Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Dissection of Larval Zebrafish Gonadal Tissue
Published on: April 26, 2017
A male-pheromone-elevated transcription factor ZNF362.1 in female schistosomes determines sexual maturation
Mengjie Gu1, Wenjun Cheng1, Shan Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Genetics and Development of Complex Phenotypes, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Egg production by female schistosomes drives both transmission and pathology of schistosomiasis, affecting over 200 million people. Female maturation relies on the male-derived pheromone β-alanyl-tryptamine (BATT), but underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. We identified the BATT-responsive transcription factor gene znf362 as a key regulator of female reproductive development. Functional studies showed that znf362.1, but not znf362.2, is essential for BATT-induced ovary and vitellaria maturation. Single-cell transcriptomics and in situ hybridization revealed up-regulation of znf362.1 in oocytes and vitellaria S1 cells after BATT exposure. Multiomics analysis showed ZNF362.1 directly activates Smp_349410, a female gonad-specific gene encoding a CPEB1 homolog. Loss of znf362.1 or Smp_349410 impaired oocyte and vitellocyte differentiation without affecting progenitors. Mechanistically, SmCPEB1 promotes female ovary development by regulating polyadenylation of cyclin B1 mRNA and drives S1 cell differentiation in the vitellaria. These findings define a transcriptional and post-transcriptional axis, BATT-znf362.1-cpeb1, that initiates female sexual maturation, offering mechanistic insight into schistosome reproduction and potential targets for schistosomiasis control.
Related Concept Videos
Master Transcription Regulators
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size....
Dosage Compensation
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

