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Su Y, Wu Y, Ye M, Zhao C, Li L, Cai J, Chakraborty T, Yang L, Wang D, Zhou L. Star1 gene mutation reveals the essentiality of 11-ketotestosterone and glucocorticoids for male fertility in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 273:110985. [PMID: 38729293 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2024.110985] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (Star) plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of corticosteroids and sex steroids by mediating the transport of cholesterol from the outer to the inner membrane of mitochondria. Two duplicated Star genes, namely star1 and star2, have been identified in non-mammalian vertebrates. To investigate the roles of star genes in fish steriodogenesis, we generated two mutation lines of star1-/- and star1-/-/star2-/- in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Previous studies revealed that deficiency of star2 gene caused delayed spermatogenesis, sperm apoptosis and sterility in male tilapia. Our present data revealed that mutation of star genes impaired male fertility. Disordered seminiferous lobules and spermatic duct obstruction were found in the testis of both types of mutants. Moreover, significant decline in semen volume, sperm abnormality and impaired fertility were also detected in star1-/- and star1-/-/star2-/- males. In star1-/- male fish, lipid accumulation, up-regulation of steroidogenic enzymes, and significant decline of androgens were found. Additionally, hyperplasic interrenal cells, elevated steroidogenic gene expression level and decline of serum glucocorticoids were detected in star1 mutants. Intriguingly, either 11-KT or cortisol supplementation successfully rescued the impaired fertility of the star1-/- mutants. Taken together, these results further indicate that Star1 might play critical roles in the production of both 11-KT and glucocorticoids, which are indispensable for the maintenance of male fertility in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Su
- Fisheries Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, PR China; 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
| | - You Wu
- 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
| | - Maolin Ye
- 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
| | - Chenhua Zhao
- 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
| | - Lu Li
- 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
| | - Jing Cai
- 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
| | | | - Lanying Yang
- 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
| | - Deshou Wang
- 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.
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Fisheries Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
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Ye L, Zhu M, Ju J, Yang H. Effects of Dietary Cholesterol Regulation on Spermatogenesis of Gobiocypris rarus Rare Minnow. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087492. [PMID: 37108655 PMCID: PMC10141657 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is an important component of cell membranes, and also a precursor for the synthesis of sex hormones, playing an important role in reproduction. However, few studies have focused on cholesterol and reproductive health. To investigate the toxic effects of different cholesterol levels on the spermatogenesis of rare minnows, we regulate the cholesterol content in fish by feeding them a high-cholesterol diet and cholesterol inhibitor pravastatin, and cholesterol levels, sex hormone (T and 11KT) levels, testis histology, sperm morphology and function, and the expression of genes related to sex hormone synthesis were investigated. The research findings indicate that increasing cholesterol levels significantly increases the liver weight and hepatic-somatic index, as well as the total cholesterol and free cholesterol levels in the testis, liver, and plasma of rare minnow, while inhibiting cholesterol has the opposite effect (p < 0.05). However, both increasing and decreasing cholesterol levels can suppress rare minnow testicular development, as evidenced by a decrease in testis weight, lowered gonadosomatic index, suppressed sex hormone levels, and reduced mature sperm count. Further exploration revealed that the expression of sex hormone synthesis-related genes, including star, cyp19a1a, and hsd11b2, was significantly affected (p < 0.05), which may be an important reason for the decrease in sex hormone synthesis and consequent inhibition of testicular development. At the same time, the fertilization ability of mature sperm in both treatment groups significantly decreased. Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence polarization tests showed that reducing cholesterol levels significantly increased the rate of sperm head cell membrane damage, while both increasing and decreasing cholesterol levels led to a reduction in sperm cell membrane fluidity, which may be the main reason for the decrease in sperm fertilization ability. This study demonstrates that both increasing and decreasing the levels of cholesterol are detrimental to the fish spermatogenesis, providing fundamental information for the study of fish reproduction and also a reference for the causes of male reproductive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lv Ye
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Mingzhen Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jian Ju
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hui Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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Fang Z, Li X, Wang Y, Lu W, Hou J, Cheng J. Steroidogenic Effects of Salinity Change on the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad (HPG) Axis of Male Chinese Sea Bass ( Lateolabrax maculatus). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810905. [PMID: 36142817 PMCID: PMC9503316 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
As lower vertebrates, teleost species could be affected by dynamic aquatic environments and may respond to environmental changes through the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad (HPG) axis to ensure their normal growth and sexual development. Chinese sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus), euryhaline marine teleosts, have an extraordinary ability to deal with a wide range of salinity changes, whereas the salinity decrease during their sex-maturation season may interfere with the HPG axis and affect their steroid hormone metabolism, resulting in abnormal reproductive functioning. To this end, in this study, 40 HPG axis genes in the L. maculatus genome were systematically characterized and their copy numbers, phylogenies, gene structures, and expression patterns were investigated, revealing the conservation of the HPG axis among teleost lineages. In addition, freshwater acclimation was carried out with maturing male L. maculatus, and their serum cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) levels were both increased significantly after the salinity change, while their testes were found to be partially degraded. After salinity reduction, the expression of genes involved in cortisol and 11-KT synthesis (cyp17a, hsd3b1, cyp21a, cyp11c, hsd11b2, and hsd17b3) showed generally upregulated expression in the head kidneys and testes, respectively. Moreover, cyp11c and hsd11b2 were involved in the synthesis and metabolism of both cortisol and 11-KT, and after salinity change their putative interaction may contribute to steroid hormone homeostasis. Our results proved the effects of salinity change on the HPG axis and steroidogenic pathway in L. maculatus and revealed the gene interactions involved in the regulation of steroid hormone levels. The coordinated interaction of steroidogenic genes provides comprehensive insights into steroidogenic pathway regulation, as well as sexual development, in teleost species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenru Fang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xujian Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yapeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Juncheng Hou
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572024, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0532-82031986
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The Comparative Survey of Coordinated Regulation of Steroidogenic Pathway in Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and Chinese Tongue Sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105520. [PMID: 35628330 PMCID: PMC9141715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroidogenesis controls the conversion of cholesterol into steroid hormones through the complex cascade reaction of various enzymes, which play essential roles in sexual differentiation and gonadal development in vertebrates, including teleosts. Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) are important marine cultured fishes in China and have remarkable sexual dimorphism with bigger females and sex reversal scenarios from female to neo-male. Several steroidogenic genes have been analyzed individually in the two species, but there is a lack of information on the coordinated interaction of steroidogenic gene regulation. Therefore, in this study, through genomic and transcriptomic analysis, 39 and 42 steroidogenic genes were systematically characterized in P. olivaceus and C. semilaevis genomes, respectively. Phylogenetic and synteny analysis suggested a teleost specific genome duplication origin for cyp19a1a/cyp19a1b, hsd17b12a/hsd17b12b, ara/arb and esr2a/esr2b but not for star/star2 and cyp17a1/cyp17a2. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed conserved expression patterns for steroidogenic genes in P. olivaceus and C. smilaevis gonads; star/star2, cyp11a/cyp11c, cyp17a1/cyp17a2, cyp21a, hsd3b1, hsd11b and hsd20b were strongly expressed in testis, while cyp19a1a and hsd17b genes were highly expressed in ovaries. Only a few genes were differentially expressed between male and neo-male testis of both P. olivaceus and C. semilaevis, and even fewer genes were differentially regulated in the brains of both species. Network analysis indicated that cyp11c, cyp17a1 and hsd3b1 actively interacted with other steroidogenic genes in P. olivaceus and C. semilaevis, and may play a more sophisticated role in the steroid hormone biosynthesis cascade. The coordinated interaction of steroidogenic genes provided comprehensive insights into steroidogenic pathway regulation with a global biological impact, as well as sexual development in teleost species.
