Characterization of Two Gonadal Genes, zar1 and wt1b, in Hermaphroditic Fish Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer)
Author:
Cui Han123, Zhu Haoyu123, Ban Wenzhuo123, Li Yulin123, Chen Ruyi123, Li Lingli123, Zhang Xiaoling123, Chen Kaili123, Xu Hongyan123ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 402460, China 2. Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Chongqing 400715, China 3. Key Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences of Chongqing, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
Abstract
Zygote arrest-1 (Zar1) and Wilms’ tumor 1 (Wt1) play an important role in oogenesis, with the latter also involved in testicular development and gender differentiation. Here, Lczar1 and Lcwt1b were identified in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), a hermaphrodite fish, as the valuable model for studying sex differentiation. The cloned cDNA fragments of Lczar1 were 1192 bp, encoding 336 amino acids, and contained a zinc-binding domain, while those of Lcwt1b cDNA were 1521 bp, encoding a peptide of 423 amino acids with a Zn finger domain belonging to Wt1b family. RT-qPCR analysis showed that Lczar1 mRNA was exclusively expressed in the ovary, while Lcwt1b mRNA was majorly expressed in the gonads in a higher amount in the testis than in the ovary. In situ hybridization results showed that Lczar1 mRNA was mainly concentrated in oogonia and oocytes at early stages in the ovary, but were undetectable in the testis. Lcwt1b mRNA was localized not only in gonadal somatic cells (the testis and ovary), but also in female and male germ cells in the early developmental stages, such as those of previtellogenic oocytes, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. These results indicated that Lczar1 and Lcwt1b possibly play roles in gonadal development. Therefore, the findings of this study will provide a basis for clarifying the mechanism of Lczar1 and Lcwt1b in regulating germ cell development and the sex reversal of Asian seabass and even other hermaphroditic species.
Funder
National Key Research and Development Program of China National Natural Science Foundation of China Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing City
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
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