Genetic Characterization of Primordial Germ Cells in Spotted Sea Bass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

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Abstract
Background: Primordial germ cells (PGC) are the progenitor cells of sperm and eggs during the embryonic stage. The maternal gene vasa has been widely studied for its role in PGC origin, and other genes like dead end (dnd) have also been identified. Objectives: Spotted sea bass is an important economic marine fish, and the study of its germ cell characteristics provides important basic data for future population breeding and protection. Methods: In this study, we cloned the full-length sequences of Lmvasa (2384 bp, encoding 1905 aa) and Lmdnd (1523 bp, encoding 386 aa) using RACE. Temporal and spatial expression patterns of Lmvasa and Lmdnd in embryos and gonads were analyzed by PCR, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. We also used microinjections of chimeric RNA containing GFP and Lmvasa 3′ UTR to visualize PGCs. Results: Our results showed that Lmvasa and Lmdnd are expressed primarily in early embryonic development (pre-blastula stage) and were expressed only in the gonads. Immunohistochemistry revealed abundant expression of Lmvasa and Lmdnd proteins in spermatogonia, weak expression in spermatocytes, and no expression in spermatozoa. In ovaries, both genes were expressed throughout oogenesis. Furthermore, PGCs in spotted sea bass belonged to an early localization pattern. Microinjection experiments demonstrated that Lmvasa 3′ UTR effectively labeled PGCs in embryos of spotted sea bass, zebrafish, and medaka. Conclusions: These findings may contribute to understanding PGC development in spotted sea bass and other Percidae.
Funding Information
  • National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFD2400503, 2024JS04, 2023YFD2401701, 2024-SPY-00-008, 2024CXTD27, 2023TD21, 2024XT02, 2024RC11)
  • Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS (2022YFD2400503, 2024JS04, 2023YFD2401701, 2024-SPY-00-008, 2024CXTD27, 2023TD21, 2024XT02, 2024RC11)
  • National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFD2400503, 2024JS04, 2023YFD2401701, 2024-SPY-00-008, 2024CXTD27, 2023TD21, 2024XT02, 2024RC11)
  • Guangdong Province Strategic projects for rural revitalization (2022YFD2400503, 2024JS04, 2023YFD2401701, 2024-SPY-00-008, 2024CXTD27, 2023TD21, 2024XT02, 2024RC11)
  • Innovative Team Building Project of Guangdong Modern Agricultural Industrial Technology System (2022YFD2400503, 2024JS04, 2023YFD2401701, 2024-SPY-00-008, 2024CXTD27, 2023TD21, 2024XT02, 2024RC11)
  • Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, CAFS (2022YFD2400503, 2024JS04, 2023YFD2401701, 2024-SPY-00-008, 2024CXTD27, 2023TD21, 2024XT02, 2024RC11)
  • Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, CAFS (2022YFD2400503, 2024JS04, 2023YFD2401701, 2024-SPY-00-008, 2024CXTD27, 2023TD21, 2024XT02, 2024RC11)
  • Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS (2022YFD2400503, 2024JS04, 2023YFD2401701, 2024-SPY-00-008, 2024CXTD27, 2023TD21, 2024XT02, 2024RC11)

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