14784
2016
eng
34281
6
article
1
2017-05-05
--
--
Retinoic acid and meiosis induction in adult versus embryonic gonads of medaka
In vertebrates, one of the first recognizable sex differences in embryos is the onset of meiosis, known to be regulated by retinoic acid (RA) in mammals. We investigated in medaka a possible meiotic function of RA during the embryonic sex determination (SD) period and in mature gonads. We found RA mediated transcriptional activation in germ cells of both sexes much earlier than the SD stage, however, no such activity during the critical stages of SD. In adults, expression of the RA metabolizing enzymes indicates sexually dimorphic RA levels. In testis, RA acts directly in Sertoli, Leydig and pre-meiotic germ cells. In ovaries, RA transcriptional activity is highest in meiotic oocytes. Our results show that RA plays an important role in meiosis induction and gametogenesis in adult medaka but contrary to common expectations, not for initiating the first meiosis in female germ cells at the SD stage.
Scientific Reports
10.1038/srep34281
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-147843
Scientific Reports 6, 34281; doi: 10.1038/srep34281 (2016)
Mateus C. Adolfi
Amaury Herpin
Martina Regensburger
Jacopo Sacquegno
Joshua S. Waxman
Manfred Schartl
eng
uncontrolled
developmental biology
eng
uncontrolled
molecular biology
Genetik und Evolution
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Förderzeitraum 2016
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/14784/Adolfi_srep34281.pdf
12648
2015
eng
2
13
article
1
2016-01-31
--
--
Molecular cloning and expression analysis of dmrt1 and sox9 during gonad development and male reproductive cycle in the lambari fish, Astyanax altiparanae
Background
The dmrt1 and sox9 genes have a well conserved function related to testis formation in vertebrates, and the group of fish presents a great diversity of species and reproductive mechanisms. The lambari fish (Astyanax altiparanae) is an important Neotropical species, where studies on molecular level of sex determination and gonad maturation are scarce.
Methods
Here, we employed molecular cloning techniques to analyze the cDNA sequences of the dmrt1 and sox9 genes, and describe the expression pattern of those genes during development and the male reproductive cycle by qRT-PCR, and related to histology of the gonad.
Results
Phylogenetic analyses of predicted amino acid sequences of dmrt1 and sox9 clustered A. altiparanae in the Ostariophysi group, which is consistent with the morphological phylogeny of this species. Studies of the gonad development revealed that ovary formation occurred at 58 days after hatching (dah), 2 weeks earlier than testis formation. Expression studies of sox9 and dmrt1 in different tissues of adult males and females and during development revealed specific expression in the testis, indicating that both genes also have a male-specific role in the adult. During the period of gonad sex differentiation, dmrt1 seems to have a more significant role than sox9. During the male reproductive cycle dmrt1 and sox9 are down-regulated after spermiation, indicating a role of these genes in spermatogenesis.
Conclusions
For the first time the dmrt1 and sox9 were cloned in a Characiformes species. We show that both genes have a conserved structure and expression, evidencing their role in sex determination, sex differentiation and the male reproductive cycle in A. altiparanae. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in fish.
