Abstract
Gametogenesis is a complicated biological process by which sperm and egg are produced for genetic transmission between generations. In many animals, the germline is segregated from the somatic lineage in early embryonic development through the specification of primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors of gametes for reproduction and fertility. In some species, such as fruit fly and zebrafish, PGCs are determined by the maternally provided germ plasm which contains various RNAs and proteins. Here, we identified a germ plasm/PGC-specific microRNA miR-202-5p for the first time in zebrafish. MiR-202-5p was specifically expressed in gonad. In female, it was expressed and accumulated in oocytes during oogenesis. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and whole mount in situ hybridization results indicated that miR-202-5p exhibited a typical germ plasm /PGC-specific expression pattern throughout embryogenesis, which was consistent with that of the PGC marker vasa, indicating that miR-202-5p was a component of germ plasm and a potential PGC marker in zebrafish. Our present study might be served as a foundation for further investigating the regulative roles of miRNAs in germ plasm formation and PGC development in zebrafish and other teleost.
Highlights
Primordial germ cells (PGCs), the progenitor cells of gametes, play critical roles in genetic information transmission from generation to generation[1]
MiR-202-5p was a maternal miRNA that was expressed in germ plasm and subsequently in primordial germ cells (PGCs) throughout embryogenesis
MiR-202-5p is the first miRNA identified in germ plasm and PGCs in zebrafish
Summary
Primordial germ cells (PGCs), the progenitor cells of gametes, play critical roles in genetic information transmission from generation to generation[1]. Many components of germ plasm have been revealed to play important roles in PGC development. It has been reported that miRNAs play an important regulatory role in germ cell proliferation, specification, migration and maintenance in flies and mammals[14,15,16]. Little is known about the role of miRNAs in germ cell development, and it has been remained uncertain whether there are germ plasm/PGC-specific miRNAs in zebrafish. We reported that miR-202-5p was highly expressed in spermatozoa and developing male germ cells in zebrafish[28]. Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that miR-202-5p was a maternal component of germ plasm and was expressed in PGCs throughout embryogenesis. For the first time, we identified a germ plasm-specific miRNA miR-202-5p in zebrafish, and it might be a potential marker for PGCs
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