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Sex biased expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (amh) gene in a live bearing fish, Gambusia holbrooki: evolutionary implications and potential role in sex differentiation
Citation
Kwan, TN and Patil, JG, Sex biased expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (amh) gene in a live bearing fish, Gambusia holbrooki: evolutionary implications and potential role in sex differentiation, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, 231 pp. 59-66. ISSN 1096-4959 (2019) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2019 Elsevier Inc.
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.02.004
Abstract
The amh, a member of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family, is known to play a critical role in vertebrate male sex differentiation, with its paralogue/s evolving to determine sex in few heterogametic (XX/XY) teleosts. However, it remains relatively unexplored in the reproductively unique live bearing teleosts. Therefore, this study comparatively examined the structure and content of G. holbrooki amh as well as characterised its expression. A paralogous Y-specific amh (amhy) was not detected, suggesting an unlikely role in sex determination. Two transcripts (1.4 and 1.5 kb) were detected in adults: the larger (1.5 kb) retaining intron 5, coding for a truncated AMH-N and no TGF-β domain. The small (1.4 kb) transcript, had both domains intact and clustered with members of Poeciliidae. In contrast to other vertebrates, a higher conservation between the N- rather than the C- terminus of amh in Poeciliidae was observed, suggesting an adaptation that may be unique to live bearing teleosts. The amh expression was 6 times higher in brain of both sexes and testis compared with ovaries (p = .001). Intriguingly, female splenic tissues showed 10 times higher expression (p = .006) and such female bias splenic expression has not been reported in any teleosts. Ontogenic expression was 25 times higher in male embryos at gastrulation stage (p = .001), much earlier than those reported in egg-laying teleosts. Such heightened expression in male embryos suggests a repressive role associated with proliferation and migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) that are known to occur earlier at blastulation in teleosts—potentially influencing gonadal fate.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | reproduction, ontogeny, gene expression, blastulation, spleen, gonad |
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Genetics |
| Research Field: | Developmental Genetics (incl. Sex Determination) |
| Objective Division: | Environment |
| Objective Group: | Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species |
| Objective Field: | Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments |
| UTAS Author: | Kwan, TN (Dr Tzu Kwan) |
| UTAS Author: | Patil, JG (Dr Jawahar Patil) |
| ID Code: | 131082 |
| Year Published: | 2019 |
| Deposited By: | Fisheries and Aquaculture |
| Deposited On: | 2019-02-28 |
| Last Modified: | 2020-01-14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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