Identification and characterization of miRNAs in temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) of Chinese pond turtles (Mauremys reevesii)

In the present study, the eggs of Chinese pond turtles (Mauremys reevesii) were incubated at three temperatures (26℃, 29℃ and 32℃). During the thermosensitive period (TSP) of incubation, the adrenal-kidney-gonad (AKG) complexes were sampled, and a comprehensive investigation for miRNAs was performed using next-generation small RNA sequencing. Global miRNA expression kinetics during sex determination in a TSD species have been extensively profiled.

本研究将中华草龟（Mauremys reevesii）的卵置于26℃、29℃与32℃三种温度条件下开展孵化。在孵化的温度敏感期（TSP）内，采集受试个体的肾上腺-肾脏-性腺（AKG）复合体，并借助下一代小RNA测序技术对微小RNA（miRNAs）开展全面的检测分析。目前针对温度依赖型性别决定（TSD）物种在性别决定过程中的全局微小RNA表达动力学特征，已有广泛的表征研究。