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Chen L, Cheng Y, Zhang G, Zhou Y, Zhang Z, Chen Q, Feng Y. WGBS of embryonic gonads revealed that long non-coding RNAs in the MHM region might be involved in cell autonomous sex identity and female gonadal development in chickens. Epigenetics 2024; 19:2283657. [PMID: 38037805 PMCID: PMC10761181 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2283657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a key role in sex determination and differentiation in vertebrates. However, there are few studies on DNA methylation involved in chicken gonad development, and most focused on male hypermethylated regions (MHM). It is unclear whether there are specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in chicken embryonic gonads regulating sex determination and differentiation. Here, the DNA methylation maps showed that the difference of DNA methylation level between sexes was much higher at embryonic day 10 (E10) than that at embryonic day 6 (E6), and the significant differentially methylated regions at both stages were mainly distributed on the Z chromosome, including MHM1 and MHM2. The results of bisulphite sequencing PCR (BSP) and qRT-PCR showed hypomethylation of female MHM and upregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) whose promoter in the MHM region was consistent with the sequencing results, and similar results were in brain and muscle. In female sex-reversed gonads, the methylation pattern of MHM remained unchanged, and the expression levels of the three candidate lncRNAs were significantly decreased compared with those in females, but were significantly increased compared to males. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results also showed that these lncRNAs were highly expressed in female embryonic gonads. The results of methyltransferase inhibitor and dual-luciferase reporter assay suggest that lncRNA expression may be regulated by DNA methylation within their promoters. Therefore, we speculated that MHM may be involved in cell-autonomous sex identity in chickens, and that lncRNAs regulated by MHM may be involved in female sexual differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guixin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qianhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanping Feng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
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Jia H, Wan H, Zhang C, Guo S, Zhang W, Mu S, Kang X. Genome-wide identification and expressional profile of the Dmrt gene family in the swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus). Gene 2024:148682. [PMID: 38876404 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus is one of crucial aquaculture crabs with significant differences in growth and economic performance between male and female swimming crabs. Consequently, the culture of female populations presents higher economic value. The doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor (Dmrt) gene family are known to play crucial role in gonad differentiation and development. However, there is limited information about this gene family in Portunus trituberculatus. In this study, we identified seven members of the Dmrt gene family in P. trituberculatus based on the published transcriptome and genome data and designated as Ptdmrt-1, Ptdoublesex (Ptdsx), Ptidmrt-1, Ptdmrt-11E, Ptidmrt-2, Ptdmrt-99B, and Ptdmrt-3 based on the homology analysis results, respectively. These Ptdmrt genes distributed across 6 chromosomes and were predicted to encode 283 aa, 288 aa, 529 aa, 436 aa, 523 aa, 224 aa, and 435 aa protein precursors, respectively. The expression patterns of these dmrt genes were characterized by qRT-PCR and gonad transcriptome data. The results showed that five members (Ptdmrt-99B, Ptdsx, Ptdmrt-1, Ptdmrt-3, and Ptdmrt-11E) were differentially expressed between the testis and ovary. In addition, their expression patterns from zoea 2 to juvenile 1 were characterized by published transcriptome data and the results showed that they were lowly expressed and did not exhibit notable difference except for Ptdsx during early development. Overall, majority of Ptdmrt genes were involved in gonad differentiation in the swimming crab. Current findings provide a solid foundation for further exploration of the roles of these genes in gonad development and differentiation in P. trituberculatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhuo Jia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Haifu Wan
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Postdoctoral Research Station of Biology, Hebei University, Baoding City, Hebei Province 071002, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Shuai Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Shumei Mu
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
| | - Xianjiang Kang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China; Hebei Innovation Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
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Kong D, Zhao X, Pan Y, Song N. Gonadal transcriptome analysis of sex-biased gene and genome-wide investigation of dmrt gene family in Acanthogobius ommaturus. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2024; 50:101204. [PMID: 38342067 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Acanthogobius ommaturus is one of the largest goby fish, and widely distributed in the Northwestern Pacific as an annual benthic fish. This study aims to report the gonadal transcriptome of A. ommaturus and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sexes. A total of 5460 (27.94 %) DEGs were detected from genome, with 3301 (16.89 %) biased towards males and 2159 (11.05 %) towards females. Analysis of 76 known vertebrate sex-related genes revealed multiple key genes, including the male-biased genes dmrt1 (Doublesex and Mab-3 related transcription factor 1) and amh (Anti-Mullerian Hormone), and the female-biased genes foxl2 (Forkhead Box L2) and cyp19a1a (Cytochrome P450 Aromatase 19 Subfamily A1). Furthermore, a genome-wide gene family analysis focused on the most significantly differentially expressed male-biased gene, dmrt1, was conducted using the chromosomal-level genome. Six Aodmrt genes were identified and subjected to phylogenetic and protein interaction network analyses. To validate the expression pattern, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed and compared with gonadal transcriptome data. The results showed that only dmrt1 exhibited significant male-bias, while the expression levels and sex differences of other dmrt genes in the gonads were inconclusive. Interestingly, the other dmrt genes displayed higher expression levels in other tissues, suggesting currently unknown functions. In conclusion, this study provides valuable genetic information contributing to the understanding of the sex determination mechanism of A. ommaturus and bony fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yu Pan
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Na Song
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ocean University of China), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266003, China.
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Li J, Zhang X, Wang X, Wang Z, Li X, Zheng J, Li J, Xu G, Sun C, Yi G, Yang N. Single-nucleus transcriptional and chromatin accessible profiles reveal critical cell types and molecular architecture underlying chicken sex determination. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00185-1. [PMID: 38734369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding the sex determination mechanisms in birds has great significance for the biological sciences and production in the poultry industry. Sex determination in chickens is a complex process that involves fate decisions of supporting cells such as granulosa or Sertoli cells. However, a systematic understanding of the genetic regulation and cell commitment process underlying sex determination in chickens is still lacking. OBJECTIVES We aimed to dissect the molecular characteristics associated with sex determination in the gonads of chicken embryos. METHODS Single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) and ATAC-seq (snATAC-seq) analysis were conducted on the gonads of female and male chickens at embryonic day 3.5 (E3.5), E4.5, and E5.5. RESULTS Here, we provided a time-course transcriptional and chromatin accessible profiling of gonads during chicken sex determination at single-cell resolution. We uncovered differences in cell composition and developmental trajectories between female and male gonads and found that the divergence of transcription and accessibility in gonadal cells first emerged at E5.5. Furthermore, we revealed key cell-type-specific transcription factors (TFs) and regulatory networks that drive lineage commitment. Sex determination signaling pathways, dominated by BMP signaling, are preferentially activated in males during gonadal development. Further pseudotime analysis of the supporting cells indicated that granulosa cells were regulated mainly by the TEAD gene family and that Sertoli cells were driven by the DMRT1 regulons. Cross-species analysis suggested high conservation of both cell types and cell-lineage-specific TFs across the six vertebrates. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our study will contribute to accelerating the development of sex manipulation technology in the poultry industry and the application of chickens as a unique model for studying cell fate decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Li
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiuan Zhang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiqiong Wang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Xingzheng Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Jiangxia Zheng
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junying Li
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guiyun Xu
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Congjiao Sun
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Guoqiang Yi
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, Kunpeng Institute of Modern Agriculture at Foshan, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China.
| | - Ning Yang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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Zhao C, Bian C, Mu X, Zhang X, Shi Q. Gonadal transcriptome sequencing reveals sexual dimorphism in expression profiling of sex-related genes in Asian arowana ( Scleropages formosus). Front Genet 2024; 15:1381832. [PMID: 38666292 PMCID: PMC11043485 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1381832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Asia arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an ornamental fish with high economic value, while its sex determination mechanism is still poorly understood. By far, no morphological evidence or molecular marker has been developed for effective distinguishment of genders, which poses a critical challenge to our captive breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced gonadal transcriptomes of adult Asian arowanas and revealed differential expression profiling of sex-related genes. Based on the comparative transcriptomics analysis of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3), we identified a total of 8,872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,490 differentially expressed transposable elements (TEs) between male and female individuals. Interestingly, the expression of TEs usually has been more significantly testis-biased than related coding genes. As expected, several genes related to females (such as foxl2 and cyp19a1a) are significantly transcribed in the ovary, and some genes related to male gonad development (such as dmrt1, gsdf and amh) are highly expressed in the testis. This sexual dimorphism is valuable for ascertaining the differential expression patterns of sex-related genes and enriching the genetic resources of this economically important species. These valuable genetic materials thereby provide instructive references for gender identification and one-to-one breeding practices so as to expand fish numbers for a rapid elevation of economic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Bian
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xidong Mu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Aquatic Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Modern Recreational Fisheries Engineering Technology Center, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinhui Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiong Shi
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Marine Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Zhu H, Bendall AJ. Measuring transcription factor function with cell type-specific somatic transgenesis in chicken embryos. Dev Biol 2024; 508:1-7. [PMID: 38218394 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.01.005] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Retroviral-mediated misexpression in chicken embryos has been a powerful research tool for developmental biologists in the last two decades. In the RCASBP retroviral vectors that are widely used for in vivo somatic transgenesis, a coding sequence of interest is under the transcriptional control of a strong viral promoter in the long terminal repeat. While this has proven to be effective for studying secreted signalling proteins, interpretation of the mechanisms of action of nuclear factors is more difficult using this system since it is not clear whether phenotypic effects are cell-autonomous or not, and therefore whether they represent a function of the endogenous protein. Here, we report the consequences of retroviral expression using the RCANBP backbone, in which the transcription factor Dlx5 is expressed under the control of chondrocyte-specific regulatory sequences from the Col2a1 gene. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a tissue-specific phenotype in the chicken embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Andrew J Bendall
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Uno Y, Matsubara K. Unleashing diversity through flexibility: The evolutionary journey of sex chromosomes in amphibians and reptiles. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:230-241. [PMID: 38155517 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Sex determination systems have greatly diversified between amphibians and reptiles, with such as the different sex chromosome compositions within a single species and transition between temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) and genetic sex determination (GSD). In most sex chromosome studies on amphibians and reptiles, the whole-genome sequence of Xenopous tropicalis and chicken have been used as references to compare the chromosome homology of sex chromosomes among each of these taxonomic groups, respectively. In the present study, we reviewed existing reports on sex chromosomes, including karyotypes, in amphibians and reptiles. Furthermore, we compared the identified genetic linkages of sex chromosomes in amphibians and reptiles with the chicken genome as a reference, which is believed to resemble the ancestral tetrapod karyotype. Our findings revealed that sex chromosomes in amphibians are derived from genetic linkages homologous to various chicken chromosomes, even among several frogs within single families, such as Ranidae and Pipidae. In contrast, sex chromosomes in reptiles exhibit conserved genetic linkages with chicken chromosomes, not only across most species within a single family, but also within closely related families. The diversity of sex chromosomes in amphibians and reptiles may be attributed to the flexibility of their sex determination systems, including the ease of sex reversal in these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinobu Uno
