Dead-End (dnd) Gene Cloning and Gonad-Specific Expression Pattern in Starry Flounder (Platichthys stellatus)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The dead end (dnd) gene encodes an RNA-binding protein that plays a role for migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) to the gonadal region during embryogenesis in vertebrates. Here, the starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) dead end (psdnd) gene was characterized and its expression patterns were analyzed. Full-length psdnd mRNA was 1495 bp long, encoding 395 amino acids. psdnd was only expressed in gonadal tissues, we detected no psdnd expression in somatic cells. Furthermore, psdnd was strongly expressed during early embryogenesis. Our findings suggest that psdnd expression is gonad-specific and could therefore be used as a germ cell marker in starry flounder. ABSTRACT: dnd is a germline-specific maternal RNA expressed in various vertebrate classes, which encodes an RNA-binding protein that is essential for PGC migration. The purpose of this study is fundamental research about starry flounder dnd gene for germ cell marker development. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the expression levels of Platichthys stellatus dead end (psdnd) in various tissues and embryonic stages. The psdnd gene was isolated from starry flounder ovaries, cloned into a pGEM-t vector, and sequenced. Full-length of psdnd cDNA was 1495 bp long, encoding 395 amino acids. psdnd expression levels were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in various tissues and embryo developmental stages. psdnd transcripts were detected in the testes and ovaries, but not in somatic tissues. Embryonic psdnd expression levels were higher during early embryo development stages than during late embryogenesis; psdnd expression was highest at the 1 cell stage, then gradually decreased throughout the subsequent developmental stages. The spatial expression pattern was analyzed by whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH). The psdnd transcripts migration pattern was similar with zebrafish (Danio rerio). Our results suggest that psdnd may function as a germ cell-specific marker.