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Cai P, Zhang W, Jiang S, Xiong Y, Yuan H, Gao Z, Gao X, Ma C, Zhou Y, Gong Y, Qiao H, Jin S, Fu H. Insulin-like Androgenic Gland Hormone Induced Sex Reversal and Molecular Pathways in Macrobrachium nipponense: Insights into Reproduction, Growth, and Sex Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14306. [PMID: 37762609 PMCID: PMC10531965 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814306] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the potential to use double-stranded RNA insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (dsIAG) to induce sex reversal in Macrobrachium nipponense and identified the molecular mechanisms underlying crustacean reproduction and sex differentiation. The study aimed to determine whether dsIAG could induce sex reversal in PL30-male M. nipponense during a critical period. The sex-related genes were selected by performing the gonadal transcriptome analysis of normal male (dsM), normal female (dsFM), neo-female sex-reversed individuals (dsRM), and unreversed males (dsNRM). After six injections, the experiment finally resulted in a 20% production of dsRM. Histologically, dsRM ovaries developed slower than dsFM, but dsNRM spermathecae developed normally. A total of 1718, 1069, and 255 differentially expressed genes were identified through transcriptome sequencing of the gonads in three comparison groups, revealing crucial genes related to reproduction and sex differentiation, such as GnRHR, VGR, SG, and LWS. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also distinguished dsM and dsRM very well. In addition, this study predicted that the eyestalks and the "phototransduction-fly" photoperiodic pathways of M. nipponense could play an important role in sex reversal. The enrichment of related pathways and growth traits in dsNRM were combined to establish that IAG played a significant role in reproduction, growth regulation, and metabolism. Finally, complete sex reversal may depend on specific stimuli at critical periods. Overall, this study provides valuable findings for the IAG regulation of sex differentiation, reproduction, and growth of M. nipponense in establishing a monoculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; (P.C.); (H.Y.); (Z.G.); (X.G.); (C.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; (W.Z.); (S.J.); (Y.X.); (Y.G.); (H.Q.)
| | - Sufei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; (W.Z.); (S.J.); (Y.X.); (Y.G.); (H.Q.)
| | - Yiwei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; (W.Z.); (S.J.); (Y.X.); (Y.G.); (H.Q.)
| | - Huwei Yuan
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; (P.C.); (H.Y.); (Z.G.); (X.G.); (C.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Zijian Gao
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; (P.C.); (H.Y.); (Z.G.); (X.G.); (C.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xuanbing Gao
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; (P.C.); (H.Y.); (Z.G.); (X.G.); (C.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Cheng Ma
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; (P.C.); (H.Y.); (Z.G.); (X.G.); (C.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongkang Zhou
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; (P.C.); (H.Y.); (Z.G.); (X.G.); (C.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongsheng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; (W.Z.); (S.J.); (Y.X.); (Y.G.); (H.Q.)
| | - Hui Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; (W.Z.); (S.J.); (Y.X.); (Y.G.); (H.Q.)
| | - Shubo Jin
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; (P.C.); (H.Y.); (Z.G.); (X.G.); (C.M.); (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; (W.Z.); (S.J.); (Y.X.); (Y.G.); (H.Q.)
| | - Hongtuo Fu
- Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; (P.C.); (H.Y.); (Z.G.); (X.G.); (C.M.); (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; (W.Z.); (S.J.); (Y.X.); (Y.G.); (H.Q.)
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Chemical synthesis and functional evaluation of the crayfish insulin-like androgenic gland factor. Bioorg Chem 2022; 122:105738. [PMID: 35298963 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) from the marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis is an insulin-like heterodimeric peptide composed of A and B chains and has an Asn-linked glycan at the B chain. IAG is considered to be a male sex hormone inducing the sex differentiation to male in decapod crustacean, although there is no report on the function of IAG peptide in vivo. In order to characterize P. virginalis IAG, we chemically synthesized it and evaluated its biological function in vivo. A and B chains were prepared by the ordinary solid-phase peptide synthesis, and three disulfide bonds were formed regioselectively by dimethyl sulfoxide oxidation, pyridylsulfenyl-directed thiolysis and iodine oxidation reactions. An IAG disulfide isomer was also prepared by the same manner. Circular dichroism spectral analysis revealed that the disulfide bond arrangement affected the peptide conformation, which was similar to the other insulin-family peptides analyzed so far. On the other hand, the glycan moiety attached at the B chain had no effect on the peptide secondary structure. Injection of the synthetic IAG and its disulfide isomer to female crayfish did not induce male characteristics on the external morphology, but both peptides suppressed the oocyte maturation in vivo. These results suggest that IAG has a pivotal role on the suppression of female secondary sex characteristics.
