Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in the Testis and Ovary of Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius)

The quality of sea urchin gonad is important to consumers with high standards for nutrition and taste. However, few studies have been conductedon the molecular mechanisms that determine male female urchins. In this study, our goal was understand differences characteristics between (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) males females. transcriptomes females were obtained, totals 43,797,146 56,222,782 raw reads, respectively, comprising 128,979 transcripts 85,745 unigenes. After comparative transcriptome analysis, a total 6736 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified, which 2950 up-regulated 3786 down-regulated in males. We compared expression twelve DEGs significant their levels functional annotations confirm reliability RNA-Seq data. Five related gonadal found through enrichment analysis KEGG pathways: 17β-HSD8, PGDH, FAXDC2, C4MO, PNPLA7. Our study analyzes taste flavor gonads among sexes provides reference sequences fundamental information concerning S. intermedius gonads.