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Wan G, Zhang H, Wang P, Qin Q, Zhou X, Xiong G, Wang X, Hu Y. Gonadal Transcriptome Analysis Reveals that SOX17 and CYP26A1 are Involved in Sex Differentiation in the Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Biochem Genet 2024:10.1007/s10528-024-10815-4. [PMID: 38710962 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-024-10815-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an important aquaculture animal in China and exhibits growth dimorphism. Single-male cultures are often selected for higher economic efficiency. However, the mechanism of sex differentiation in P. sinensis is not well-known. In this study, a comparative transcriptome analysis of male (ZZ)- and 17β-oestradiol (E2)-induced pseudo-female (ZZ + E2)-stage embryonic gonads of P. sinensis was performed. A total of 420 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which included 271 upregulated genes and 149 downregulated genes, were identified. These DEGs were mainly involved in several sex-related pathways, such as "ovarian steroidogenesis", "steroid hormone biosynthesis", "PPAR signalling pathway", and "metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450". In addition, 50 known and novel candidate genes involved in sex differentiation, such as the male-biased genes AMH, DMRT1, TBX1, and CYP26A1 and the female-biased genes CYP1A1, RASD1, and SOX17, were investigated and identified. For further verification, the full-length cDNAs of SOX17 and CYP26A1 were obtained. SOX17 contains a 1218-bp ORF and encodes 405 amino acids containing an HMG functional domain unique to the Sox superfamily. CYP26A1 contains a 1485-bp ORF and encodes 494 amino acids. Different expression levels of SOX17 and CYP26A1 could be detected in all the tested tissues of males and females. Notably, the expression of CYP26A1 was markedly greater in the gonads of male embryos (P < 0.05) than in those of female embryos, whereas the expression of SOX17 showed the opposite trend (P < 0.05). Taken together, the RNA-seq and qRT‒PCR results suggested potential roles for SOX17 and CYP26A1 in promoting female and male gonadal development, respectively, in P. sinensis. Our results provide new evidence for the mechanism of sex differentiation in P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wan
- College of Fisheries, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Pei Wang
- College of Biological Resources and Environmental Sciences, Jishou University, Jishou, 416000, China
| | - Qin Qin
- College of Fisheries, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Xianwen Zhou
- Affair Center of Animal Husbandry and Aquaculture, Xiang Xi Autonomous Prefecture, Jishou, 416000, China
| | - Gang Xiong
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Biological and Electromechanical Polytechnic, Changsha, 410127, China
| | - Xiaoqing Wang
- College of Fisheries, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
| | - Yazhou Hu
- College of Fisheries, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
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Zhu J, Wang Y, Chen C, Ji L, Hong X, Liu X, Chen H, Wei C, Zhu X, Li W. Identification of Sex-Specific Markers and Candidate Genes Using WGS Sequencing Reveals a ZW-Type Sex-Determination System in the Chinese Soft-Shell Turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:819. [PMID: 38255893 PMCID: PMC10815769 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020819] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Male and female Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) have sex-dimorphic growth patterns, and males have higher commercial value because of their larger size and thicker calipash. Thus, developing sex-specific markers is beneficial to studies on all-male breeding in P. sinensis. Here, we developed an accurate and efficient workflow for the screening of sex-specific sequences with ZW or XY sex determination systems. Based on this workflow, female and male P. sinensis reference genomes of 2.23 Gb and 2.26 Gb were obtained using de novo assembly. After aligning and filtering, 4.01 Mb female-specific sequences were finally identified. Subsequently, the seven developed sex-specific primer pairs were 100% accurate in preliminary, population, and embryonic validation. The presence and absence of bands for the primers of P44, P45, P66, P67, P68, and P69, as well as two and one bands for the PB1 primer, indicate that the embryos are genetically female and male, respectively. NR and functional annotations identified several sex-determining candidate genes and related pathways, including Ran, Eif4et, and Crkl genes, and the insulin signaling pathway and the cAMP signaling pathway, respectively. Collectively, our results reveal that a ZW-type sex-determination system is present in P. sinensis and provide novel insights for the screening of sex-specific markers, sex-control breeding, and the studies of the sex determination mechanism of P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxian Zhu
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
- 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - Liqin Ji
- 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - Xinping Zhu
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
- 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
| | - Wei Li
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
- 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 510380, China; (Y.W.); (C.C.); (L.J.); (X.H.); (X.L.); (H.C.); (C.W.)
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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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Expression and Characterization of the Spats1 Gene and Its Response to E2/MT Treatment in the Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141858. [PMID: 35883403 PMCID: PMC9311554 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spats1 (spermatogenesis-associated, serinerich 1) has been characterized as a male-biased gene which acts an important role in the germ cell differentiation of mammals. Nevertheless, the function of Spats1 in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (P. sinensis) has not yet been reported. To initially explore the expression of Spats1 in P. sinensis and its response to sex steroid treatment, we cloned the CDS of Spats1 for the first time and analyzed its expression profile in different tissues, including the testes in different seasons. The Spats1 cDNA fragment is 1201 base pairs (bp) in length and contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 849 bp, which codes for 283 amino acids. Spats1 mRNA was highly expressed in the testes (p < 0.01) and barely detectable in other tissues. In P. sinensis, the relative expression of Spats1 also responsive to seasonal changes in testis development. In summer (July) and autumn (October), Spats1 gene expression was significantly higher in the testes than in other seasons (p < 0.05). Spats1 mRNA was found to be specifically expressed in germ cells by chemical in situ hybridization (CISH), and it was mainly located in primary spermatocytes (Sc1), secondary spermatocytes (Sc2) and spermatozoa (St). Spats1 expression in embryos was not significantly changed after 17α-methyltestosterone (MT)and 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment. In adults, MT significantly induced Spats1 expression in male P. sinensis. However, the expression of Spats1 in testes was not responsive to E2 treatment. In addition, the expression of Spats1 in females was not affected by either MT or E2 treatment. These results imply that Spats1 is a male-specific expressed gene that is mainly regulated by MT and is closely linked to spermatogenesis and release in P. sinensis.
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