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
10.1186/1477-7827-13-2
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126486
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2015, 13:2. DOI:10.1186/1477-7827-13-2
Mateus C. Adolfi
Ana C. O. Carreira
Lázaro W. O. Jesus
Jan Bogerd
Rejane M. Funes
Manfred Schartl
Mari C. Sogayar
Maria I. Borella
eng
uncontrolled
spermatogenesis
eng
uncontrolled
SOX9
eng
uncontrolled
DMRT1
eng
uncontrolled
sex differentiation
eng
uncontrolled
teleostei
Humanphysiologie
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Förderzeitraum 2015
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/12648/Adolfi_ReproductiveBiology_1477-7827-13-2.pdf
13633
2017
eng
doctoralthesis
1
2016-07-19
--
2016-07-27
Sex determination and meiosis in medaka: The role of retinoic acid
Geschlechtsbestimmung und Meiose in Medaka: Die Rolle der Retinsäure
Sex determination (SD) is a complex and diverse developmental process that leads to the decision whether the bipotential gonad anlage will become a testis or an ovary. This mechanism is regulated by gene cascades, networks and/or chromosomal systems, and can be influenced by fluctuations of extrinsic factors like temperature, exposure to hormones and pollution. Within vertebrates, the group of fish show the widest variety of sex determination mechanism. This whole diversity of processes and mechanisms converges to the formation of two different gametes, the eggs and the sperm, the first bigger and static, and the second smaller and motile. Meiosis is crucial for the formation of both types of gametes, and the timing of meiosis entry is one of the first recognizable differences between male and female in vertebrates. The germ cells go into meiosis first in female than in male, and in mammals, this event has been shown to be regulated by retinoic acid (RA). This small polar molecule induces in the germ cells the expression of the pre-meiotic marker Stra8 (stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8), which is necessary for meiosis initiation. Interestingly, genome analyzes have shown that the majority of fish (including medaka) lack the stra8 gene, adding a question mark to the role of RA in meiosis induction in this group. Since a role of RA in entry of meiosis and sexual development of fish is still far from being understood, I investigated in medaka (Oryzias latipes) a possible signaling function of RA during the SD period in embryos and in reproductively active gonads of adults. I generated a transgenic medaka line that reports responsiveness to RA in vivo. With this tool, I compared RA responsiveness with the expression of the main gene involved in the synthesis of RA. My results show that there is a de-correlation between the action of RA with its source. In adults, expression of the RA metabolizing enzymes show sexually dimorphic RA levels, with aldh1a2 levels being higher in testis, and cyp26a1 stronger in female gonad. In ovary, the responsiveness is restricted to the early meiotic oocytes. In testis, RA is acting directly in the pre-meiotic cells, but also in Sertoli and Leydig cells. Treatment experiments on testis organ culture showed that RA pathway activation leads to a decrease in meiosis markers expression levels. During the development, RA responsiveness in the germ cells was observed in both sexes much earlier than the first female meiosis entry. Treatments with RA-synthesis inhibitor show a decrease in meiosis markers expression levels only after the sex differentiation period in female. Expression analyzes of embryos treated with exogenous RA showed induction of dmrt1a at the gonad levels and an increase of amh levels. Both genes are not only involved in male formation, but also in the regulation of germ cell proliferation and differentiation. RA is important in meiosis induction and gametogenesis in adult medaka. However, there is no evidence for a similar role of RA in initiating the first meiosis in female germ cells at the SD stage. Moreover, contrary to common expectation, RA seems to induce sex related genes that are involved indirectly in meiosis inhibition. In this thesis, I showed for the first time that RA can be involved in both induction and inhibition of meiosis entry, depending on the sex and the developmental stage in a stra8-independent model organism.
Geschlechtsbestimmung ist ein komplexer und vielfältiger Entwicklungsprozess, der zu der Entscheidung führt, ob sich aus der bipotenten Gonadenanlage Hoden oder Ovarien entwickeln. Dieser Mechanismus ist durch Genkaskaden, Netzwerke und/oder chromosomale Systeme reguliert, kann aber auch durch Fluktuation äußerer Faktoren wie beispielsweise Temperatur, durch Hormonexposition oder durch Umweltverschmutzung beeinflusst werden. Innerhalb der Wirbeltiere zeigen Fische die größte Vielfalt in Bezug auf die Mechanismen der Geschlechtsbestimmung. Die unterschiedlichen Mechanismen der Geschlechtsbestimmung konvergieren in der Entstehung von der beiden unterschiedlichen Geschlechtszellen, der Eizelle und des Spermiums. Die Eizelle ist groß und statisch, das Spermium hingegen ist kleiner und beweglich. Die entscheidende Rolle für die Entstehung der Geschlechtzellen spielt die Meiose. Der Zeitpunkt, an dem zum ersten Mal in der Entwicklung die Meiose einsetzt, ist der erste erkennbare Unterschied in der Gonadenentwicklung zwischen männlichen und weiblichen Wirbeltieren. Die Meiose der Keimzellen beginnt bei Weibchen