Chu Wai-Kwan, Huang Shih-Chin, Chang Ching-Fong, Wu Jen-Leih, Gong Hong-Yi
Marine Molecular Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, 202301, Taiwan.
Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, 202301, Taiwan.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 8;15(1):1308. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-85480-7.
Primordial germ cells (PGCs), the progenitors of gametes, are essential for teleost reproduction. While their formation is conserved across teleosts, the activation, migration routes, and localization periods vary among species. In this study, we developed a novel transgenic line, Tg(ddx4:TcCFP13-nanos3), based on the Nile tilapia genome, to label PGCs with clear fluorescent signals in the freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare). Our findings reveal a complex, multistage PGCs migration process in angelfish, with a significantly extended localization period (168 hpf) compared to zebrafish (24 hpf). Notably, individual differences in PGCs abundance were observed during early somite development. Analysis of PGCs counts and subsequent sexual maturation demonstrate a potential correlation between PGCs abundance and sex determination: 90% of PGCs-reduced individuals developed as males, while 83% of PGCs-rich individuals developed as females. This study provides a foundation for understanding PGCs migration and sex development in freshwater angelfish, offering valuable insights into reproductive biology and ornamental fish species. Furthermore, this in vivo PGCs tracking system for Cichlids provides a versatile tool for advancing research and applications in germ cell biology.
原始生殖细胞（PGCs）是配子的祖细胞，对硬骨鱼的繁殖至关重要。虽然它们的形成在硬骨鱼中是保守的，但激活、迁移途径和定位时期在不同物种之间有所不同。在本研究中，我们基于尼罗罗非鱼基因组开发了一种新型转基因品系Tg(ddx4:TcCFP13-nanos3)，用于在淡水神仙鱼（Pterophyllum scalare）中用清晰的荧光信号标记PGCs。我们的研究结果揭示了神仙鱼中一个复杂的、多阶段的PGCs迁移过程，与斑马鱼（24 hpf）相比，其定位时期显著延长（168 hpf）。值得注意的是，在早期体节发育过程中观察到了PGCs丰度的个体差异。对PGCs数量的分析以及随后的性成熟表明，PGCs丰度与性别决定之间存在潜在的相关性：90%的PGCs减少个体发育为雄性，而83%的PGCs丰富个体发育为雌性。本研究为理解淡水神仙鱼中PGCs迁移和性别发育提供了基础，为生殖生物学和观赏鱼物种提供了有价值的见解。此外，这种用于丽鱼科鱼类的体内PGCs追踪系统为推进生殖细胞生物学的研究和应用提供了一种通用工具。