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Transcriptomes of testis and pituitary from male Nile tilapia (O. niloticus L.) in the context of social status. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268140. [PMID: 35544481 PMCID: PMC9094562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268140] [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: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
African cichlids are well established models for studying social hierarchies in teleosts and elucidating the effects social dominance has on gene expression. Ascension in the social hierarchy has been found to increase plasma levels of steroid hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh) as well as gonadosomatic index (GSI). Furthermore, the expression of genes related to gonadotropins and steroidogenesis and signaling along the brain-pituitary-gonad axis (BPG-axis) is affected by changes of an animal’s social status. In this study, we use RNA-sequencing to obtain an in-depth look at the transcriptomes of testes and pituitaries from dominant and subordinate male Nile tilapia living in long-term stable social hierarchies. This allows us to draw conclusions about factors along the brain-pituitary-gonad axis that are involved in maintaining dominance over weeks or even months. We identify a number of genes that are differentially regulated between dominant and subordinate males and show that in high-ranking fish this subset of genes is generally upregulated. Genes differentially expressed between the two social groups comprise growth factors, related binding proteins and receptors, components of Wnt-, Tgfβ- and retinoic acid-signaling pathway, gonadotropin signaling and steroidogenesis pathways. The latter is backed up by elevated levels of 11-ketotestosterone, testosterone and estradiol in dominant males. Luteinizing hormone (Lh) is found in higher concentration in the plasma of long-term dominant males than in subordinate animals. Our results both strengthen the existing models and propose new candidates for functional studies to expand our understanding of social phenomena in teleost fish.
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Jiang DN, Peng YX, Liu XY, Mustapha UF, Huang YQ, Shi HJ, Li MH, Li GL, Wang DS. Homozygous Mutation of gsdf Causes Infertility in Female Nile Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus). Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:813320. [PMID: 35242110 PMCID: PMC8886716 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.813320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadal somatic cell-derived factor (Gsdf) is a member of the TGF-β superfamily, which exists mainly in fishes. Homozygous gsdf mutations in Japanese medaka and zebrafish resulted in infertile females, and the reasons for their infertility remain unknown. This study presents functional studies of Gsdf in ovary development using CRISPR/Cas9 in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The XX wild type (WT) female fish regularly reproduced from 12 months after hatching (mah), while the XX gsdf-/- female fish never reproduced and were infertile. Histological observation showed that at 24 mah, number of phase IV oocyte in the XX gsdf-/- female fish was significantly lower than that of the WT fish, although their gonadosomatic index (GSI) was similar. However, the GSI of the XX gsdf-/- female at 6 mah was higher than that of the WT. The mutated ovaries were hyperplastic with more phase I oocytes. Transcriptome analysis identified 344 and 51 up- and down-regulated genes in mutants compared with the WT ovaries at 6 mah. Some TGF-β signaling genes that are critical for ovary development in fish were differentially expressed. Genes such as amh and amhr2 were up-regulated, while inhbb and acvr2a were down-regulated in mutant ovaries. The cyp19a1a, the key gene for estrogen synthesis, was not differentially expressed. Moreover, the serum 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations between XX gsdf-/- and WT were similar at 6 and 24 mah. Results from real-time PCR and immunofluorescence experiments were similar and validated the transcriptome data. Furthermore, Yeast-two-hybrid assays showed that Gsdf interacts with TGF-β type II receptors (Amhr2 and Bmpr2a). Altogether, these results suggest that Gsdf functions together with TGF-β signaling pathway to control ovary development and fertility. This study contributes to knowledge on the function of Gsdf in fish oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Neng Jiang
- Guangdong Province Famous Fish Reproduction Regulation and Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center, Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - You-Xing Peng
- Guangdong Province Famous Fish Reproduction Regulation and Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center, Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xing-Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Umar Farouk Mustapha
- Guangdong Province Famous Fish Reproduction Regulation and Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center, Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yuan-Qing Huang
- Guangdong Province Famous Fish Reproduction Regulation and Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center, Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Hong-Juan Shi
- Guangdong Province Famous Fish Reproduction Regulation and Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center, Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Ming-Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang-Li Li
- Guangdong Province Famous Fish Reproduction Regulation and Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center, Fisheries College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - De-Shou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: De-Shou Wang,
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Yang L, Wu Y, Su Y, Zhang X, Chakraborty T, Wang D, Zhou L. Cyp17a2 is involved in testicular development and fertility in male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1074921. [PMID: 36523590 PMCID: PMC9744770 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1074921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Steroid hormones play an essential role in many reproductive processes of vertebrates. Previous studies revealed that teleost-specific Cyp17a2 (cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily a 2) might be required for the production of cortisol in the head-kidney and 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) in ovary during oocyte maturation. However, the role of Cyp17a2 in male reproduction remains to be largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the essentiality of cyp17a2 gene in male steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and male fertility. METHODS A homozygous mutation line of cyp17a2 gene was constructed in tilapia by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. The expression level of germ cell and meiosis-related genes and steroidogenic enzymes were detected by qRT-PCR, IHC, and Western blotting. EIA and LC-MS/MS assays were used to measure the steroid production levels. And sperm quality was examined by Sperm Quality Analyzer software. RESULTS In this study, cyp17a2 gene mutation resulted in the significant decline of serum DHP and cortisol levels. On the contrary, significant increases in intermediate products of cortisol and DHP were found in cyp17a2-/- male fish. The deficiency of cyp17a2 led to the arrest of meiotic initiation in male fish revealing as the reduction of the expression of germ cell-related genes (vasa, piwil, oct4) and meiosis-related genes (spo11 and sycp3) by 90 dah. Afterwards, spermatogenesis was gradually recovered with the development of testis in cyp17a2-/- males, but it showed a lower sperm motility and reduced fertility compared to cyp17a2+/+ XY fish. Deletion of cyp17a2 led to the abnormal upregulation of steroidogenic enzymes for cortisol production in the head-kidney. Moreover, unaltered serum androgens and estrogens, as well as unchanged related steroidogenic enzymes were found in the testis of cyp17a2-/- male fish. CONCLUSION This study proved that, for the fist time, Cyp17a2 is indispensable for cortisol and DHP production, and cyp17a2 deficiency associated curtailed meiotic initiation and subfertility suggesting the essentiality of DHP and cortisol in the male fertility of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Fisheries Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - You Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Fisheries Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yun Su
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Fisheries Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Fisheries Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | | | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Fisheries Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Linyan Zhou, ; Deshou Wang,
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Fisheries Engineering Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Linyan Zhou, ; Deshou Wang,
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Yang L, Zhang X, Liu S, Zhao C, Miao Y, Jin L, Wang D, Zhou L. Cyp17a1 is Required for Female Sex Determination and Male Fertility by Regulating Sex Steroid Biosynthesis in Fish. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6377406. [PMID: 34581801 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In teleost fish, sex steroids are involved in sex determination, sex differentiation, and fertility. Cyp17a1 (Cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1) is thought to play essential roles in fish steroidogenesis. Therefore, to further understand its roles in steroidogenesis, sex determination, and fertility in fish, we constructed a cyp17a1 gene mutant in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In XX fish, mutation of the cyp17a1 gene led to a female-to-male sex reversal with a significant decline in 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) production, and ectopic expression of male-biased markers (Dmrt1 and Gsdf) in gonads from the critical window of sex determination. Sex reversal was successfully rescued via T or E2 administration, and ovarian characteristics were maintained after termination of E2 supplementation in the absence of endogenous estrogen production in cyp17a1-/- XX fish. Likewise, deficiencies in T and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) production in both cyp17a1-/- XX sex-reversed males and cyp17a1-/- XY mutants resulted in meiotic initiation delays, vas deferens obstruction and sterility due to excessive apoptosis and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. However, 11-KT treatment successfully rescued the dysspermia to produce normal sperm in cyp17a1-/- male fish. Significant increases in gonadotropic hormone (gth) and gth receptors in cyp17a1-/- mutants may excessively upregulate steroidogenic gene expression in Leydig cells through a feedback loop. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that Cyp17a1 is indispensable for E2 production, which is fundamental for female sex determination and differentiation in XX tilapia. Additionally, Cyp17a1 is essential for T and 11-KT production, which further promotes spermatogenesis and fertility in XY males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Shujun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chenhua Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yiyang Miao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Li Jin