früher als bei Männchen. Bei Säugetieren reguliert Retinsäure (RA) diesen Prozess. Dieses kleine polare Molekül induziert die Expression des Prä-Meiose-Markers Stra8 (stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8) in den Keimzellen, welcher für den Eintritt in die Meiose essentiell ist. Interessanterweise haben Genomanalyzen gezeigt, dass das stra8 Gen in Medaka sowie in den meisten anderen Fischarten nicht vorhanden ist. Dies stellt eine vergleichbare Rolle von RA für die Induktion der Meiose wie bei Säugetieren in diesen Fischen in Frage. Da die Rolle von RA für den Eintritt in die Meiose sowie für die Geschlechtsentwicklung in Fischen bisher nur unzureichend untersucht und verstanden ist, habe ich bei Medaka (Oryzias latipes) eine mögliche Funktion von RA für die Geschlechtsdetermination in Embryonen sowie in Gonaden geschlechtsreifer Tiere untersucht. Ich habe im Rahmen dieser Arbet eine transgene Medakalinie generiert, die in vivo eine RA induzierte Genexpression durch ein GFP Reportergen anzeigt. Mit Hilfe dieser Linie wurde die transkriptionsreulierende Aktivität von RAmit der Expression der wichtigsten Gene, die in die RA Synthese involviert sind, verglichen. Meine Ergebnisse zeigen eine Diskrepanz zwischen dem Wirkungs- und Syntheseort von RA. Die RA metabolisierenden Enzyme zeigten eine geschlechtsdimorphe Expression in adulten Medakas, mit einer höheren aldh1a2 Expression im Hoden sowie einer stärkeren cyp26a1 Expression in weiblichen Gonaden. Im Ovar sind lediglich frühe meiotische Eizellen RA-sensitiv. Im Hoden wirkt RA direkt in prä-meiotische Zellen, aber auch in Sertoli und Leydig Zellen. Stimulations-Experimente an Hoden Organkulturen ergaben, dass eine Aktivierung des RA Signalwegs zu einer Abnahme des Expressionslevels von Meiose-Markern führt. Während der Embryonalentwicklung konnte in den Keimzellen beider Geschlechter eine transkriptions-induziernende Aktivität von RA bereits zu einem Zeitpunkt beobachtet werden, der deutlich vor dem ersten Meiose Eintritt in Weibchen liegt. Behandlungen mit einem RA-Synthese Inhibitor zeigten lediglich nach der Geschlechtsdifferenzierung in Weibchen eine verminderte Expression der Meiose-Marker. Expressionsanalysen von Embryonen, die mit exogener RA behandelt wurden, ergaben eine Induktion von dmrt1a in den Gonaden und ein Anstieg von amh. Beide Gene sind sowohl in die männliche Geschlechtsentwicklung involviert, als auch in die Regulation der Keimzellproliferation und –differenzierung. Zusammen ergaben meine Untersuchungen, dass RA für die Induktion der Meiose und der Gametogenese in adulten Medakas wichtig ist. Allerdings gibt es keinen Hinweis für eine ähnliche Rolle
11
von RA bei der Initiierung der ersten Meiose in weiblichen Keimzellen während der Geschlechtsdetermination. Im Gegensatz zur bisher beschriebenen Situation, scheint darüber hinaus RA die Expression geschlechtsspezifischer Gene zu induzieren, die indirekt in die Inhibition der Meiose involviert sind. In der vorliegenden Arbeit konnte in einem stra8-unabhängigen Modelorganismus das erste Mal gezeigt werden, dass RA – abhängig vom Geschlecht und vom Stadium der Entwicklung - sowohl in die Induktion als auch in die Inhibition des Meiose-Eintritts involviert ist.
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-136335
X 127181
Mateus Contar Adolfi
deu
swd
Japankärpfling
deu
swd
Meiose
eng
uncontrolled
Sex determination
eng
uncontrolled
Meiosis
eng
uncontrolled
Retinoic acid
eng
uncontrolled
Medaka
deu
swd
Geschlechtsdifferenzierung
deu
swd
Retinoesäure
deu
uncontrolled
Geschlechtsbestimmung
Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Universität Würzburg
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/13633/Dissertation_Mateus_Contar_Adolfi.pdf
13226
2013
eng
2328-2346
10
30
article
1
2016-04-15
--
--
Divergent Expression Regulation of Gonad Development Genes in Medaka Shows Incomplete Conservation of the Downstream Regulatory Network of Vertebrate Sex Determination
Genetic control of male or female gonad development displays between different groups of organisms a remarkable diversity of “master sex-determining genes” at the top of the genetic hierarchies, whereas downstream components surprisingly appear to be evolutionarily more conserved. Without much further studies, conservation of sequence has been equalized to conservation of function. We have used the medaka fish to investigate the generality of this paradigm. In medaka, the master male sex-determining gene is dmrt1bY, a highly conserved downstream regulator of sex determination in vertebrates. To understand its function in orchestrating the complex gene regulatory network, we have identified targets genes and regulated pathways of Dmrt1bY. Monitoring gene expression and interactions by transgenic fluorescent reporter fish lines, in vivo tissue-chromatin immunoprecipitation and in vitro gene regulation assays revealed concordance but also major discrepancies between mammals and medaka, notably amongst spatial, temporal expression patterns and regulations of the canonical Hedgehog and R-spondin/Wnt/Follistatin signaling pathways. Examination of Foxl2 protein distribution in the medaka ovary defined a new subpopulation of theca cells, where ovarian-type aromatase transcriptional regulation appears to be independent of Foxl2. In summary, these data show that the regulation of the downstream regulatory network of sex determination is less conserved than previously thought.
Molecular Biology and Evolution
10.1093/molbev/mst130
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132262
Molecular Biology and Evolution 30(10):2328–2346 doi:10.1093/molbev/mst130
222719
Amaury Herpin
Mateus C. Adolfi
Barbara Nicol
Maria Hinzmann
Cornelia Schmidt
Johanna Klughammer
Mareen Engel
Minoru Tanaka
Yann Guiguen
Manfred Schartl
eng
uncontrolled
gonadal development
eng
uncontrolled
divergent expression regulation
eng
uncontrolled
gene regulatory network evolution
eng
uncontrolled
adaptive evolution
Medizin und Gesundheit
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
OpenAIRE
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/13226/156_Herpin_Molecular_Biology_and Evolution.pdf
20147
2019
eng
213
10
article
1
2020-03-13
--
--
Analysis of the role of the Mc4r system in development, growth, and puberty of medaka
In mammals the melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r) signaling system has been mainly associated with the regulation of appetite and energy homeostasis. In fish of the genus Xiphophorus (platyfish and swordtails) puberty onset is genetically determined by a single locus, which encodes the mc4r. Wild populations of Xiphophorus are polymorphic for early and late-maturing individuals. Copy number variation of different mc4r alleles is responsible for the difference in puberty onset. To answer whether this is a special adaptation of the Mc4r signaling system in the lineage of Xiphophorus or a more widely conserved mechanism in teleosts, we studied the role of Mc4r in reproductive biology of medaka (Oryzias latipes), a close relative to Xiphophorus and a well-established model to study gonadal development. To understand the potential role of Mc4r in medaka, we characterized the major features of the Mc4r signaling system (mc4r, mrap2, pomc, agrp1). In medaka, all these genes are expressed before hatching. In adults, they are mainly expressed in the brain. The transcript of the receptor accessory protein mrap2 co-localizes with mc4r in the hypothalamus in adult brains indicating a conserved function of modulating Mc4r signaling. Comparing growth and puberty between wild-type and mc4r knockout medaka revealed that absence of Mc4r does not change puberty timing but significantly delays hatching. Embryonic development of knockout animals is retarded compared to wild-types. In conclusion, the Mc4r system in medaka is involved in regulation of growth rather than puberty.
Frontiers in Endocrinology
10.3389/fendo.2019.00213
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201472
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2019, 10:213. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00213
false
true
CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International
Ruiqi Liu
Masato Kinoshita
Mateus C. Adolfi
Manfred Schartl
eng
uncontrolled
medaka
eng
uncontrolled
Mc4r
eng
uncontrolled
knockout
eng
uncontrolled
puberty
eng
uncontrolled
growth
Biowissenschaften; Biologie
Medizin und Gesundheit
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Förderzeitraum 2019
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/20147/Schartl_fendo-10-00213.pdf
26724
2022
eng
7
11
article
1
--
2022-03-25
--
Evolution of the degenerated Y-chromosome of the swamp guppy, Micropoecilia picta
The conspicuous colour sexual dimorphism of guppies has made them paradigmatic study objects for sex-linked traits and sex chromosome evolution. Both the X- and Y-chromosomes of the common guppy (Poecilia reticulata) are genetically active and homomorphic, with a large homologous part and a small sex specific region. This feature is considered to emulate the initial stage of sex chromosome evolution. A similar situation has been documented in the related Endler’s and Oropuche guppies (P. wingei, P. obscura) indicating a common origin of the Y in this group. A recent molecular study in the swamp guppy (Micropoecilia. picta) reported a low SNP density on the Y, indicating Y-chromosome deterioration. We performed a series of cytological studies on M. picta to show that the Y-chromosome is quite small compared to the X and has accumulated a high content of heterochromatin. Furthermore, the Y-chromosome stands out in displaying CpG clusters around the centromeric region. These cytological findings evidently illustrate that the Y-chromosome in M. picta is indeed highly degenerated. Immunostaining for SYCP3 and MLH1 in pachytene meiocytes revealed that a substantial part of the Y remains associated with the X. A specific MLH1 hotspot site was persistently marked at the distal end of the associated XY structure. These results unveil a landmark of a recombining pseudoautosomal region on the otherwise strongly degenerated Y chromosome of M. picta. Hormone treatments of females revealed that, unexpectedly, no sexually antagonistic color gene is Y-linked in M. picta. All these differences to the Poecilia group of guppies indicate that the trajectories associated with the evolution of sex chromosomes are not in parallel.