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazumi Matsubara
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
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Luo X, Guo J, Zhang J, Ma Z, Li H. Overview of chicken embryo genes related to sex differentiation. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17072. [PMID: 38525278 PMCID: PMC10959104 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex determination in chickens at an early embryonic stage has been a longstanding challenge in poultry production due to the unique ZZ:ZW sex chromosome system and various influencing factors. This review has summarized the genes related to the sex differentiation of chicken early embryos (mainly Dmrt1, Sox9, Amh, Cyp19a1, Foxl2, Tle4z1, Jun, Hintw, Ube2i, Spin1z, Hmgcs1, Foxd1, Tox3, Ddx4, cHemgn and Serpinb11 in this article), and has found that these contributions enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of sex determination in chickens, while identifying potential gene targets for future research. This knowledge may inform and guide the development of sex screening technologies for hatching eggs and support advancements in gene-editing approaches for chicken embryos. Moreover, these insights offer hope for enhancing animal welfare and promoting conservation efforts in poultry production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiancheng Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiahang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Zheng Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Hua Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
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9
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Wilson CA, Batzel P, Postlethwait JH. Direct male development in chromosomally ZZ zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1362228. [PMID: 38529407 PMCID: PMC10961373 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1362228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The genetics of sex determination varies across taxa, sometimes even within a species. Major domesticated strains of zebrafish (Danio rerio), including AB and TU, lack a strong genetic sex determining locus, but strains more recently derived from nature, like Nadia (NA), possess a ZZ male/ZW female chromosomal sex-determination system. AB fish pass through a juvenile ovary stage, forming oocytes that survive in fish that become females but die in fish that become males. To understand mechanisms of gonad development in NA zebrafish, we studied histology and single cell transcriptomics in developing ZZ and ZW fish. ZW fish developed oocytes by 22 days post-fertilization (dpf) but ZZ fish directly formed testes, avoiding a juvenile ovary phase. Gonads of some ZW and WW fish, however, developed oocytes that died as the gonad became a testis, mimicking AB fish, suggesting that the gynogenetically derived AB strain is chromosomally WW. Single-cell RNA-seq of 19dpf gonads showed similar cell types in ZZ and ZW fish, including germ cells, precursors of gonadal support cells, steroidogenic cells, interstitial/stromal cells, and immune cells, consistent with a bipotential juvenile gonad. In contrast, scRNA-seq of 30dpf gonads revealed that cells in ZZ gonads had transcriptomes characteristic of testicular Sertoli, Leydig, and germ cells while ZW gonads had granulosa cells, theca cells, and developing oocytes. Hematopoietic and vascular cells were similar in both sex genotypes. These results show that juvenile NA zebrafish initially develop a bipotential gonad; that a factor on the NA W chromosome, or fewer than two Z chromosomes, is essential to initiate oocyte development; and without the W factor, or with two Z doses, NA gonads develop directly into testes without passing through the juvenile ovary stage. Sex determination in AB and TU strains mimics NA ZW and WW zebrafish, suggesting loss of the Z chromosome during domestication. Genetic analysis of the NA strain will facilitate our understanding of the evolution of sex determination mechanisms.
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Qi S, Dai S, Zhou X, Wei X, Chen P, He Y, Kocher TD, Wang D, Li M. Dmrt1 is the only male pathway gene tested indispensable for sex determination and functional testis development in tilapia. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011210. [PMID: 38536778 PMCID: PMC10971778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex is determined by multiple factors derived from somatic and germ cells in vertebrates. We have identified amhy, dmrt1, gsdf as male and foxl2, foxl3, cyp19a1a as female sex determination pathway genes in Nile tilapia. However, the relationship among these genes is largely unclear. Here, we found that the gonads of dmrt1;cyp19a1a double mutants developed as ovaries or underdeveloped testes with no germ cells irrespective of their genetic sex. In addition, the gonads of dmrt1;cyp19a1a;cyp19a1b triple mutants still developed as ovaries. The gonads of foxl3;cyp19a1a double mutants developed as testes, while the gonads of dmrt1;cyp19a1a;foxl3 triple mutants eventually developed as ovaries. In contrast, the gonads of amhy;cyp19a1a, gsdf;cyp19a1a, amhy;foxl2, gsdf;foxl2 double and amhy;cyp19a1a;cyp19a1b, gsdf;cyp19a1a;cyp19a1b triple mutants developed as testes with spermatogenesis via up-regulation of dmrt1 in both somatic and germ cells. The gonads of amhy;foxl3 and gsdf;foxl3 double mutants developed as ovaries but with germ cells in spermatogenesis due to up-regulation of dmrt1. Taking the respective ovary and underdeveloped testis of dmrt1;foxl3 and dmrt1;foxl2 double mutants reported previously into consideration, we demonstrated that once dmrt1 mutated, the gonad could not be rescued to functional testis by mutating any female pathway gene. The sex reversal caused by mutation of male pathway genes other than dmrt1, including its upstream amhy and downstream gsdf, could be rescued by mutating female pathway gene. Overall, our data suggested that dmrt1 is the only male pathway gene tested indispensable for sex determination and functional testis development in tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Qi
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, 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
| | - Shengfei Dai
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, 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
| | - Xin Zhou
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, 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
| | - Xueyan Wei
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, 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
| | - Ping Chen
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, 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
| | - Yuanyuan He
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, 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
| | - Thomas D. Kocher
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Deshou Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, 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
| | - Minghui Li
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, 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
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11
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Roggenbuck EC, Hall EA, Hanson IB, Roby AA, Zhang KK, Alkatib KA, Carter JA, Clewner JE, Gelfius AL, Gong S, Gordon FR, Iseler JN, Kotapati S, Li M, Maysun A, McCormick EO, Rastogi G, Sengupta S, Uzoma CU, Wolkov MA, Clowney EJ. Let's talk about sex: Mechanisms of neural sexual differentiation in Bilateria. WIREs Mech Dis 2024; 16:e1636. [PMID: 38185860 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, sexed gonads have evolved that facilitate release of sperm versus eggs, and bilaterian animals purposefully combine their gametes via mating behaviors. Distinct neural circuits have evolved that control these physically different mating events for animals producing eggs from ovaries versus sperm from testis. In this review, we will describe the developmental mechanisms that sexually differentiate neural circuits across three major clades of bilaterian animals-Ecdysozoa, Deuterosomia, and Lophotrochozoa. While many of the mechanisms inducing somatic and neuronal sex differentiation across these diverse organisms are clade-specific rather than evolutionarily conserved, we develop a common framework for considering the developmental logic of these events and the types of neuronal differences that produce sex-differentiated behaviors. This article is categorized under: Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Neurological Diseases > Stem Cells and Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Roggenbuck
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Elijah A Hall
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Isabel B Hanson
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alyssa A Roby
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Katherine K Zhang
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kyle A Alkatib
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Joseph A Carter
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jarred E Clewner
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anna L Gelfius
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shiyuan Gong
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Finley R Gordon
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jolene N Iseler
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Samhita Kotapati
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Marilyn Li
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Areeba Maysun
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Elise O McCormick
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Geetanjali Rastogi
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Srijani Sengupta
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Chantal U Uzoma
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Madison A Wolkov
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - E Josephine Clowney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute Affiliate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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12
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Hu Y, Tan R, Zhu X, Wang B, Wang J, Guo B, Li Y, Du H, Yang Y. Genome-wide identification, phylogeny and expressional profile of the Dmrt gene family in Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis). Sci Rep 2024; 14:4231. [PMID: 38378745 PMCID: PMC10879162 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54899-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Chinese sturgeon Dmrt gene family was identified and characterized for the first time. A total of 5 putative Dmrt genes were identified. The gene structure, conserved protein domain and the phylogenetic relationship of Dmrt gene family were systematically analyzed. The expressed profile of Chinese sturgeon Dmrt genes in gonad, pituitary and hypothalamus in the male and female were investigated. The results indicated that the accumulation of Dmrt genes was involved in different tissues, and the expression profile also differed among each Dmrt genes. ASDmrt1A, ASDmrt2, ASDmrt3, and ASDmrtA1 were highly expressed in the testis in comparison with other tissue. This result showed that ASDmrt1A, ASDmrt2, ASDmrt3, and ASDmrtA1 played an important role in the development of testicle, and may be useful tool in distinguishing between male and female of Chinese sturgeon. Our study will provide a basis for additional analyses of Chinese sturgeon Dmrt genes. This systematic analysis provided a foundation for further functional characterization of Dmrt genes with an aim of study of Chinese sturgeon Dmrt gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacheng Hu
- Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
| | - Ruihua Tan
- Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Xin Zhu
- Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
| | - Binzhong Wang
- Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
| | - Jingshu Wang
- Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
| | - Baifu Guo
- Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China
| | - Hejun Du
- Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China.
| | - Yuanjin Yang
- Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, China Three Gorges Corporation, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Project for Conservation of Fishes, Yichang, 443100, Hubei, China.
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13
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O’Connor RE, Kretschmer R, Romanov MN, Griffin DK. A Bird's-Eye View of Chromosomic Evolution in the Class Aves. Cells 2024; 13:310. [PMID: 38391923 PMCID: PMC10886771 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Birds (Aves) are the most speciose of terrestrial vertebrates, displaying Class-specific characteristics yet incredible external phenotypic diversity. Critical to agriculture and as model organisms, birds have adapted to many habitats. The only extant examples of dinosaurs, birds emerged ~150 mya and >10% are currently threatened with extinction. This review is a comprehensive overview of avian genome ("chromosomic") organization research based mostly on chromosome painting and BAC-based studies. We discuss traditional and contemporary tools for reliably generating chromosome-level assemblies and analyzing multiple species at a higher resolution and wider phylogenetic distance than previously possible. These results permit more detailed investigations into inter- and intrachromosomal rearrangements, providing unique insights into evolution and speciation mechanisms. The 'signature' avian karyotype likely arose ~250 mya and remained largely unchanged in most groups including extinct dinosaurs. Exceptions include Psittaciformes, Falconiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Cuculiformes, Suliformes, occasional Passeriformes, Ciconiiformes, and Pelecaniformes. The reasons for this remarkable conservation may be the greater diploid chromosome number generating variation (the driver of natural selection) through a greater possible combination of gametes and/or an increase in recombination rate. A deeper understanding of avian genomic structure permits the exploration of fundamental biological questions pertaining to the role of evolutionary breakpoint regions and homologous synteny blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. O’Connor
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (R.E.O.); (M.N.R.)
| | - Rafael Kretschmer
- Departamento de Ecologia, Zoologia e Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Campus Universitário Capão do Leão, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-900, RS, Brazil;
| | - Michael N. Romanov
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (R.E.O.); (M.N.R.)
