PUBLICATION
The Role of DNA Methylation Reprogramming during Sex Determination and Transition in Zebrafish
- Authors
- Wang, X., Ma, X., Wei, G., Ma, W., Zhang, Z., Chen, X., Gao, L., Liu, Z., Yuan, Y., Yi, L., Wang, J., Tokumoto, T., Huang, J., Chen, D., Zhang, J., Liu, J.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-210223-2
- Date
- 2021
- Source
- Genomics, proteomics & bioinformatics 19(1): 48-63 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Liu, Jiang, Ma, Weirui, Tokumoto, Toshinobu, Wang, Xinxin, Zhang, Jian, Zhang, Zhen
- Keywords
- DNA methylation, Germ cell, Sex determination, Sex transition, Sexual plasticity
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- DNA Methylation*
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Germ Cells
- Male
- Zebrafish*/genetics
- PubMed
- 33610791 Full text @ Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics
Citation
Wang, X., Ma, X., Wei, G., Ma, W., Zhang, Z., Chen, X., Gao, L., Liu, Z., Yuan, Y., Yi, L., Wang, J., Tokumoto, T., Huang, J., Chen, D., Zhang, J., Liu, J. (2021) The Role of DNA Methylation Reprogramming during Sex Determination and Transition in Zebrafish. Genomics, proteomics & bioinformatics. 19(1):48-63.
Abstract
DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification in vertebrates, and it has been shown to be involved the regulation of gene expression and embryo development. However, it remains unclear how DNA methylation regulates sexual development, especially in species without sex chromosomes. To determine this, we utilized zebrafish to investigate DNA methylation reprogramming during juvenile germ cell development and adult female-to-male sex transition. We revealed that primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo significant DNA methylation reprogramming during germline development and set to an oocyte/ovary-like pattern at 9 days post fertilization (9 dpf). When DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity in juveniles was blocked after 9 dpf, the zebrafish developed into females. We also show that Tet3 is involved in PGC development. Notably, we find that DNA methylome reprogramming during adult zebrafish sex transition is similar to the reprogramming during the sex differentiation from 9 dpf PGCs to sperm. Furthermore, inhibiting DNMTs activity can prevent the female-to-male sex transition, suggesting that methylation reprogramming is required for zebrafish sex transition. In summary, DNA methylation plays important roles in zebrafish germline development and sexual plasticity.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping