Dimorphic protein expression for Sox9 and Foxl2 genes in the testicles and ovaries of the urodele amphibian: Ambystoma mexicanum

• Published in: Acta zoologica (Stockholm) 2021-04, Vol.102 (2), p.192-205
• Main Authors: Mendoza‐Cruz, Eva, Moreno‐Mendoza, Norma, Zambrano‐González, Luis, Porras‐Gómez, Tania Janeth, Villagrán‐SantaCruz, Maricela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambystoma mexicanum; Aquatic reptiles; Enzymatic activity; Enzyme activity; Foxl2; Freshwater fishes; Gametocytes; Gene expression; Genes; Leydig cells; Molecular modelling; Morphology; Oocytes; Ovaries; Proteins; Regeneration; Regeneration (biological); Reproductive status; Sexual dimorphism; Sox9; Sox9 protein; Spermatogonia; Testes; Theca; Vasa; Vertebrates; Δ5‐3βHSD
• ISSN: 0001-7272; 1463-6395
• DOI: 10.1111/azo.12327

Ambystoma mexicanum is an endemic salamander from Mexico. Due to its neotenic characteristics, it is considered an important model for regeneration and development studies. However, there is little research concerning the pattern of gene expression related to testicular and ovarian function. In this study, we analyse expression of the protein of the Sox9, Foxl2 and Vasa genes, and Δ5‐3βHSD enzyme activity in ovaries and testicles of A. mexicanum. Correlating morphology with the expression of Sox9 and Foxl2, we find that these genes manifest sexually dimorphic expression. Sox9 is expressed at higher levels in the testicle, whereas Foxl2 is specific to the ovary. Vasa was detected in spermatogonia in the anterior region of the testis, and in the ovary, it was located in previtellogenic oocytes. Δ5‐3βHSD was located in Leydig cells of the testicles and theca cells of the ovaries. In summary, the dimorphic expression of Sox9 and Foxl2, and that of Vasa in the germ line are similar to that described for other vertebrates, suggesting that the molecular mechanisms related to ovarian and testicular function in A. mexicanum follow a similar expression pattern that is not altered by neotenic characteristics.