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, 142132 Podolsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia
| | - Darren K. Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (R.E.O.); (M.N.R.)
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14
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Gao Y, Wu Q, Wang G, Zhang S, Ma W, Shi X, Liu H, Wu L, Tian X, Li X, Ma X. Histomorphic analysis and expression of mRNA and miRNA in embryonic gonadal differentiation in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Gene 2024; 893:147913. [PMID: 37866663 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147913] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is extensively cultured in Asia for its nutritional and medical value. Gonadal differentiation is fantastic in turtles, whereas morphologic, mRNA, and miRNA expressions were insufficient in the turtle. In this study, ovaries and testes histomorphology analysis of 14-23 stage embryos were performed, and mRNA and miRNA expression profiles were analyzed. Histomorphology analysis revealed that gonads were undifferentiated at embryonic stage 14. Ovarian morphological differentiation became evident from stage 15, which was characterized by the development of the cortical region and degeneration of the medullary region. Concurrently, testicular morphological differentiation was apparent from stage 15, marked by the development of the medullary region and degeneration of the cortical region. qRT-PCR results showed that Cyp19a1 and Foxl2 exhibited female-specific expression at stage 15 and the expression increased throughout most of the embryonic development. Dmrt1, Amh, and Sox9 displayed male-specific expression at stage 15 and tended to increase substantially at later developmental stages. The expression of miR-8356 and miR-3299 in ZZ gonads were significantly higher than that in ZW gonads at stage 15, 17 and 19, and they had the highest expression at stage 15. While the expression of miR-8085 and miR-7982 had the highest expression at stage 19. Furthermore, chromatin remodeler genes showed differential expression in female and male P. sinensis gonads. These results of master sex-differentiation genes and morphological characteristics would provide a reference for the research of sex differentiation and sex reversal in turtles. Additionally, the expression of chromatin remodeler genes indicated they might be involved in gonadal differentiation of P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Gao
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Qisheng Wu
- Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, Xiamen 361000, China.
| | - Guiyu Wang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Shufang Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Wenge Ma
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xi Shi
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Huifen Liu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Limin Wu
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xue Tian
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xuejun Li
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
| | - Xiao Ma
- College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China.
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15
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Li M, Sun L, Zhou L, Wang D. Tilapia, a good model for studying reproductive endocrinology. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 345:114395. [PMID: 37879418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), with a system of XX/XY sex determination, is a worldwide farmed fish with a shorter sexual maturation time than that of most cultured fish. Tilapia show a spawning cycle of approximately 14 days and can be artificially propagated in the laboratory all year round to obtain genetically all female (XX) and all male (XY) fry. Its genome sequence has been opened, and a perfect gene editing platform has been established. With a moderate body size, it is convenient for taking enough blood to measure hormone level. In recent years, using tilapia as animal model, we have confirmed that estrogen is crucial for female development because 1) mutation of star2, cyp17a1 or cyp19a1a (encoding aromatase, the key enzyme for estrogen synthesis) results in sex reversal (SR) due to estrogen deficiency in XX tilapia, while mutation of star1, cyp11a1, cyp17a2, cyp19a1b or cyp11c1 affects fertility due to abnormal androgen, cortisol and DHP levels in XY tilapia; 2) when the estrogen receptors (esr2a/esr2b) are mutated, the sex is reversed from female to male, while when the androgen receptors are mutated, the sex cannot be reversed; 3) the differentiated ovary can be transdifferentiated into functional testis by inhibition of estrogen synthesis, and the differentiated testis can be transdifferentiated into ovary by simultaneous addition of exogenous estrogen and androgen synthase inhibitor; 4) loss of male pathway genes amhy, dmrt1, gsdf causes SR with upregulation of cyp19a1a in XY tilapia. Disruption of estrogen synthesis rescues the male to female SR of amhy and gsdf but not dmrt1 mutants; 5) mutation of female pathway genes foxl2 and sf-1 causes SR with downregulation of cyp19a1a in XX tilapia; 6) the germ cell SR of foxl3 mutants fails to be rescued by estrogen treatment, indicating that estrogen determines female germ cell fate through foxl3. This review also summarized the effects of deficiency of other steroid hormones, such as androgen, DHP and cortisol, on fish reproduction. Overall, these studies demonstrate that tilapia is an excellent animal model for studying reproductive endocrinology of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, 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, 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, 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, China.
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16
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Halgrain M, Bernardet N, Hennequet-Antier C, Réhault-Godbert S. Sex-specific transcriptome of the chicken chorioallantoic membrane. Genomics 2024; 116:110754. [PMID: 38061480 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110754] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Dimorphism between male and female embryos has been demonstrated in many animal species, including chicken species. Likewise, extraembryonic membranes such as the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) are likely to exhibit a sex-specific profile. Analysis of the previously published RNA-seq data of the chicken CAM sampled at two incubation times, revealed 783 differentially expressed genes between the CAM of male and female embryos. The expression of some of these genes is sex-dependant only at one or other stage of development, while 415 genes are sex-dependant at both developmental stages. These genes include well-known sex-determining and sex-differentiation genes (DMRT1, HEGM, etc.), and are mainly located on sex chromosomes. This study provides evidence that gene expression of extra-embryonic membranes is differentially regulated between male and female embryos. As such, a better characterisation of associated mechanisms should facilitate the identification of new sex-specific biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christelle Hennequet-Antier
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, MaIAGE, Jouy-en-Josas 78350, France; Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, BioinfOmics, MIGALE Bioinformatics Facility, Jouy-en-Josas 78350, France
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17
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Akashi H, Hasui D, Ueda K, Ishikawa M, Takeda M, Miyagawa S. Understanding the role of environmental temperature on sex determination through comparative studies in reptiles and amphibians. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:48-59. [PMID: 37905472 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, species exhibit phenotypic plasticity of sex determination that the sex can plastically be determined by the external environmental temperature through a mechanism, temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Temperature exerts influence over the direction of sexual differentiation pathways, resulting in distinct primary sex ratios in a temperature-dependent manner. This review provides a summary of the thermal sensitivities associated with sex determination in reptiles and amphibians, with a focus on the pattern of TSD, gonadal differentiation, temperature sensing, and the molecular basis underlying thermal sensitivity in sex determination. Comparative studies across diverse lineages offer valuable insights into comprehending the evolution of sex determination as a phenotypic plasticity. While evidence of molecular mechanisms governing sexual differentiation pathways continues to accumulate, the intracellular signaling linking temperature sensing and sexual differentiation pathways remains elusive. We emphasize that uncovering these links is a key for understanding species-specific thermal sensitivities in TSD and will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem and biodiversity conservations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Akashi
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daiki Hasui
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kai Ueda
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Momoka Ishikawa
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Wilson CA, Batzel P, Postlethwait JH. Direct Male Development in Chromosomally ZZ Zebrafish. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.27.573483. [PMID: 38234788 PMCID: PMC10793451 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.27.573483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The genetics of sex determination varies across taxa, sometimes even within a species. Major domesticated strains of zebrafish ( Danio rerio ), including AB and TU, lack a strong genetic sex determining locus, but strains more recently derived from nature, like Nadia (NA), possess a ZZ male/ZW female chromosomal sex-determination system. AB strain fish pass through a juvenile ovary stage, forming oocytes that survive in fish that become females but die in fish that become males. To understand mechanisms of gonad development in NA zebrafish, we studied histology and single cell transcriptomics in developing ZZ and ZW fish. ZW fish developed oocytes by 22 days post-fertilization (dpf) but ZZ fish directly formed testes, avoiding a juvenile ovary phase. Gonads of some ZW and WW fish, however, developed oocytes that died as the gonad became a testis, mimicking AB fish, suggesting that the gynogenetically derived AB strain is chromosomally WW. Single-cell RNA-seq of 19dpf gonads showed similar cell types in ZZ and ZW fish, including germ cells, precursors of gonadal support cells, steroidogenic cells, interstitial/stromal cells, and immune cells, consistent with a bipotential juvenile gonad. In contrast, scRNA-seq of 30dpf gonads revealed that cells in ZZ gonads had transcriptomes characteristic of testicular Sertoli, Leydig, and germ cells while ZW gonads had granulosa cells, theca cells, and developing oocytes. Hematopoietic and vascular cells were similar in both sex genotypes. These results show that juvenile NA zebrafish initially develop a bipotential gonad; that a factor on the NA W chromosome or fewer than two Z chromosomes is essential to initiate oocyte development; and without the W factor or with two Z doses, NA gonads develop directly into testes without passing through the juvenile ovary stage. Sex determination in AB and TU strains mimics NA ZW and WW zebrafish, suggesting loss of the Z chromosome during domestication. Genetic analysis of the NA strain will facilitate our understanding of the evolution of sex determination mechanisms.
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19
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Toyota K, Akashi H, Ishikawa M, Yamaguchi K, Shigenobu S, Sato T, Lange A, Tyler CR, Iguchi T, Miyagawa S. Comparative analysis of gonadal transcriptomes between turtle and alligator identifies common molecular cues activated during the temperature-sensitive period for sex determination. Gene 2023; 888:147763. [PMID: 37666375 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The mode of sex determination in vertebrates can be categorized as genotypic or environmental. In the case of genotypic sex determination (GSD), the sexual fate of an organism is determined by the chromosome composition with some having dominant genes, named sex-determining genes, that drive the sex phenotypes. By contrast, many reptiles exhibit environmental sex determination (ESD), whereby environmental stimuli drive sex determination, and most notably temperature. To date, temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) has been found in most turtles, some lizards, and all crocodylians, but commonalities in the controlling processes are not well established. Recent innovative sequencing technology has enabled investigations into gonadal transcriptomic profiles during temperature-sensitive periods (TSP) in various TSD species which can help elucidate the controlling mechanisms. In this study, we conducted a time-course analysis of the gonadal transcriptome during the male-producing temperature (26℃) of the Reeve's turtle (Chinese three-keeled pond turtle) Mauremys reevesii. We then compared the transcriptome profiles for this turtle species during the TSP with that for the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis to identify conserved reptilian TSD-related genes. Our transcriptome-based findings provide an opportunity to retrieve the candidate molecular cues that are activated during TSP and compare these target responses between TSD and GSD turtle species, and between TSD species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Toyota
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan; Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-cho, Ishikawa 927-0553, Japan; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, 2946 Tsuchiya, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1293, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Akashi
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan; Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Momoka Ishikawa
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Katsushi Yamaguchi
- Trans-Omics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Trans-Omics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Tomomi Sato
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
| | - Anke Lange
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Charles R Tyler
- Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ogi, Noto-cho, Ishikawa 927-0553, Japan; Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0027, Japan
| | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan.
