Transcriptomic analysis of gonads in Malabar red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) reveals genes associated with gonad development

• Published in: Aquaculture 2024-11, Vol.592, p.741258, Article 741258
• Main Authors: Liang, Bing, Jerry, Dean R., Shen, Xueyan, Koh, Joyce, Terence, Celestine, Nayfa, Maria G., Nguyen, Vu, Loo, Grace, Vij, Shubha, Domingos, Jose A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Gonad transcriptome; Lutjanus malabaricus; Reproductive process; Sex determination and differentiation; Sex-biased DEGs
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741258

Malabar red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) is an important and high-value aquaculture species in Singapore that is attracting substantial interest and new industry investment. The consistent production of good quality eggs is an important step for establishing a selective breeding program for the species in Singapore. To achieve improved spawning outcomes, reproductive studies are needed to address the challenges in Malabar red snapper seed production, such as limited spawning success in closed culture systems. However, despite its rising profile as an aquaculture candidate and the need to improve broodstock husbandry, currently there are scarce genomic resources for the species, particularly related to genes involved in sex determination and differentiation. Herein, we report the first gonadal transcriptomes of adult L. malabaricus generated using RNA-Seq of testes (n = 6) and ovaries (n = 6). A total of 14,421 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found by comparing the gene expression profiles of ovaries and testes, including 6499 upregulated female-biased and 7922 downregulated male-biased DEGs. These DEGs included genes known to be involved in reproductive processes such as male-biased dmrt1, spat4, odf3b and sox9, and female-biased cyp19a1, zp4, sox3, bmp15 and esr1. The expression level of 16 selected DEGs were validated by RT-qPCR. This study lays the basis for further research in genes involved in sex determination and differentiation, sex control and breeding in Malabar red snapper. •L. malabaricus is an important aquaculture species in Singapore and the region.•RNA-Seq was performed on testes and ovaries of adult Malabar red snapper (MRS).•We report the first gonad transcriptome of MRS for both sexs with 14,421 DEGs.•This work lays the basis for further research in MRS gonad development.