Evolutionary insights and expression patterns of sex-related gene families in the zig-zag eel Mastacembelus armatus

Yuanyuan Wang; Fangyu Cui; Yexin Yang; Haiyan Liang; Yuli Wu; Aiguo Zhou; Yi Liu; Zhiyong Jiang; Jintao Peng; Xidong Mu

doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111804

Evolutionary insights and expression patterns of sex-related gene families in the zig-zag eel Mastacembelus armatus

Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2025 Jan 3:111804. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111804. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yuanyuan Wang¹, Fangyu Cui², Yexin Yang¹, Haiyan Liang³, Yuli Wu⁴, Aiguo Zhou⁵, Yi Liu¹, Zhiyong Jiang⁴, Jintao Peng⁶, Xidong Mu⁷

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Aquatic Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Modern Recreational Fisheries Engineering Technology Center, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China.
² Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Aquatic Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Modern Recreational Fisheries Engineering Technology Center, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; Shanghai Ocean University College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China.
³ Agricultural and Rural Bureau of Zengcheng District, Guangzhou 511300, China.
⁴ Agro-Tech Extension Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510520, China.
⁵ South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
⁶ Guangzhou Heshenghui Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 511300, China.
⁷ Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Aquatic Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Modern Recreational Fisheries Engineering Technology Center, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immunology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Guangzhou 510380, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39756790
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111804

Abstract

The zig-zag eel exhibits both sexual dimorphism and sex reversal, making it crucial to understand the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation. Additionally, the wild populations of the zig-zag eel are significantly declining, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation efforts. In this study, we identified 7 Dmrt, 62 HMG-box, and 73 TGF-β family members in the zig-zag eel genome. Evolutionary analysis revealed that the HMG-box and TGF-β families in the zig-zag eel are primarily characterized by purifying selection. Furthermore, we identified 52 differentially expressed genes between males and females, with more male-biased genes than female-biased genes within these three gene families. ZzDmrt2a was highly expressed in the ovary, while ZzDmrt2b was highly expressed in the testis. Interestingly, Zzgdf9, located on the Y chromosome, was significantly expressed in the ovary. Our results highlight the complexity of sex differentiation mechanisms and underscores the importance of further research to elucidate the specific functions and regulatory networks of these sex-biased genes. Such insights could inform breeding strategies in aquaculture, contributing to the conservation and management of the zig-zag eel.

Keywords: Dmrt; HMG-box; Sex differentiation; TGF-β; Zig-zag eel.