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20
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Dong M, Tang M, Li W, Li S, Yi M, Liu W. Morphological and transcriptional analysis of sexual differentiation and gonadal development in a burrowing fish, the four-eyed sleeper (Bostrychus sinensis). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 48:101148. [PMID: 37865042 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Four-eyed sleeper (Bostrychus sinensis) is a commercially important sea water fish, and the male individuals exhibit significant advantages in somatic growth and stress resistance, so developing sex control strategy to create all-male progeny will produce higher economic value. However, little is known about the genetic background associated with sex differentiation in this species. In this study, we investigated gonadal development and uncovered critical window stages of sexual differentiation (about 2 mph), transition from proliferation to differentiation in female germ stem cells (GSCs) (2-3 mph) and male GSCs (3-4 mph). De novo transcriptome analysis revealed candidate genes and signaling pathways associated with sexual differentiation and gonadal development in four-eyed sleeper. The results showed that sox9 and zglp1 were the earliest sex-biased transcription factors during sex differentiation. Down-regulation of chemokine, cytokines-cytokine receptors and up-regulation of cellular senescence pathway might be involved in GSC differentiation. Weighted gene correlation network analysis showed that metabolic pathway and occludin were the hub signaling and gene in ovarian development, meanwhile the MAPK signaling pathways, cellular senescence pathway and ash1l (histone H3-lysine4 N-trimethyltransferase) were the hub pathways and gene in testicular development. The present work elucidated the developmental processes of sexual differentiation and gonadal development and revealed their associated revealed genes and signaling pathways in four-eyed sleeper, providing theoretical basis for developing sex-control techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdan Dong
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Mingyue Tang
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Shizhu Li
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Meisheng Yi
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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21
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Gu H, Wen J, Zhao X, Zhang X, Ren X, Cheng H, Qu L. Evolution, Inheritance, and Strata Formation of the W Chromosome in Duck (Anas platyrhynchos). Genome Biol Evol 2023; 15:evad183. [PMID: 37931036 PMCID: PMC10630070 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The nonrecombining female-limited W chromosome is predicted to experience unique evolutionary processes. Difficulties in assembling W chromosome sequences have hindered the identification of duck W-linked sequences and their evolutionary footprint. To address this, we conducted three initial contig-level genome assemblies and developed a rigorous pipeline by which to successfully expand the W-linked data set, including 11 known genes and 24 newly identified genes. Our results indicate that the W chromosome expression may not be subject to female-specific selection; a significant convergent pattern of upregulation associated with increased female-specific selection was not detected. The genetic stability of the W chromosome is also reflected in the strong evolutionary correlation between it and the mitochondria; the complete consistency of the cladogram topology constructed from their gene sequences proves the shared maternal coevolution. By detecting the evolutionary trajectories of W-linked sequences, we have found that recombination suppression started in four distinct strata, of which three were conserved across Neognathae. Taken together, our results have revealed a unique evolutionary pattern and an independent stratum evolutionary pattern for sex chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchang Gu
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junhui Wen
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiurong Zhao
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinye Zhang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xufang Ren
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Cheng
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lujiang Qu
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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22
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Pinto BJ, Nielsen SV, Sullivan KA, Behere A, Keating SE, van Schingen-Khan M, Nguyen TQ, Ziegler T, Pramuk J, Wilson MA, Gamble T. It's a Trap?! Escape from an ancient, ancestral sex chromosome system and implication of Foxl2 as the putative primary sex determining gene in a lizard (Anguimorpha; Shinisauridae). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.05.547803. [PMID: 37461522 PMCID: PMC10349997 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.05.547803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Although sex determination is ubiquitous in vertebrates, mechanisms of sex determination vary from environmentally- to genetically-influenced. In vertebrates, genetic sex determination is typically accomplished with sex chromosomes. Groups like mammals maintain conserved sex chromosome systems, while sex chromosomes in most vertebrate clades aren't conserved across similar evolutionary timescales. One group inferred to have an evolutionarily stable mode of sex determination is Anguimorpha, a clade of charismatic taxa including: monitor lizards, Gila monsters, and crocodile lizards. The common ancestor of extant anguimorphs possessed a ZW system that has been retained across the clade. However, the sex chromosome system in the endangered, monotypic family of crocodile lizards (Shinisauridae) has remained elusive. Here, we analyze genomic data to demonstrate that Shinisaurus has replaced the ancestral anguimorph ZW system on LG7 chromosome with a novel ZW system on LG3. The linkage group LG3 corresponds to chromosome 9 in chicken, and this is the first documented use of this syntenic block as a sex chromosome in amniotes. Additionally, this ~1Mb region harbors approximately 10 genes, including a duplication of the sex-determining transcription factor, Foxl2-critical for the determination and maintenance of sexual differentiation in vertebrates, and thus a putative primary sex determining gene for Shinisaurus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J. Pinto
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
- Department of Zoology, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI USA
| | - Stuart V. Nielsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Museum of Life Sciences, Louisiana State University-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA USA
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Kathryn A. Sullivan
- Department of Zoology, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee WI USA
| | - Ashmika Behere
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee WI USA
| | - Shannon E. Keating
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee WI USA
| | - Mona van Schingen-Khan
- Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, CITES Scientific Authority, Konstantinstraße 110, 53179 Bonn, Germany
| | - Truong Quang Nguyen
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi 10072, Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 10072, Vietnam
| | - Thomas Ziegler
- Cologne Zoo, Riehler Straße 173, 50735 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Straße 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Melissa A. Wilson
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
- Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Biodesign Institute, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Tony Gamble
- Department of Zoology, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee WI USA
- Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN USA
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23
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Hu Q, Xia X, Lian Z, Tian H, Li Z. Regulatory mechanism of LncRNAs in gonadal differentiation of hermaphroditic fish, Monopterus albus. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:74. [PMID: 37880697 PMCID: PMC10598917 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00559-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monopterus albus is a hermaphroditic fish with sex reversal from ovaries to testes via the ovotestes in the process of gonadal development, but the molecular mechanism of the sex reversal was unknown. METHODS We produced transcriptomes containing mRNAs and lncRNAs in the crucial stages of the gonad, including the ovary, ovotestis and testis. The expression of the crucial lncRNAs and their target genes was detected using qRT‒PCR and in situ hybridization. The methylation level and activity of the lncRNA promoter were analysed by applying bisulfite sequencing PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assays, respectively. RESULTS This effort revealed that gonadal development was a dynamic expression change. Regulatory networks of lncRNAs and their target genes were constructed through integrated analysis of lncRNA and mRNA data. The expression and DNA methylation of the lncRNAs MSTRG.38036 and MSTRG.12998 and their target genes Psmβ8 and Ptk2β were detected in developing gonads and sex reversal gonads. The results showed that lncRNAs and their target genes exhibited consistent expression profiles and that the DNA methylation levels were negatively regulated lncRNA expression. Furthermore, we found that Ptk2β probably regulates cyp19a1 expression via the Ptk2β/EGFR/STAT3 pathway to reprogram sex differentiation. CONCLUSIONS This study provides novel insight from lncRNA to explore the potential molecular mechanism by which DNA methylation regulates lncRNA expression to facilitate target gene transcription to reprogram sex differentiation in M. albus, which will also enrich the sex differentiation mechanism of teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaomu Hu
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223, China.
| | - Xueping Xia
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223, China
| | - Zitong Lian
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223, China
| | - Haifeng Tian
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223, China
| | - Zhong Li
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223, China.
