多倍体银鲫F系bmp15不同等位基因的分子特征、基因组结构和表达模式

为探究骨形态发生蛋白15(Bone morphogenetic protein 15, bmp15)在银鲫(Carassius gibelio Bloch) F系卵巢发育过程中的表达特征, 研究采用cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)方法首先从银鲫F系卵巢cDNA中克隆了2个bmp15部分同源基因(Homeologs), 将其命名为Cgbmp15a和Cgbmp15b, 它们各自具有3个不同等位基因。不同脊椎动物Bmp15蛋白序列多重比对和系统进化树均表明, 银鲫为异源六倍体, 在其进化历程中发生了两轮多倍化, 其中早期的异源多倍化整合了来自2个原始祖先的染色体组, 导致银鲫和鲫的四倍体共同原始祖先基因组中包含bmp15a和bmp15b; 随后第二轮同源多倍化最终导致银鲫存在6个bmp15等位基因。bmp15基因及其邻近基因同线性分析表明, 银鲫在形成异源多倍体后, 其基因组发生了复杂的变化, 包括bmp15邻近基因的丢失。Cgbmp15a和Cgbmp15b均主要在卵巢中表达, 在皮质泡期卵母细胞中表达量最高; 无论是在银鲫成体组织还是不同发育阶段的卵子中, Cgbmp15a的表达水平显著高于Cgbmp15b的表达水平。在孕酮激素DHP体外诱导银鲫F系GV1期卵母细胞6h后, Cgbmp15a开始上调表达, 诱导8h后达到最高表达水平, 随后下降; 而Cgbmp15b在诱导8h后表达水平有微弱上调, 随后下降。上述的结果表明, Cgbmp15a和Cgbmp15b在银鲫F系成体组织和不同发育和成熟阶段的卵子中, 均表现出偏性表达的特征, 暗示Cgbmp15a在银鲫的卵母细胞发育和成熟中起着主要作用。     

银鲫两个蛋白合成相关基因全长cDNA的克隆及其特征分析

通过构建雌核发育银鲫心跳期SMART cDNA质粒库并从库中随机挑选克隆测序,克隆得到银鲫翻译起始因子3亚单位2(GTIF3—S2)和翻译延伸因子1亚单位α(GEF-1α)基因全长cDNA。银鲫翻译起始因子3亚单位2基因cDNA全长1280bp,开放阅读框位于117—1091bp之间,编码325个氨基酸。其推断的氨基酸序列存在三个WD结构域。该基因在鱼类中为首次报道。银鲫翻译延伸因子1亚单位alpha基因cDNA全长1784bp,开放阅读框位于82—1467bp之间,编码462个氨基酸。RT-PCR表明,这两个基因在成熟卵母细胞和胚胎发育早期可以检测到少量的转录产物,在胚胎发育期间从原肠期开始转录,并随着发育进程逐渐增强。成鱼组织中除精巢表达较弱外,其他组织都表达较强。同源分析比较表明,TIF3-S2和EF-1α在物种进化过程中具有高度的进化保守性,在物种间的同源性很高。因此,作认为,这两个基因是研究物种间系统发育的优良对象。     

银鲫转录调控因子lbh-b cDNA克隆与表达分析

Lbh (Limb-bud and heart)基因是脊椎动物中高度保守的转录调控因子, 在早期胚胎发育及某些人类疾病的发病过程中发挥着重要作用。我们前期在银鲫(Carassius gibelio)垂体转录组中筛选到一个在垂体中大量表达的基因lbh-b。为了进一步研究lbh基因在银鲫的表达特征, 首先采用RACE方法克隆了银鲫lbh基因家族的成员lbh-b基因(Cglbh-b)。Cglbh-b的cDNA全长1526 bp, 开放阅读框549 bp, 共编码182个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明CgLbh-b蛋白与其他脊椎动物的Lbh蛋白同源性在68%以上, 可能也是无序蛋白质家族的成员之一。成体组织RT-PCR分析表明Cglbh-b仅在银鲫的垂体、端脑、卵巢及眼睛中表达。不同胚胎发育时期的表达分析表明, 在受精卵至原肠胚中Cglbh-b转录产物是以母源形式存在的mRNA, 其合子转录起始于尾芽期。胚胎整体原位杂交结果显示从受精后2d到受精后3d, Cglbh-b大量表达于脑和眼睛。此外, 随着卵子成熟Cglbh-b在银鲫垂体中的表达上调。这些结果暗示, Cglbh-b可能在调控银鲫脑和眼睛的发育以及卵子成熟过程中发挥着重要作用。     

斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的表达及其对不同环境刺激的响应

研究获得了斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的cDNA,进行了序列比对和系统进化分析,并采用实时定量RT-PCR（qPCR）方法研究了其表达模式及对不同环境刺激的转录反应。研究发现,斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b是由基因复制产生的旁系同源基因,具有高度保守的DNA结合结构域和配体结合结构域。斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b的表达模式具有明显的差别。nr1d4a在胚胎发育早期的表达量很低,72 hpf时开始显著升高;而nr1d4b具有较高水平的母源性表达,6 hpf时的表达量明显降低,但也在72 hpf显著回升。nr1d4a在脑和肾脏中表达量最高,其次是鳃、卵巢、精巢和眼,在肝脏中的表达量最低;nr1d4b在卵巢中表达量最高,其次是精巢和脑,在肠道和心脏中表达量最低。斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b都能被多种环境刺激瞬时诱导表达。16℃低温处理0.5h就能显著诱导斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的表达,但处理6h后其诱导效应开始下降并逐渐消失。除低温外,重金属（2 mol/L镉）、缺氧（5%氧气）和盐度（5）处理均能瞬时诱导nr1d4a和nr1d4b的表达,说明nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因可能参与斑马鱼对多种环境刺激的适应性反应。研究为深入揭示鱼类nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的生物学功能及其表达调控机制奠定了基础。       

斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的表达及其对不同环境刺激的响应简

研究获得了斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的cDNA,进行了序列比对和系统进化分析,并采用实时定量RT-PCR(qPCR)方法研究了其表达模式及对不同环境刺激的转录反应。研究发现,斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b是由基因复制产生的旁系同源基因,具有高度保守的DNA结合结构域和配体结合结构域。斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b的表达模式具有明显的差别。nr1d4a在胚胎发育早期的表达量很低,72 hpf时开始显著升高;而nr1d4b具有较高水平的母源性表达,6 hpf时的表达量明显降低,但也在72 hpf显著回升。nr1d4a在脑和肾脏中表达量最高,其次是鳃、卵巢、精巢和眼,在肝脏中的表达量最低;nr1d4b在卵巢中表达量最高,其次是精巢和脑,在肠道和心脏中表达量最低。斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b都能被多种环境刺激瞬时诱导表达。16℃低温处理0.5h就能显著诱导斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的表达,但处理6h后其诱导效应开始下降并逐渐消失。除低温外,重金属(2μmol/L镉)、缺氧(5%氧气)和盐度(5‰)处理均能瞬时诱导nr1d4a和nr1d4b的表达,说明nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因可能参与斑马鱼对多种环境刺激的适应性反应。研究为深入揭示鱼类nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的生物学功能及其表达调控机制奠定了基础。     

基于高通量转录组测序的草鱼雌雄性腺差异表达基因分析

草鱼雌性个体生长优势明显高于雄性,挖掘精巢和卵巢差异表达的功能基因对草鱼生殖调控具有重要的价值及应用前景。采用Illumina HiSep 2500转录组测序技术分别对12月龄的3尾雌性草鱼和3尾雄性草鱼的性腺组织的mRNA进行测序分析,精巢和卵巢共得到8 363个差异表达基因。与卵巢相比,精巢上调基因6 446个(77%),下调基因1 917个(23%),差异明显。将上述差异基因在Nr、GO和KEGG数据库进行比对,获得48种Go功能注释分类和313条KEGG代谢通路。分析发现,Go功能分类中"绑定"功能富集差异基因的数量最多,占总数的15.8%;KEGG代谢通路中"信号转导"通路富集差异基因的数量最多,占总数的10.2%。结合转录本数据,挑选与草鱼性腺发育相关的关键差异基因Dmrt1、amh、foxl2、cyp19a1a进行分析,研究显示,与卵巢相比,Dmrt1和amh基因在草鱼精巢中极显著高表达(p0.01);与精巢相比,cyp19a1a和foxl2基因在草鱼卵巢中显著高表达(p0.05),与转录组数据分析结论一致,说明Dmrt1和amh基因与早期草鱼精巢发育调控相关,cyp19a1a和foxl2基因与早期草鱼卵巢发育调控相关。本实验为进一步了解草鱼性别基因的调控机理提供数据依据。     

银鲫dmrt2b基因的分子特征及功能分析

实验克隆了银鲫dmrt2b基因的全长cDNA序列,并对其表达图式和在胚胎发育过程中的功能做了初步研究。银鲫dmrt2b和斑马鱼dmrt2b有相似的基因组结构。在胚胎发育过程中,银鲫dmrt2b主要在体节中表达。在成体中主要分布于肌肉中。注射银鲫的dmrt2b可以挽救斑马鱼dmrt2b敲降胚的表型。上述结果表明银鲫dmrt2b基因同斑马鱼dmrt2b基因有相同的功能。       

