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Comparative analysis of gonadal transcriptomes between turtle and alligator identifies common molecular cues activated during the temperature-sensitive period for sex determination.

Authors :
Toyota, Kenji
Akashi, Hiroshi
Ishikawa, Momoka
Yamaguchi, Katsushi
Shigenobu, Shuji
Sato, Tomomi
Lange, Anke
Tyler, Charles R.
Iguchi, Taisen
Miyagawa, Shinichi
Source :
Gene. Dec2023, Vol. 888, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

• A time-course gonadal RNA-seq was conducted using Mauremys reevesii. • Sexual differentiation genes in males were activated at an earlier stage than the ones in females. • Turtle-alligator comparative analysis revealed novel candidate TSD genes. The mode of sex determination in vertebrates can be categorized as genotypic or environmental. In the case of genotypic sex determination (GSD), the sexual fate of an organism is determined by the chromosome composition with some having dominant genes, named sex-determining genes, that drive the sex phenotypes. By contrast, many reptiles exhibit environmental sex determination (ESD), whereby environmental stimuli drive sex determination, and most notably temperature. To date, temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) has been found in most turtles, some lizards, and all crocodylians, but commonalities in the controlling processes are not well established. Recent innovative sequencing technology has enabled investigations into gonadal transcriptomic profiles during temperature-sensitive periods (TSP) in various TSD species which can help elucidate the controlling mechanisms. In this study, we conducted a time-course analysis of the gonadal transcriptome during the male-producing temperature (26℃) of the Reeve's turtle (Chinese three-keeled pond turtle) Mauremys reevesii. We then compared the transcriptome profiles for this turtle species during the TSP with that for the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis to identify conserved reptilian TSD-related genes. Our transcriptome-based findings provide an opportunity to retrieve the candidate molecular cues that are activated during TSP and compare these target responses between TSD and GSD turtle species, and between TSD species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
03781119
Volume :
888
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Gene
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
172427268
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2023.147763