl M, Adolfi MC. Spatial and temporal expression pattern of sex-related genes in ovo-testis of the self-fertilizing mangrove killifish (Kryptolebias marmoratus). Gene 2020; 742:144581. [PMID: 32173540 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, sex determination and differentiation comprehend a fine balance between female and male factors, leading the bipotential anlage to develop towards ovary or testis, respectively. Nevertheless, the mangrove killifish, (Kryptolebias marmoratus) a simultaneous hermaphroditic species, could overcome those antagonistic pathways and evolved to develop and maintain reproductively active ovarian and testicular tissues in the same organ. Morphological and mRNA localization analyzes of developing and adult gonads demonstrate that genes related to testis (dmrt1 and amh) and ovary differentiation (foxl2 and sox9a) follow the same expression pattern observed in gonochoristic species, thus functioning as two independent organs. In addition, Amh expression patterns make it a strong candidate for initiation of the formation and maintenance of the testicular tissue in the hermaphroditic gonad. Differently from described so far, foxl3 seems to have an important role in oogenesis as well as spermatogenesis and gonadal structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Qu
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Guangzhou 510220, China
| | - Shaoxiong Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Manfred Schartl
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany; University of Wuerzburg, Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany; The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Mateus Contar Adolfi
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany; University of Wuerzburg, Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.
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15
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Wu X, Yang Y, Zhong C, Guo Y, Li S, Lin H, Liu X. Transcriptome profiling of laser-captured germ cells and functional characterization of zbtb40 during 17alpha-methyltestosterone-induced spermatogenesis in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). BMC Genomics 2020; 21:73. [PMID: 31973692 PMCID: PMC6979330 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6477-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogenesis is an intricate process regulated by a finely organized network. The orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) is a protogynous hermaphroditic fish, but the regulatory mechanism of its spermatogenesis is not well-understood. In the present study, transcriptome sequencing of the male germ cells isolated from orange-spotted grouper was performed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying spermatogenesis. RESULTS In this study, the orange-spotted grouper was induced to change sex from female to male by 17alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) implantation. During the spermatogenesis, male germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa) were isolated by laser capture microdissection. Transcriptomic analysis for the isolated cells was performed. A total of 244,984,338 clean reads were generated from four cDNA libraries. Real-time PCR results of 13 genes related to sex differentiation and hormone metabolism indicated that transcriptome data are reliable. RNA-seq data showed that the female-related genes and genes involved in hormone metabolism were highly expressed in spermatogonia and spermatozoa, suggesting that these genes participate in the spermatogenesis. Interestingly, the expression of zbtb family genes showed significantly changes in the RNA-seq data, and their expression patterns were further examined during spermatogenesis. The analysis of cellular localization of Eczbtb40 and the co-localization of Eczbtb40 and Eccyp17a1 in different gonadal stages suggested that Eczbtb40 might interact with Eccyp17a1 during spermatogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our study, for the first time, investigated the transcriptome of the male germ cells from orange-spotted grouper, and identified functional genes, GO terms, and KEGG pathways involved in spermatogenesis. Furthermore, Eczbtb40 was first characterized and its role during spermatogenesis was predicted. These data will contribute to future studies on the molecular mechanism of spermatogenesis in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 China
| | - Chaoyue Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 China
| | - Yin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 China
| | - Shuisheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 China
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 China
| | - Xiaochun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 China
- Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Zhuhai, 519000 People’s Republic of China
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16
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Sahoo L, Sahoo S, Mohanty M, Sankar M, Dixit S, Das P, Rasal KD, Rather MA, Sundaray JK. Molecular characterization, computational analysis and expression profiling of Dmrt1 gene in Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton 1822). Anim Biotechnol 2019; 32:413-426. [PMID: 31880491 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2019.1707683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism of fish morphology, physiology and behavior is diverse and complex in nature. Doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor (Dmrt) is a large protein family whose function is sexual development and differentiation in vertebrates. Here, we report a full-length cDNA sequence of Labeo rohita (rohu) Dmrt1 of 907 bp length having 798 bp of open reading frame encoding 265 amino acids. The molecular weight of rohu DMRT1 protein was found to be 28.74 KDa and isoelectric point was 7.53. DMRT1 protein contains 23 positively and 24 negatively charged amino acids with a GRAVY score of -0.618. A characteristic DM domain was found in DMRT1 protein, which is a novel DNA-binding domain. Phylogenetic analysis showed maximum similarity with Cyprinus carpio when compared with DMRT1 of other vertebrates. Molecular docking study identified active sites to be targeted for drug designing. Rohu DMRT1 was observed to interact with other proteins such as FOXL2, CYP19a1a, AMH and SOX9a. Differential expression study revealed higher expression in testis tissue implying its role in male sex differentiation and testicular development. The information generated in the present work could facilitate further research to resolve the issues related to gonadal maturation and reproduction of commercially important aquaculture species.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Sahoo
- Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - S Sahoo
- Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - M Mohanty
- Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - M Sankar
- ICAR-Central Marine Research Institute, Mandapam Regional Centre, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Dixit
- Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - P Das
- Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - K D Rasal
- Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - M A Rather
- Division of Fish genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - J K Sundaray
- Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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17
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Han Y, Peng C, Wang L, Guo J, Lu M, Chen J, Liu Y, Li S, Zhao M, Zhang Y, Lin H. Female-to-male sex reversal in orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) caused by overexpressing of Amh in vivo. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:1205-1215. [PMID: 30010724 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of mechanisms are involved in sex determination in vertebrates. The orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides), a teleost fish, functions first as females and later as a male and is an ideal model to investigate the regulation of sexual fate. Here, we report female-to-male sex reversal in juvenile orange-spotted groupers caused by overexpressing anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh). Tissue distribution analyses showed that amh and amhrII primarily expressed in the gonad, and expression level in the testis was much higher than that in the ovary. In gonads, the expression of amh was located in the Sertoli cells around spermatogonia of the testis and in the zona pellucida of the mature ovary, and the expression of amhrII was located in the Sertoli cells of the testis and in the oocytes of the ovary. Decrease in female-related genes and serum 17β-estradiol level, increase in male-related genes and serum 11-ketotestosterone, ovarian regression, and spermatogonia proliferation were observed during plasmid feeding experiment. These results illustrate that amh overexpression plasmid feeding can induce a female-to-male transition in grouper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiani Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingwei Lu
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, Taiwan
| | - Jiaxin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuisheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Marine Fisheries Development Center of Guangdong Province, Huizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Marine Fisheries Development Center of Guangdong Province, Huizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Marine Fisheries Development Center of Guangdong Province, Huizhou, People's Republic of China.,College of Ocean, Hainan University, Haikou, People's Republic of China
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18
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Palma P, Nocillado J, Superio J, de Jesus-Ayson EG, Ayson F, Takemura A, Lu MW, Elizur A. Induction of Gonadal Development in Protogynous Grouper with Orally Delivered FSH DNA. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 21:697-706. [PMID: 31372794 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-019-09914-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The availability of sexually mature fish often dictates the success of its captive breeding. In this study, we induced reproductive development in juvenile protogynous tiger grouper through oral administration of a plasmid (p) containing an engineered follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). An expression construct (pcDNA3.1) was designed to express a single-chain FSH consisting of giant grouper FSH β-subunit and glycoprotein subunit-α (CGα), linked by the carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) sequence from the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Single oral delivery of pFSH encapsulated in liposome and chitosan to tiger grouper yielded a significant increase in plasma FSH protein level after 4 days. Weekly pFSH feeding of juvenile tiger groupers for 8 weeks stimulated ovarian development as indicated by a significant increase in oocyte diameter and progression of oocytes to cortical alveolar stage. As the pFSH treatment progressed from 20 to 38 weeks, female to male sex change was initiated, characterized by oocyte regression, proliferation of spermatogonial cells, and occurrence of spermatogenic cysts. It was also associated with significantly lower mRNA expression of steroidogenic genes (cyp11b, cyp19a1a, and foxl2) and basal plasma levels of sex steroid hormones 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and 11-ketotestosterone (11KT). Results suggest that pFSH stimulates ovarian development up to cortical alveolar stage and then initiates sex change in tiger grouper. These findings significantly contribute to our knowledge on the role of FSH in the development of protogynous hermaphroditic fish. This study is the first to demonstrate induction of reproductive development in fish through oral delivery of plasmid gonadotropin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Palma
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia
- Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD), Tigbauan, 5021, Iloilo, Philippines
| | - Josephine Nocillado
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia
| | - Joshua Superio
- Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD), Tigbauan, 5021, Iloilo, Philippines
| | - Evelyn Grace de Jesus-Ayson
- Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD), Tigbauan, 5021, Iloilo, Philippines
| | - Felix Ayson
- Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD), Tigbauan, 5021, Iloilo, Philippines
| | - Akihiro Takemura
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, 3422 Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan
| | - Ming Wei Lu
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, 202, Taiwan
| | - Abigail Elizur
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, 4558, Australia.
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19
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Ortega-Recalde O, Goikoetxea A, Hore TA, Todd EV, Gemmell NJ. The Genetics and Epigenetics of Sex Change in Fish. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2019; 8:47-69. [PMID: 31525067 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021419-083634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Fish show extraordinary sexual plasticity, changing sex naturally as part of their life cycle or reversing sex because of environmental stressors. This plasticity shows that sexual fate is not an irreversible process but the result of an ongoing tug-of-war for supremacy between male and female signaling networks. The behavioral, gonadal, and morphological changes involved in this process are well described, yet the molecular events that underpin those changes remain poorly understood. Epigenetic modifications emerge as a critical link between environmental stimuli, the onset of sex change, and subsequent maintenance of sexual phenotype. Here we synthesize current knowledge of sex change, focusing on the genetic and epigenetic processes that are likely involved in the initiation and regulation of sex change. We anticipate that better understanding of sex change in fish will shed new light on sex determination and development in vertebrates and on how environmental perturbations affect sexual fate.
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20
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Jeng SR, Wu GC, Yueh WS, Kuo SF, Dufour S, Chang CF. Dmrt1 (doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1) expression during gonadal development and spermatogenesis in the Japanese eel. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 279:154-163. [PMID: 30902612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dmrt1, doublesex- and mab-3-related transcription factor-1, has been suggested to play critical roles in male gonadogenesis, testicular differentiation and development, including spermatogenesis, among different vertebrates. Vasa is a putative molecular marker of germ cells in vertebrates. In this study, we cloned the full-length dmrt1 cDNA from Japanese eel, and the protein comprised 290 amino acids and presented an extremely conserved Doublesex and Mab-3 (DM) domain. Vasa proteins were expressed in gonadal germ cells in a stage-specific manner, and were expressed at high levels in PGC and spermatogonia, low levels in spermatocytes, and were absent in spermatids and spermatozoa of Japanese eels. Dmrt1 proteins were abundantly expressed in spermatogonia B cells, spermatocytes, spermatids, but not in spermatozoa, spermatogonia A and Sertoli cells. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show a restricted expression pattern for the Dmrt1 protein in spermatogonia B cells, but not spermatogonia A cells, of teleosts. Therefore, Dmrt1 might play vital roles at the specific stages during spermatogenesis from spermatogonia B cells to spermatids in the Japanese eel. Moreover, the Dmrt1 protein exhibited a restricted localization in differentiating oogonia in the early differentiating gonad (ovary-like structure) of male Japanese eels and in E2-induced feminized Japanese eels. We proposed that dmrt1 may be not only required for spermatogenesis but might also play a role in oogenesis in the Japanese eel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Ru Jeng
- Department of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 811, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Chung Wu
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Shiun Yueh
- Department of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 811, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Kuo
- Department of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 811, Taiwan
| | - Sylvie Dufour
- Laboratory Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems (BOREA), Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université de Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Ching-Fong Chang
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan.
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21
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Wu L, Li Y, Xu Y, Li Y, Wang L, Ma X, Liu H, Li X, Zhou L. Cloning and characterization of wnt4a gene in a natural triploid teleost, Qi river crucian carp (Carassius auratus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 277:104-111. [PMID: 30923007 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
WNT4 (wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 4) plays a key role in the ovarian differentiation and development in mammals. However, the possible roles of Wnt4 during gonadal differentiation and development need further clarification in teleosts. In this study, we cloned and characterized the full-length cDNA of Qi river crucian carp (Carassius auratus) wnt4a gene (CA-wnt4a). The cDNA of CA-wnt4a is 2337 bp, including the ORF of 1059 bp, encoding a putative protein with a transmembrane domain and a WNT family domain. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the CA-Wnt4a identified is a genuine Wnt4a. Tissue distribution analysis showed that CA-wnt4a is expressed in all the tissues examined, including ovary. CA-wnt4a undergoes a stepwise increase in the embryonic stages, suggesting that CA-wnt4a might be involved in the early developmental stage. Ontogenic analysis demonstrated that CA-wnt4a expression is upregulated in the ovaries at 30-50 days after hatching (dah), the critical period of sex determination/differentiation in Qi river crucian carp. From 90 dah, the expression of CA-wnt4a was gradually downregulated in the developing ovaries. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that CA-Wnt4a was expressed in the somatic and germ cells of the ovary by 30 dah, thereafter, positive signals of Wnt4a were detected in the somatic cells, oogonia and primary growth oocytes from 60 dah. In the sex-reversed testis induced by letrozole treatment, the expression level of CA-wnt4a was significantly downregulated. When CA-wnt4a expression was inhibited by injection of FH535 (an inhibitor of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway) in the ovaries, levels of cyp19a1a, foxl2 mRNA were significantly downregulated, while sox9b and cyp11c1 were upregulated, which suggested that together with Foxl2-leading estrogen pathway, CA-wnt4a signaling pathway might be involved in ovarian differentiation and repression of the male pathway gene expression in Qi river crucian carp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Yongjing Li
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Yufeng Xu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Yanfeng Li
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Xiao Ma
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Huifen Liu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Xuejun Li
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China.
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22
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Yan N, Hu J, Li J, Dong J, Sun C, Ye X. Genomic organization and sexually dimorphic expression of the Dmrt1 gene in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 234:68-77. [PMID: 31078703 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Doublesex and Mab-3 related transcription factor (Dmrt) genes play important roles in the process of sex determination and differentiation. In this study, a Dmrt1 gene open reading frame sequence was obtained from the gonadal transcriptome data of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and identified by cloning and sequencing. The ORF of Dmrt1 is 900 bp long, encodes 298 amino acids, and contains the DM region which is characteristic of Dmrt1. Full gDNA sequence of Dmrt1 was composed of five exons and four introns. RT-PCR and Q-PCR analysis of Dmrt1 were conducted in eight tissues and three developmental stages of mature male and female individuals. In situ hybridization was used to locate the expression of Dmrt1 in the testis and ovary of largemouth bass. The results showed that Dmrt1 was highly expressed in the testis of mature fish, but only weakly expressed in other tissues such as heart, liver, and brain, and exhibited gender dimorphism in the gonads of male and female fish at different stages. Furthermore, the expression level in female fish was very low and decreased gradually with ovary maturation. In situ hybridization indicated positive signals were found in early oocytes, but not in mature oocytes, while strong positive signals were found in all types of mature testis cells. The study showed that the sequence and structure of Dmrt1 were highly conserved and exhibited significant gender dimorphism in largemouth bass, as in other fish species. It is suggested that Dmrt1 plays an important role in sex determination and differentiation in largemouth bass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Yan
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fisheries Resource Application & Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fisheries Resource Application & Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Jia Li
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Junjian Dong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fisheries Resource Application & Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China
| | - Chengfei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fisheries Resource Application & Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Xing Ye
- Key Laboratory of Tropical & Subtropical Fisheries Resource Application & Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Pearl River Fisheries Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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23
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Lyu Q, Hu J, Yang X, Liu X, Chen Y, Xiao L, Liu Y, Wang Q, Chen J, Huang M, Yu Z, Yang H, Shi H, Zhang Y, Zhao H. Expression profiles of dmrts and foxls during gonadal development and sex reversal induced by 17α-methyltestosterone in the orange-spotted grouper. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 274:26-36. [PMID: 30594589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, is a marine protogynous hermaphrodite fish of commercial importance. There are many examples of sex change species among marine fish, but the molecular basis for the sex change is still unknown. Gonadal expression patterns of the dmrts and foxls genes in E. coioides have pointed to sexual dimorphism in this species and it has been shown that mRNA levels of dmrts and foxls to vary significantly during reproduction cycles. The steroid 17α-methyltestosterone was used to induce sex reversal in these fish, during which dmrts and foxls levels changed significantly and subsequently reverted to normal when 17α-methyltestosterone was withdrawn. Interestingly, the expression of dmrt2b and dmrt3 was not affected by this steroid. We speculate that the role of foxl2 in reproduction may be conserved via regulation of early differentiation of the ovary by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, and dmrt2 may have a significant role in premature ovarian differentiation and maintenance in E. coioides. dmrt1 and foxl3 played a role in the development of the testes and are believed to be potential male regulatory genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingji Lyu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Hu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - XianKuan Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - XiaoChun Liu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - YiBin Chen
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - YaLi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - JiaXing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - MinWei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - ZeShu Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - HuiRong Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - HeRong Shi
- Guangdong Marine Fishery Experiment Center, Huizhou 516081, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - HuiHong Zhao
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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24
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Wu X, Qu L, Li S, Guo Y, He J, Liu M, Liu X, Lin H. Molecular characterization and expression patterns of stem-loop binding protein (SLBP) genes in protogynous hermaphroditic grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Gene 2019; 700:120-130. [PMID: 30910559 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.02.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Stem-loop binding protein (SLBP) binds a stem-loop structure of the mRNA, which is important for the stability of histone mRNAs and translation process. In the present study, two slbp cDNAs (Ecslbp1 and Ecslbp2) were cloned from a protogynous hermaphroditic orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Ecslbp1 cDNA contained a 678 base pair (bp) open reading frame (ORF), encoding a predicted polypeptide of 225 amino acids. Ecslbp2 cDNA contained a 1041 bp, encoding a predicted protein of 346 amino acids. The result of real-time PCR revealed that Ecslbp2 mRNA was exclusively detected in the ovary. Moreover, it was found to be restricted to oocytes according to in situ hybridization (ISH) analysis. Ecslbp2 was found to be hardly detected in gonia and significantly increase in the cytoplasm of primary-growth stage oocytes, but decreased during the process of vitellogenesis. Interestingly, Ecslbp2 expression centralized as a perinuclear speckle in early-primary-growth stage oocytes, which appeared to form into the Balbiani body (Bb) in late-primary-growth stage oocytes. These data indicated that Ecslbp2 might play an important role in the process of oocyte development, and could serve as an oocyte-specific molecular marker for the study of ovary development and sex reversal in groupers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Ling Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Shuisheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Yin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jianan He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Meifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiaochun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Improved Variety Reproduction of Aquatic Economic Animals, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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25
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Abstract
Sexual fate can no longer be considered an irreversible deterministic process that once established during early embryonic development, plays out unchanged across an organism's life. Rather, it appears to be a dynamic process, with sexual phenotype determined through an ongoing battle for supremacy between antagonistic male and female developmental pathways. That sexual fate is not final and is actively regulated via the suppression or activation of opposing genetic networks creates the potential for flexibility in sexual phenotype in adulthood. Such flexibility is seen in many fish, where sex change is a usual and adaptive part of the life cycle. Many fish are sequential hermaphrodites, beginning life as one sex and changing sometime later to the other. Sequential hermaphrodites include species capable of female-to-male (protogynous), male-to-female (protandrous), or bidirectional (serial) sex change. These natural forms of sex change involve coordinated transformations across multiple biological systems, including behavioral, anatomical, neuroendocrine and molecular axes. Here we review the biological processes underlying this amazing transformation, focusing particularly on the molecular aspects, where new genomic technologies are beginning to help us understand how sex change is initiated and regulated at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Erica V Todd
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Timothy A Hore
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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26
