Molecular Characterization, Phylogeny, and Expression Profiles of SoxE Subfamily in Scophthalmus maximus

SOXE transcription factors, including SOX8, SOX9, and SOX10, regulate several developmental events, such as sex determination, chondrogenesis, and neurogenesis. This study systematically identified six SoxE subfamily genes from the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) genome and transcriptome, including SmSox8a, SmSox8b, SmSox9a, SmSox9b, SmSox10a, and SmSox10b. The duplicates of three SOXE members revealed that SoxE subfamily genes in the turbot underwent significant expansion. Relatively conserved exon-intron structures and intron insertions were detected using genomic structural analysis. Besides, phylogenetic analysis supported the previous classification of the SoxE subfamily. Results of the expression profile revealed that turbot SoxE subfamily genes may be involved in different activities, such as neurogenesis and gonad development. These findings would assist in the understanding of fish SoxE gene subfamily activities and evolution.