Global DNA Methylation Changes in Nile Tilapia Gonads during High Temperature-Induced Masculinization

PLoS One. 2016 Aug 3;11(8):e0158483. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158483. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

In some fish species, high or low temperature can switch the sex determination mechanisms and induce fish sex reversal when the gonads are undifferentiated. During this high or low temperature-induced sex reversal, the expressions of many genes are altered. However, genome-wide DNA methylation changes in fish gonads after high or low temperature treatment are unclear. Herein, we compared the global DNA methylation changes in the gonads from control females (CF), control males (CM), high temperature-treated females (TF), and high temperature-induced males (IM) from the F8 family of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing. The DNA methylation level in CF was higher than that in CM for various chromosomes. Both females and males showed an increase in methylation levels on various chromosomes after high-temperature induction. We identified 64,438 (CF/CM), 63,437 (TF/IM), 98,675 (TF/CF), 235,270 (IM/CM) and 119,958 (IM/CF) differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in Nile tilapia gonads, representing approximately 0.70% (CF/CM), 0.69% (TF/IM), 1.07% (TF/CF), 2.56% (IM/CM), and 1.30% (IM/CF)of the length of the genome. A total of 89 and 65 genes that exhibited DMRs in their gene bodies and promoters were mapped to the Nile tilapia genome. Furthermore, more than half of the genes with DMRs in the gene body in CF/CM were also included in the IM/CM, TF/CF, TF/IM, and IM/CF groups. Additionally, many important pathways, including neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids were identified. This study provided an important foundation to investigate the molecular mechanism of high temperature-induced sex reversal in fish species.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosomes / genetics*
  • Cichlids / genetics*
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Gonads / ultrastructure*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Male
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sex Determination Processes

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/) (31472270 to XSJ), the Research Award Fund for outstanding young scientists of Shandong Province (http://jihlx.sdstc.gov.cn/STDPMS/BS/Default.aspx) (2014BSB01303 to YZ), and the earmarked fund for Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System in Shandong Province (SDAIT-13 and SDAIT-15-011 to XSJ). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.