Integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profile analysis of female and male gonads in Hyriopsis cumingii

Abstract

Hyriopsis cumingii is an important species for freshwater pearl cultivation in China. In terms of pearl production, males have larger pearls and better glossiness than females, but there are few reports focusing on the sex of H. cumingii. In this study, six mRNA and six microRNA (miRNA) libraries were prepared from ovaries and testes. Additionally, 28,502 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 32 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified. Compared with testis, 14,360 mRNAs and 20 miRNAs were up-regulated in ovary, 14,142 mRNAs and 12 miRNAs were down-regulated. In DEGs, the known genes related to sex determinism and/or differentiation were also identified, such as DMRT1, SOX9, SF1 for males, FOXL2 for females, and other potentially significant candidate genes. Three sex-related pathways have also been identified, which are Wnt, Notch, and TGF-beta. In 32 DEMs, the three miRNAs (miR-9-5p, miR-92, miR-184) were paid more attention, they predicted 28 target genes, which may also be candidates for sex-related miRNAs and genes. Differential miRNAs target genes analysis reveals the pathway associated with oocyte meiosis and spermatogenesis. Overall, the findings of the study provide significant insights to enhance our understanding of sex differentiation and/or sex determination mechanisms for H. cumingii.

Role of cytoskeleton-related proteins in the acrosome reaction of Eriocheir sinensis spermatozoa

“…microRNAs (miRNAs) are an important class of endogenous factors with the ability to regulate the expression of protein-coding genes. In recent years, it has been found that its role in testicular development and spermatogenesis has become more and more extensive [ 20 , 21 ]. They involved in various biological processes such as male germ cell differentiation, gonadal oxidative stress, and testicular immune homeostasis through targeted inhibition of gene expression [ 22 , 23 ], and can be considered as crucial regulators of biological processes [ 24 ].…”

Full-Length Transcriptome Sequences Provide Insight Into Hermaphroditism of Freshwater Pearl Mussel Hyriopsis schlegelii

“…The HMG domain-containing transcription factor sox9 plays an important role not only in testis-determining pathways of mammals and birds but also in male gonad differentiation and maintenance ( Da silva et al, 1996 ). In Hyriopsis cumingii ( Wang et al, 2021 ), Pinctada margaritifera ( Teaniniuraitemoana et al, 2014 ) and Sinonovacula constricta ( Yao et al, 2021 ), sox9 also has been reported as a possible sex determination or sex differentiation gene. The Cgsoxh , homolog of the sox9 in Crassostrea giga , was considered to be a regulator of Cgdsx and Cgfolx2 , directly or indirectly affecting their interaction ( Zhang et al, 2014 ).…”

Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis of Sex-Related Genes in the Gonads of Mytilus unguiculatus

“…The notch signaling cascade, mediated by the notch gene encoding transmembrane receptors, is another important pathway involved in basic processes such as cell proliferation, stem cell maintenance, and differentiation during embryonic and adult development in animals [57]. The notch signaling pathway has been shown to regulate sexual differentiation in the mollusks Hyriopsis cumingii and Crassostrea hongkongensis [58,59]. In the current transcriptome study of M. unguiculatus, the enrichment of these pathways suggests their potential involvement in the regulation of gonad development in this species.…”