Spatial Transcriptomics of C. elegans Males and Hermaphrodites Identifies Sex-Specific Differences in Gene Expression Patterns

Male 0301 basic medicine CEL-seq Disorders of Sex Development mRNA sequencing germline sperm male fertility VESICLES 03 medical and health sciences Spatio-Temporal Analysis NEUROPEPTIDE GENE 5. Gender equality Journal Article Animals Hermaphroditic Organisms RNA, Messenger Caenorhabditis elegans Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins Gonads NEURONS GERM-LINE Sex Characteristics 0303 health sciences spatial transcriptomics Gene Expression Profiling Ovary Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental Nuclear Proteins Cell Differentiation NEMATODE Sex Determination Processes 16. Peace & justice MALE MATING-BEHAVIOR Spermatozoa Sperm READ ALIGNMENT FAMILY Meiosis Germ Cells C. elegans Female SPERM
DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.10.016 Publication Date: 2018-11-08T15:40:51Z
ABSTRACT
To advance our understanding of the genetic programs that drive cell and tissue specialization, it is necessary to obtain a comprehensive overview of gene expression patterns. Here, we have used spatial transcriptomics to generate high-resolution, anteroposterior gene expression maps of C. elegans males and hermaphrodites. To explore these maps, we have developed computational methods for discovering region- and tissue-specific genes. We have found extensive sex-specific gene expression differences in the germline and sperm and discovered genes that are specifically expressed in the male reproductive tract. These include a group of uncharacterized genes that encode small secreted proteins that are required for male fertility. We conclude that spatial gene expression maps provide a powerful resource for identifying tissue-specific gene functions in C. elegans. Importantly, we found that expression maps from different animals can be precisely aligned, enabling transcriptome-wide comparisons of gene expression patterns.
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