Wang Yuanyuan, Cui Fangyu, Yang Yexin, Liang Haiyan, Wu Yuli, Zhou Aiguo, Liu Yi, Jiang Zhiyong, Peng Jintao, Mu Xidong
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 510380, China.
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 510380, China; Shanghai Ocean University College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China.
Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2025 Mar;301:111804. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111804. Epub 2025 Jan 3.
The zig-zag eel exhibits both sexual dimorphism and sex reversal, making it crucial to understand the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation. Additionally, the wild populations of the zig-zag eel are significantly declining, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation efforts. In this study, we identified 7 Dmrt, 62 HMG-box, and 73 TGF-β family members in the zig-zag eel genome. Evolutionary analysis revealed that the HMG-box and TGF-β families in the zig-zag eel are primarily characterized by purifying selection. Furthermore, we identified 52 differentially expressed genes between males and females, with more male-biased genes than female-biased genes within these three gene families. ZzDmrt2a was highly expressed in the ovary, while ZzDmrt2b was highly expressed in the testis. Interestingly, Zzgdf9, located on the Y chromosome, was significantly expressed in the ovary. Our results highlight the complexity of sex differentiation mechanisms and underscores the importance of further research to elucidate the specific functions and regulatory networks of these sex-biased genes. Such insights could inform breeding strategies in aquaculture, contributing to the conservation and management of the zig-zag eel.
花鳗鲡表现出两性异形和性逆转现象，因此了解其性别决定和分化机制至关重要。此外，花鳗鲡的野生种群数量正在显著下降，这凸显了迫切需要开展保护工作。在本研究中，我们在花鳗鲡基因组中鉴定出7个Dmrt、62个HMG-box和73个TGF-β家族成员。进化分析表明，花鳗鲡中的HMG-box和TGF-β家族主要以纯化选择为特征。此外，我们鉴定出雄性和雌性之间有52个差异表达基因，在这三个基因家族中，雄性偏向基因比雌性偏向基因更多。ZzDmrt2a在卵巢中高表达，而ZzDmrt2b在睾丸中高表达。有趣的是，位于Y染色体上的Zzgdf9在卵巢中显著表达。我们的结果凸显了性别分化机制的复杂性，并强调了进一步研究以阐明这些性别偏向基因的具体功能和调控网络的重要性。这些见解可为水产养殖中的育种策略提供参考，有助于花鳗鲡的保护和管理。