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
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Li L, Wu Y, Zhao C, Miao Y, Cai J, Song L, Wei J, Chakraborty T, Wu L, Wang D, Zhou L. The role of StAR2 gene in testicular differentiation and spermatogenesis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 214:105974. [PMID: 34425195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroids play critical roles in sex differentiation and gonadal development in teleosts. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), transporting cholesterol (the substrate for steroidogenesis) from the outer mitochondrial membrane to the inner membrane, is the first rate-limiting factor of steroidogenesis. Interestingly, two StAR genes (named as StAR1 and StAR2) have been isolated from non-mammalian vertebrates. To characterize the functions of the novel StAR2 gene in the gonadal differentiation and fertility, we generated a StAR2 homozygous mutant line in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). StAR2 gene knockout in male tilapia impeded meiotic initiation, associate with the down-regulation of meiosis related gene expressions of vasa, sycp3 and dazl at 90 days after hatching (dah). Meanwhile, cyp11b2 expression and serum 11-KT production significantly declined in StAR2-/- XY fish at 90 dah. From 120-300 dah, spermatogenesis gradually recovered, and so did the expressions of vasa, sycp3 and dazl in StAR2-/- XY fish testes. However, seminiferous lobules arranged disorderly in StAR2-/- XY fish testes at 300 dah. The number of Leydig cells and expressions of downstream steroidogenesis enzymes including cyp11a1, 3β-HSD-I, 3β-HSD-II, cyp17a1 and cyp17a2 decreased in StAR2-/- XY fish testes at 300 dah. Serum testosterone and 11-KT levels were significantly lower in StAR2-/- XY fish than that of their control counterparts. Furthermore, significantly elevated ar, fsh and lh expressions in StAR2-deficient XY fish testes and pituitaries were found when compared with the control XY fish. Testes degeneration and spermatogenic cell apoptosis were observed, while no sperm were squeezed out in StAR2-/- XY fish testes at 540 dah. Taken together, our results suggest that StAR2 has a role in testicular development, spermatogenesis and spermiation by regulating androgen production in tilapia, but may not be essential and could be compensated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- 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; Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - You Wu
- 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
| | - Chenhua Zhao
- 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
| | - Yiyang Miao
- 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
| | - Jing Cai
- 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
| | - Lingyun Song
- 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
| | - Jing Wei
- 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
| | | | - Limin Wu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, China.
| | - Deshou Wang
- 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.
| | - 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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10
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Zhou L, Li M, Wang D. Role of sex steroids in fish sex determination and differentiation as revealed by gene editing. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 313:113893. [PMID: 34454946 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of sex steroids in sex determination and differentiation is relatively conserved among non-mammalian vertebrates, especially in fish. Thanks to the advances in genome sequencing and genome editing, significant progresses have been made in the understanding of steroidogenic pathway and hormonal regulation of sex determination and differentiation in fish. It seems that loss of function study of single gene challenges the traditional views that estrogen is required for ovarian differentiation and androgen is needed for testicular development, but it is not so in essence. Steroidogenic enzymes can be classified into two categories based on expression and enzyme activities in fish. One type, encoded by star2, cyp17a1 and cyp19a1a, is involved in estrogen production and exclusively expressed in the gonads. Mutation of these genes results in the up-regulation of male pathway genes and sex reversal from genetic female to male. The other type, encoded by the duplicated paralogs of the above genes, including star1, cyp11a1, cyp17a2 and cyp19a1b, as well as cyp11c1 gene, is dominantly expressed both in gonads and extra-gonadal tissues. Mutation of these genes alters the steroids (androgen, DHP and cortisol) production and spermatogenesis, fertility, secondary sexual characteristics and sexual behavior, but usually does not affect the sex differentiation. For the estrogen receptors (esr1, esr2a and esr2b), single mutation failed to, but double and triple mutation leads to sex reversal from female to male, indicating that at least Esr2a and Esr2b are required to mediate the role of estrogen in sex determination proved by gene editing experiments. Taken together, results from gene editing enrich our understanding of steroid synthesis pathways and further confirm the critical role of estrogen in female sex determination by antagonizing the male pathway in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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11
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Huang Q, Yang Z, Wang J, Luo Y, Zhao C, Li M, Xiao H, Tao W, Wang D, Wei J. Establishment of a stem Leydig cell line capable of 11-ketotestosterone production. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:1271-1281. [PMID: 33153523 DOI: 10.1071/rd20171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The deficiency or insufficiency of androgen can trigger a range of reproductive diseases as well as other symptoms. Stem Leydig cells (SLCs) are critical for the formation and maintenance of a functional androgen-producing cell (Leydig cell, LC) population throughout adult male life. However, to date, our knowledge about SLCs is poor. Here we report the derivation and characterisation of a clonal stem LC line (designated as TSL) capable of 11- ketotestosterone (11-KT) production from a 3-month-old Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) testis. The cells retained stable proliferation after 77 generations with normal karyotype and growth factor dependency. They expressed platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (pdgfrα), nestin and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II (coup-tfIIa), which are characteristic of SLCs. Upon induction in defined medium, TSLs could undergo differentiation into steroidogenically active LCs and produce 11-KT. When implanted into recipient Nile tilapia testes from which endogenous LCs had been eliminated by ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS) treatment, the PKH26-labelled TSLs could colonise the interstitium, subsequently express steroidogenic genes and restore 11-KT production. Taken together, our data suggest that TSLs possess the ability of continuous proliferation and potential of differentiation into functional LCs invitro and invivo. To the best of our knowledge TSL might represent the first stem LC line capable of 11-KT production to date. Our study may offer new opportunities for investigating the self-renewal of SLCs and steroidogenesis invitro, and provide an invaluable invitro model for investigating endocrine disruptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Yubing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Changle Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Hesheng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjing Tao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China; and Corresponding authors. Emails: ;
| | - Jing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education; Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, China; and Corresponding authors. Emails: ;
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12
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Tao W, Shi H, Yang J, Diakite H, Kocher TD, Wang D. Homozygous mutation of foxh1 arrests oogenesis causing infertility in female Nile tilapia†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:758-769. [PMID: 31837141 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Foxh1, a member of fox gene family, was first characterized as a transcriptional partner in the formation of the Smad protein complex. Recent studies have shown foxh1 is highly expressed in the cytoplasm of oocytes in both tilapia and mouse. However, its function in oogenesis remains unexplored. In the present study, foxh1-/- tilapia was created by CRISPR/Cas9. At 180 dah (days after hatching), the foxh1-/- XX fish showed oogenesis arrest and a significantly lower GSI. The transition of oocytes from phase II to phase III and follicle cells from one to two layers was blocked, resulting in infertility of the mutant. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that expression of genes involved in estrogen synthesis and oocyte growth were altered in the foxh1-/- ovaries. Loss of foxh1 resulted in significantly decreased Cyp19a1a and increased Cyp11b2 expression, consistent with significantly lower concentrations of serum estradiol-17β (E2) and higher concentrations of 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT). Moreover, administration of E2 rescued the phenotypes of foxh1-/- XX fish, as indicated by the appearance of phase III and IV oocytes and absence of Cyp11b2 expression. Taken together, these results suggest that foxh1 functions in the oocytes to regulate oogenesis by promoting cyp19a1a expression, and therefore estrogen production. Disruption of foxh1 may block the estrogen synthesis and oocyte growth, leading to the arrest of oogenesis and thus infertility in tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Tao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China and
| | - Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hamidou Diakite
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Thomas D Kocher
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
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13
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Tenugu S, Pranoty A, Mamta SK, Senthilkumaran B. Development and organisation of gonadal steroidogenesis in bony fishes - A review. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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14
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Comparison of Gonadal Transcriptomes Uncovers Reproduction-Related Genes with Sexually Dimorphic Expression Patterns in Diodon hystrix. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041042. [PMID: 33917262 PMCID: PMC8068034 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diodon hystrix is a new and emerging aquaculture species in south China. However, due to the lack of understanding of reproductive regulation, the management of breeding and reproduction under captivity remains a barrier for the commercial aquaculture of D. hystrix. More genetic information is needed to identify genes critical for gonadal development. Here, the first gonadal transcriptomes of D. hystrix were analyzed and 151.89 million clean reads were generated. All reads were assembled into 57,077 unigenes, and 24,574 could be annotated. By comparing the gonad transcriptomes, 11,487 differentially expressed genes were obtained, of which 4599 were upregulated and 6888 were downregulated in the ovaries. Using enrichment analyses, many functional pathways were found to be associated with reproduction regulation. A set of sex-biased genes putatively involved in gonad development and gametogenesis were identified and their sexually dimorphic expression patterns were characterized. The detailed transcriptomic data provide a useful resource for further research on D. hystrix reproductive manipulation.
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15
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Pan Z, Zhu C, Chang G, Wu N, Ding H, Wang H. Differential expression analysis and identification of sex-related genes by gonad transcriptome sequencing in estradiol-treated and non-treated Ussuri catfish Pseudobagrus ussuriensis. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2021; 47:565-581. [PMID: 33523351 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-021-00932-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis) has an XX/XY sex determination system but its sex determination gene(s) remain unknown. To better understand the molecular sex determination mechanism, transcriptome analysis was conducted to obtain sex-related gene expression profiles. Transcriptome analyses were made of male and female developing/differentiating gonads by high-throughput RNA sequencing, including gonads from fish given an estradiol-induced sex reversal treatment. A total of 81,569 unigenes were assembled and 39,904 were significantly matched to known unique proteins by comparison with public databases. Twenty specifically expressed and 142 differentially expressed sex-related genes were extracted from annotated data by comparing the treatment groups. These genes are involved in spermatogenesis (e.g., Dnali1, nectin3, klhl10, mybl1, Katnal1, Eno4, Mns1, Spag6, Tsga10, Septin7), oogenesis (e.g., Lagr5, Fmn2, Npm2, zar1, Fbxo5, Fbxo43, Prdx4, Nrip1, Lfng, Atrip), gonadal development/differentiation (e.g., Cxcr4b, Hmgb2, Cftr, Ch25h, brip1, Prdm9, Tdrd1, Star, dmrt1, Tut4, Hsd17b12a, gdf9, dnd, arf1, Spata22), and estradiol response (e.g., Mmp14, Lhcgr, vtg1, vtg2, esr2b, Piwil1, Aifm1, Hsf1, gdf9). Dmrt1 and gdf9 may play an essential role in sex determination in P. ussuriensis. The expression patterns of six random genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR, which confirmed the reliability and accuracy of the RNA-seq results. These data provide a valuable resource for future studies of gene expression and for understanding the molecular mechanism of sex determination/differentiation and gonadal development/differentiation (including hormone-induced sexual reversal) in Ussuri catfish. This has the potential to assist in producing monosex Ussuri catfish to increase aquacultural productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- ZhengJun Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Special Aquatic Organisms, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China.
| | - ChuanKun Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Special Aquatic Organisms, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China
| | - GuoLiang Chang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Special Aquatic Organisms, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China
| | - Nan Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Special Aquatic Organisms, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China
| | - HuaiYu Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Special Aquatic Organisms, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Special Aquatic Organisms, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China
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16
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Qiang J, He J, Zhu JH, Tao YF, Bao JW, Yan Y, Xu P, Zhu X. Optimal combination of temperature and photoperiod for sex steroid hormone secretion and egg development of Oreochromis niloticus as determined by response surface methodology. J Therm Biol 2021; 97:102889. [PMID: 33863448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
For successful reproduction of farmed fish, it is important to understand the relationship between gonadal development and environmental factors such as temperature and photoperiod. In this study, we determined the effects of temperature (T) and photoperiod (Pp) on serum estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P) contents, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and oocyte development in female tilapia. We used a central composite experimental design and response surface methodology. The experimental ranges were 18-36 °C for T and 0-24 h for Pp. The results show that the quadratic effects of T and Pp were highly significant for serum E2 and P contents, GSI, and the ratio of stage III to stage II oocytes (P < 0.01), and that the linear effects of T and Pp were also significant for these indicators (P < 0.05). The T × Pp interaction significantly affected serum E2 content (P < 0.05). Serum E2 and P content, GSI, and the ratio of stage III to stage II oocytes increased and then decreased with increasing T or Pp. The best combination of T and Pp for egg development was 28.6 °C/14.29 h. We observed the part of ovarian tissue containing stage V oocytes that are about to be discharged. Shortening the photoperiod or lowering the water temperature delayed the development of ovarian tissue so that most oocytes remained at stage II, and there were many atretic follicles. There were significant positive correlations between female GSI and serum E2, P, and the ratio of stage III to stage II oocytes. The results of this study provide a reference for the regulation of temperature and photoperiod to control broodstock gonadal maturation and hormone-induced broodstock spawning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Qiang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, Jiangsu, China; Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, 214081, China.
| | - Jie He
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun-Hao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi-Fan Tao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin-Wen Bao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Yan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaowen Zhu
- Fisheries of College of Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, Guangdong, China
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17
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Li J, Ge W. Zebrafish as a model for studying ovarian development: Recent advances from targeted gene knockout studies. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 507:110778. [PMID: 32142861 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian development is a complex process controlled by precise coordination of multiple factors. The targeted gene knockout technique is a powerful tool to study the functions of these factors. The successful application of this technique in mice in the past three decades has significantly enhanced our understanding on the molecular mechanism of ovarian development. Recently, with the advent of genome editing techniques, targeted gene knockout research can be carried out in many species. Zebrafish has emerged as an excellent model system to study the control of ovarian development. Dozens of genes related to ovarian development have been knocked out in zebrafish in recent years. Much new information and perspectives on the molecular mechanism of ovarian development have been obtained from these mutant zebrafish. Some findings have challenged conventional views. Several genes have been identified for the first time in vertebrates to control ovarian development. Focusing on ovarian development, the purpose of this review is to briefly summarize recent findings using these gene knockout zebrafish models, and compare these findings with mammalian models. These established mutants and rapid development of gene knockout techniques have prompted zebrafish as an ideal animal model for studying ovarian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China, 730070.
| | - Wei Ge
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China.
