MiR-34b/c play a role in early sex differentiation of Amur sturgeon, Acipenser schrenckii

Xiujuan Zhang; Wenhua Wu; Jiabin Zhou; Linmiao Li; Haiying Jiang; Jinping Chen

doi:10.1186/s12983-022-00469-6

Frontiers in Zoology (Sep 2022)

MiR-34b/c play a role in early sex differentiation of Amur sturgeon, Acipenser schrenckii

Xiujuan Zhang,
Wenhua Wu,
Jiabin Zhou,
Linmiao Li,
Haiying Jiang,
Jinping Chen

Affiliations

Xiujuan Zhang: Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences
Wenhua Wu: Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Jiabin Zhou: Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences
Linmiao Li: Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences
Haiying Jiang: Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences
Jinping Chen: Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-022-00469-6
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 19, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

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Abstract Background Sex differentiation can be viewed as a controlled regulatory balance between sex differentiation-related mRNAs and post-transcriptional mechanisms mediated by non-coding RNAs. In mammals, increasing evidence has been reported regarding the importance of gonad-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in sex differentiation. Although many fishes express a large number of gonadal miRNAs, the effects of these sex-biased miRNAs on sex differentiation in teleost fish remain unknown. Previous studies have shown the exclusive and sexually dimorphic expression of miR-34b/c in the gonads of the Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii), suggesting its potential role in the sex differentiation process. Results Using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), we observed that miR-34b/c showed consistent spatiotemporal expression patterns; the expression levels significantly increased during early sex differentiation. Using in situ hybridization, miR-34c was found to be located in the germ cells. In primary germ cells in vitro, the group subjected to overexpression and inhibition of miR-34c showed significantly higher proliferation ability and lower apoptosis, respectively, compared to the corresponding control group. Luciferase reporter assays using the ar-3′UTR-psiCHECK-2 luciferase vector suggested a targeted regulatory interaction between miR-34b/c and the 3′UTR of the androgen receptor (ar) mRNA. Furthermore, miR-34b/c and ar showed negative expression patterns during early sex differentiation. Additionally, a negative feedback regulation pattern was observed between foxl2 expression in the ovaries and amh and sox9 expression in the testes during early sex differentiation. Conclusions This study sheds new light on the roles of miR-34b/c in gonad development of Amur sturgeon, and provides the first comprehensive evidence that the gonad-predominant microRNAs may have a major role in sex differentiation in teleost fish.

Published in Frontiers in Zoology

ISSN: 1742-9994 (Online)
Publisher: BMC
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Zoology
Website: https://frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/

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