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Germ cell-specific expression of dead end (dnd) in rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus)

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Abstract

Rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) is an emerging model fish in China, and the development of its gonads is still elusive. Germ cell-specific genes are conserved in animals. Dead end (Dnd) was first documented as a germ granule component in zebrafish. Here, we report the cloning and expression profile of dnd in rare minnow. RT-PCR results showed that dnd is expressed specifically in the gonads of both sexes, is maternal in origin and is expressed continuously during embryogenesis. Dnd mRNA could be detected exclusively in the germ cells of the testis and ovary. Temporal expression of dnd mRNA is similar to that of vasa and dnd in zebrafish during embryogenesis. Taken together, dnd mRNA is restricted to the germ cells of rare minnow.

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Abbreviations

AA:

Amino acids

BCIP:

5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate

bp:

Base pairs

cDNA:

Complementary DNA

DIG:

Digoxigenin

dnd :

dead end

DSRM:

Double-stranded RNA recognition motif

hpf:

Hours post-fertilization

LATS2:

Large tumor suppressor kinase 2

NBT:

Nitroblue tetrazolium

ORF:

Open reading frame

PBS:

Phosphate buffered saline

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

PGC:

Primordial germ cell

RACE:

Rapid amplification of cDNA ends

RBD:

RNA-binding domain

RNP:

Ribonucleoprotein domain

RRM:

RNA recognition motifs

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

UTR:

Untranslated region

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant # 31272645 to HZ), the Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of Sciences (to HZ).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China

    Jundan Duan, Gongqing Feng, Pei Chang, Xueyan Zhang, Qingchun Zhou, Xueping Zhong, Chao Qi & Haobin Zhao

  2. Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Resource Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China

    Songguang Xie

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  1. Jundan Duan
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  2. Gongqing Feng
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  3. Pei Chang
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  4. Xueyan Zhang
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  5. Qingchun Zhou
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  6. Xueping Zhong
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  9. Haobin Zhao
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Correspondence to Haobin Zhao.

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Duan, J., Feng, G., Chang, P. et al. Germ cell-specific expression of dead end (dnd) in rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus). Fish Physiol Biochem 41, 561–571 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-015-0029-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-015-0029-x

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