Cells
2073-4409
10.3390/cells11071118
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-267242
2022-04-13T07:28:21+00:00
sword
swordwue
attachment; filename=deposit.zip
2a20f9dc7b49d2b61e7c5fe7d433f8d1
Cells (2022) 11:7, 1118. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11071118
false
true
CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International
Indrajit Nanda
Susanne Schories
Ivan Simeonov
Mateus Contar Adolfi
Kang Du
Claus Steinlein
Manfred Alsheimer
Thomas Haaf
Manfred Schartl
eng
uncontrolled
sex chromosomes
eng
uncontrolled
heterochromatin
eng
uncontrolled
Y chromosome degeneration
eng
uncontrolled
meiosis
eng
uncontrolled
synaptonemal complex
eng
uncontrolled
recombination
eng
uncontrolled
5-methylcytosine
eng
uncontrolled
testosterone
eng
uncontrolled
sexual antagonistic genes
eng
uncontrolled
sex linked pigmentation pattern
Biowissenschaften; Biologie
open_access
Institut für Humangenetik
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Import
Förderzeitraum 2022
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/26724/cells-11-01118-v2.pdf
17677
2018
eng
1430-1444
6
10
article
1
2019-02-18
--
--
A comparative view on sex differentiation and gametogenesis genes in lungfish and coelacanths
Gonadal sex differentiation and reproduction are the keys to the perpetuation of favorable gene combinations and positively selected traits. In vertebrates, several gonad development features that differentiate tetrapods and fishes are likely to be, at least in part, related to the water-to-land transition. The collection of information from basal sarcopterygians, coelacanths, and lungfishes, is crucial to improve our understanding of the molecular evolution of pathways involved in reproductive functions, since these organisms are generally regarded as “living fossils” and as the direct ancestors of tetrapods. Here, we report for the first time the characterization of >50 genes related to sex differentiation and gametogenesis in Latimeria menadoensis and Protopterus annectens. Although the expression profiles of most genes is consistent with the intermediate position of basal sarcopterygians between actinopterygian fish and tetrapods, their phylogenetic placement and presence/absence patterns often reveal a closer affinity to the tetrapod orthologs. On the other hand, particular genes, for example, the male gonad factor gsdf (Gonadal Soma-Derived Factor), provide examples of ancestral traits shared with actinopterygians, which disappeared in the tetrapod lineage.
Genome Biology and Evolution
10.1093/gbe/evy101
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-176774
Genome Biology and Evolution 2018, 10(6):1430-1444. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy101
false
true
CC BY-NC: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung, Nicht kommerziell 4.0 International
Maria Assunta Biscotti
Mateus Contar Adolfi
Marco Barucca
Mariko Forconi
Alberto Pallavicini
Marco Gerdol
Adriana Canapa
Manfred Schartl
eng
uncontrolled
sex differentiation
eng
uncontrolled
Latimeria menadoensis
eng
uncontrolled
Protopterus annectens
eng
uncontrolled
evolution
eng
uncontrolled
testis
eng
uncontrolled
gametogenesis
eng
uncontrolled
ovary
Physiologie und verwandte Themen
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Förderzeitraum 2018
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/17677/Biscotti_Genome_Biology_and_Evolution.pdf
20221
2019
eng
2099-2106
8
11
article
1
2020-03-25
--
--
The piranha genome provides molecular insight associated to its unique feeding behavior
The piranha enjoys notoriety due to its infamous predatory behavior but much is still not understood about its evolutionary origins and the underlying molecular mechanisms for its unusual feeding biology. We sequenced and assembled the red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) genome to aid future phenotypic and genetic investigations. The assembled draft genome is similar to other related fishes in repeat composition and gene count. Our evaluation of genes under positive selection suggests candidates for adaptations of piranhas’ feeding behavior in neural functions, behavior, and regulation of energy metabolism. In the fasted brain, we find genes differentially expressed that are involved in lipid metabolism and appetite regulation as well as genes that may control the aggression/boldness behavior of hungry piranhas. Our first analysis of the piranha genome offers new insight and resources for the study of piranha biology and for feeding motivation and starvation in other organisms.