翘嘴鲌Sox9基因的克隆及CpG岛甲基化与基因表达的关系

为了揭示翘嘴鲌(Culter alburnus)性别决定与分化的作用机制, 进而更好地发展性别控制育种技术, 研究重点分析了Sox9基因在翘嘴鲌性腺分化过程中的作用。通过RT-PCR和RACE方法获得了翘嘴鲌2个旁系同源基因Sox9a和Sox9b的cDNA序列: Sox9a全长1642 bp, 编码458个氨基酸; Sox9b全长1673 bp, 编码456个氨基酸。序列分析表明两者相似度达到73.95%, 编码HMG盒区域极其保守。蛋白质次级结构预测显示Sox9a和Sox9b除了保守的HMG盒结构域外, 还存在2个核定位信号; 两者的三维结构都存在多个螺旋结构。系统进化树分析发现翘嘴鲌Sox9a与罗非鱼关系最近, 但Sox9b形成单独的一支。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了翘嘴鲌Sox9a和Sox9b基因在各成体组织中的表达水平, 结果显示Sox9a在脑和精巢中表达量最高, 其次是肌肉、鳍条、眼睛和卵巢, 在肾脏、脾脏、肝脏中相对较低; Sox9b只在脑、鳍条、眼睛和精巢中检测到一定水平的表达。通过重亚硫酸氢盐DNA测序方法分析了翘嘴鲌性腺组织Sox9a启动子CpG岛甲基化修饰模式, 结果显示在精巢中CG位点几乎不发生甲基化, 然而卵巢中的甲基化程度非常高。这些结果表明启动子CpG甲基化可以调控Sox9a的性别异形表达, 表观遗传修饰在翘嘴鲌性腺发育过程中可能具有重要的生物学功能。     

青鳉(Oryzias latipes)smad3的克隆与表达分析

鱼类性染色体的原始性导致性别决定基因的多样性.高等动物中的单个基因,在鱼类中因为基因组复制而产生多个同源基因,呈遗传多样性.TGF-β家族在硬骨鱼性别决定和性别分化的过程中发挥关键作用.smad3是性腺体细胞衍生因子(gsdf)的下游基因,可将TGF-β信号从细胞表面传递至细胞核.本研究从青鳉精巢和卵巢组织cDNA中克隆了smad3a、smad3b基因的CDS全长序列.蛋白序列的同源性比对和系统发生分析显示,smad3在高等脊椎动物中只有一种,而在鱼类却有两种.RT和定量PCR分析结果显示,smad3在多组织中普遍表达,在精巢中表达高于卵巢.青鳉smad3a和smad3b的表达同性腺分化紧密关联,提示其在性腺雌雄性分化和发育中可能具有重要作用.     

东亚飞蝗fem-1基因的克隆与表达分析

秀丽隐杆线虫Caenorhabditis elegans fem-1基因是性别决定的关键基因。本研究基于生物信息学方法从东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis的转录组数据库中克隆出了线虫fem-1的3个同源基因, 将其分别命名为Lmfem-1a, Lmfem-1b和Lmfem-1c (GenBank登录号分别为AB698670, AB698671和AB698672)。其cDNA序列长度分别为2 233, 2 625和2 142 bp, 分别编码662, 642和638个氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示, Lmfem-1a, Lmfem-1b和Lmfem-1c分别含有6, 8和8个典型的锚蛋白重复序列模体。组织表达谱分析发现, Lmfem-1a, Lmfem-1b和Lmfem-1c基因在检测的所有组织中都有表达, 但均在精巢中的表达水平最高, 说明Lmfem-1a, Lmfem-1b和Lmfem-1c基因可能参与东亚飞蝗的多种生理过程, 并受到严格的表达调控。而且, 随着精巢的发育, Lmfem-1a, Lmfem-1b和Lmfem-1c的表达均逐渐增强, 可能与东亚飞蝗的精子形成有关, 但这3个基因是否参与东亚飞蝗的性别决定还有待进一步研究。     

异源四倍体银鲫外周血和精巢的组织学特征

通过比较D 系三倍体银鲫 (Carassius auratus gibelio Bloch) 与异源四倍体银鲫, 我们发现异源四倍体的外周血与精巢组织跟三倍体银鲫存在明显差异。HE 染色结果表明, 异源四倍体银鲫外周血红细胞有明显的分裂倾向。利用流式细胞术对D 系三倍体银鲫与异源四倍体银鲫外周血的DNA 直方图进行比较, 结果表明异源四倍体外周血的DNA 直方图有两个主峰。此外, 我们观察到异源四倍体银鲫精巢的三种类型, 其中Ⅰ型精巢可以产生正常精子, Ⅱ型可观察到精小囊结构, 但不能产生精子, Ⅲ型精巢未发育出精小囊结构。进一步用银鲫Vasa 抗体对精巢切片进行组织免疫荧光共聚焦显微分析, 结果表明, Ⅰ型精巢的生殖细胞完成了减数分裂, 能观察到精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞, 以及大量位于精小管中间的精子细胞和精子; 而Ⅱ型精巢的生殖细胞不能完成第二次减数分裂, 精小囊中存在大量的初级和次级精母细胞, 没有精子细胞产生。研究丰富了对异源四倍体银鲫生物学性状的认识。       

Expression characterization of testicular DMRT1 in both Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells of polyploid gibel carp

Dmrt1 has been suggested to play significant roles in sex determination and differentiation, but various expression patterns and cell types have been observed in the testis of vertebrates. Polyploid gibel carp, because of the multiple modes of unisexual gynogenesis and sexual reproduction, has become a unique case to explore the evolution of sex determination and differentiation. However, the sex-determination related genes in gibel carp have remained unknown. In this study, we identified and characterized 4 cDNAs of Dmrt1 genes. Subsequently, a polyclonal antibody specific to CagDMRT1 was prepared to examine its expression and distribution patterns at protein level. Significantly, both relative real-time PCR and Western blot detection confirmed predominant expression of CagDmrt1 in the adult testis of gibel carp. Moreover, the intensive expression of CagDMRT1 around spermatogenic cysts was revealed during spermatogenesis. And, following immunofluorescence co-localization of CagDMRT1 and CagVASA, a prominent CagDMRT1 expression in Sertoli cells and a mild CagDMRT1 expression in spermatogenic cells including spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were clearly characterized. The CagDMRT1 signal in Sertoli cells is extensively distributed in both nuclei and cytoplasm, while the CagDMRT1 in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes is mainly expressed in nuclei, and there is only the remained CagDMRT1 signal in the cytoplasm of secondary spermatocytes. These findings suggest that DMRT1 should be related to testis differentiation and spermatogenesis in gibel carp.     

nanos1: a mouse nanos gene expressed in the central nervous system is dispensable for normal development

A mouse nanos (nanos1) gene was cloned and its function was examined by generating a gene-knockout mouse. The nanos1 gene encodes an RNA-binding protein, which contains a putative zinc-finger motif that exhibits similarity with other nanos-class genes in vertebrates and invertebrates. Although nanos1 is not detected in primordial germ cells, it is observed in seminiferous tubules of mature testis. Interestingly, maternally expressed nanos1 is observed in substantial amounts in oocytes, but the amount of maternal RNA is rapidly reduced after fertilization, and the transient zygotic nanos1 expression is observed in eight-cell embryos. At 12.5 days postcoitum, nanos1 is re-expressed in the central nervous system and the expression continues in the adult brain, in which the hippocampal formation is the predominant region. The nanos1 -deficient mice develop to term without any detectable abnormality and they are fertile. No significant neural defect is observed in terms of their behavior to date.     

Expression of the tudor-related gene Tdrd5 during development of the male germline in mice

Homologues of Drosophila germ cell determinant genes such as vasa, nanos and tudor have recently been implicated in development of the male germline in mice. In the present study, the mouse gene encoding Tudor domain containing protein 5 (TDRD5) was isolated from a 12.5-13.5 days post coitum (dpc) male-enriched subtracted cDNA library. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis of Tdrd5 expression in the mouse embryonic gonad indicated that this gene is upregulated in the developing testis from 12.5 dpc, with expression levels remaining higher in testis than ovary throughout embryogenesis. Expression of Tdrd5 was absent in testes isolated from We/We embryos, which lack germ cells. In situ hybridization (ISH) on cryosectioned 13.5 dpc testes suggests that expression of Tdrd5, like that of Oct4, is restricted to germ cells. Northern hybridization analysis of expression in adult tissues indicated that Tdrd5 is expressed in the testis only, implying that expression of this gene is restricted to the male germline throughout development to adulthood.     

银鲫种系细胞标记分子Vasa: cDNA克隆及其抗体制备

种系细胞始自胚胎发育早期,是动物生殖及生殖工程的基础。为研究鱼类的种系细胞提供标记分子,我们克隆并鉴定了银鲫的vasacDNA即Cagvasa。CagvasacDNA全长2771碱基(nt),编码的蛋白为银鲫Vasa即CagVasa,全长701个氨基酸(aa)。CagVasa蛋白与已知Vasa蛋白的结构特征一致:在N端有14个RGG重复序列,在C端Vasa所特有的8个功能域俱全。银鲫Vasa与鲤鱼、斑马鱼、陆生脊椎动物和果蝇的Vasa蛋白分别有95%,89%,61%-66%和50%的同源性。卵巢切片的RNA原位杂交揭示,Cagvasa限于种系细胞,且表达水平呈现出低-高-低的动态变化:即两头低(卵原细胞跟Ⅳ期成熟卵子),中间高(Ⅱ-Ⅲ期卵子)。为分析鱼类种系细胞提供手段,我们用310aa的N端序列产生细菌的重组蛋白来免疫大白兔,获得了抗Vasa的多克隆抗体αVasa。Western免疫印迹表明,αVasa特异性地识别一个鱼类性腺的蛋白,该蛋白的分子量为75kD,仅见于银鲫的性腺和卵子。卵巢切片的组织免疫荧光共聚焦显微分析表明,抗体αVasa只对种系细胞染色:卵原细胞着色最深,卵母细胞和早期的卵子都浓染,成熟卵则浅染。类似情况亦见之于精子发生早期阶段的雄性种系细胞。卵巢和精巢的体细胞则不着色。因此,Cagvasa编码的当是Vasa同源蛋白,为银鲫种系细胞的第一个标记分子。我们的研究表明,抗体αVasa染色灵敏度高,特异性好,当是鉴别银鲫及其它鲤科鱼类的种系细胞的有效手段     

Functional Divergence of Multiple Duplicated Foxl2 Homeologs and Alleles in a Recurrent Polyploid Fish

Evolutionary fates of duplicated genes have been widely investigated in many polyploid plants and animals, but research is scarce in recurrent polyploids. In this study, we focused on foxl2, a central player in ovary, and elaborated the functional divergence in gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), a recurrent auto-allo-hexaploid fish. First, we identified three divergent foxl2 homeologs (Cgfoxl2a-B, Cgfoxl2b-A, and Cgfoxl2b-B), each of them possessing three highly conserved alleles and revealed their biased retention/loss. Then, their abundant sexual dimorphism and biased expression were uncovered in hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Significantly, granulosa cells and three subpopulations of thecal cells were distinguished by cellular localization of CgFoxl2a and CgFoxl2b, and the functional roles and the involved process were traced in folliculogenesis. Finally, we successfully edited multiple foxl2 homeologs and/or alleles by using CRISPR/Cas9. Cgfoxl2a-B deficiency led to ovary development arrest or complete sex reversal, whereas complete disruption of Cgfoxl2b-A and Cgfoxl2b-B resulted in the depletion of germ cells. Taken together, the detailed cellular localization and functional differences indicate that Cgfoxl2a and Cgfoxl2b have subfunctionalized and cooperated to regulate folliculogenesis and gonad differentiation, and Cgfoxl2b has evolved a new function in oogenesis. Therefore, the current study provides a typical case of homeolog/allele diversification, retention/loss, biased expression, and sub-/neofunctionalization in the evolution of duplicated genes driven by polyploidy and subsequent diploidization from the recurrent polyploid fish.     

Repression of primordial germ cell differentiation parallels germ line stem cell maintenance

In Drosophila, primordial germ cells (PGCs) are set aside from somatic cells and subsequently migrate through the embryo and associate with somatic gonadal cells to form the embryonic gonad. During larval stages, PGCs proliferate in the female gonad, and a subset of PGCs are selected at late larval stages to become germ line stem cells (GSCs), the source of continuous egg production throughout adulthood. However, the degree of similarity between PGCs and the self-renewing GSCs is unclear. Here we show that many of the genes that are required for GSC maintenance in adults are also required to prevent precocious differentiation of PGCs within the larval ovary. We show that following overexpression of the GSC-differentiation gene bag of marbles (bam), PGCs differentiate to form cysts without becoming GSCs. Furthermore, PGCs that are mutant for nanos (nos), pumilio (pum) or for signaling components of the decapentaplegic (dpp) pathway also differentiate. The similarity in the genes necessary for GSC maintenance and the repression of PGC differentiation suggest that PGCs and GSCs may be functionally equivalent and that the larval gonad functions as a "PGC niche".