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Lawrence A, Green S, Wang T, Bachvaroff T, Chung JS. Seasonal changes in the expression of insulin-like androgenic hormone (IAG) in the androgenic gland of the Jonah crab, Cancer borealis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261206. [PMID: 35113906 PMCID: PMC8812979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Harvesting the adult male Jonah crab, Cancer borealis, mainly based on the size, has become an economically significant fishery, particularly in the Southern New England region of the US since 2000. Many decapod crustacean fisheries including C. borealis rely on harvesting adult males. Understanding the size related-sexual maturity and the seasonal changes in male reproductive activity is critical for sustainable management. In other decapods, an insulin-like hormone produced by the male-specific androgenic gland (AG), called insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG), plays an essential role in sexual maturity. Specifically IAG is involved in developing male primary and secondary sexual characteristics including spermatogenesis. This study aimed first to identify the IAG, then examine if season influences IAG expression in C. borealis males. Finally, the AG transcriptome was used to test if eyestalk neuropeptides regulate IAG levels via an endocrine axis between the two endocrine tissues as established in other crustaceans. The full-length CabIAG sequence is 928 nucleotides long, encoding a 151 amino acid deduced sequence. The CabIAG identified from the AG transcriptome after eyestalk ablation was the most highly expressed gene and accounted for up to 25% of transcripts, further confirming the presence of an endocrine axis between the androgenic gland and eyestalk ganglia. This gene expression was exclusive in male C. borealis AG. The transcriptomic analysis also revealed strong upregulation of the PPOAE transcript and downregulation of proteolytic enzymes. The CabIAG levels differ by season, increasing AG activity in fall and possibly coinciding with high mating activity. The timing of increased AG activity correlating to mating with females should be considered for better stock management for the C. borealis population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Lawrence
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Shadaesha Green
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Tao Wang
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Tsvetan Bachvaroff
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - J. Sook Chung
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lin D, Guo Y, Chen X, Yang H, Li Q, Liu Q, Luo F, Meng K, Yang S, Cheng X, Ma W, Chen X, Wang M, Zhao Y. Identification and expression pattern of the sex determination gene fruitless-like in Cherax quadricarinatus. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 259:110704. [PMID: 34920111 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110704] [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: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The fruitless (fru) gene has an important function in the courtship behavior and sex determination pathway of Drosophila melanogaster; however, the fru gene has never been reported in shrimps. In this study, the fruitless-like gene was identified in Cherax quadricarinatus (Cqfru) and is reported here for the first time. A sequence analysis revealed a conserved BTB domain in Cqfru which is the same as fru in D. melanogaster. An analysis of the expression level of Cqfru showed that it was highly expressed in the gastrula stage during embryonic development. Furthermore, in situ hybridization and expression distribution in tissues showed that its sexually dimorphic expression may be focused on the hepatopancreas, brains, and gonads. The gonads, brains, and hepatopancreas of males had a higher expression level of Cqfru than those of females; however, the expression level of the abdominal ganglion was found to be higher in females than in males in this study. The results of an RNA interference treatment showed that a knockdown of Cqfru reduced the expression of the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The characteristic fru gene in shrimps is reported here for the first time, with the results providing basic information for research into the sex-determination mechanism in C. quadricarinatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Lin
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Yongjun Guo
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Xiuli Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Huizan Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Qiangyong Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Qingyun Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Fuli Luo
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Kui Meng
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Songting Yang
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Xinquan Cheng
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Wenming Ma
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Moran Wang
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China.
| | - Yongzhen Zhao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Nanning, China.