Genome Biology and Evolution
10.1093/gbe/evz139
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202218
Genome Biology And Evolution (2019) 11:8, 2099-2106. https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evz139
false
true
CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International
Manfred Schartl
Susanne Kneitz
Helene Volkoff
Mateus Adolfi
Cornelia Schmidt
Petra Fischer
Patrick Minx
Chad Tomlinson
Axel Meyer
Wesley C. Warren
eng
uncontrolled
whole-genome sequencing
eng
uncontrolled
genome annotation
eng
uncontrolled
comparative genomics
eng
uncontrolled
RNA-seq transcriptome
eng
uncontrolled
energy homeostasis
Biowissenschaften; Biologie
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Förderzeitraum 2019
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/20221/Schartl_GenomeBiologyAndEvolution_2019.pdf
26567
2021
eng
1
11
article
1
2022-04-05
--
--
A duplicated copy of id2b is an unusual sex-determining candidate gene on the Y chromosome of arapaima (Arapaima gigas)
Arapaima gigas is one of the largest freshwater fish species of high ecological and economic importance. Overfishing and habitat destruction are severe threats to the remaining wild populations. By incorporating a chromosomal Hi-C contact map, we improved the arapaima genome assembly to chromosome-level, revealing an unexpected high degree of chromosome rearrangements during evolution of the bonytongues (Osteoglossiformes). Combining this new assembly with pool-sequencing of male and female genomes, we identified id2bbY, a duplicated copy of the inhibitor of DNA binding 2b (id2b) gene on the Y chromosome as candidate male sex-determining gene. A PCR-test for id2bbY was developed, demonstrating that this gene is a reliable male-specific marker for genotyping. Expression analyses showed that this gene is expressed in juvenile male gonads. Its paralog, id2ba, exhibits a male-biased expression in immature gonads. Transcriptome analyses and protein structure predictions confirm id2bbY as a prime candidate for the master sex-determiner. Acting through the TGF beta signaling pathway, id2bbY from arapaima would provide the first evidence for a link of this family of transcriptional regulators to sex determination. Our study broadens our current understanding about the evolution of sex determination genetic networks and provide a tool for improving arapaima aquaculture for commercial and conservation purposes.
Scientific Reports
10.1038/s41598-021-01066-z
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265672
publish
Scientific Reports (2021) 11:1, 21544. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01066-z
false
true
CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International
Mateus C. Adolfi
Kang Du
Susanne Kneitz
Cédric Cabau
Margot Zahm
Christophe Klopp
Romain Feron
Rômulo V. Paixão
Eduardo S. Varela
Fernanda L. de Almeida
Marcos A. de Oliveira
Rafael H. Nóbrega
Céline Lopez-Roques
Carole Iampietro
Jérôme Lluch
Werner Kloas
Sven Wuertz
Fabian Schaefer
Matthias Stöck
Yann Guiguen
Manfred Schartl
eng
uncontrolled
evolutionary genetics
eng
uncontrolled
genetic markers
eng
uncontrolled
genome
Medizin und Gesundheit
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Förderzeitraum 2021
Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/26567/s41598-021-01066-z.pdf
22266
2021
eng
8
article
1
--
2021-01-18
--
Crosstalk Between Retinoic Acid and Sex-Related Genes Controls Germ Cell Fate and Gametogenesis in Medaka
Sex determination (SD) is a highly diverse and complex mechanism. In vertebrates, one of the first morphological differences between the sexes is the timing of initiation of the first meiosis, where its initiation occurs first in female and later in male. Thus, SD is intimately related to the responsiveness of the germ cells to undergo meiosis in a sex-specific manner. In some vertebrates, it has been reported that the timing for meiosis entry would be under control of retinoic acid (RA), through activation of Stra8. In this study, we used a fish model species for sex determination and lacking the stra8 gene, the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), to investigate the connection between RA and the sex determination pathway. Exogenous RA treatments act as a stress factor inhibiting germ cell differentiation probably by activation of dmrt1a and amh. Disruption of the RA degrading enzyme gene cyp26a1 induced precocious meiosis and oogenesis in embryos/hatchlings of female and even some males. Transcriptome analyzes of cyp26a1–/–adult gonads revealed upregulation of genes related to germ cell differentiation and meiosis, in both ovaries and testes. Our findings show that germ cells respond to RA in a stra8 independent model species. The responsiveness to RA is conferred by sex-related genes, restricting its action to the sex differentiation period in both sexes.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
