dmrt1在黄鳍鲷雄性发育及性反转过程中的功能和分子机制研究

在水产养殖中，性别控制技术对提高养殖效率和水产育种发挥重要作用。然而，性别决定机制不明是鱼类性控技术开发的主要瓶颈。黄鳍鲷是我国重要的海水养殖鱼类，1龄发育为单雄性群体，经2年性反转成为雌性，是研究性别决定和性反转的良好模型。因雌性个体性成熟晚导致育种效率低，所以揭示其性别决定机制和开发性控技术具有重要意义。Dmrt1是脊椎动物性别决定的关键因子。前期工作表明dmrt1是黄鳍鲷精巢特异标记，其在黄鳍鲷性反转过程中，持续下调表达，表明黄鳍鲷dmrt1在性别决定过程中可能发挥关键作用。本项目拟通过原位杂交和基因敲除等技术，研究dmrt1在黄鳍鲷性别调控中的功能和机制。同时，敲除dmrt1有望直接获得黄鳍鲷雌性个体，这对于提高黄鳍鲷育种效率具有重要意义。因此，本项目研究结果有望阐明黄鳍鲷性控的理论机制，并应用于黄鳍鲷良种选育，是理论研究和应用的结合，并为其他雌雄同体鱼类性控技术提供良好借鉴。

Sex control technology plays an important role in improving aquaculture efficiency and breeding. However, the mechanism of sex determination is vague in most fish species, which is the key issue in inhibiting the development of sex control technology. Yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus latus, a commercially important mariculture fish, initially develops as a functional male during the first reproductive cycles, then it undergoes a long term of sexual reversal to develop a functional female at the third year. Therefore, yellowfin seabream is considered as a good model for studying sex determination and sex reversal. But the long sexual maturation cycle of female is one of the limits for low breeding efficiency in yellowfin seabream. Investigating the molecular mechanism of sex determination is primary for sex control technology, which is of great significance for yellowfin seabream aquaculture. dmrt1 plays a robust role in sex determination in vertebrates. Previously, we have demonstrated the testis-specific expression of dmrt1 and continuous decrease of dmrt1 during sex reversal, suggesting that dmrt1 might play important roles in sex determination in yellowfin seabream. In this programm, we will further analyze its cellular localization, functional role and molecular mechanism by in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, genetic mutation, and etc. Mutation of dmrt1 might be a promising way for quickly obtaining female individuals, which is benefit to improving the breeding efficiency of yellowfin seabream. Therefore, this study would provide insights in understanding the molecular mechanisms of sex determination in yellowfin seabream, which can be used for aquaculture application. Furthermore, it will provide the theory basis for improving artificial breeding of other hermaphrodite fishes.