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24
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Dujardin E, André M, Dewaele A, Mandon-Pépin B, Poulat F, Frambourg A, Thépot D, Jouneau L, Jolivet G, Pailhoux E, Pannetier M. DMRT1 is a testis-determining gene in rabbits and is also essential for female fertility. eLife 2023; 12:RP89284. [PMID: 37847154 PMCID: PMC10581690 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DMRT1 is the testis-determining factor in several species of vertebrates, but its involvement in mammalian testes differentiation, where SRY is the testis-determining gene, remains ambiguous. So far, DMRT1 loss-of-function has been described in two mammalian species and induces different phenotypes: Disorders of Sex Development (46, XY DSD) in men and male infertility in mice. We thus abolished DMRT1 expression by CRISPR/Cas9 in a third species of mammal, the rabbit. First, we observed that gonads from XY DMRT1-/- rabbit fetuses differentiated like ovaries, highlighting that DMRT1 is involved in testis determination. In addition to SRY, DMRT1 is required in the supporting cells to increase the expression of the SOX9 gene, which heads the testicular genetic cascade. Second, we highlighted another function of DMRT1 in the germline since XX and XY DMRT1-/- ovaries did not undergo meiosis and folliculogenesis. XX DMRT1-/- adult females were sterile, showing that DMRT1 is also crucial for female fertility. To conclude, these phenotypes indicate an evolutionary continuum between non-mammalian vertebrates such as birds and non-rodent mammals. Furthermore, our data support the potential involvement of DMRT1 mutations in different human pathologies, such as 46, XY DSD as well as male and female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Dujardin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Marjolaine André
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Aurélie Dewaele
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Béatrice Mandon-Pépin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Francis Poulat
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UMR9002 University of Montpellier; 34396MontpellierFrance
| | - Anne Frambourg
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Dominique Thépot
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Luc Jouneau
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Geneviève Jolivet
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Eric Pailhoux
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
| | - Maëlle Pannetier
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED; 78350Jouy-en-JosasFrance
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED; 94700Maisons-AlfortFrance
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25
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McLaughlin JF, Brock KM, Gates I, Pethkar A, Piattoni M, Rossi A, Lipshutz SE. Multivariate Models of Animal Sex: Breaking Binaries Leads to a Better Understanding of Ecology and Evolution. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:891-906. [PMID: 37156506 PMCID: PMC10563656 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
"Sex" is often used to describe a suite of phenotypic and genotypic traits of an organism related to reproduction. However, these traits-gamete type, chromosomal inheritance, physiology, morphology, behavior, etc.-are not necessarily coupled, and the rhetorical collapse of variation into a single term elides much of the complexity inherent in sexual phenotypes. We argue that consideration of "sex" as a constructed category operating at multiple biological levels opens up new avenues for inquiry in our study of biological variation. We apply this framework to three case studies that illustrate the diversity of sex variation, from decoupling sexual phenotypes to the evolutionary and ecological consequences of intrasexual polymorphisms. We argue that instead of assuming binary sex in these systems, some may be better categorized as multivariate and nonbinary. Finally, we conduct a meta-analysis of terms used to describe diversity in sexual phenotypes in the scientific literature to highlight how a multivariate model of sex can clarify, rather than cloud, studies of sexual diversity within and across species. We argue that such an expanded framework of "sex" better equips us to understand evolutionary processes, and that as biologists, it is incumbent upon us to push back against misunderstandings of the biology of sexual phenotypes that enact harm on marginalized communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F McLaughlin
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kinsey M Brock
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Isabella Gates
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
| | - Anisha Pethkar
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
| | - Marcus Piattoni
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
| | - Alexis Rossi
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
| | - Sara E Lipshutz
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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26
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Otte M, Netschitailo O, Weidtkamp-Peters S, Seidel CA, Beye M. Recognition of polymorphic Csd proteins determines sex in the honeybee. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg4239. [PMID: 37792946 PMCID: PMC10550236 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg4239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Sex in honeybees, Apis mellifera, is genetically determined by heterozygous versus homo/hemizygous genotypes involving numerous alleles at the single complementary sex determination locus. The molecular mechanism of sex determination is however unknown because there are more than 4950 known possible allele combinations, but only two sexes in the species. We show how protein variants expressed from complementary sex determiner (csd) gene determine sex. In females, the amino acid differences between Csd variants at the potential-specifying domain (PSD) direct the selection of a conserved coiled-coil domain for binding and protein complexation. This recognition mechanism activates Csd proteins and, thus, the female pathway. In males, the absence of polymorphisms establishes other binding elements at PSD for binding and complexation of identical Csd proteins. This second recognition mechanism inactivates Csd proteins and commits male development via default pathway. Our results demonstrate that the recognition of different versus identical variants of a single protein is a mechanism to determine sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Otte
- Institute of Evolutionary Genetics, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Oksana Netschitailo
- Institute of Evolutionary Genetics, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Claus A. M. Seidel
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Beye
- Institute of Evolutionary Genetics, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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27
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Bertola LV, Hoskin CJ, Jones DB, Zenger KR, McKnight DT, Higgie M. The first linkage map for Australo-Papuan Treefrogs (family: Pelodryadidae) reveals the sex-determination system of the Green-eyed Treefrog (Litoria serrata). Heredity (Edinb) 2023; 131:263-272. [PMID: 37542195 PMCID: PMC10539516 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00642-5] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibians represent a useful taxon to study the evolution of sex determination because of their highly variable sex-determination systems. However, the sex-determination system for many amphibian families remains unknown, in part because of a lack of genomic resources. Here, using an F1 family of Green-eyed Treefrogs (Litoria serrata), we produce the first genetic linkage map for any Australo-Papuan Treefrogs (family: Pelodryadidae). The resulting linkage map contains 8662 SNPs across 13 linkage groups. Using an independent set of sexed adults, we identify a small region in linkage group 6 matching an XY sex-determination system. These results suggest Litoria serrata possesses a male heterogametic system, with a candidate sex-determination locus on linkage group 6. Furthermore, this linkage map represents the first genomic resource for Australo-Papuan Treefrogs, an ecologically diverse family of over 220 species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo V Bertola
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
| | - Conrad J Hoskin
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - David B Jones
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Kyall R Zenger
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Donald T McKnight
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, West Wodonga, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3690, Australia
| | - Megan Higgie
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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28
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Deviatiiarov R, Nagai H, Ismagulov G, Stupina A, Wada K, Ide S, Toji N, Zhang H, Sukparangsi W, Intarapat S, Gusev O, Sheng G. Dosage compensation of Z sex chromosome genes in avian fibroblast cells. Genome Biol 2023; 24:213. [PMID: 37730643 PMCID: PMC10510239 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03055-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In birds, sex is genetically determined; however, the molecular mechanism is not well-understood. The avian Z sex chromosome (chrZ) lacks whole chromosome inactivation, in contrast to the mammalian chrX. To investigate chrZ dosage compensation and its role in sex specification, we use a highly quantitative method and analyze transcriptional activities of male and female fibroblast cells from seven bird species. Our data indicate that three fourths of chrZ genes are strictly compensated across Aves, similar to mammalian chrX. We also present a complete list of non-compensated chrZ genes and identify Ribosomal Protein S6 (RPS6) as a conserved sex-dimorphic gene in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Deviatiiarov
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Regulatory Genomics Research Center, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation
- Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Life Improvement by Future Technologies Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Hiroki Nagai
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Galym Ismagulov
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Anastasia Stupina
- Regulatory Genomics Research Center, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - Kazuhiro Wada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shinji Ide
- Kumamoto City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Toji
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Heng Zhang
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Woranop Sukparangsi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
| | | | - Oleg Gusev
- Regulatory Genomics Research Center, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation.
- Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.
- Life Improvement by Future Technologies Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Guojun Sheng
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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29
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Wang Q, Cao T, Wang C. Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of Dmrt genes in bivalves. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:457. [PMID: 37582778 PMCID: PMC10428544 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09536-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, some common themes in the development of sex-specific traits in different animal lineages have started to emerge since the discovery of the Dmrt (doublesex-mab3-related transcription factor gene) genes. Bivalves are characterized by a diversity of sexual systems, including simultaneous hermaphroditism, sequential hermaphroditism, and strict gonochorism. However, to date, no research has focused on the genome-wide characterization and analysis of Dmrt genes in bivalves. In this study, the identification and analysis of Dmrt genes in 15 bivalves were performed using bioinformatics methods. A total of 55 Dmrt genes were retrieved in the studied bivalve genomes. The number of Dmrt genes in different species ranged from 3 to 5. The phylogenetic tree showed that Dmrt genes in bivalves can be subdivided into 5 classes: the Dmrt2-like class, Dmrt3-like class, Dmrt4/5-like class, Dsx-like class, and scallop-specific Dmrt class. The Ka/Ks ratios suggested that all Dmrt classes underwent purifying selection pressure. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal expression of Dmrt genes in four bivalve species suggested that different Dmrt genes may have different functions, and scallop-specific Dmrt genes may play a key role in sex determination/differentiation. In general, this study provides a molecular basis for in-depth examination of the functions of Dmrt genes and phylogenomic analyses in bivalves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanchao Wang
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Warning, Protection & Restoration for Bohai Sea, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Tiangui Cao
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Chunde Wang
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China.
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Chen T, Yuan H, Qiao H, Jiang S, Zhang W, Xiong Y, Fu H, Jin S. Mn-XRN1 Has an Inhibitory Effect on Ovarian Reproduction in Macrobrachium nipponense. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1454. [PMID: 37510358 PMCID: PMC10380074 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071454] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
XRN1 is an exoribonuclease that degrades mRNA in the cytoplasm along the 5'-3' direction. A previous study indicated that it may be involved in the reproduction of Macrobrachium nipponense. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the spatiotemporal expression pattern of Mn-XRN1. At the tissue level, Mn-XRN1 was significantly expressed in the ovary. During development, Mn-XRN1 was significantly expressed at the CS stage of the embryo, on the 10th day post-larval and in the O2 stage of ovarian reproduction. The in situ hybridization results showed the location of Mn-XRN1 in the ovary. The expression of Mn-VASA was significantly increased after in vivo injection of Mn-XRN1 dsRNA. This suggests that Mn-XRN1 negatively regulates the expression of Mn-VASA. Furthermore, we counted the number of M. nipponense at various stages of ovarian reproduction on different days after RNAi. The results showed that ovarian development was significantly accelerated. In general, the results of the present study indicate that Mn-XRN1 has an inhibitory effect on the ovarian maturation of M. nipponense. The inhibitory effect might be through negative regulation of Mn-VASA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyong Chen
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Huwei Yuan
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Hui Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Sufei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Yiwei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Hongtuo Fu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Shubo Jin
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China
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Yazdi HP, Olito C, Kawakami T, Unneberg P, Schou MF, Cloete SWP, Hansson B, Cornwallis CK. The evolutionary maintenance of ancient recombining sex chromosomes in the ostrich. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010801. [PMID: 37390104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex chromosomes have evolved repeatedly across the tree of life and often exhibit extreme size dimorphism due to genetic degeneration of the sex-limited chromosome (e.g. the W chromosome of some birds and Y chromosome of mammals). However, in some lineages, ancient sex-limited chromosomes have escaped degeneration. Here, we study the evolutionary maintenance of sex chromosomes in the ostrich (Struthio camelus), where the W remains 65% the size of the Z chromosome, despite being more than 100 million years old. Using genome-wide resequencing data, we show that the population scaled recombination rate of the pseudoautosomal region (PAR) is higher than similar sized autosomes and is correlated with pedigree-based recombination rate in the heterogametic females, but not homogametic males. Genetic variation within the sex-linked region (SLR) (π = 0.001) was significantly lower than in the PAR, consistent with recombination cessation. Conversely, genetic variation across the PAR (π = 0.0016) was similar to that of autosomes and dependent on local recombination rates, GC content and to a lesser extent, gene density. In particular, the region close to the SLR was as genetically diverse as autosomes, likely due to high recombination rates around the PAR boundary restricting genetic linkage with the SLR to only ~50Kb. The potential for alleles with antagonistic fitness effects in males and females to drive chromosome degeneration is therefore limited. While some regions of the PAR had divergent male-female allele frequencies, suggestive of sexually antagonistic alleles, coalescent simulations showed this was broadly consistent with neutral genetic processes. Our results indicate that the degeneration of the large and ancient sex chromosomes of the ostrich may have been slowed by high recombination in the female PAR, reducing the scope for the accumulation of sexually antagonistic variation to generate selection for recombination cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colin Olito
