Biology subjects

Cheng, Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Cheng, Y..

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

The {varphi}PA3 Phage Nucleus is Enclosed by a Self-Assembling, 2D Crystalline Lattice

A growing number of jumbo bacteriophages, with genomes exceeding 200 kb, have been found to establish a Phage Nucleus--a micron-scale, proteinaceous structure encompassing the replicating phage DNA. Bacteriophage and host proteins associated with replication and transcription are concentrated inside the Phage Nucleus while nucleotide synthesis, translation, and numerous other host and exogenous proteins are effectively excluded, including CRISPR-Cas and restriction endonuclease host defense systems. Here, we show that fragments of the Phage Nucleus isolated from {phi}PA3 infected Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells form a square lattice and demonstrate that the recombinantly purified primary Phage Nuclear Enclosure (PhuN) protein spontaneously assembles into sheets also constructed from a square lattice which we resolve to 3.8 [A] by cryo-EM. Our structure reveals that the flexible termini and large loops mediate adaptable inter-tetramer contacts that drive shell assembly into a C2-symmetric lattice. While the interfaces between subunits are mostly well packed, two of the interfaces are open, forming clear channels that likely have important functional implications for the transport of proteins, mRNA, and small molecules.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2022

TraB is a novel component of the ER-Mitochondria contact site (EMCS) with dual roles in ER-Mitochondrial tethering and mitophagy

ER-mitochondria contact sites (EMCSs) are important for mitochondrial function. Here, we have identified a novel eukaryotic EMCS complex, comprising a family of uncharacterised mitochondrial outer-membrane proteins, TraB1 and the ER protein, VAP27-1. In Arabidopsis, there are two TraB1 isoforms and the trab1a/trab1b double mutant exhibits abnormal mitochondrial morphology, strong starch accumulation and impaired energy metabolism, indicating that these proteins are essential for normal mitochondrial function. Moreover, TraB1 proteins also interact with ATG8 in order to regulate mitochondrial degradation (mitophagy). The turnover of depolarised mitochondria is significantly reduced in both trab1a/b and VAP27 mutants (vap27-1/3/4/6) under mitochondrial stress conditions, with an increased population of dysfunctional mitochondria present in the cytoplasm. Consequently, plant recovery after stress is significantly perturbed. A similar phenotype is found in both autophagy mutants (atg5 and atg7), suggesting that TraB1 regulated mitophagy and ER-mitochondrial tethering are two closely related processes, necessary for normal mitochondrial function. Taken together, we ascribe a dual role to TraB1 which is a novel component of the EMCS complex in eukaryotes, regulating both tethering of the mitochondria to the ER and mitophagy.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

AreTomo: An integrated software package for automated marker-free, motion-corrected cryo-electron tomographic alignment and reconstruction

AreTomo, an abbreviation for Alignment and Reconstruction for Electron Tomography, is a GPU accelerated software package that fully automates motion-corrected marker-free tomographic alignment and reconstruction in a single package. By correcting in-plane rotation, translation, and importantly, the local motion resulting from beam-induced motion from tilt to tilt, AreTomo can produce tomograms with sufficient accuracy to be directly used for subtomogram averaging. Another major application is the on-the-fly reconstruction of tomograms in parallel with tilt series collection to provide users with real-time feedback of sample quality allowing users to make any necessary adjustments of collection parameters. Here, the multiple alignment algorithms implemented in AreTomo are described and the local motions measured on a typical tilt series are analyzed. The residual local motion after correction for global motion was found in the range of {+/-}80 [A], indicating that the accurate correction of local motion is critical for high-resolution cryo-electron tomography (cryoET).

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

An Optrode Array for Spatiotemporally Precise Large-Scale Optogenetic Stimulation of Deep Cortical Layers in Non-human Primates

Optogenetics has transformed studies of neural circuit function, but remains challenging to apply in large brains, such as those of non-human primates (NHPs). A major challenge is delivering intense, spatiotemporally precise, patterned photostimulation across large volumes in deep tissue. Such stimulation is critical, for example, to modulate selectively deep-layer corticocortical feedback projections. To address this unmet need, we have developed the Utah Optrode Array (UOA), a 10x10 glass needle waveguide array fabricated atop a novel opaque optical interposer then bonded to an electrically addressable LED array. In vivo experiments with the UOA demonstrated large-scale, spatiotemporally precise, activation of deep circuits in monkey cortex. Specifically, the UOA permitted both focal (confined to single layers/columns), and widespread (multiple layers/columns) optogenetic activation of deep layer neurons, simply by varying the number of activated LEDs and/or the irradiance. Thus, the UOA represents a powerful optoelectronic device for targeted manipulation of deep-layer circuits in NHP models.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Spatially Resolved and Highly Complexed Protein and RNA in situ Detection by Combining CODEX with RNAscope In Situ Hybridization

Highly multiplexed protein and RNA in situ concurrent detection on a single tissue section is highly desirable for both basic and applied biomedical research. CODEX is a new and powerful platform to visualize up to 60 protein biomarkers in situ and RNAscope in situ hybridization (RNAscope) is a novel RNA detection system with single-copy sensitivity and unprecedent specificity at a single cell level. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, the combination CODEX and RNAscope remained unreported until this study. Here we report a simple and reproducible combination of CODEX and RNAscope (Comb-CODEX-RNAscope). We also determined the cross-reactivities of CODEX anti-human antibodies to rhesus macaques, a widely used animal model of human disease.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2022

Structural features of mTORC2 that control substrate-specific activities.