2296-634X
10.3389/fcell.2020.613497
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-222669
2021-02-01T06:19:12+00:00
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Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 2021, 8:613497. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.613497
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true
CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International
Mateus C. Adolfi
Amaury Herpin
Anabel Martinez-Bengochea
Susanne Kneitz
Martina Regensburger
David J. Grunwald
Manfred Schartl
eng
uncontrolled
sex determination
eng
uncontrolled
retinoic acid
eng
uncontrolled
meiosis
eng
uncontrolled
gametogenesis
eng
uncontrolled
medaka
Medizin und Gesundheit
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Import
Förderzeitraum 2020
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/22266/fcell-08-613497.pdf
20133
2019
eng
5293
9
article
1
2020-03-12
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The genome of the arapaima (Arapaima gigas) provides insights into gigantism, fast growth and chromosomal sex determination system
We have sequenced the genome of the largest freshwater fish species of the world, the arapaima. Analysis of gene family dynamics and signatures of positive selection identified genes involved in the specific adaptations and unique features of this iconic species, in particular it’s large size and fast growth. Genome sequences from both sexes combined with RAD-tag analyses from other males and females led to the isolation of male-specific scaffolds and supports an XY sex determination system in arapaima. Whole transcriptome sequencing showed that the product of the gland-like secretory organ on the head surface of males and females may not only provide nutritional fluid for sex-unbiased parental care, but that the organ itself has a more specific function in males, which engage more in parental care.
Scientific Reports
10.1038/s41598-019-41457-x
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201333
Scientific Reports (2019) 9:5293. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-41457-x
false
true
CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International
Kang Du
Sven Wuertz
Mateus Adolfi
Susanne Kneitz
Matthias Stöck
Marcos Oliveira
Rafael Nóbrega
Jenny Ormanns
Werner Kloas
Romain Feron
Christophe Klopp
Hugues Parrinello
Laurent Journot
Shunping He
John Postlethwait
Axel Meyer
Yann Guiguen
Manfred Schartl
eng
uncontrolled
Genome
deu
uncontrolled
Genomics
Medizin und Gesundheit
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Förderzeitraum 2019
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/20133/Du_ScientificReports_2019.pdf.pdf
22732
2020
eng
10
article
1
2021-02-25
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The transcriptome of the newt Cynops orientalis provides new insights into evolution and function of sexual gene networks in sarcopterygians
Amphibians evolved in the Devonian period about 400 Mya and represent a transition step in tetrapod evolution. Among amphibians, high-throughput sequencing data are very limited for Caudata, due to their largest genome sizes among terrestrial vertebrates. In this paper we present the transcriptome from the fire bellied newt Cynops orientalis. Data here presented display a high level of completeness, comparable to the fully sequenced genomes available from other amphibians. Moreover, this work focused on genes involved in gametogenesis and sexual development. Surprisingly, the gsdf gene was identified for the first time in a tetrapod species, so far known only from bony fish and basal sarcopterygians. Our analysis failed to isolate fgf24 and foxl3, supporting the possible loss of both genes in the common ancestor of Rhipidistians. In Cynops, the expression analysis of genes described to be sex-related in vertebrates singled out an expected functional role for some genes, while others displayed an unforeseen behavior, confirming the high variability of the sex-related pathway in vertebrates.
Scientific Reports
10.1038/s41598-020-62408-x
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227326
publish
Scientific Reports (2020) 10:5445. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62408-x
true
true
CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung 4.0 International
Maria Assunta Biscotti
Federica Carducci
Marco Barucca
Marco Gerdol
Alberto Pallavicini
Manfred Schartl
Adriana Canapa
Mateus Contar Adolfi
eng
uncontrolled
developmental biology
eng
uncontrolled
evolution
Medizin und Gesundheit
open_access
Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften
Förderzeitraum 2020
Universität Würzburg
https://opus.bibliothek.uni-wuerzburg.de/files/22732/Biscotti_s41598-020-62408-x.pdf