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18
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Yang L, Li Y, Wu Y, Sun S, Song Q, Wei J, Sun L, Li M, Wang D, Zhou L. Rln3a is a prerequisite for spermatogenesis and fertility in male fish. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 197:105517. [PMID: 31678357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The essential roles of Relaxin3 (RLN3) in energy homeostasis had been well investigated, while the mechanisms of RLN3 regulating reproduction remain to be elusive in mammals. Although two rln3 paralogues have been characterized in several teleosts, their functions still remain largely unknown. In this study, two paralogous rln3 genes, represented as rln3a and rln3b, were identified from the testis of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Rln3a was dominantly expressed in testis, while the most abundant rln3b expression was in brain. In situ hybridization demonstrated that rln3a is abundantly expressed in the Leydig cells of the testis. To understand the role of Rln3 in the testicular development, homologous null-rln3a gene mutant line was constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Morphological observation demonstrated that null mutation of rln3a gene caused testicular hypertrophy and a significant increase of GSI. However, a significant decrease of spermatogenic cells at different phases, i.e. spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and sperms was found. Silencing of rln3a gene repressed the expression of key genes in germ cell and Leydig cell. Deficiency of Rln3a led to the significant decrease of 11-KT production, which stimulated the up-regulation of both FSH and LH production in the pituitary via a negative feedback manner possibly. Mutation of rln3a in XY fish led to the hypogonadism with sperm deformation, significant decrease of fertility, and sperm motility, revealing as the high mortality of the offspring obtained by crossing the wild type female and rln3a-/- XY fish. Interestingly, recombinant human RLN3 injection significantly enhanced the sperm motility in rln3a-/- XY fish. Moreover, hCG treatment stimulated the expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes and 11-KT production, which were repressed by rln3a mutation in XY fish. Taken together, this study, for the first time by using a gene knockout model, proved that Rln3a is an indispensable mediator for androgen production in testis via HPG axis, and plays an essential role in spermatogenesis, sperm motility and male fertility in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yanlong Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - You Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Shaohua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qiang Song
- Chongqing Three Gorges Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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19
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Thönnes M, Vogt M, Steinborn K, Hausken KN, Levavi-Sivan B, Froschauer A, Pfennig F. An ex vivo Approach to Study Hormonal Control of Spermatogenesis in the Teleost Oreochromis niloticus. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:443. [PMID: 32793114 PMCID: PMC7366826 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As the male reproductive organ, the main task of the testis is the production of fertile, haploid spermatozoa. This process, named spermatogenesis, starts with spermatogonial stem cells, which undergo a species-specific number of mitotic divisions until starting meiosis and further morphological maturation. The pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone, are indispensable for vertebrate spermatogenesis, but we are still far from fully understanding the complex regulatory networks involved in this process. Therefore, we developed an ex vivo testis cultivation system which allows evaluating the occurring changes in histology and gene expression. The experimental circulatory flow-through setup described in this work provides the possibility to study the function of the male tilapia gonads on a cellular and transcriptional level for at least 7 days. After 1 week of culture, tilapia testis slices kept their structure and all stages of spermatogenesis could be detected histologically. Without pituitary extract (tilPE) however, fibrotic structures appeared, whereas addition of tilPE preserved spermatogenic cysts and somatic interstitium completely. We could show that tilPE has a stimulatory effect on spermatogonia proliferation in our culture system. In the presence of tilPE or hCG, the gene expression of steroidogenesis related genes (cyp11b2 and stAR2) were notably increased. Other testicular genes like piwil1, amh, or dmrt1 were not expressed differentially in the presence or absence of gonadotropins or gonadotropin containing tilPE. We established a suitable system for studying tilapia spermatogenesis ex vivo with promise for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Thönnes
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marlen Vogt
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Steinborn
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Krist N. Hausken
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Berta Levavi-Sivan
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander Froschauer
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Pfennig
- Faculty of Biology, School of Science, Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- *Correspondence: Frank Pfennig
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He FX, Jiang DN, Huang YQ, Mustapha UF, Yang W, Cui XF, Tian CX, Chen HP, Shi HJ, Deng SP, Li GL, Zhu CH. Comparative transcriptome analysis of male and female gonads reveals sex-biased genes in spotted scat (Scatophagus argus). FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2019; 45:1963-1980. [PMID: 31399918 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-019-00693-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Scatophagus argus is a new emerging aquaculture fish in East and Southeast Asia. To date, research on reproductive development and regulation in S. argus is lacking. Additionally, genetic and genomic information about reproduction, such as gonadal transcriptome data, is also lacking. Herein, we report the first gonadal transcriptomes of S. argus and identify genes potentially involved in reproduction and gonadal development. A total of 136,561 unigenes were obtained by sequencing of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3) at stage III. Genes upregulated in males and females known to be involved in gonadal development and gametogenesis were identified, including male-biased dmrt1, amh, gsdf, wt1a, sox9b, and nanos2, and female-biased foxl2, gdf9, bmp15, sox3, zar1, and figla. Serum estradiol-17β and 11-ketotestosterone levels were biased in female and male fish, respectively. Sexual dimorphism of serum steroid hormone levels were interpreted after expression analysis of 20 steroidogenesis-related genes, including cyp19a1a and cyp11b2. This gonadal transcript dataset will help investigate functional genes related to reproduction in S. argus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Xiang He
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Dong-Neng Jiang
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yuan-Qing Huang
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Umar Farouk Mustapha
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Xue-Fan Cui
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Chang-Xu Tian
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Hua-Pu Chen
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Hong-Juan Shi
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Si-Ping Deng
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Guang-Li Li
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Chun-Hua Zhu
- Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Key Laboratory of Aquaculture in South China Sea for Aquatic Economic Animal of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
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Shang G, Peng X, Ji C, Zhai G, Ruan Y, Lou Q, Jin X, He J, Wang H, Yin Z. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and luteinizing hormone are required for normal ovarian steroidogenesis and oocyte maturation in zebrafish†. Biol Reprod 2019; 101:760-770. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
In recent studies, luteinizing hormone (LH) was reported to play important roles in oocyte maturation. However, the mechanism by which LH signaling, especially regarding the steroidogenesis process, affects oocyte maturation has not been clarified. In this study, zebrafish models with a functional deficiency in luteinizing hormone beta (Lhb) or steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (Star), an enzyme that promotes the transport of cholesterol into the inner mitochondrial membrane for maturation-induced hormone (MIH) production, were generated using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Similar phenotypes of the maturation-arrested oocytes in both female mutants have been observed. The levels of MIH in the oocytes of the female mutants were clearly decreased in both the lhb and star knockout zebrafish. The expression of star was dramatically down-regulated in the lhb mutant follicles and was clearly promoted by forskolin and hCG in vitro. Furthermore, treatment with the MIH precursors, pregnenolone or progesterone, as well as with MIH itself rescued the maturation-arrested oocyte phenotypes in both lhb and star mutants. The plasma levels of other steroids, including testosterone, estradiol, and cortisol, were not affected in the lhb mutants, while the levels of gonad hormones testosterone and estradiol were significantly increased in the star mutants. The cortisol levels were decreased in the star mutants. Collectively, our results confirm that LH plays important roles in the initiation of MIH synthesis from cholesterol and maintains oocyte maturation in zebrafish, as well as provide evidence that Star might act downstream of LH signaling in steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Xuyan Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Eye Hospital, Henan International Joint Research Laboratory for Ocular Immunology and Retinal Injury Repair, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Ji
