Differential gene expression patterns during gametophyte development provide insights into sex differentiation in the dioicous kelp Saccharina japonica

• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-03117-z
• Publication Date: 2021-07-14T07:03:57Z
• Authors: Jiaxun Zhang; Yan Li; Shiju Luo; Min Cao; Linan Zhang; Xiaojie Li
• Keywords: Saccharina; Sexual Differentiation

Abstract Background In brown algae, dioicy is the prevalent sexual system, and phenotypic differences between male female gametophytes have been found in many dioicous species. Saccharina japonica show remarkable dimorphism before gametogenesis. A higher level of differentiation was also gametes after However, patterns differential gene expression throughout gametophyte development how these changes might relate to sex-specific fitness at gamete stage S. are not well known. Results this study, different developmental stages were investigated using comparative transcriptome analysis. Among 20,151 genes expressed haploid generation, 37.53% sex-biased. The abundance sex-biased mature much than that immature gametophytes, more male-biased female-biased observed stage. predicted functions most closely related characteristics gametes, including cell wall biosynthesis, sperm motility, egg recognition. addition, 51 specifically males both stages, showing great potential as candidate sex-determining region (SDR) genes. Conclusions This study describes a thorough investigation into kelp japoni ca . large number may be associated with divergence traits physiological (eggs) (sperm) during differentiation. These mainly come from new recently evolved lineage. duplication detected, which increase gametogenesis some extent. excess over reflect levels selection across sexes. deepens our understanding regulation sex