Expression, localization, and a regulated target gene (ccnd1) of miR-202-5p in the Japanese flounder gonads

MiR-202-5p is identified as the maker microRNA (miRNA) of germplasm in fish. However, the role of miR-202-5p in gonadal development is still unclear. Here we investigated the expression patterns of miR-202-5p in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Real-time PCR displayed that miR-202-5p was specifically expressed in bisexual gonads, and its transcription in the testis was relatively abundant than that in the ovary. Moreover, it was gradually increased in testis from stage II to stage IV. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) illustrated that miR-202-5p was co-localized with vasa (a marker gene of germ cells) in testis, and it was predominately expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, implying that miR-202-5p might participate in spermatogenesis. Considering the important role of retinoic acid (RA) on regulating meiosis during spermatogenesis, we treated Japanese flounders by injecting all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). MiR-202-5p in testis was shown to be up-regulated, and ccnd1, a key cell cycle regulator, was found to be down-regulated after ATRA treatment. Furthermore, ccnd1 was demonstrated to be a direct regulatory target of miR-202-5p using Dual-luciferase assay. In the primary testis cell from Japanese flounder, we further confirmed that ccnd1 was down-regulated by miR-202-5p. The results suggest that miR-202-5p exerts a crucial role in gonadal development by inhibiting ccnd1 in Japanese flounder.