Characterization of piRNAs in Diploid and Triploid Pacific Oyster Gonads: Exploring Their Potential Roles in Triploid Sterility

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are crucial for silencing transposable elements, germ cell development, and gametogenesis. Triploid Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) are vital in the oyster aquaculture industry due to reduced fertility and rapid growth. This study integrates piRNA and mRNA expression analyses to elucidate their potential contributions to the sterility of triploid C. gigas. Bioinformatics analysis reveals a distinct U-bias at the 5′ terminal of oyster piRNAs. The abundance of piRNA clusters is reduced in triploid gonads compared to diploid gonads, particularly in sterile gonads, with a significant decrease in piRNA numbers. A specific piRNA cluster is annotated with the PPP4R1 gene, which is downregulated in infertile female triploids and exhibits a negative correlation with three piRNAs within the cluster. Differential expression analysis identified 46 and 88 piRNAs in female and male comparison groups, respectively. In female sterile triploids, the expression of three target genes of differentially expressed piRNAs associated with cell division showed downregulation, suggesting the potential roles of piRNAs in the regulation of cell division-related genes, contributing to the gonad arrest observed in female triploid oysters. In male triploid oysters, piRNAs potentially interact with the target genes associated with spermatogenesis, including TSSK4, SPAG17, and CCDC81. This study provides a concise overview of piRNAs expression in oyster gonads, offering insights into the regulatory role of piRNAs in triploid sterility.