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Huang M, Chen J, Liu Y, Chen H, Yu Z, Ye Z, Peng C, Xiao L, Zhao M, Li S, Lin H, Zhang Y. New Insights Into the Role of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Sex Differentiation of the Protogynous Orange-Spotted Grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:304. [PMID: 31156554 PMCID: PMC6529513 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) signaling is considered to be essential for early gametogenesis in teleosts, but its functional roles during sex differentiation are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term and short-term FSH injection on sex differentiation in the protogynous orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Long-term FSH treatment initially promoted the formation of ovaries but subsequently induced a male fate. The expression of female pathway genes was initially increased but then decreased, whereas the expression of male pathway genes was up-regulated only during long-term FSH treatment. The genes related to the synthesis of sex steroid hormones, as well as serum 11-ketotestosterone and estradiol, were also up-regulated during long-term FSH treatment. Short-term FSH treatment activated genes in the female pathway (especially cyp19a1a) at low doses but caused inhibition at high doses. Genes in the male pathway were up-regulated by high concentrations of FSH over the short term. Finally, we found that low, but not high, concentrations of FSH treatment activated cyp19a1a promoter activities in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. Overall, our data suggested that FSH may induce ovarian differentiation or a change to a male sex fate in the protogynous orange-spotted grouper, and that these processes occurred in an FSH concentration-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jiaxing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huimin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeshu Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhifeng Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuisheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering (Guangdong, Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Shuisheng Li
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering (Guangdong, Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering (Guangdong, Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
- Yong Zhang
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Han Y, Zhao M, Wang L, Yu Z, Wang J, Yu Q, Xiao L, Lu M, Li S, Zhang Y, Lin H. Overexpression of Anti-müllerian Hormone Gene in vivo Affects Gonad Sex Differentiation in Undifferentiated Orange-Spotted Groupers ( Epinephelus coioides). Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:210. [PMID: 31024449 PMCID: PMC6459890 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differentiation in teleost fishes occurs in response to sex determination signals, which induce the gonad to develop as either an ovary or testis. However, sex differentiation mechanisms in fishes are diverse, and information on gonad differentiation in sex changing fishes remains limited. The orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) is a protogynous hermaphroditic fish that provides an ideal model for investigating gonad differentiation in vertebrates. In this study, Transcriptome data showed that expression levels of amh and amhrII in gonads were increased during sex differentiation. Then we investigated the effect of overexpression anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh) on gonad development in juvenile orange-spotted groupers. Expression levels of female-related genes and serum 17β-estradiol levels were decreased, while expression of male-related genes and serum 11-ketotestosterone levels were increased in fish fed with amh-plasmid. Overexpression of Amh was also promoted the spermatogonia proliferation and induced the development of male gonads in undifferentiated orange-spotted groupers, but that this male tendency was preceded by female differentiation. In summary, these results illustrated that Amh overexpression by amh-plasmid feeding induced male gonad development in undifferentiated groupers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Mi Zhao
| | - Le Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeshu Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingwei Lu
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Shuisheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
- Yong Zhang
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- College of Ocean, Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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Xiao L, Wang D, Guo Y, Tang Z, Liu Q, Li S, Zhang Y, Lin H. Comparative transcriptome analysis of diploid and triploid hybrid groupers (Epinephelus coioides♀ × E. lanceolatus♂) reveals the mechanism of abnormal gonadal development in triploid hybrids. Genomics 2018; 111:251-259. [PMID: 30453060 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In our previous studies, diploid and triploid hybrids have been detected from the hybridization of Epinephelus coioides♀ × E. lanceolatus♂. The triploid groupers have been found to be delayed in gonadal development, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the gonadal development, assayed the serum steroid hormone levels, and compared the BP (brain and pituitary) and G (gonad) transcriptomes of 18-month-old diploid and triploid hybrids. The results showed that levels of serum estradiol-17β and testosterone were significantly higher in triploid groupers. The RNA-seq data revealed that 1518 and 14,963 differentially expressed genes were identified in the BP and G transcriptome, respectively. Further analysis revealed that the expression levels of genes involved in the sexual differentiation pathway and sex steroid synthesis pathway are significantly higher in triploid hybrids. Our findings provided a comprehensive insight into a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of sterility in triploid hybrid fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Dengdong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhujing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiongyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuisheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China; Marine Fisheries Development Center of Guangdong Province, Huizhou 516081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China; College of Ocean, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, People's Republic of China
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Huang M, Wang Q, Chen J, Chen H, Xiao L, Zhao M, Zhang H, Li S, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Lin H. The co-administration of estradiol/17α-methyltestosterone leads to male fate in the protogynous orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Biol Reprod 2018; 100:745-756. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Minwei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
| | - Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
| | - Huimin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
| | - Ling Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
| | - Mi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
| | - Haifa Zhang
- Marine Fisheries Development Center of Guangdong Province, Huizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuisheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
| | - Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
- Marine Fisheries Development Center of Guangdong Province, Huizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Important Economic Fish, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Key Laboratory for Tropical Marine Fishery Resource Protection and Utilization of Hainan Province, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya 570228, China
- College of Ocean, Hainan University, Haikou, People's Republic of China
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Burcea A, Popa GO, Florescu Gune IE, Gharbia S, Gaina G, Dudu A, Maereanu M, Hermenean A, Georgescu SE, Costache M. Gene expression involved in the sexual development of Best Beluga hybrid sturgeons. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2018; 93:1021-1026. [PMID: 30264488 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The scope of this study is to investigate the expression of dmrt1, foxl2, ar, star and sox9 genes in the context of the gonad development stage of 21 month-old Best Beluga individuals. No significant difference was observed between males and females but the cyp17a1 gene showed higher expression in male than in female gonads. The results suggest that during sampling the females were in perinucleolar stage and the males in early spermatogenesis stage which led to specific patterns of expression for the investigated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Burcea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gina-Oana Popa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Iulia E Florescu Gune
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sami Gharbia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Gisela Gaina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Andreea Dudu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Anca Hermenean
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Sergiu E Georgescu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marieta Costache
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
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31
