CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of ptprfb (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type fb) reveals its regulatory role in zebrafish spermatogenesis

Gonadal development and gamete maturation are essential for fish reproduction. The protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Fb (Ptprfb) is a member of the tyrosine phosphatase family. In the present study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to mutate ptprfb in zebrafish. A significantly reduced natural fertilization rate of sperm from mutant fish was observed. The mutant fish produced fewer sperm with shorter flagella, and a smaller proportion of sperm could be activated. RNA-seq analysis revealed abnormal expression of some genes in testicular cells, such as hemoglobin subunit βA1 (hbba1), myosin heavy chain 11b (myh11b), and transgelin (tagln), as well as some genes involved in focal adhesion formation. These findings demonstrate that ptprfb contributes to spermatogenesis in zebrafish, and its dysfunction can adversely affect both the quantity and quality of sperm.