Whole-Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Gender Dimorphic Expressions of Mrnas and Non-Coding Rnas in Chinese Soft-Shell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Pelodiscus sinensis has significant gender dimorphism in its growth patterns. Nevertheless, its underlying molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated well. Here, a whole-transcriptome analysis of the female and male gonads was performed. Altogether, 7833 DE mRNAs, 619 DE lncRNAs, 231 DE circRNAs, and 520 DE miRNAs were identified and enriched in the pathways related to sex differentiation. Remarkably, the competing endogenous RNA interaction network was constructed, including the key genes associated with sex differentiation. Collectively, this study provides comprehensive data, contributing to the exploration of master genes during sex differentiation and highlighting the potential functions of non-coding RNAs in P. sinensis as well as in other turtles. ABSTRACT: In aquaculture, the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an economically important species with remarkable gender dimorphism in its growth patterns. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon have not been elucidated well. Here, we conducted a whole-transcriptome analysis of the female and male gonads of P. sinensis. Overall, 7833 DE mRNAs, 619 DE lncRNAs, 231 DE circRNAs, and 520 DE miRNAs were identified. Some “star genes” associated with sex differentiation containing dmrt1, sox9, and foxl2 were identified. Additionally, some potential genes linked to sex differentiation, such as bmp2, ran, and sox3, were also isolated in P. sinensis. Functional analysis showed that the DE miRNAs and DE ncRNAs were enriched in the pathways related to sex differentiation, including ovarian steroidogenesis, the hippo signaling pathway, and the calcium signaling pathway. Remarkably, a lncRNA/circRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction network was constructed, containing the key genes associated with sex differentiation, including fgf9, foxl3, and dmrta2. Collectively, we constructed a gender dimorphism profile of the female and male gonads of P. sinensis, profoundly contributing to the exploration of the major genes and potential ncRNAs involved in the sex differentiation of P. sinensis. More importantly, we highlighted the potential functions of ncRNAs for gene regulation during sex differentiation in P. sinensis as well as in other turtles.