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Huang X, Green S, Sook Chung J. The presence of an insulin-like peptide-binding protein (ILPBP) in the ovary and its involvement in the ovarian development of the red deep-sea crab, Chaceon quinquedens. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 301:113653. [PMID: 33122036 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113653] [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: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Invertebrate insulin-like peptide-binding proteins (ILPBPs) are structurally homologous to vertebrate insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7). One of the invertebrate ILPBPs is considered as a potential binding protein of insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) in males of crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. However, the ILPBP expression is not limited in the androgenic gland and found in most examined tissues, implicating that ILPBP may have additional functions in crustaceans. Here, the full-length cDNA sequence of ILPBP (termed ChqILPBP) is isolated from the ovary of the red deep-sea crab, Chaceon quinquedens. ChqILPBP transcripts are present in the various tissues, as similar to other crab species. The crustacean ILPBPs have their putative amino acid sequences conserved much less than vertebrate IGFBP7s. To understand if ChqILPBP is involved in ovarian development, examined are levels of ChqILPBP, together with vitellogenin (ChqVTG) in the same ovary and hepatopancreas of adult females at the different ovarian stages: 2, 3, and 5. Chaceon hepatopancreas exhibits as the primary VTG synthesis site, while VTG transcript levels do not differ by the ovarian stages. The ovary contains ChqILPBP transcripts ~10-fold higher than hepatopancreas that changes significantly from stage 2 to 3. Such an expression pattern mirrors that of ovarian ChqVTG. In hepatopancreas, ChqILPBP transcripts are similar at stages 2 and 3 and increase significantly at stage 5. The data indicate that ovarian ILPBP may function differently from that of the hepatopancreas and may play a role in ovarian development. ChqAK transcripts are ~six folds higher in the ovary than the hepatopancreas. While they do not differ by ovarian stages, suggesting that AK may not be involved in vitellogenesis of the cold water crustacean species.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Huang
- Institute of Marine and Environmental TechnologyUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 701 E. Pratt Street Columbus Center, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - S Green
- Institute of Marine and Environmental TechnologyUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 701 E. Pratt Street Columbus Center, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - J Sook Chung
- Institute of Marine and Environmental TechnologyUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 701 E. Pratt Street Columbus Center, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA.
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Guo Q, Li S, Lv X, Xiang J, Manor R, Sagi A, Li F. Sex-Biased CHHs and Their Putative Receptor Regulate the Expression of IAG Gene in the Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1525. [PMID: 31920723 PMCID: PMC6933007 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The “eyestalk-androgenic gland (AG)-testis” endocrine axis is involved in male sexual differentiation of crustaceans. The insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG), secreted from the AG, plays a central role in this axis, however key factors upstream the IAG are still poorly understood. Here, two crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) genes (LvCHH1 and LvCHH2) and their putative receptor guanylate cyclase (LvGC) were identified in Litopenaeus vannamei. LvCHH1 and LvCHH2 belonged to CHH subfamily I members and LvGC was a membrane-bound guanylate cyclase. They were all differentially expressed in eyestalks and gonads of males and females. RNA interference (RNAi) of either LvCHH1 or LvCHH2 increased LvIAG expression, while injection of their recombinant protein decreased LvIAG expression, indicating that LvCHH1 and LvCHH2 are inhibitory factors of LvIAG expression. Yeast two-hybrid assay showed that both LvCHH1 and LvCHH2 interacted with LvGC and their RNAi and recombinant protein injection exerted opposite regulatory effects on the transcriptional expression of LvGC. Meanwhile, knockdown of LvGC increased LvIAG expression. These results suggest that LvGC is the receptor of LvCHH1 and LvCHH2 and they are all involved in male sexual development by regulating LvIAG expression. The present study unveils missing upstream elements in the “eyestalk-AG-testis” endocrine axis in crustacean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Guo
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Shihao Li
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Xinjia Lv
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhai Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Rivka Manor
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Fuhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.,Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
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Molecular Characterization and Functional Study of Insulin-Like Androgenic Gland Hormone Gene in the Red Swamp Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10090645. [PMID: 31455039 PMCID: PMC6770367 DOI: 10.3390/genes10090645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The androgenic gland (AG) is a male-specific endocrine organ that controls the primary and secondary sexual characteristics in male crustaceans. More evidence indicates that the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone gene (IAG) is the key male sexual differentiation factor, particularly the application of RNA interference (RNAi) technology on IAG. In this study, the full-length cDNA of IAG (termed PcIAG) was isolated from the red swamp crayfish, Procambarusclarkii. Tissue distribution analysis showed that in addition to its expression in the AG of male P. clarkii, PcIAG was widely expressed in female tissues and other male tissues. The PcIAG protein was detected in the reproductive and nervous systems of adult male P. clarkii. Additionally, RNAi results showed that the PcIAG expression could be silenced efficiently, and the male sperm maturation and release possibly present a transient adverse interference at lower doses (0.1 μg/g and 1 μg/g) of PcIAG–dsRNA (PcIAG double-stranded RNA). Dramatically, the expression level of PcIAG increased sharply shortly after the injection of higher doses (5 μg/g and 10 μg/g) of PcIAG–dsRNA, which might accelerate the maturation and release of sperm. Moreover, the expression of PcSxl (P. clarkii Sex-lethal) was detected by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) after the injection of PcIAG–dsRNA to explore whether the PcIAG gene regulates the PcSxl gene, and we found that the PcIAG did not directly regulate PcSxl in P. clarkii. The study could help accelerate the progress of PcIAG functional research and provide a useful reference for the single-sex selective breeding of P. clarkii.
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