Characterization of the vasa gene in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis: A germ line molecular marker

Wang, Qun; Fang, Di‐An; Sun, Jiang-Lin; Wang, Yang; Wang, Juan; Liu, Lihua

doi:10.1016/j.jinsphys.2012.04.012

Cited by 21 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…This gene encodes for RNA-dependent helicase and is specifically expressed in germ cells throughout all developmental stages [ 59 ]. The function and regulation of VASA proteins during gonadal development and gametogenesis have been described for several crustacean species [ 57 , 59 – 62 ], including S . paramamosain [ 31 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptome Analysis and Differential Gene Expression on the Testis of Orange Mud Crab, Scylla olivacea, during Sexual Maturation

et al. 2017

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Adequate genetic information is essential for sustainable crustacean fisheries and aquaculture management. The commercially important orange mud crab, Scylla olivacea, is prevalent in Southeast Asia region and is highly sought after. Although it is a suitable aquaculture candidate, full domestication of this species is hampered by the lack of knowledge about the sexual maturation process and the molecular mechanisms behind it, especially in males. To date, data on its whole genome is yet to be reported for S. olivacea. The available transcriptome data published previously on this species focus primarily on females and the role of central nervous system in reproductive development. De novo transcriptome sequencing for the testes of S. olivacea from immature, maturing and mature stages were performed. A total of approximately 144 million high-quality reads were generated and de novo assembled into 160,569 transcripts with a total length of 142.2 Mb. Approximately 15–23% of the total assembled transcripts were annotated when compared to public protein sequence databases (i.e. UniProt database, Interpro database, Pfam database and Drosophila melanogaster protein database), and GO-categorised with GO Ontology terms. A total of 156,181 high-quality Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were mined from the transcriptome data of present study. Transcriptome comparison among the testes of different maturation stages revealed one gene (beta crystallin like gene) with the most significant differential expression—up-regulated in immature stage and down-regulated in maturing and mature stages. This was further validated by qRT-PCR. In conclusion, a comprehensive transcriptome of the testis of orange mud crabs from different maturation stages were obtained. This report provides an invaluable resource for enhancing our understanding of this species’ genome structure and biology, as expressed and controlled by their gonads.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptome Analysis and Differential Gene Expression on the Testis of Orange Mud Crab, Scylla olivacea, during Sexual Maturation

et al. 2017

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“…However, a recent study of E. sinensis and E. japonicus questioned the reliability of karyotype analysis for inferring sex determination, as the centromeres could not be identified in some of the chromosomes (Lee et al, 2004). Several genes related to sex determination and differentiation were obtained previously (Zhang and Qiu, 2010;Ma et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2012aWang et al, , b, 2013Shen et al, 2014), but no conclusion can be reached on the genetic mechanism of sex determination in crabs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-density linkage mapping aided by transcriptomics documents ZW sex determination system in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

et al. 2015

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The sex determination system in crabs is believed to be XY-XX from karyotypy, but centromeres could not be identified in some chromosomes and their morphology is not completely clear. Using quantitative trait locus mapping of the gender phenotype, we revealed a ZW-ZZ sex determination system in Eriocheir sinensis and presented a high-density linkage map covering~98.5% of the genome, with 73 linkage groups corresponding to the haploid chromosome number. All sex-linked markers in the family we used were located on a single linkage group, LG60, and sex linkage was confirmed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Forty-six markers detected by GWAS were heterozygous and segregated only in the female parent. The female LG60 was thus the putative W chromosome, with the homologous male LG60 as the Z chromosome. The putative Z and W sex chromosomes were identical in size and carried many homologous loci. Sex ratio (5:1) skewing towards females in induced triploids using unrelated animals also supported a ZW-ZZ system. Transcriptome data were used to search for candidate sex-determining loci, but only one LG60 gene was identified as an ankyrin-2 gene. Double sex-and mab3-related transcription factor 1 (Dmrt1), a Z-linked gene in birds, was located on a putative autosome. With complete genome sequencing and transcriptomic data, more genes on putative sex chromosomes will be characterised, thus leading towards a comprehensive understanding of the sex determination and differentiation mechanisms of E. sinensis, and decapod crustaceans in general.

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“…In many animals, the vasa gene has a determining role in several aspects of germ cell development (Saffman and Lasko, ). vasa has been sequenced in more than 70 species (Gustafson and Wessel, ; Wang et al, ,) in which encodes a member of the DEAD (Asp‐Glu‐Ala‐Asp) box family of ATP‐dependent RNA helicases (Hay et al, ; Lasko and Ashburner, ). The Vasa protein appears to regulate the translation of multiple mRNAs (Carrera et al, ) and it is an essential component of germ plasm, a complex of RNA and proteins present in the egg, that is usually required for germ cell formation (Saffman and Lasko, ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Vasa expression in spermatogenic cells during the reproductive‐cycle phases of Podarcis sicula (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

Milani

Maurizii

2015

J Exp Zool Pt B

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The vasa gene encodes a DEAD-box ATP-dependent RNA helicase that regulates the translation of multiple mRNAs involved in germ line differentiation. This protein has been deeply studied in many animals, but few data are available to date on reptiles. In this work, we sequenced a portion of Podarcis sicula vasa gene (Ps-vasa), developed a specific antibody and verified its specificity. Using anti-Ps-Vasa and confocal microscopy, we studied Vasa expression in male germ cells during the reproductive cycle of P. sicula: during full gonadal activity (spring), during regression of gonadal activity (summer) and during slow autumnal recrudescence. We also analyzed Vasa expression in young testes when the walls of the seminiferous tubules were forming. The aim was to verify if Vasa is involved in the process of male germ cell differentiation in all phases of the reproductive cycle. In adult testes, during full gonadal activity and during recrudescence, Vasa staining was detected from spermatogonia to spermatids. Vasa spots were also observed in the nucleus of germ cells supporting its function in different cellular compartments. No Vasa staining was observed in mature spermatozoa during the spring and mid-late November. The seminiferous epithelium analyzed in the summer appeared reduced with only spermatogonia, all Vasa-immunostained, some in division to replace germ cells. In immature testes, the seminiferous epithelium contained only spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The clear immunostaining in their cytoplasm revealed that Vasa is already expressed in juvenile male gonads, suggesting a role in the differentiation process since P. sicula early developmental stages.

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Characterization of the vasa gene in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis: A germ line molecular marker

Cited by 21 publications

References 40 publications

Transcriptome Analysis and Differential Gene Expression on the Testis of Orange Mud Crab, Scylla olivacea, during Sexual Maturation

Transcriptome Analysis and Differential Gene Expression on the Testis of Orange Mud Crab, Scylla olivacea, during Sexual Maturation

High-density linkage mapping aided by transcriptomics documents ZW sex determination system in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Vasa expression in spermatogenic cells during the reproductive‐cycle phases of Podarcis sicula (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

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