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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I
Published on: April 10, 2018
Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis of Mouse Gonadal Development Involving Sexual Differentiation, Meiosis and
Jian Wang1, Geng G Tian1, Zhuxia Zheng1
11Renji Hospital, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental & Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Bio-X Institutes, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200032 China.
Background:
Mammalian gonadal development is crucial for fertility. Sexual differentiation, meiosis and gametogenesis are critical events in the process of gonadal development. Abnormalities in any of these events may cause infertility. However, owing to the complexity of these developmental events, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood and require further research.
Results:
In this study, we employed RNA sequencing to examine transcriptome profiles of murine female and male gonads at crucial stages of these developmental events. By bioinformatics analysis, we identified a group of candidate genes that may participate in sexual differentiation, including Erbb3, Erbb4, and Prkg2. One hundred and two and 134 candidate genes that may be important for female and male gonadal development, respectively, were screened by analyzing the global gene expression patterns of developing female and male gonads. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed on developing female gonads, and we identified a gene co-expression module related to meiosis. By alternative splicing analysis, we found that cassette-type exon and alternative start sites were the main forms of alternative splicing in developing gonads. A considerable portion of differentially expressed and alternatively spliced genes were involved in meiosis.
Conclusion:
Taken together, our findings have enriched the gonadal transcriptome database and provided novel candidate genes and avenues to research the molecular mechanisms of sexual differentiation, meiosis, and gametogenesis.
Supplementary Information:
Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12575-019-0108-y.
Insights
This study used RNA sequencing to identify genes involved in mammalian sexual differentiation and gonadal development. Findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms of fertility and gametogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genomics
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Mammalian gonadal development is vital for fertility, involving sexual differentiation, meiosis, and gametogenesis.
- Aberrations in these processes can lead to infertility.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying gonadal development are complex and not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of mammalian gonadal development.
- To identify candidate genes involved in sexual differentiation, meiosis, and gametogenesis.
- To enrich the gonadal transcriptome database.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was used to analyze transcriptome profiles of murine gonads.
- Bioinformatics analysis, including weighted gene co-expression network analysis, was performed.
- Alternative splicing analysis was conducted.
Main Results:
- Candidate genes for sexual differentiation (e.g., Erbb3, Erbb4, Prkg2) were identified.
- 102 and 134 candidate genes for female and male gonadal development, respectively, were screened.
- A meiosis-related gene co-expression module was identified in female gonads.
- Cassette-type exon and alternative start sites were the primary alternative splicing events.
- Many differentially expressed and alternatively spliced genes were linked to meiosis.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive gonadal transcriptome dataset.
- Novel candidate genes for gonadal development and fertility were discovered.
- Findings open new avenues for researching sexual differentiation, meiosis, and gametogenesis.
