尼罗罗非鱼Sox9a基因的敲除研究

Transcription factor Sox9 is involved in sex determination and differentiation as well as gonadal development in vertebrate. To determine the roles of the tilapia Sox9a gene, a homolog of mammalian Sox9 gene, in reproductive development, the transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs)-mediated knockout of the tilapia Sox9a gene was performed. As a result, Sox9a mutation resulted in a reduction of the number of spermatocytes and the degeneration of seminiferous tubules in the testis of F0 generation tilapia. In addition, it is noted that germ cells were lost in the ovary of several tilapia fishes with heterozygous mutation of the Sox9a gene. Taken together, these results indicate that Sox9a plays key roles in the gonadal development and maintenance of germ cells in the tilapia.