Journal article
Timing Sexual Differentiation: Full Functional Sex Reversal Achieved Through Silencing of a Single Insulin-Like Gene in the Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Biology of Reproduction, Vol.86(3), pp.90, 1-6
2012
Abstract
In Crustacea, an early evolutionary group (∼50 000 species) inhabiting most ecological niches, sex differentiation is regulated by a male-specific androgenic gland (AG). The identification of AG-specific insulin-like factors (IAGs) and genomic sex markers offers an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the sexual differentiation mechanism in crustaceans and other arthropods. Here, we report, to our knowledge, the first full and functional sex reversal of male freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) through the silencing of a single IAG-encoding gene. These "neofemales" produced all-male progeny, as proven by sex-specific genomic markers. This finding offers an insight regarding the biology and evolution of sex differentiation regulation, with a novel perspective for the evolution of insulin-like peptides. Our results demonstrate how temporal intervention with a key regulating gene induces a determinative, extreme phenotypic shift. Our results also carry tremendous ecological and commercial implications. Invasive and pest crustacean species represent genuine concerns worldwide without an apparent solution. Such efforts might, therefore, benefit from sexual manipulations, as has been successfully realized with other arthropods. Commercially, such manipulation would be significant in sexually dimorphic cultured species, allowing the use of nonbreeding, monosex populations while dramatically increasing yield and possibly minimizing the invasion of exotic cultured species into the environment.
Details
- Title
- Timing Sexual Differentiation: Full Functional Sex Reversal Achieved Through Silencing of a Single Insulin-Like Gene in the Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
- Authors
- Tomer Ventura (Author) - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, IsraelR Manor (Author) - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, IsraelE D Aflalo (Author) - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, IsraelS Weil (Author) - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, IsraelO Rosen (Author) - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, IsraelA Sagi (Author) - Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
- Publication details
- Biology of Reproduction, Vol.86(3), pp.90, 1-6
- Publisher
- Society for the Study of Reproduction
- Date published
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.1095/biolreprod.111.097261
- ISSN
- 0006-3363
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450396002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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