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Takeshi Kawakami
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Embark Veterinary, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Per Unneberg
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mads F Schou
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Schalk W P Cloete
- Directorate Animal Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Elsenburg, South Africa
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Bengt Hansson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Zhang P, Yang Y, Xu Y, Cui Z. Analyses of the Dmrt family in a decapod crab, Eriocheir sinensis uncover new facets on the evolution of DM domain genes. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1201846. [PMID: 37304820 PMCID: PMC10252143 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1201846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
DM domain genes are a group of transcription factors that are integral to sexual development and its evolution in metazoans. Their functions and regulatory mechanisms are not well understood in Malacostraca (crabs and crayfish) while these sex regulators have been widely identified in the past decade. In this study, the Dmrt family was investigated in the decapod crab, Eriocheir sinensis. We find that most members of the EsDmrt family begin to enrich around the juvenile 1 stage. In reproductive organs, EsDsx1, EsDsx2, EsiDMY and EsiDmrt1a highly express in the male-specific androgenic gland (AG), while EsDmrt-like, EsDsx-like, EsDmrt11E, and EsiDmrt1b show relatively high expression in testis. Also, we find the highly aberrant expression of EsiDMY and EsiDmrt1a in the chimeric AG, strongly indicating their function in AG development. Moreover, RNA interference of EsDsx1, EsiDMY, and EsiDmrt1a results in a significant decrease in transcription of the Insulin-like androgenic hormone (IAG), respectively. Our findings suggest that Dmrt genes in E. sinensis primarily function in male sexual differentiation, especially in AG development. Besides, this study identifies two unique groups of Dmrt genes in Malacostraca: Dsx and iDmrt1. In Malacostraca Dsx, we uncover a cryptic mutation in the eight zinc motif-specific residues, which were firmly believed to be invariant across the Dmrt family. This mutation sets the Malacostraca Dsx apart from all the other Dmrt genes and implies a different way of transcriptional regulation. Genes from the iDmrt1 group show phylogenetical limitation to the malacostracan species and underwent positive selection, suggesting their highly specialized gene function to this class. Based on these findings, we propose that Dsx and iDmrt1 in Malacostraca have developed unique transcriptional regulation mechanisms to facilitate AG development. We hope that this study would contribute to our understandings of sexual development in Malacostraca and provide new insights into the evolutionary history of the Dmrt family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yanan Yang
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yuanfeng Xu
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhaoxia Cui
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
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Zhang X, Li J, Chen S, Yang N, Zheng J. Overview of Avian Sex Reversal. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098284. [PMID: 37175998 PMCID: PMC10179413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex determination and differentiation are processes by which a bipotential gonad adopts either a testicular or ovarian cell fate, and secondary sexual characteristics adopt either male or female developmental patterns. In birds, although genetic factors control the sex determination program, sex differentiation is sensitive to hormones, which can induce sex reversal when disturbed. Although these sex-reversed birds can form phenotypes opposite to their genotypes, none can experience complete sex reversal or produce offspring under natural conditions. Promising evidence indicates that the incomplete sex reversal is associated with cell autonomous sex identity (CASI) of avian cells, which is controlled by genetic factors. However, studies cannot clearly describe the regulatory mechanism of avian CASI and sex development at present, and these factors require further exploration. In spite of this, the abundant findings of avian sex research have provided theoretical bases for the progress of gender control technologies, which are being improved through interdisciplinary co-operation and will ultimately be employed in poultry production. In this review, we provide an overview of avian sex determination and differentiation and comprehensively summarize the research progress on sex reversal in birds, especially chickens. Importantly, we describe key issues faced by applying gender control systems in poultry production and chronologically summarize the development of avian sex control methods. In conclusion, this review provides unique perspectives for avian sex studies and helps scientists develop more advanced systems for sex regulation in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuan Zhang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jianbo Li
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Sirui Chen
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ning Yang
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiangxia Zheng
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Schartl M, Georges A, Marshall Graves JA. Polygenic sex determination in vertebrates - is there any such thing? Trends Genet 2023; 39:242-250. [PMID: 36669949 PMCID: PMC10148267 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Genetic sex determination (SD) in most vertebrates is controlled by a single master sex gene, which ensures a 1:1 sex ratio. However, more complex systems abound, and several have been ascribed to polygenic SD (PSD), in which many genes at different loci interact to produce the sexual phenotype. Here we examine claims for PSD in vertebrates, finding that most constitute transient states during sex chromosome turnover, or aberrant systems in species hybrids. To avoid confusion about terminology, we propose a consistent nomenclature for genetic SD systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Schartl
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; Developmental Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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McLaughlin JF, Aguilar C, Bernstein JM, Navia-Gine WG, Cueto-Aparicio LE, Alarcon AC, Alarcon BD, Collier R, Takyar A, Vong SJ, López-Chong OG, Driver R, Loaiza JR, De León LF, Saltonstall K, Lipshutz SE, Arcila D, Brock KM, Miller MJ. Comparative phylogeography reveals widespread cryptic diversity driven by ecology in Panamanian birds. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 36993716 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.26.525769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Widespread species often harbor unrecognized genetic diversity, and investigating the factors associated with such cryptic variation can help us better understand the forces driving diversification. Here, we identify potential cryptic species based on a comprehensive dataset of COI mitochondrial DNA barcodes from 2,333 individual Panamanian birds across 429 species, representing 391 (59%) of the 659 resident landbird species of the country, as well as opportunistically sampled waterbirds. We complement this dataset with additional publicly available mitochondrial loci, such as ND2 and cytochrome b, obtained from whole mitochondrial genomes from 20 taxa. Using barcode identification numbers (BINs), we find putative cryptic species in 19% of landbird species, highlighting hidden diversity in the relatively well-described avifauna of Panama. Whereas some of these mitochondrial divergence events corresponded with recognized geographic features that likely isolated populations, such as the Cordillera Central highlands, the majority (74%) of lowland splits were between eastern and western populations. The timing of these splits are not temporally coincident across taxa, suggesting that historical events, such as the formation of the Isthmus of Panama and Pleistocene climatic cycles, were not the primary drivers of cryptic diversification. Rather, we observed that forest species, understory species, insectivores, and strongly territorial species-all traits associated with lower dispersal ability-were all more likely to have multiple BINs in Panama, suggesting strong ecological associations with cryptic divergence. Additionally, hand-wing index, a proxy for dispersal capability, was significantly lower in species with multiple BINs, indicating that dispersal ability plays an important role in generating diversity in Neotropical birds. Together, these results underscore the need for evolutionary studies of tropical bird communities to consider ecological factors along with geographic explanations, and that even in areas with well-known avifauna, avian diversity may be substantially underestimated. LAY SUMMARY - What factors are common among bird species with cryptic diversity in Panama? What role do geography, ecology, phylogeographic history, and other factors play in generating bird diversity?- 19% of widely-sampled bird species form two or more distinct DNA barcode clades, suggesting widespread unrecognized diversity.- Traits associated with reduced dispersal ability, such as use of forest understory, high territoriality, low hand-wing index, and insectivory, were more common in taxa with cryptic diversity. Filogeografía comparada revela amplia diversidad críptica causada por la ecología en las aves de Panamá. RESUMEN Especies extendidas frecuentemente tiene diversidad genética no reconocida, y investigando los factores asociados con esta variación críptica puede ayudarnos a entender las fuerzas que impulsan la diversificación. Aquí, identificamos especies crípticas potenciales basadas en un conjunto de datos de códigos de barras de ADN mitocondrial de 2,333 individuos de aves de Panama en 429 especies, representando 391 (59%) de las 659 especies de aves terrestres residentes del país, además de algunas aves acuáticas muestreada de manera oportunista. Adicionalmente, complementamos estos datos con secuencias mitocondriales disponibles públicamente de otros loci, tal como ND2 o citocroma b, obtenidos de los genomas mitocondriales completos de 20 taxones. Utilizando los números de identificación de código de barras (en ingles: BINs), un sistema taxonómico numérico que proporcina una estimación imparcial de la diversidad potencial a nivel de especie, encontramos especies crípticas putativas en 19% de las especies de aves terrestres, lo que destaca la diversidad oculta en la avifauna bien descrita de Panamá. Aunque algunos de estos eventos de divergencia conciden con características geográficas que probablemente aislaron las poblaciones, la mayoría (74%) de la divergencia en las tierras bajas se encuentra entre las poblaciones orientales y occidentales. El tiempo de esta divergencia no coincidió entre los taxones, sugiriendo que eventos históricos tales como la formación del Istmo de Panamá y los ciclos climáticos del pleistoceno, no fueron los principales impulsores de la especiación. En cambio, observamos asociaciones fuertes entre las características ecológicas y la divergencia mitocondriale: las especies del bosque, sotobosque, con una dieta insectívora, y con territorialidad fuerte mostraton múltiple BINs probables. Adicionalmente, el índice mano-ala, que está asociado a la capacidad de dispersión, fue significativamente menor en las especies con BINs multiples, sugiriendo que la capacidad de dispersión tiene un rol importamente en la generación de la diversidad de las aves neotropicales. Estos resultos demonstran la necesidad de que estudios evolutivos de las comunidades de aves tropicales consideren los factores ecológicos en conjunto con las explicaciones geográficos. Palabras clave: biodiversidad tropical, biogeografía, códigos de barras, dispersión, especies crípticas.
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Estermann MA, Major AT, Smith CA. DMRT1-mediated regulation of TOX3 modulates expansion of the gonadal steroidogenic cell lineage in the chicken embryo. Development 2023; 150:287047. [PMID: 36794750 PMCID: PMC10108705 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
During gonadal sex determination, the supporting cell lineage differentiates into Sertoli cells in males and pre-granulosa cells in females. Recently, single cell RNA-seq data have indicated that chicken steroidogenic cells are derived from differentiated supporting cells. This differentiation process is achieved by a sequential upregulation of steroidogenic genes and downregulation of supporting cell markers. The exact mechanism regulating this differentiation process remains unknown. We have identified TOX3 as a previously unreported transcription factor expressed in embryonic Sertoli cells of the chicken testis. TOX3 knockdown in males resulted in increased CYP17A1-positive Leydig cells. TOX3 overexpression in male and female gonads resulted in a significant decline in CYP17A1-positive steroidogenic cells. In ovo knockdown of the testis determinant DMRT1 in male gonads resulted in a downregulation of TOX3 expression. Conversely, DMRT1 overexpression caused an increase in TOX3 expression. Taken together, these data indicate that DMRT1-mediated regulation of TOX3 modulates expansion of the steroidogenic lineage, either directly, via cell lineage allocation, or indirectly, via signaling from the supporting to steroidogenic cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A Estermann
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew T Major
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Craig A Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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Identification of sex-specific splicing via comparative transcriptome analysis of gonads from sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 45:101031. [PMID: 36371882 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.101031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is an essential post-transcriptional regulation mechanism for sex differentiation and gonadal development, which has rarely been reported in marine invertebrates. Sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is an economically important marine benthic echinoderm with a potential XX/XY sex determination mechanism, whose molecular mechanism in the gonadal differentiation has not been clearly understood. In this study, we analyzed available RNA-seq datasets of male and female gonads to explore if AS mechanism exerts an essential function in sex differentiation and gonadal development of A. japonicus. In our results, a total of 20,338 AS events from 7219 alternatively spliced genes, and 189 sexually differential alternative splicing (DAS) events from 156 genes were identified in gonadal transcriptome of sea cucumber. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that these DAS genes were significantly enriched in spermatogenesis-related GO terms. Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) was then applied for protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis to search for protein interactions and hub DAS gene. Among all DAS genes, we identified 10 DAS genes closely related to spermatogenesis and (or) sperm motility and a hub gene dnah1. Thus, this study revealed that alternative isoforms were generated from certain genes in female and male gonads through alternative splicing, which may provide direct evidence that alternative splicing mechanisms participate in female and male gonads. These results suggested a novel perspective for explaining the molecular mechanisms underlying gonadal differentiation between male and female sea cucumbers.
