Jing Zhang, Yongzhi Li, Mei Chen, Jiali Jin, Huamei Yue, Huan Ye, Rui Ruan, Chuangju Li
{"title":"Expression and Localization of Piwil1 During Gonadal Development in Monopterus albus","authors":"Jing Zhang, Yongzhi Li, Mei Chen, Jiali Jin, Huamei Yue, Huan Ye, Rui Ruan, Chuangju Li","doi":"10.1155/are/8161999","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n <p>PIWI proteins and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are crucial for gametogenesis, embryogenesis, and stem cell maintenance in animals. The <i>Piwil1</i> (<i>Piwi-like RNA-mediated gene silencing 1</i>) gene has rapidly evolved in the protogynous hermaphrodite ricefield eel (<i>Monopterus albus</i>) compared to other teleosts. Notably, there is a significant reduction in DNA methylation levels and an increase in the expression levels of the <i>Piwil1</i> gene in testes compared to those in ovaries. However, the role of <i>Piwil1</i> in the gonadogenesis of ricefield eel remains unclear. This study elucidated the histomorphological characteristics of ricefield eel gonads at different developmental stages and analyzed the expression and localization of <i>Piwil1</i> using qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Histological analysis showed that the female gonad contained oocytes at different developmental stages, the intersex gonad had both ovarian and testicular tissues, and the male gonad included spermatogenic cells and testicular lobules. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot indicated significantly higher <i>Piwil1</i> expression in the ovary, intersexual gonad, and testis compared to other tissues, with levels increasing during gonadal differentiation and peaking in the testis. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the PIWIL1 protein was abundantly localized in the cytoplasm of immature oocytes, granulosa cells surrounding the oocytes, spermatogonia, and primary spermatocytes. Importantly, in both the ovary and testis, the expression of <i>Piwil1</i> initially increased but then decreased at the mRNA and protein levels. These results suggest that <i>Piwil1</i> might play a crucial role in gonadal development and gametogenesis in ricefield eels.</p>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":8104,"journal":{"name":"Aquaculture Research","volume":"2025 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/are/8161999","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Aquaculture Research","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/are/8161999","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"FISHERIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
PIWI proteins and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are crucial for gametogenesis, embryogenesis, and stem cell maintenance in animals. The Piwil1 (Piwi-like RNA-mediated gene silencing 1) gene has rapidly evolved in the protogynous hermaphrodite ricefield eel (Monopterus albus) compared to other teleosts. Notably, there is a significant reduction in DNA methylation levels and an increase in the expression levels of the Piwil1 gene in testes compared to those in ovaries. However, the role of Piwil1 in the gonadogenesis of ricefield eel remains unclear. This study elucidated the histomorphological characteristics of ricefield eel gonads at different developmental stages and analyzed the expression and localization of Piwil1 using qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Histological analysis showed that the female gonad contained oocytes at different developmental stages, the intersex gonad had both ovarian and testicular tissues, and the male gonad included spermatogenic cells and testicular lobules. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot indicated significantly higher Piwil1 expression in the ovary, intersexual gonad, and testis compared to other tissues, with levels increasing during gonadal differentiation and peaking in the testis. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the PIWIL1 protein was abundantly localized in the cytoplasm of immature oocytes, granulosa cells surrounding the oocytes, spermatogonia, and primary spermatocytes. Importantly, in both the ovary and testis, the expression of Piwil1 initially increased but then decreased at the mRNA and protein levels. These results suggest that Piwil1 might play a crucial role in gonadal development and gametogenesis in ricefield eels.
期刊介绍:
International in perspective, Aquaculture Research is published 12 times a year and specifically addresses research and reference needs of all working and studying within the many varied areas of aquaculture. The Journal regularly publishes papers on applied or scientific research relevant to freshwater, brackish, and marine aquaculture. It covers all aquatic organisms, floristic and faunistic, related directly or indirectly to human consumption. The journal also includes review articles, short communications and technical papers. Young scientists are particularly encouraged to submit short communications based on their own research.