- Center for Circadian Clocks, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Department of Genetics, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Gang Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Yonglin Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
- Institute of Hydrobiology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Qiyong Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Xia Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Jiangyan He
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Han Wang
- Center for Circadian Clocks, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Department of Genetics, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Zhan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
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Meng L, Yu H, Qu J, Niu J, Ni F, Han P, Yu H, Wang X. Two cyp17 genes perform different functions in the sex hormone biosynthesis and gonadal differentiation in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Gene 2019; 702:17-26. [PMID: 30898704 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.02.104] [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] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
P450c17, a key enzyme in the steroid generation pathway, plays an important role in the production of sex steroid and cortisol. In this study, two cyp17 gene isoforms, Pocyp17-I and Pocyp17-II were isolated from Paralichthys olivaceus gonads. Domain architecture analysis of Pocyp17-I and Pocyp17-II revealed that they had three regions important to enzymatic function. Structural analysis showed that Pocyp17-I and Pocyp17-II had 8 and 9 exons respectively, and the difference was caused by the insertion of an extra intron (intron1) in the latter. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results indicated that the expression of these two genes showed sexually dimorphism that Pocyp17-I and Pocyp17-II were highest expressed in testis and ovary, respectively. The in situ hybridization analysis of gonads indicated that Pocyp17-I and Pocyp17-II mRNA were both detected in oocytes, spermatocytes and Sertoli cells. After injection of androgen and estrogen (17α-methyltestosterone, 17β-estradiol) of different concentrations, the expression level of Pocyp17-I decreased significantly (P < 0.01), whereas estrogen had no influence on Pocyp17-II, but androgen upregulated the expression of Pocyp17-II (P < 0.05). Moreover, Pocyp17-I expression level was down-regulated significantly by NR0b1 but up-regulated by NR5a2 (P < 0.05), whereas Pocyp17-II expression level was down-regulated significantly by NR0b1 and NR5a2 (P < 0.05). All these results demonstrated that there were differences in expression patterns, feedback actions of sex hormones and transcriptional regulations between cyp17-I and cyp17-II, which revealed that cyp17-I and cyp17-II might perform different functions in sex hormones biosynthesis and gonadal differentiation in Japanese flounder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Meng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jiangbo Qu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jingjing Niu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Feifei Ni
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ping Han
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Xubo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
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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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Sun S, Cai J, Tao W, Wu L, Tapas C, Zhou L, Wang D. Comparative transcriptome profiling and characterization of gene expression for ovarian differentiation under RU486 treatment. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 261:166-173. [PMID: 29510151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
17α, 20β-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (17α, 20β-DP, DHP), a teleost specific biologically active progestin, has been proved to play a critical role in oocytes maturation, ovulation and spermiation. RU486 (Mifepristone, an antagonist of progestin receptor) has been applied in contraceptives, abortion and hormone therapy in clinical medicine. To get further insights into the molecular mechanisms of nuclear progestin receptor (Pgr) activated ovarian differentiation and maintenance, we conducted comparative gonadal transcriptome analysis, and investigated histological and transcriptional differences using 4 months after hatching (mah) RU486-treated XX and control XX/XY Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). DESeq analysis identified 7148 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) between RU486-treated and control XX gonads, while merely 442 DEGs were screened between the gonads of RU486-treated XX and control XY fish highlighting that RU486 treatment set forwards masculinity in XX fish. Comprehensive analysis of gene hierarchical clustering revealed that RU486 treatment in XX fish resulted in robust changes of gene expression profiles. In comparison with XX group, female-dominant genes were significantly repressed in RU486 treated XX fish gonads. Moreover, most parts of down-regulated genes in wild type female were evidently up-regulated genes in RU486-treated XX fish gonads. Comparing with control XY group, the majority of male-dominant genes represent a high level of expression. However, RU486-treatment led to an up-regulation of a cluster genes specifically which showed relative lower expression in both control XX and XY group. RU486-treatment mediated global changes of gene expression profiles in steroidogenesis, germ cell differentiation and follicular cell trans-differentiation were verified by quantitative PCR. Both morphological and immunohistochemistry results further proved that RU486 treatment initiates testicular-like gonads development in XX fish via simultaneously enhancing the male responsive genes and suppressing the female-dominant genes. Moreover, RU486 treatment caused significant decline of fshr, lhr and increase of ars. Taken together, our data confirms blocking of DHP physiology by RU486 treatment induces masculinization in XX gonad preferably via repressing of gonadotropin physiology, germ cell differentiation and promoting follicular trans-differentiation in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Sun
- 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, China
| | - Jing Cai
- 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, China
| | - Wenjing Tao
- 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, China
| | - Limin Wu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Chakraborty Tapas
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, 798-4206, Japan
| | - 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, China.
| | - Deshou Wang
- 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, China.
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CRISPR/Cas9-induced disruption of wt1a and wt1b reveals their different roles in kidney and gonad development in Nile tilapia. Dev Biol 2017; 428:63-73. [PMID: 28527702 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.05.017] [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: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Wilms tumor 1 (Wt1) is an essential factor for urogenital system development. Teleosts have two wt1s, named as wt1a and wt1b. In this study, the expression pattern of wt1a and wt1b and their functions on the urogenital system were analyzed by in situ hybridization and CRISPR/Cas9. wt1a was found to be expressed in the glomerulus at 3 dah (days after hatching), earlier than wt1b. wt1a and wt1b were simultaneously expressed in the somatic cells of gonads at 3 dah, while their cell locations were similar, but not identical in adult fish gonads. The wt1a-/- fish displayed pericardial edema and yolk sac edema at 3 dah and subsequently expanded as general body edema at 6 dah, failed to develop glomerulus and died during 6-10 dah, whereas the wt1b-/- fish were phenotypically normal. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the germ cell marker Vasa was expressed, while somatic cell genes Cyp19a1a, Amh, Gsdf and Dmrt1 were not expressed in the wt1a-/- gonads at 6 dah. The sex phenotypes of XX and XY in the wt1b-/- fish were not affected. Real-time PCR revealed that the ovarian cyp19a1a expression was up-regulated in XX wt1b-/- fish, compared with XX control at 90 dah. Serum estradiol-17β level was also up-regulated in XX wt1b-/- fish at 90 and 180 dah. The XY wt1b-/- fish had normal serum estradiol-17β and 11-ketotestosterone levels and remained fertile. These results suggest that Wt1a and Wt1b have different functions in the kidneys and gonads of tilapia.
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Bhat IA, Rather MA, Kumar Rathor P, Gireesh-Babu P, Goswami M, Sundaray JK, Sharma R. Cloning, expression, molecular modelling and docking analysis of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in Clarias batrachus. Genes Genomics 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s13258-017-0557-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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28
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Liang D, Fan Z, Weng S, Jiao S, Wu Z, Zou Y, Tan X, Li J, Zhang P, You F. Characterization and expression of StAR2a and StAR2b in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Gene 2017; 626:1-8. [PMID: 28479382 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein 2 (StAR2) is a key protein in transporting cholesterol from the outer mitochondria membrane to the inner mitochondria membrane for sex steroid synthesis. In this study, two StAR2 gene isoforms, StAR2a and StAR2b, were isolated from the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus gonads. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR results indicated that their expression levels were higher in testis than those in ovary. StAR2a was mainly expressed in the thecal cells and ooplasm of ovary, and Leydig cells and spermatid of testis according to the results of in situ hybridization. The quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of StAR2a and StAR2b were high in undifferentiation gonads and differentiating testis, and then decreased in differentiated testis in the high temperature (28°C) and exogenous testosterone treatment groups. While, in the exogenous 17β-estradiol treatment group, both genes' expression levels were high in differentiating ovary, and then significantly decreased in differentiated ovary (P<0.05). StAR2a and StAR2b expression levels were significantly down-regulated in the cultured testis cells treated with the 75 and 150μM cAMP, but significantly up-regulated in the cultured testis cells treated with the 300μM cAMP (P<0.05). Moreover, their expression levels were significantly up-regulated by transfecting the cultured testis cells with pcDNA3.1-NR5a2 and pcDNA3.1-NR0b1 (P<0.05). Above study showed that expression of StAR2 was regulated by cAMP and the transcription factors, NR5a2 and NR0b1, indicating that StAR2 may have functions in flounder gonadal differentiation and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Liang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10049, PR China
| | - Zhaofei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 10049, PR China
| | - Shenda Weng
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Shuang Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Zhihao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Yuxia Zou
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Xungang Tan
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Peijun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China
| | - Feng You
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, PR China.
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Chen J, Jiang D, Tan D, Fan Z, Wei Y, Li M, Wang D. Heterozygous mutation of eEF1A1b resulted in spermatogenesis arrest and infertility in male tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43733. [PMID: 28266557 PMCID: PMC5339811 DOI: 10.1038/srep43733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A) is an essential component of the translational apparatus. In the present study, eEF1A1b was isolated from the Nile tilapia. Real-time PCR and Western blot revealed that eEF1A1b was expressed highly in the testis from 90 dah (days after hatching) onwards. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analyses showed that eEF1A1b was highly expressed in the spermatogonia of the testis. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated mutation of eEF1A1b resulted in spermatogenesis arrest and infertility in the F0 XY fish. Consistently, heterozygous mutation of eEF1A1b (eEF1A1b+/-) resulted in an absence of spermatocytes at 90 dah, very few spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa at 180 dah, and decreased Cyp11b2 and serum 11-ketotestosterone level at both stages. Further examination of the fertilization capacity of the sperm indicated that the eEF1A1b+/- XY fish were infertile due to abnormal spermiogenesis. Transcriptomic analyses of the eEF1A1b+/- testis from 180 dah XY fish revealed that key elements involved in spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis and sperm motility were significantly down-regulated compared with the control XY. Transgenic overexpression of eEF1A1b rescued the spermatogenesis arrest phenotype of the eEF1A1b+/- testis. Taken together, our data suggested that eEF1A1b is crucial for spermatogenesis and male fertility in the Nile tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Dongneng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Dejie Tan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zheng Fan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yingying Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
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Martyniuk CJ, Doperalski NJ, Prucha MS, Zhang JL, Kroll KJ, Conrow R, Barber DS, Denslow ND. High contaminant loads in Lake Apopka's riparian wetland disrupt gene networks involved in reproduction and immune function in largemouth bass. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2016; 19:140-150. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Wu L, Wu F, Xie L, Wang D, Zhou L. Synergistic role of β-catenin1 and 2 in ovarian differentiation and maintenance of female pathway in Nile tilapia. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 427:33-44. [PMID: 26948949 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Two β-catenin (β-cat) genes exist in teleosts but little is known about their expression and function in ovarian development. We identified β-cat1 and β-cat2 from the Nile tilapia. β-cat1 and β-cat2 displayed a similar expression pattern in the ovary during development, and were mainly expressed in the oogonia and oocytes. In luciferase assays, β-cat1 activated the TOPFlash reporter dose-dependently, whereas β-cat2 failed to do so. Cotransfection of β-cat1 and β-cat2 synergistically enhanced the expression of the reporter. A specific interaction between β-cat1 and β-cat2 was also observed in a mammalian two-hybrid assay. Furthermore, tilapia recombinant Dkk1, an inhibitor of the β-cat pathway, decreased β-cat1 and β-cat2, while increased sox9, dmrt1, cyp11b2 and foxl2 expression in the in vitro cultured tilapia ovary, which could be abolished by simultaneous treatment with Bio, an agonist of β-cat. Consistently, β-cat1 or β-cat2 knockdown in XX fish by TALENs caused the retardation of ovarian differentiation and masculinization, as reflected by the upregulation of dmrt1, cyp11b2, sox9, and serum 11-KT level. On the contrary, serum E2 level was unchanged even though foxl2 transcription was upregulated. These data suggestes that both β-cat1 and β-cat2 are important members and play synergistic roles in the canonical Wnt signal pathway in fish. Independent of Foxl2-leading estrogen pathway, they might be involved in ovarian differentiation and repression of the male pathway gene expression in tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- 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, China
| | - Fengrui Wu
- 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, China; School of Biological and Food Engineering, Fuyang Teachers College, Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province, Fuyang 236000, China
| | - Lang Xie
- 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, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- 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, 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, China.