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Zhu YJ, Li XY, Zhang J, Li Z, Ding M, Zhang XJ, Zhou L, Gui JF. Distinct sperm nucleus behaviors between genotypic and temperature-dependent sex determination males are associated with replication and expression-related pathways in a gynogenetic fish. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:437. [PMID: 29866041 PMCID: PMC5987661 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4823-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coexistence and transition of diverse sex determination strategies have been revealed in some ectothermic species, but the variation between males caused by different sex determination strategies and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, we used the gynogenetic gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) with both genotypic sex determination (GSD) and temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) strategies to illustrate this issue. RESULTS We found out that males of GSD and TSD in gibel carp had similar morphology, testicular histology, sperm structure and sperm vitality. However, when maternal individuals were mated with males of GSD, sperm nucleus swelling and fusing with the female pronucleus were observed in the fertilized eggs. On the contrary, when maternal individuals were mated with males of TSD, sperm nucleus remained in the condensed status throughout the whole process. Subsequently, semen proteomics analysis unveiled that DNA replication and gene expression-related pathways were inhibited in the sperm from males of TSD compared to males of GSD, and most differentially expressed proteins associated with DNA replication, transcription and translation were down-regulated. Moreover, via BrdU incorporation and immunofluorescence detection, male nucleus replication was revealed to be present in the fertilized eggs by the sperm from males of GSD, but absent in the fertilized eggs by the sperm from males of TSD. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that DNA replication and gene expression-related pathways are associated with the distinct sperm nucleus development behaviors in fertilized eggs in response to the sperm from males of GSD and TSD. And this study is the first attempt to screen the differences between males determined via GSD and TSD in gynogenetic species, which might give a hint for understanding evolutionary adaption of diverse sex determination mechanisms in unisexual vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Jun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xi-Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Miao Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China. .,Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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Lin Q, Mei J, Li Z, Zhang X, Zhou L, Gui JF. Distinct and Cooperative Roles of amh and dmrt1 in Self-Renewal and Differentiation of Male Germ Cells in Zebrafish. Genetics 2017; 207:1007-1022. [PMID: 28893856 PMCID: PMC5676237 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.300274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a fundamental process in male reproductive biology and depends on precise balance between self-renewal and differentiation of male germ cells. However, the regulative factors for controlling the balance are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the roles of amh and dmrt1 in male germ cell development by generating their mutants with Crispr/Cas9 technology in zebrafish. Amh mutant zebrafish displayed a female-biased sex ratio, and both male and female amh mutants developed hypertrophic gonads due to uncontrolled proliferation and impaired differentiation of germ cells. A large number of proliferating spermatogonium-like cells were observed within testicular lobules of the amh-mutated testes, and they were demonstrated to be both Vasa- and PH3-positive. Moreover, the average number of Sycp3- and Vasa-positive cells in the amh mutants was significantly lower than in wild-type testes, suggesting a severely impaired differentiation of male germ cells. Conversely, all the dmrt1-mutated testes displayed severe testicular developmental defects and gradual loss of all Vasa-positive germ cells by inhibiting their self-renewal and inducing apoptosis. In addition, several germ cell and Sertoli cell marker genes were significantly downregulated, whereas a prominent increase of Insl3-positive Leydig cells was revealed by immunohistochemical analysis in the disorganized dmrt1-mutated testes. Our data suggest that amh might act as a guardian to control the balance between proliferation and differentiation of male germ cells, whereas dmrt1 might be required for the maintenance, self-renewal, and differentiation of male germ cells. Significantly, this study unravels novel functions of amh gene in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaohong Lin
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jie Mei
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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33
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Wu GC, Li HW, Tey WG, Lin CJ, Chang CF. Expression profile of amh/Amh during bi-directional sex change in the protogynous orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185864. [PMID: 29016690 PMCID: PMC5634590 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadal differentiation is tightly regulated by the initial sex determining gene and the downstream sex-related genes in vertebrates. However, sex change in fish can alter the sexual fate from one sex to the other. Chemical-induced maleness in the protogynous orange-spotted grouper is transient, and a reversible sex change occurs after the chemical treatment is withdrawn. We used these characteristics to study Amh signaling during bi-directional sex change in the grouper. We successfully induced the female-to-male sex change by chemical (aromatase inhibitor, AI, or methyltestosterone, MT) treatment. A dormant gonad (a low proliferation rate of early germ cells and no characteristics of both sexes) was found during the transient phase of reversible male-to-female sex change after the withdrawal of chemical administration. Our results showed that amh (anti-mullerian hormone) and its receptor amhr2 (anti-mullerian hormone receptor type 2) were significantly increased in the gonads during the process of female-to-male sex change. Amh is expressed in the Sertoli cells surrounding the type A spermatogonia in the female-to-male grouper. Male-related gene (dmrt1 and sox9) expression was immediately decreased in MT-terminated males during the reversible male-to-female sex change. However, Amh expression was found in the surrounding cells of type A spermatogonia-like cells during the transient phase of reversible male-to-female sex change. This phenomenon is correlated with the dormancy of type A spermatogonia-like cells. Thus, Amh signaling is suggested to play roles in regulating male differentiation during the female-to-male sex change and in inhibiting type-A spermatogonia-like cell proliferation/differentiation during the reversible male-to-female sex change. We suggest that Amh signaling might play dual roles during bi-directional sex change in grouper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Chung Wu
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (GCW); (CFC)
| | - Hau-Wen Li
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Guan Tey
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ju Lin
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Fong Chang
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (GCW); (CFC)
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34
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Wang Q, Liu Y, Peng C, Wang X, Xiao L, Wang D, Chen J, Zhang H, Zhao H, Li S, Zhang Y, Lin H. Molecular regulation of sex change induced by methyltestosterone -feeding and methyltestosterone -feeding withdrawal in the protogynous orange-spotted grouper†. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:324-333. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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35
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Sun ZH, Zhou L, Li Z, Liu XC, Li SS, Wang Y, Gui JF. Sexual dimorphic expression of dnd in germ cells during sex reversal and its requirement for primordial germ cell survival in protogynous hermaphroditic grouper. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 208-209:47-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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36
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Yang YJ, Wang Y, Li Z, Zhou L, Gui JF. Sequential, Divergent, and Cooperative Requirements of Foxl2a and Foxl2b in Ovary Development and Maintenance of Zebrafish. Genetics 2017; 205:1551-1572. [PMID: 28193729 PMCID: PMC5378113 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.199133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Foxl2 is essential for mammalian ovary maintenance. Although sexually dimorphic expression of foxl2 was observed in many teleosts, its role and regulative mechanism in fish remained largely unclear. In this study, we first identified two transcript variants of foxl2a and its homologous gene foxl2b in zebrafish, and revealed their specific expression in follicular layer cells in a sequential and divergent fashion during ovary differentiation, maturation, and maintenance. Then, homozygous foxl2a mutants (foxl2a-/-) and foxl2b mutants (foxl2b-/-) were constructed and detailed comparisons, such as sex ratio, gonadal histological structure, transcriptome profiling, and dynamic expression of gonadal development-related genes, were carried out. Initial ovarian differentiation and oocyte development occur normally both in foxl2a-/- and foxl2b-/- mutants, but foxl2a and foxl2b disruptions result in premature ovarian failure and partial sex reversal, respectively, in adult females. In foxl2a-/- female mutants, sox9a-amh/cyp19a1a signaling was upregulated at 150 days postfertilization (dpf) and subsequently oocyte apoptosis was triggered after 180 dpf. In contrast, dmrt1 expression was greater at 105 dpf and increased several 100-fold in foxl2b-/- mutated ovaries at 270 dpf, along with other testis-related genes. Finally, homozygous foxl2a-/-/foxl2b-/- double mutants were constructed in which complete sex reversal occurs early and testis-differentiation genes robustly increase at 60 dpf. Given mutual compensation between foxl2a and foxl2b in foxl2b-/- and foxl2a-/- mutants, we proposed a model in which foxl2a and foxl2b cooperate to regulate zebrafish ovary development and maintenance, with foxl2b potentially having a dominant role in preventing the ovary from differentiating as testis, as compared to foxl2a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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Sun ZH, Wang Y, Lu WJ, Li Z, Liu XC, Li SS, Zhou L, Gui JF. Divergent Expression Patterns and Function Implications of Four nanos Genes in a Hermaphroditic Fish, Epinephelus coioides. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E685. [PMID: 28333083 PMCID: PMC5412271 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple nanos genes have been characterized in several fishes, but the functional implications of their various expression patterns remain unclear. In this study, we identified and characterized four nanos genes from a hermaphroditic fish orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Ecnanos1a and Ecnanos1b show divergent expression patterns, and the dynamic expression change of Ecnanos1a in pituitaries during sex change is associated with testis differentiation and spermatogenesis. Ecnanos2 and Ecnanos3 might be germline stem cells (GSCs) and primordial germ cells (PGCs)-specific markers, respectively. Significantly, Ecnanos3 3'-untranslated region (UTR) is necessary for PGC specific expression, where a non-canonical "GCACGTTT" sequence is required for miR-430-mediated repression of Ecnanos3 RNA. Furthermore, grouper Dead end (Dnd) can relieve miR-430 repression in PGCs by associating with a 23 bp U-rich region (URR) in Ecnanos3 3'-UTR. The current study revealed the functional association of multiple nanos genes with PGC formation and germ cell development in orange-spotted grouper, and opened up new possibilities for developing biotechnologies through utilizing the associations between Ecnanos3 and PGCs or between Ecnanos2 and GSCs in the hermaphroditic fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Wei-Jia Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Xiao-Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, The Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Shui-Sheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, The Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Loss of stat3 function leads to spine malformation and immune disorder in zebrafish. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2017; 62:185-196. [PMID: 36659403 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
STAT (Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription) gene family members have been revealed to be involved in cell growth and differentiation in vertebrates. Despite their physiological importance, their functions are poorly studied at organ and systemic levels. In this study, we performed a genome-wide analysis using data from invertebrates to vertebrates to identify STAT genes and analyze their evolutionary history. Interestingly, the STAT gene family undergoes genome duplications during the evolutionary history with STAT3 homologues firstly appearing in the basal extant vertebrate, sea lamprey, suggesting its possible roles in spine formation. To investigate the functions of stat3 in fish species, TALEN technology was performed to generate mutant zebrafish lines. Stat3 mutant zebrafish showed no obvious defects at early developmental stage but displayed severe lateral and vertical curvature of the spine (scoliosis), spine fracture and the incomplete bone joints with narrower junction between vertebrae at early juvenile stage, as indicated by Alizarin red and Alcian blue staining, radiography and micro-computed tomography (MicroCT) analysis. Transcriptome analysis reveals dramatic alterations in a number of genes involved in immune and infection response, skeletal development and somatic growth, especially downregulated expression of collagen gene family, in the juvenile stat3 mutant zebrafish. Moreover, most of the collagen genes were detected to have abnormal expression pattern during the formation of spine deformities in stat3 mutants. Our data reveal that stat3 is specially expressed in vertebrates and required for normal spine development and immune function in zebrafish.
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Todd EV, Liu H, Muncaster S, Gemmell NJ. Bending Genders: The Biology of Natural Sex Change in Fish. Sex Dev 2016; 10:223-241. [PMID: 27820936 DOI: 10.1159/000449297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual fate is no longer seen as an irreversible deterministic switch set during early embryonic development but as an ongoing battle for primacy between male and female developmental trajectories. That sexual fate is not final and must be actively maintained via continuous suppression of the opposing sexual network creates the potential for flexibility into adulthood. In many fishes, sexuality is not only extremely plastic, but sex change is a usual and adaptive part of the life cycle. Sequential hermaphrodites begin life as one sex, changing sometime later to the other, and include species capable of protandrous (male-to-female), protogynous (female-to-male), or serial (bidirectional) sex change. Natural sex change involves coordinated transformations across multiple biological systems, including behavioural, anatomical, neuroendocrine, and molecular axes. We here review the biological processes underlying this amazing transformation, focussing particularly on its molecular basis, which remains poorly understood, but where new genomic technologies are significantly advancing our understanding of how sex change is initiated and progressed at the molecular level. Knowledge of how a usually committed developmental process remains plastic in sequentially hermaphroditic fishes is relevant to understanding the evolution and functioning of sexual developmental systems in vertebrates generally, as well as pathologies of sexual development in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica V Todd
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Liu H, Todd EV, Lokman PM, Lamm MS, Godwin JR, Gemmell NJ. Sexual plasticity: A fishy tale. Mol Reprod Dev 2016; 84:171-194. [PMID: 27543780 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Teleost fish exhibit remarkably diverse and plastic patterns of sexual development. One of the most fascinating modes of plasticity is functional sex change, which is widespread in marine fish including species of commercial importance; however, the regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. In this review, we explore such sexual plasticity in fish, using the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) as the primary model. Synthesizing current knowledge, we propose that cortisol and key neurochemicals modulate gonadotropin releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone signaling to promote socially controlled sex change in protogynous fish. Future large-scale genomic analyses and systematic comparisons among species, combined with manipulation studies, will likely uncover the common and unique pathways governing this astonishing transformation. Revealing the molecular and neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying sex change in fish will greatly enhance our understanding of vertebrate sex determination and differentiation as well as phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental influences. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 171-194, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Erica V Todd
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - P Mark Lokman
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Melissa S Lamm
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.,W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - John R Godwin
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.,W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Li SZ, Liu W, Li Z, Wang Y, Zhou L, Yi MS, Gui JF. Molecular characterization and expression pattern of a germ cell marker gene dnd in gibel carp (Carassius gibelio). Gene 2016; 591:183-190. [PMID: 27418526 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
As a germ cell marker gene, Dead end (dnd) has been identified and characterized in many vertebrates. Recently, we created a complete germ cell-depleted gonad model by the dnd-specific morpholino-mediated knockdown approach, and revealed sex-biased gene expression alteration through utilizing unisexual gynogenetic superiority in polyploid gibel carp. However, dnd and its expression pattern are still unclear in the gibel carp. In this study, we further analyzed molecular characterization of gibel carp dnd and its dynamic expression pattern during gametogenesis and embryogenesis. Similar to other homologs in vertebrates, gibel carp dnd contains a conserved RRM motif and five other motifs, and is highly evolutionary conserved in genomic organization and neighborhood gene synteny. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed its gonad-specific expression intensively in testis and ovary. Section in situ hybridization (SISH) and immunofluorescence localization revealed its dynamic expression pattern specific to oogenic cells and spermatogenetic cells during oogenesis and spermatogenesis. Moreover, its temporal and spatial distribution specific to PGCs were also demonstrated by RT-PCR and whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) during embryogenesis. Therefore, gibel carp Dnd is a conserved germ cell marker during gametogenesis, and its maternal transcript is also a useful marker for tracing PGC specification and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Zhu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Mei-Sheng Yi
- Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Bar I, Cummins S, Elizur A. Transcriptome analysis reveals differentially expressed genes associated with germ cell and gonad development in the Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii). BMC Genomics 2016; 17:217. [PMID: 26965070 PMCID: PMC4785667 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Controlling and managing the breeding of bluefin tuna (Thunnus spp.) in captivity is an imperative step towards obtaining a sustainable supply of these fish in aquaculture production systems. Germ cell transplantation (GCT) is an innovative technology for the production of inter-species surrogates, by transplanting undifferentiated germ cells derived from a donor species into larvae of a host species. The transplanted surrogates will then grow and mature to produce donor-derived seed, thus providing a simpler alternative to maintaining large-bodied broodstock such as the bluefin tuna. Implementation of GCT for new species requires the development of molecular tools to follow the fate of the transplanted germ cells. These tools are based on key reproductive and germ cell-specific genes. RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) provides a rapid, cost-effective method for high throughput gene identification in non-model species. This study utilized RNA-Seq to identify key genes expressed in the gonads of Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii, SBT) and their specific expression patterns in male and female gonad cells. RESULTS Key genes involved in the reproductive molecular pathway and specifically, germ cell development in gonads, were identified using analysis of RNA-Seq transcriptomes of male and female SBT gonad cells. Expression profiles of transcripts from ovary and testis cells were compared, as well as testis germ cell-enriched fraction prepared with Percoll gradient, as used in GCT studies. Ovary cells demonstrated over-expression of genes related to stem cell maintenance, while in testis cells, transcripts encoding for reproduction-associated receptors, sex steroids and hormone synthesis and signaling genes were over-expressed. Within the testis cells, the Percoll-enriched fraction showed over-expression of genes that are related to post-meiosis germ cell populations. CONCLUSIONS Gonad development and germ cell related genes were identified from SBT gonads and their expression patterns in ovary and testis cells were determined. These expression patterns correlate with the reproductive developmental stage of the sampled fish. The majority of the genes described in this study were sequenced for the first time in T. maccoyii. The wealth of SBT gonadal and germ cell-related gene sequences made publicly available by this study provides an extensive resource for further GCT and reproductive molecular biology studies of this commercially valuable fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Bar
- Genecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 4558 Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Scott Cummins
- Genecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 4558 Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Abigail Elizur
- Genecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 4558 Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
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Leng XQ, Du HJ, Li CJ, Cao H. Molecular characterization and expression pattern of dmrt1 in the immature Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2016; 88:567-579. [PMID: 26706998 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the cDNA of dmrt1 gene from the Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis was isolated and its expression pattern was characterized in different tissues of immature A. sinensis. By real-time quantitative PCR (qrtPCR) analysis, the A. sinensis dmrt1 mRNA was detected mainly in gonad and with a higher level in the testis than the ovary, especially in 3 and 4 year-old samples. This indicated that the dmrt1 expression exhibited gradual testis specificity with development. The subcellular localization analysis indicated that the Dmrt1 protein exists only in germ cells and not in somatic cells. These results suggest that A. sinensis dmrt1 might be a highly specific sex differentiation gene for testis development and spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Q Leng
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang 443100, China
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization of Agriculture Ministry of China, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - H J Du
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang 443100, China
| | - C J Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization of Agriculture Ministry of China, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - H Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang 443100, China
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Wu GC, Tey WG, Li HW, Chang CF. Sexual Fate Reprogramming in the Steroid-Induced Bi-Directional Sex Change in the Protogynous Orange-Spotted Grouper, Epinephelus coioides. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145438. [PMID: 26714271 PMCID: PMC4694621 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen administration has been widely used for masculinization in fish. The mechanism of the sex change in sexual fate regulation is not clear. Oral administration or pellet implantation was applied. We orally applied an aromatase inhibitor (AI, to decrease estrogen levels) and 17α-methyltestosterone (MT, to increase androgen levels) to induce masculinization to clarify the mechanism of the sex change in the protogynous orange-spotted grouper. After 3 mo of AI/MT administration, male characteristics were observed in the female-to-male sex change fish. These male characteristics included increased plasma 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), decreased estradiol (E2) levels, increased male-related gene (dmrt1, sox9, and cyp11b2) expression, and decreased female-related gene (figla, foxl2, and cyp19a1a) expression. However, the reduced male characteristics and male-to-female sex change occurred after AI/MT-termination in the AI- and MT-induced maleness. Furthermore, the MT-induced oocyte-depleted follicle cells (from MT-implantation) had increased proliferating activity, and the sexual fate in a portion of female gonadal soma cells was altered to male function during the female-to-male sex change. In contrast, the gonadal soma cells were not proliferative during the early process of the male-to-female sex change. Additionally, the male gonadal soma cells did not alter to female function during the male-to-female sex change in the AI/MT-terminated fish. After MT termination in the male-to-female sex-changed fish, the differentiated male germ cells showed increased proliferating activities together with dormancy and did not show characteristics of both sexes in the early germ cells. In conclusion, these findings indicate for the first time in a single species that the mechanism involved in the replacement of soma cells is different between the female-to-male and male-to-female sex change processes in grouper. These results also demonstrate that sexual fate determination (secondary sex determination) is regulated by endogenous sex steroid levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Chung Wu
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
- Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (G-CW); (C-FC)
| | - Wei-Guan Tey
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Hau-Wen Li
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Fong Chang
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
- Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (G-CW); (C-FC)
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Liu Z, Zhang XJ, Wang W, Zhang J, Li Z, Gui JF. Molecular characterization and expression of an oocyte-specific histone stem-loop binding protein in Carassius gibelio. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 190:46-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Liu H, Lamm MS, Rutherford K, Black MA, Godwin JR, Gemmell NJ. Large-scale transcriptome sequencing reveals novel expression patterns for key sex-related genes in a sex-changing fish. Biol Sex Differ 2015; 6:26. [PMID: 26613014 PMCID: PMC4660848 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-015-0044-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Teleost fishes exhibit remarkably diverse and plastic sexual developmental patterns. One of the most astonishing is the rapid socially controlled female-to-male (protogynous) sex change observed in bluehead wrasses (Thalassoma bifasciatum). Such functional sex change is widespread in marine fishes, including species of commercial importance, yet its underlying molecular basis remains poorly explored. Methods RNA sequencing was performed to characterize the transcriptomic profiles and identify genes exhibiting sex-biased expression in the brain (forebrain and midbrain) and gonads of bluehead wrasses. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis were carried out for the sex-biased genes in the gonad to detect global differences in gene products and genetic pathways between males and females. Results Here we report the first transcriptomic analysis for a protogynous fish. Expression comparison between males and females reveals a large set of genes with sex-biased expression in the gonad, but relatively few such sex-biased genes in the brain. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis suggested that ovaries are mainly enriched for metabolic processes and testes for signal transduction, particularly receptors of neurotransmitters and steroid hormones. When compared to other species, many genes previously implicated in male sex determination and differentiation pathways showed conservation in their gonadal expression patterns in bluehead wrasses. However, some critical female-pathway genes (e.g., rspo1 and wnt4b) exhibited unanticipated expression patterns. In the brain, gene expression patterns suggest that local neurosteroid production and signaling likely contribute to the sex differences observed. Conclusions Expression patterns of key sex-related genes suggest that sex-changing fish predominantly use an evolutionarily conserved genetic toolkit, but that subtle variability in the standard sex-determination regulatory network likely contributes to sexual plasticity in these fish. This study not only provides the first molecular data on a system ideally suited to explore the molecular basis of sexual plasticity and tissue re-engineering, but also sheds some light on the evolution of diverse sex determination and differentiation systems. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13293-015-0044-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Melissa S Lamm
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA ; W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Kim Rutherford
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael A Black
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - John R Godwin
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA ; W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Liu W, Li SZ, Li Z, Wang Y, Li XY, Zhong JX, Zhang XJ, Zhang J, Zhou L, Gui JF. Complete depletion of primordial germ cells in an All-female fish leads to Sex-biased gene expression alteration and sterile All-male occurrence. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:971. [PMID: 26582363 PMCID: PMC4652418 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2130-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gynogenesis is one of unisexual reproduction modes in vertebrates, and produces all-female individuals with identical genetic background. In sexual reproduction vertebrates, the roles of primordial germ cells on sexual dimorphism and gonadal differentiation have been largely studied, and two distinct functional models have been proposed. However, the role of primordial germ cells remains unknown in unisexual animals, and it is also unclear whether the functional models in sexual reproduction animals are common in unisexual animals. Results To solve these puzzles, we attempt to utilize the gynogenetic superiority of polyploid Carassius gibelio to create a complete germ cell-depleted gonad model by a similar morpholino-mediated knockdown approach used in other examined sexual reproduction fishes. Through the germ cell-depleted gonad model, we have performed comprehensive and comparative transcriptome analysis, and revealed a complete alteration of sex-biased gene expression. Moreover, the expression alteration leads to up-regulation of testis-biased genes and down-regulation of ovary-biased genes, and results in the occurrence of sterile all-males with testis-like gonads and secondary sex characteristics in the germ cell-depleted gynogenetic Carassius gibelio. Conclusions Our current results have demonstrated that unisexual gynogenetic embryos remain keeping male sex determination information in the genome, and the complete depletion of primordial germ cells in the all-female fish leads to sex-biased gene expression alteration and sterile all-male occurrence. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2130-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Shi-Zhu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xi-Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jian-Xiang Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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Nozu R, Horiguchi R, Kobayashi Y, Nakamura M. Expression profile of doublesex/male abnormal-3-related transcription factor-1 during gonadal sex change in the protogynous wrasse, Halichoeres trimaculatus. Mol Reprod Dev 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Nozu
- Research Center; Okinawa Churashima Foundation; Motobu Okinawa Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center; University of the Ryukyus; Motobu Okinawa Japan
| | - Ryo Horiguchi
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center; University of the Ryukyus; Motobu Okinawa Japan
- Research Equipment Center; Hamamatsu University School of Medicine; Hamamatsu Shizuoka Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Kobayashi
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center; University of the Ryukyus; Motobu Okinawa Japan
- Faculty of Science; Ushimado Marine Institute; Okayama University; Setouchi Okayama Japan
| | - Masaru Nakamura
- Research Center; Okinawa Churashima Foundation; Motobu Okinawa Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center; University of the Ryukyus; Motobu Okinawa Japan
- Research Institute; Meio University; Nago Okinawa Japan
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Wu J, Xiong S, Jing J, Chen X, Wang W, Gui JF, Mei J. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes and Signaling Pathways between XY and YY Testis in Yellow Catfish. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134626. [PMID: 26241040 PMCID: PMC4524600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
YY super-males have rarely been detected in nature and only been artificially created in some fish species including tilapia and yellow catfish (Pelteobagrusfulvidraco), which provides a promising model for testis development and spermatogenesis. In our previous study, significant differences in morphology and miRNA expression were detected between XY and YY testis of yellow catfish. Here, solexa sequencing technology was further performed to compare mRNA expression between XY and YY testis. Compared with unigenes expressed in XY testis, 1146 and 1235 unigenes have significantly higher and lower expression in YY testis, respectively. 605 differentially expressed unigenes were annotated to 1604 GO terms with 319 and 286 genes having relative higher expression in XY and YY testis. KEGG analysis suggested different levels of PI3K-AKT and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways between XY and YY testis. Down-regulation of miR-141/429 in YY testis was speculated to promote testis development and maturation, and several factors in PI3K-AKT and GPCR signaling pathways were found as predicted targets of miR-141/429, several of which were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assays. Our study provides a comparative transcriptome analysis between XY and YY testis, and reveals interactions between miRNAs and their target genes that are possibly involved in regulating testis development and spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Wu
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shuting Xiong
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jing Jing
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- * E-mail: (JM); (JFG)
| | - Jie Mei
- College of Fisheries, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- * E-mail: (JM); (JFG)
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50
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Pan ZJ, Li XY, Zhou FJ, Qiang XG, Gui JF. Identification of Sex-Specific Markers Reveals Male Heterogametic Sex Determination in Pseudobagrus ussuriensis. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2015; 17:441-451. [PMID: 25981673 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-015-9631-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Comprehending sex determination mechanism is a first step for developing sex control breeding biotechnologies in fish. Pseudobagrus ussuriensis, one of bagrid catfishes in Bagridae, had been observed to have about threefold size dimorphism between males and females, but its sex determination mechanism had been unknown. In this study, we firstly used the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)-based screening approach to isolate a male-specific DNA fragment and thereby identified a 10,569 bp of male-specific sequence and a 10,365 bp of female-related sequence by genome walking in the bagrid catfish, in which a substantial genetic differentiation with 96.35 % nucleotide identity was revealed between them. Subsequently, a high differentiating region of 650 bp with only 70.26 % nucleotide identity was found from the corresponding two sequences, and three primer pairs of male-specific marker, male and female-shared marker with different length products in male and female genomes, and female-related marker were designed. Significantly, when these markers were used to identify genetic sex of the bagrid catfish, only male individuals was detected to amplify the male-specific marker fragment, and female-related marker was discovered to produce dosage association in females and in males. Our current data provide significant genetic evidence that P. ussuriensis has heterogametic XY sex chromosomes in males and homogametic XX sex chromosomes in females. Therefore, sex determination mechanism of P. ussuriensis is male heterogametic XX/XY system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Jun Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
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