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Ichikawa K, Horiuchi H. Fate Decisions of Chicken Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs): Development, Integrity, Sex Determination, and Self-Renewal Mechanisms. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030612. [PMID: 36980885 PMCID: PMC10048776 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are precursor cells of sperm and eggs. The fate decisions of chicken PGCs in terms of their development, integrity, and sex determination have unique features, thereby providing insights into evolutionary developmental biology. Additionally, fate decisions in the context of a self-renewal mechanism have been applied to establish culture protocols for chicken PGCs, enabling the production of genome-edited chickens and the conservation of genetic resources. Thus, studies on the fate decisions of chicken PGCs have significantly contributed to both academic and industrial development. Furthermore, studies on fate decisions have rapidly advanced owing to the recent development of essential research technologies, such as genome editing and RNA sequencing. Here, we reviewed the status of fate decisions of chicken PGCs and provided insight into other important research issues that require attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennosuke Ichikawa
- Genome Editing Innovation Center, Hiroshima University, 3-10-23 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-0046, Hiroshima, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Hiroyuki Horiuchi
- Genome Editing Innovation Center, Hiroshima University, 3-10-23 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-0046, Hiroshima, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Hiroshima, Japan
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Gessler TB, Wu Z, Valenzuela N. Transcriptomic thermal plasticity underlying gonadal development in a turtle with ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes despite canalized genotypic sex determination. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9854. [PMID: 36844670 PMCID: PMC9951354 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding genome-wide responses to environmental conditions during embryogenesis is essential for discerning the evolution of developmental plasticity and canalization, two processes generating phenotypic variation targeted by natural selection. Here, we present the first comparative trajectory analysis of matched transcriptomic developmental time series from two reptiles incubated under identical conditions, a turtle with a ZZ/ZW system of genotypic sex determination (GSD), Apalone spinifera, and a turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), Chrysemys picta. Results from our genome-wide, hypervariate gene expression analysis of sexed embryos across five developmental stages revealed that substantial transcriptional plasticity in the developing gonads can persist for >145 Myr, long after the canalization of sex determination via the evolution of sex chromosomes, while some gene-specific thermal sensitivity drifts or evolves anew. Such standing thermosensitivity represents an underappreciated evolutionary potential harbored by GSD species that may be co-opted during future adaptive shifts in developmental programing, such as a GSD to TSD reversal, if favored by ecological conditions. Additionally, we identified novel candidate regulators of vertebrate sexual development in GSD reptiles, including sex-determining candidate genes in a ZZ/ZW turtle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea B. Gessler
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA,Genetics and Genomics ProgramIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Zhiqiang Wu
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Nicole Valenzuela
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
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Li W, Du J, Yang L, Liang Q, Yang M, Zhou X, Du W. Chromosome-level genome assembly and population genomics of Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) provide insights into high-altitude adaptation in lizards. BMC Biol 2023; 21:40. [PMID: 36803146 PMCID: PMC9942394 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01535-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the extreme environmental adaptation of organisms is a hot topic in evolutionary biology, genetic adaptation to high-altitude environment remains poorly characterized in ectothermic animals. Squamates are among the most diverse terrestrial vertebrates, with tremendous ecological plasticity and karyotype diversity, and are a unique model system to investigate the genetic footprints of adaptation. RESULTS We report the first chromosome-level assembly of the Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) and our comparative genomics analyses found that multiple chromosome fissions/fusions events are unique to lizards. We further sequenced the genomes of 61 Mongolian racerunner individuals that were collected from altitudes ranging from ~ 80 to ~ 2600 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.). Population genomic analyses revealed many novel genomic regions under strong selective sweeps in populations endemic to high altitudes. Genes embedded in those genomic regions are mainly associated with energy metabolism and DNA damage repair pathways. Moreover, we identified and validated two substitutions of PHF14 that may enhance the lizards' tolerance to hypoxia at high altitudes. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals the molecular mechanism of high-altitude adaptation in ectothermic animal using lizard as a research subject and provides a high-quality lizard genomic resource for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academic of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Du
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academic of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyun Yang
- grid.410753.4Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Qiqi Liang
- grid.410753.4Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Mengyuan Yang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academic of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuming Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Weiguo Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
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41
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Clinton M, Zhao D. Avian Sex Determination: A Chicken and Egg Conundrum. Sex Dev 2023; 17:120-133. [PMID: 36796340 PMCID: PMC10659007 DOI: 10.1159/000529754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary sex determination is the developmental process that results in the sexual differentiation of the gonads. Vertebrate sex determination is generally considered to follow the model based on the mammalian system, where a sex-specific master regulatory gene activates one of the two different gene networks that underlie testis and ovary differentiation. SUMMARY It is now known that, while many of the molecular components of these pathways are conserved across different vertebrates, a wide variety of different trigger factors are utilized to initiate primary sex determination. In birds, the male is the homogametic sex (ZZ), and significant differences exist between the avian system of sex determination and that of mammals. For example, DMRT1, FOXL2, and estrogen are key factors in gonadogenesis in birds, but none are essential for primary sex determination in mammals. KEY MESSAGE Gonadal sex determination in birds is thought to depend on a dosage-based mechanism involving expression of the Z-linked DMRT1 gene, and it may be that this "mechanism" is simply an extension of the cell autonomous sex identity associated with avian tissues, with no sex-specific trigger required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Clinton
- Roslin Institute Chicken Embryology (RICE) Group, Gene Function and Development, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK
| | - Debiao Zhao
- Roslin Institute Chicken Embryology (RICE) Group, Gene Function and Development, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK
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42
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Udaykumar N, Zaidi MAA, Rai A, Sen J. CNKSR2, a downstream mediator of retinoic acid signaling, modulates the Ras/Raf/MEK pathway to regulate patterning and invagination of the chick forebrain roof plate. Development 2023; 150:286897. [PMID: 36734326 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, the forebrain roof plate undergoes invagination, leading to separation of the cerebral hemispheres. Any defects in this process, in humans, lead to middle interhemispheric holoprosencephaly (MIH-HPE). In this study, we have identified a previously unreported downstream mediator of retinoic acid (RA) signaling, CNKSR2, which is expressed in the forebrain roof plate in the chick embryo. Knockdown of CNKSR2 affects invagination, cell proliferation and patterning of the roof plate, similar to the phenotypes observed upon inhibition of RA signaling. We further demonstrate that CNKSR2 functions by modulating the Ras/Raf/MEK signaling. This appears to be crucial for patterning of the forebrain roof plate and its subsequent invagination, leading to the formation of the cerebral hemispheres. Thus, a set of novel molecular players have been identified that regulate the morphogenesis of the avian forebrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niveda Udaykumar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mohd Ali Abbas Zaidi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Aishwarya Rai
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jonaki Sen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 Uttar Pradesh, India
- Mehta Family Center for Engineering in Medicine (MFCEM), Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
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43
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Lei L, Zhu J, Chen C, Wang Y, Wu C, Qi M, Wang Y, Liu X, Hong X, Yu L, Chen H, Wei C, Liu Y, Li W, Zhu X. Genome-wide identification, evolution and expression analysis of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) gene family in chinese soft-shell turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). Front Genet 2023; 14:1109478. [PMID: 36816024 PMCID: PMC9928969 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1109478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play a crucial role in bone formation and differentiation. Recent RNA-Seq results suggest that BMPs may be involved in the sex differentiation of P. sinensis, yet more relevant studies about BMPs in P. sinensis are lacking. Methods: Herein, we identified BMP gene family members, analyzed the phylogeny, collinear relationship, scaffold localization, gene structures, protein structures, transcription factors and dimorphic expression by using bioinformatic methods based on genomic and transcriptomic data of P. sinensis. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR was used to verify the RNA-Seq results and initially explore the function of the BMPs in the sex differentiation of P. sinensis. Results: A total of 11 BMP genes were identified, 10 of which were localized to their respective genomic scaffolds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that BMP genes were divided into eight subfamilies and shared similar motifs ("WII", "FPL", "TNHA", "CCVP", and "CGC") and domain (TGF-β superfamily). The results of the sexually dimorphic expression profile and qRT-PCR showed that Bmp2, Bmp3, Bmp15l, Bmp5, Bmp6 and Bmp8a were significantly upregulated in ovaries, while Bmp2lb, Bmp7, Bmp2bl and Bmp10 were remarkable upregulated in testes, suggesting that these genes may play a role in sex differentiation of P. sinensis. Discussion: Collectively, our comprehensive results enrich the basic date for studying the evolution and functions of BMP genes in P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luo Lei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junxian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongchang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Congcong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Qi
- Zhejiang Fisheries Technical Extension Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yakun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyou Hong
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingyun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haigang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yihui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Xinping Zhu, ; Wei Li,
| | - Xinping Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fishery Resources Application and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China,College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xinping Zhu, ; Wei Li,
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44
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Waters PD, Graves JAM, Whiteley SL, Georges A, Ruiz-Herrera A. Three dimensions of thermolabile sex determination. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200123. [PMID: 36529688 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanism of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is a long-standing mystery. How is the thermal signal sensed, captured and transduced to regulate key sex genes? Although there is compelling evidence for pathways via which cells capture the temperature signal, there is no known mechanism by which cells transduce those thermal signals to affect gene expression. Here we propose a novel hypothesis we call 3D-TSD (the three dimensions of thermolabile sex determination). We postulate that the genome has capacity to remodel in response to temperature by changing 3D chromatin conformation, perhaps via temperature-sensitive transcriptional condensates. This could rewire enhancer-promoter interactions to alter the expression of key sex-determining genes. This hypothesis can accommodate monogenic or multigenic thermolabile sex-determining systems, and could be combined with upstream thermal sensing and transduction to the epigenome to commit gonadal fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Waters
- Faculty of Science, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Marshall Graves
- Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.,Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Sarah L Whiteley
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Aurora Ruiz-Herrera
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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45
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Master-Key Regulators of Sex Determination in Fish and Other Vertebrates-A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032468. [PMID: 36768795 PMCID: PMC9917144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, mainly single genes with an allele ratio of 1:1 trigger sex-determination (SD), leading to initial equal sex-ratios. Such genes are designated master-key regulators (MKRs) and are frequently associated with DNA structural variations, such as copy-number variation and null-alleles. Most MKR knowledge comes from fish, especially cichlids, which serve as a genetic model for SD. We list 14 MKRs, of which dmrt1 has been identified in taxonomically distant species such as birds and fish. The identification of MKRs with known involvement in SD, such as amh and fshr, indicates that a common network drives SD. We illustrate a network that affects estrogen/androgen equilibrium, suggesting that structural variation may exert over-expression of the gene and thus form an MKR. However, the reason why certain factors constitute MKRs, whereas others do not is unclear. The limited number of conserved MKRs suggests that their heterologous sequences could be used as targets in future searches for MKRs of additional species. Sex-specific mortality, sex reversal, the role of temperature in SD, and multigenic SD are examined, claiming that these phenomena are often consequences of artificial hybridization. We discuss the essentiality of taxonomic authentication of species to validate purebred origin before MKR searches.
