Sammendrag
Sexual differences in growth and maturation are bottlenecks in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) production, since males grow slower and undergo sexual maturation earlier than females. Apart from external factors, such as photoperiod, temperature and stocking density, genetic factors have been shown to affect the growth and sexual maturity of Atlantic halibut. Knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms of genetic sex determination can bring a powerful tool to sex and reproduction control in farmed species, including halibut. Some genes involved in growth and sexual maturity have been studied in Atlantic halibut. These genes are under the control of various regulatory genes. Among known regulatory genes, microRNAs (miRNAs) are in-front-line as transcripts silencers through degradation and translational inhibition. To elucidate the role of these regulatory elements in sex-related physiological differences, gonads and brains of both sexes were profiled for their miRNAs constituents using SOLiD deep sequencing technology.
In this study, 85 and 41 known miRNAs were identified in the brains and gonads of Atlantic halibut, respectively. Some of them showed a differential expression pattern between ovary and testis, such as miR-145, miR-143, miR-202*, miR-24, miR-126*, and miR-99.
Unlike in gonads, miRNAs in brain tissue had a similar expression pattern with minimal differences between males and females. This work will be followed by functional studies to elucidate the regulatory role of miRNAs in genetically-driven sex differentiation and maturation of Atlantic halibut.
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