Identification and characterization of germ cell genes vasa and dazl in a protogynous hermaphrodite fish, orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Vasa and dazl genes have been reported to play pivotal roles in germ cell development and differentiation both in vertebrates and invertebrates; however, little is known about their functions in germ cell differentiation during gametogenesis and sex reversal in hermaphroditic fish. In the present study, vasa (Ecvasa) and dazl (Ecdazl) cDNA were cloned from orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). The full-length cDNA sequences of Ecvasa and Ecdazl were 2162 and 2101 bp, and encoded 646 and 214 amino acid residues, respectively. Reversal transcription PCR showed that Ecvasa and Ecdazl mRNA were highly expressed in the gonads. Further, in situ hybridization revealed that Ecvasa and Ecdazl RNA were dynamically expressed in germ cells at different stages during oogenesis, sex reversal, and spermatogenesis in orange-spotted grouper. Intriguingly, the signals for Ecvasa and Ecdazl mRNA became weaker in oocytes of ovo-testes gonads, indicating that the expression of germ cell genes could be suppressed in oocytes during sex reversal in the orange-spotted grouper. Our study is the first time to describe the expression profiles of vasa and dazl mRNA in germ cells during gametogenesis and sex reversal in the orange-spotted grouper. These findings will provide new insights into understanding the mechanisms through which vasa and dazl regulate germ cell differentiation in hermaphrodite fish species.