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46
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Zhang X, Li J, Wang X, Jie Y, Sun C, Zheng J, Li J, Yang N, Chen S. ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analysis unravel the mechanism of sex differentiation and infertility in sex reversal chicken. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:2. [PMID: 36617567 PMCID: PMC9827654 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00476-1] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex determination and differentiation are complex and delicate processes. In female chickens, the process of sex differentiation is sensitive and prone to be affected by the administration of aromatase inhibitors, which result in chicken sex reversal and infertility. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differentiation and infertility in chicken sex reversal remain unclear. Therefore, we established a sex-reversed chicken flock by injecting an aromatase inhibitor, fadrozole, and constructed relatively high-resolution profiles of the gene expression and chromatin accessibility of embryonic gonads. RESULTS We revealed that fadrozole affected the transcriptional activities of several genes, such as DMRT1, SOX9, FOXL2, and CYP19A1, related to sex determination and differentiation, and the expression of a set of gonadal development-related genes, such as FGFR3 and TOX3, by regulating nearby open chromatin regions in sex-reversed chicken embryos. After sexual maturity, the sex-reversed chickens were confirmed to be infertile, and the possible causes of this infertility were further investigated. We found that the structure of the gonads and sperm were greatly deformed, and we identified several promising genes related to spermatogenesis and infertility, such as SPEF2, DNAI1, and TACR3, through RNA-seq. CONCLUSIONS This study provides clear insights into the exploration of potential molecular basis underlying sex differentiation and infertility in sex-reversed chickens and lays a foundation for further research into the sex development of birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuan Zhang
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianbo Li
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiqiong Wang
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchen Jie
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Congjiao Sun
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangxia Zheng
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Junying Li
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Yang
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Sirui Chen
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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47
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Vacarizas J, Taguchi T, Mezaki T, Manalili SE, Kawakami R, Kubota S. Cytogenetic evidence and dmrt linkage indicate male heterogamety in a non-bilaterian animal. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285851. [PMID: 37200254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The diversity of sex determination systems in animals suggests that sex chromosomes evolve independently across different lineages. However, the present data on these systems is largely limited and represented mainly by bilaterian animals. Sex chromosomes and sex determination system based on cytogenetic evidence remain a mystery among non-bilaterians, the most basal animals. Here, we investigated the sex determination system of a non-bilaterian (Goniopora djiboutiensis) based on karyotypic analysis and identification of locus of dmrt1, a known master sex-determining gene in many animals. Results showed that among the three isolated dmrt genes, GddmrtC was sperm-linked. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that 47% of the observed metaphase cells contained the GddmrtC locus on the shorter chromosome of the heteromorphic pair, whereas the other 53% contained no GddmrtC locus and pairing of the longer chromosome of the heteromorphic pair was observed. These findings provided the cytogenetic evidence for the existence of the Y sex chromosome in a non-bilaterian animal and supports male heterogamety as previously reported in other non-bilaterian species using RAD sequencing. The Y chromosome-specific GddmrtC sequence was most homologous to the vertebrate dmrt1, which is known for its role in male sex determination and differentiation. Our result on identification of putative sex chromosomes for G. djiboutiensis may contribute into understanding of the possible genetic sex determination systems in non-bilaterian animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Vacarizas
- Kuroshio Science Program, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Takahiro Taguchi
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Science, Kochi Gakuen University, Asahitenjin-Cho, Kochi, Japan
| | - Takuma Mezaki
- Kuroshio Biological Research Foundation, Otsuki, Hata County, Kochi, Japan
| | - Sam Edward Manalili
- Agriculture and Marine Science Program, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Rei Kawakami
- Agriculture and Marine Science Program, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kubota
- Kuroshio Science Unit, Multidisciplinary Science Cluster, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
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Qin H, Wang J, Jia X, Zhi Y, Sun L, Zhang J, Wang J, Lu Y. Quantitative proteomics analysis of chicken embryos reveals key proteins that affect right gonadal degeneration in females. Proteomics 2022:e2200428. [PMID: 36574226 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200428] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In birds, embryonic gonads of females develop in a way different from mammals, with the left one develops into a functional ovary, while the right one degenerates during embryogenesis. Here, we examined the proteomics profiles of the female and male left and right gonads at embryonic day 6.5 (E6.5) with the label free tandem mass spectrometry proteomics technique. The relative protein abundance of the left and right gonads of female and male embryos was determined to identify their differential proteins. Overall, a total of 7726 proteins were identified, of which 79 and 54 proteins were significantly different in female and male right gonads compared with female left gonads and male left gonads respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the proteins DMRT1, ZFPM2, TSHZ3 were potentially associated with the degeneration of the right gonads in female embryos. The proteomics in this study provide clues for further elucidation of the pathways of sex determination, sex differentiation, and right gonadal degeneration in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haimei Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Medical and health key discipline construction project of the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Guangxi Baise, China
| | - Jingyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Zhang Jiagang Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Zhang Jiagang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yifei Zhi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Lingling Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiale Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Junli Wang
- Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Medical and health key discipline construction project of the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Guangxi Baise, China
| | - Yangqing Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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49
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Hu Q, Lian Z, Xia X, Tian H, Li Z. Integrated chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation analysis to reveal the critical epigenetic modification and regulatory mechanism in gonadal differentiation of the sequentially hermaphroditic fish, Monopterus albus. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:73. [PMID: 36539889 PMCID: PMC9764712 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00484-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monopterus albus is a hermaphroditic and economically farmed fish that undergoes sex reversal from ovary to testis via ovotestis during gonadal development. The epigenetic changes that are associated with gonadal development in this species remain unclear. METHODS We produced DNA methylome, transcriptome, and chromatin accessibility maps of the key stages of gonad development: ovary, ovotestis, and testis. The expression of the key candidate genes was detected using qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization and the methylation levels were analysed using bisulphite sequencing PCR. Promoter activity and regulation were assessed using dual-luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS Gonadal development exhibits highly dynamic transcriptomic, DNA methylation, and chromatin accessibility changes. We found that DNA methylation status, especially of the transcription start site, was significantly negatively correlated with gene expression while chromatin accessibility exhibited no correlation with gene expression during gonadal development. The epigenetic signatures revealed many novel regulatory elements and genes involved in sex reversal, which were validated. DNA methylation detection and site mutation of plastin-2 promoter, as a candidate gene, revealed that DNA methylation could impact the binding of transcription factor dmrt1 and foxl2 through methylation and demethylation to regulate plastin-2 expression during gonadal development. CONCLUSIONS These data provide novel insights into epigenetic modification and help elucidate the potential molecular mechanism by which dynamic modification of DNA methylation plays a crucial role in gonadal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaomu Hu
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| | - Zitong Lian
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| | - Xueping Xia
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| | - Haifeng Tian
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
| | - Zhong Li
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wudayuan First Road 8, Wuhan, 430223 China
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50
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Zhong Z, Wang Y, Feng Y, Xu Y, Zhao L, Jiang Y, Zhang Z. The molecular regulation mechanism of dmrt1-based on the establishment of the testis cell line derived from two-spot puffer Takifugu bimaculatus. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2022; 48:1475-1494. [PMID: 36445491 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-022-01150-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of fish cell lines can provide an important in vitro model for developmental biology, pathology, and genetics and also an effective tool to investigate the interactions and related functions of genes. Two-spot puffer Takifugu bimaculatus is a high economic and nutritional value marine fish in Fujian in recent years. Nevertheless, dmrt1 plays a key role in the male differentiation from invertebrates to vertebrates. To understand the molecular regulatory mechanisms of dmrt1 in T. bimaculatus, a testis cell line called TBTc from a juvenile testis of this organism was established with modified Leibovitz's L-15 medium supplemented with 20% FBS, fish serum, embryo extract, and other growth factors. The TBTc with a stable karyotype can be passaged continuously, which was composed of fibroblast-like cells and expressed the marker genes of male-special cells, dmrt1, and amh, and the absence of vasa expression may rule out the possibility of the presence of germ cells. Therefore, TBTc appeared to consist of the mixture of the Sertoli cell and germ cell of the testis. The dmrt1 was significantly expressed in the testes and slightly expressed in the late embryonic development, illustrating that the dmrt1 may participate in the molecular regulation of gonads development and sex differentiation. With the high transfection efficiency of TBTc by electroporation, the cell lines could be used effectively in the study for the expression of exogenous and endogenous genes. Meanwhile, after the knockdown of dmrt1, the morphological changes and survival rates of cells proved that dmrt1 could affect the growth of testicular cells. Furthermore, with the loss of dmrt1, the expression of male-bias genes amh, sox9, and cyp11a was significantly decreased, and the expression of female-bias genes foxl2, sox3, and cyp19a was increased, which suggested that dmrt1 upregulates amh, sox9, and cyp11a and downregulates foxl2, sox3, and cyp19a to participate in the testis development. As a first fish gonadal cell lines of T. bimaculatus, which can be a more convenient, efficient, and rapid model for the investigation of the expression and function of genes, the results will lay a foundation for the next study of the molecular regulation mechanism in gonadal development and sex determination of fish in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yilei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Liping Zhao
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Yonghua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China.
| | - Ziping Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China.
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