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Wu L, Yang P, Luo F, Wang D, Zhou L. R-spondin1 signaling pathway is required for both the ovarian and testicular development in a teleosts, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 230-231:177-85. [PMID: 27044511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The furin-domain-containing peptide R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) has recently emerged as an important regulator of ovarian development, upregulating the WNT/β-catenin pathway to oppose testis formation in mammals. However, little information has been reported on the Rspo1 signaling pathway in teleosts. In this study, Rspo1 was isolated from the gonads of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. An in situ hybridization analysis demonstrated that Rspo1 is expressed in the germ cells of the ovary and the testis. An ontogenic analysis demonstrated that Rspo1 expression is upregulated just before meiotic initiation in both the ovary and testis during the early developmental stages of the tilapia. The expression pattern is sexually dimorphic from 20days after hatching, with higher expression in the ovary. The reduction of Rspo1 expression by transcription activator-like (TAL) effector nuclease (TALEN) caused retarded ovarian development, the ectopic expression of male-dominant genes, and increased serum 11-ketotestosterone. Intriguingly, a deficiency of Rspo1 in XY fish caused a delay in spermatogenesis, the inhibition of igf3 and amh expression and a reduction in serum 11-ketotestosterone. Furthermore, incubation with FH535, an inhibitor of the Rspo1/Wnt pathway, decreased β-catenin, while increased cyp11c1 and dmrt1 expression in the in vitro cultured ovaries; decreased cyp11c1, amh and igf3 expression in the in vitro cultured testes. Taken together, our data suggest that the Rspo1 signaling pathway might be involved in both ovarian and testicular development in the tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Peng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Feng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Ribas L, Robledo D, Gómez-Tato A, Viñas A, Martínez P, Piferrer F. Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of the process of gonadal sex differentiation in the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 422:132-149. [PMID: 26586209 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The turbot is a flatfish with a ZW/ZZ sex determination system but with a still unknown sex determining gene(s), and with a marked sexual growth dimorphism in favor of females. To better understand sexual development in turbot we sampled young turbot encompassing the whole process of gonadal differentiation and conducted a comprehensive transcriptomic study on its sex differentiation using a validated custom oligomicroarray. Also, the expression profiles of 18 canonical reproduction-related genes were studied along gonad development. The expression levels of gonadal aromatase cyp19a1a alone at three months of age allowed the accurate and early identification of sex before the first signs of histological differentiation. A total of 56 differentially expressed genes (DEG) that had not previously been related to sex differentiation in fish were identified within the first three months of age, of which 44 were associated with ovarian differentiation (e.g., cd98, gpd1 and cry2), and 12 with testicular differentiation (e.g., ace, capn8 and nxph1). To identify putative sex determining genes, ∼4.000 DEG in juvenile gonads were mapped and their positions compared with that of previously identified sex- and growth-related quantitative trait loci (QTL). Although no genes mapped to the previously identified sex-related QTLs, two genes (foxl2 and 17βhsd) of the canonical reproduction-related genes mapped to growth-QTLs in linkage group (LG) 15 and LG6, respectively, suggesting that these genes are related to the growth dimorphism in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ribas
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Robledo
- Departamento de Genética. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - A Gómez-Tato
- Departamento de Matemática Aplicada, Facultad de Matemáticas, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15781, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A Viñas
- Departamento de Genética. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - P Martínez
- Departamento de Genética. Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - F Piferrer
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
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Tokarz J, Möller G, Hrabě de Angelis M, Adamski J. Steroids in teleost fishes: A functional point of view. Steroids 2015; 103:123-44. [PMID: 26102270 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormones are involved in the regulation of a variety of processes like embryonic development, sex differentiation, metabolism, immune responses, circadian rhythms, stress response, and reproduction in vertebrates. Teleost fishes and humans show a remarkable conservation in many developmental and physiological aspects, including the endocrine system in general and the steroid hormone related processes in particular. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about steroid hormone biosynthesis and the steroid hormone receptors in teleost fishes and compares the findings to the human system. The impact of the duplicated genome in teleost fishes on steroid hormone biosynthesis and perception is addressed. Additionally, important processes in fish physiology regulated by steroid hormones, which are most dissimilar to humans, are described. We also give a short overview on the influence of anthropogenic endocrine disrupting compounds on steroid hormone signaling and the resulting adverse physiological effects for teleost fishes. By this approach, we show that the steroidogenesis, hormone receptors, and function of the steroid hormones are reasonably well understood when summarizing the available data of all teleost species analyzed to date. However, on the level of a single species or a certain fish-specific aspect of physiology, further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Tokarz
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Möller
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Genetik, Technische Universität München, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; Member of German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jerzy Adamski
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Lehrstuhl für Experimentelle Genetik, Technische Universität München, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany; Member of German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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Mohapatra S, Chakraborty T, Shimizu S, Urasaki S, Matsubara T, Nagahama Y, Ohta K. Starvation beneficially influences the liver physiology and nutrient metabolism in Edwardsiella tarda infected red sea bream (Pagrus major). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2015; 189:1-10. [PMID: 26188170 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Dietary compromises, especially food restrictions, possess species-specific effects on the health status and infection control in several organisms, including fish. To understand the starvation-mediated physiological responses in Edwardsiella tarda infected red sea bream, especially in the liver, we performed a 20-day starvation experiment using 4 treatment (2 fed and 2 starved) groups, namely, fed-placebo, starved-placebo, fed-infected, and starved-infected, wherein bacterial exposure was done on the 11th day. In the present study, the starved groups showed reduced hepatosomatic index and drastic depletion in glycogen storage and vacuole formation. The fed-infected fish showed significant (P<0.05) increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in relation to its starved equivalent. Significant (P<0.05) alteration in glucose and energy metabolism, as evident from hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, was recorded in the starved groups. Interestingly, coinciding with the liver histology, PPAR (peroxisome proliferator activated receptors) α transcription followed a time-dependent activation in starved groups while PPARγ exhibited an opposite pattern. The transcription of hepcidin 1 and transferrin, initially increased in 0dai (days after infection) starved fish but reduced significantly (P<0.05) at later stages. Two-color immunohistochemistry and subsequent cell counting showed significant increase in P63-positive cells at 0dai and 5dai but later reduced slightly at 10dai. Similar results were also obtained in the lysosomal (cathepsin D) and non-lysosomal (ubiquitin) gene transcription level. All together, our data suggest that starvation exerts multidirectional responses, which allows for better physiological adaptations during any infectious period, in red sea bream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sipra Mohapatra
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, 798-4206, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Tapas Chakraborty
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, 798-4206, Matsuyama, Japan.
| | - Sonoko Shimizu
- Fisheries Research Division, Ainan Town Office, Ainancho, 798-4211, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Shintaro Urasaki
- Fisheries Research Division, Ainan Town Office, Ainancho, 798-4211, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Takahiro Matsubara
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, 798-4206, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagahama
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, 798-4206, Matsuyama, Japan; Institution for Collaborative Relations, Ehime University, 790-8577, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Kohei Ohta
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, 798-4206, Matsuyama, Japan.
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Qiu Y, Sun S, Charkraborty T, Wu L, Sun L, Wei J, Nagahama Y, Wang D, Zhou L. Figla Favors Ovarian Differentiation by Antagonizing Spermatogenesis in a Teleosts, Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123900. [PMID: 25894586 PMCID: PMC4404364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Figla (factor in the germ line, alpha), a female germ cell-specific transcription factor, had been shown to activate genetic hierarchies in oocytes. The ectopic expression of Figla was known to repress spermatogenesis-associated genes in male mice. However, the potential role of Figla in other vertebrates remains elusive. The present work was aimed to identify and characterize the functional relevance of Figla in the ovarian development of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Tissue distribution and ontogeny analysis revealed that tilapia Figla gene was dominantly expressed in the ovary from 30 days after hatching. Immunohistochemistry analysis also demonstrated that Figla was expressed in the cytoplasm of early primary oocytes. Intriguingly, over-expression of Figla in XY fish resulted in the disruption of spermatogenesis along with the depletion of meiotic spermatocytes and spermatids in testis. Dramatic decline of sycp3 (synaptonemal complex protein 3) and prm (protamine) expression indicates that meiotic spermatocytes and mature sperm production are impaired. Even though Sertoli cell (dmrt1) and Leydig cell (star and cyp17a1) marker genes remained unaffected, hsd3b1 expression and 11-KT production were enhanced in Figla-transgene testis. Taken together, our data suggest that fish Figla might play an essential role in the ovarian development by antagonizing spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiu Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Shaohua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Tapas Charkraborty
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Funakoshi, Ainan, Ehime, Japan
| | - Limin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Yoshitaka Nagahama
- South Ehime Fisheries Research Center, Ehime University, Funakoshi, Ainan, Ehime, Japan
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail: (DSW); (LYZ)
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail: (DSW); (LYZ)
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