Insulin-like Androgenic Gland Hormone Induced Sex Reversal and Molecular Pathways in <i>Macrobrachium nipponense</i>: Insights into Reproduction, Growth, and Sex Differentiation
This study investigated the potential to use double-stranded RNA insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (<i>dsIAG</i>) to induce sex reversal in <i>Macrobrachium nipponense</i> and identified the molecular mechanisms underlying crustacean reproduction and sex differentiation....
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/18/14306 |
| Summary: | This study investigated the potential to use double-stranded RNA insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (<i>dsIAG</i>) to induce sex reversal in <i>Macrobrachium nipponense</i> and identified the molecular mechanisms underlying crustacean reproduction and sex differentiation. The study aimed to determine whether <i>dsIAG</i> could induce sex reversal in PL30-male <i>M. nipponense</i> during a critical period. The sex-related genes were selected by performing the gonadal transcriptome analysis of normal male (dsM), normal female (dsFM), neo-female sex-reversed individuals (dsRM), and unreversed males (dsNRM). After six injections, the experiment finally resulted in a 20% production of dsRM. Histologically, dsRM ovaries developed slower than dsFM, but dsNRM spermathecae developed normally. A total of 1718, 1069, and 255 differentially expressed genes were identified through transcriptome sequencing of the gonads in three comparison groups, revealing crucial genes related to reproduction and sex differentiation, such as <i>GnRHR</i>, <i>VGR</i>, <i>SG</i>, and <i>LWS</i>. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also distinguished dsM and dsRM very well. In addition, this study predicted that the eyestalks and the “phototransduction-fly” photoperiodic pathways of <i>M. nipponense</i> could play an important role in sex reversal. The enrichment of related pathways and growth traits in dsNRM were combined to establish that <i>IAG</i> played a significant role in reproduction, growth regulation, and metabolism. Finally, complete sex reversal may depend on specific stimuli at critical periods. Overall, this study provides valuable findings for the <i>IAG</i> regulation of sex differentiation, reproduction, and growth of <i>M. nipponense</i> in establishing a monoculture. |
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| ISSN: | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |