Project
The role of epigenetic control of the germline specific region of the sea lamprey genome in sex determination and differentiation
Substantial resources are invested annually to control invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. Current control strategies have reduced sea lamprey populations by up to 90%, but they are expensive and have some non-target effects. Therefore, genetic control options are being explored, and research to support the development and evaluation of genetic technologies is needed. This includes basic research required to identify suitable candidate genes to serve as targets for modification that, when disrupted or enhanced, result in species-specific changes in sea lamprey that impair survival or fertility or distort population sex ratios. \\\\r\\\\nHere, we aim to provide further insight into the genetic basis and pathways controlling male and female sex determination and differentiation in sea lamprey. Previous research from our team discovered that germline specific chromosomal segments (which are present in germ cells but not somatic cells) exhibit male-biased gene expression and host genes that are known to be essential to sex determination in mice. These finding suggest that the genes and the control of gene expression of the germline specific regions are critical for the processes of sex determination and sex differentiation. To further probe this, the goals of this project are to: i) assemble the female germline genome and compare it to the already assembled male germline genome; ii) look for epigenetic differences in the expression of the germline genome between male and female sea lamprey spanning the period of sex determination; and iii) examine whether alternative splicing and differential promoter methylation further contribute to sex differentiation.