mTORC2 is a multi-subunit kinase complex that is central to multiple essential signaling pathways. Two core subunits, Rictor and mSin1 distinguish it from its relative, mTORC1 and support context-dependent phosphorylation of its substrates. mTORC2 structures have been determined previously, however, important questions remain, particularly regarding structural determinants of substrate specificity and context dependent activities. We used cryo-EM to obtain high resolution structures of the human mTORC2 apo-complex, as well as structures in the presence of substrates, Akt and SGK1. Specific predictions suggested by substrate-induced structural changes were tested in functional assays. First, side chain interactions between Rictor and mTOR that prevent recruitment of mTORC1 substrates and confer resistance to the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin were visualized for the first time in the apo-state, demonstrating the steric occlusion that prevents mTORC2 interaction with mTORC1 substrates and rapamycin. Also in the apo-state, mSin1 was seen to form extensive contacts with Rictor, including a pair of short -helices nestled between two Rictor helical repeat clusters, followed by an extended strand, which makes multiple weak contacts with Rictor helical cluster 1. In co-complex structures, SGK1, but not Akt, markedly altered the conformation of the mSin1 N-terminal extended strand, disrupting multiple weak interactions while inducing a large rotation of mSin1/Arg-83, which comes to interact with a negative patch within Rictor. Mutation of Arg-83 to Ala selectively disrupted mTORC2 dependent phosphorylation of SGK1 but not of Akt, supporting context-dependent substrate selection. These findings provide new structural and functional insights into mTORC2 specificity and context-dependent activities.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2022

Histone H3K4 methyltransferase DcATX1 promotes ethylene induced petal senescence in carnation

Petal senescence is controlled by a complex regulatory network. Epigenetic regulation like histone modification influences chromatin state and gene expression. However, involvement of histone methylation in regulating petal senescence is still largely unknown. Here, we found that the trimethylation of histone H3 at Lysine 4 (H3K4me3) is increased during the ethylene induced petal senescence in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). The H3K4me3 levels are positively associated with the expression of transcription factor DcWRKY75, ethylene biosynthetic genes DcACS1 and DcACO1, and senescence associated genes (SAGs) DcSAG12 and DcSAG29. Further, we identified that carnation DcATX1 (ARABIDOPSIS HOMOLOG OF TRITHORAX1) encodes a histone lysine methyltransferase which can methylate H3K4. Knockdown of DcATX1 delays ethylene induced petal senescence in carnation, which is associated with the downregulated expression of DcWRKY75, DcACO1 and DcSAG12. While overexpression of DcATX1 exhibits the opposite effects. DcATX1 promotes the transcription of DcWRKY75, DcACO1 and DcSAG12 by targeting to their promoters to elevate the H3K4me3 levels. Overall, our results demonstrate that DcATX1 is a H3K4 methyltransferase that promotes the expression of DcWRKY75, DcACO1 and DcSAG12 by regulating H3K4me3 levels, thereby accelerating ethylene induced petal senescence in carnation. This study further indicates that epigenetic regulation is important for plant senescence process. One sentence summaryA histone methyltransferase promotes ethylene induced petal senescence in cut flower

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Autoantibody and hormone activation of the thyrotropin G protein-coupled receptor

Thyroid hormones are vital to growth and metabolism. Thyroid hormone synthesis is controlled by thyrotropin (TSH), which acts at the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR). Autoantibodies that activate the TSHR pathologically increase thyroid hormones in Graves disease. How autoantibodies mimic TSH function remains unclear. We determined cryogenic-electron microscopy structures of active and inactive TSHR. In inactive TSHR, the extracellular domain lies close to the membrane bilayer. TSH selects an upright conformation of the extracellular domain due to steric clashes between a conserved hormone glycan and the membrane bilayer. An activating autoantibody selects a similar upright conformation of the extracellular domain. Conformational changes in the extracellular domain are transduced to the seven transmembrane domain via a conserved hinge domain, a tethered peptide agonist, and a phospholipid that binds within the seven transmembrane domain. Rotation of the TSHR ECD relative to the membrane bilayer is sufficient for receptor activation, revealing a shared mechanism for other glycoprotein hormone receptors that may also extend to G protein-coupled receptors with large extracellular domains.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2021

Fusion protein strategies for cryo-EM study of G protein-coupled receptors

Single particle cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is used extensively to determine structures of activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in complex with G proteins or arrestins. However, applying it to GPCRs without signaling proteins remains challenging because most receptors lack structural features in their soluble domains to facilitate image alignment. In GPCR crystallography, inserting a fusion protein between transmembrane helices 5 and 6 is a highly successful strategy for crystallization. Although the similar strategy has the potential to broadly facilitate cryo-EM structure determination of GPCRs alone without signaling protein, the critical determinants that make this approach successful are not yet clear. Here, we address this shortcoming by exploring different fusion protein designs, which led to structures of antagonist bound A2A adenosine receptor at 3.4[A] resolution and unliganded Smoothened at 3.7[A] resolution. The fusion strategies explored here are likely applicable to cryo-EM interrogation of other GPCRs and small integral membrane proteins.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

HuluFISH non-denaturing in situ detection of genomic DNA opened by CRISPR-Cas9 Nickase and Exonuclease

DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been widely used in diagnosis and genetic research. Traditional Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) or oligonucleotide based probe to detect DNA in situ is only effective when the target is relatively large, usually over 150Kb DNA fragments. And it involves heat denaturation steps to open the DNA for in situ hybridization. The heat process can affect the fine structure of nuclei. Here we reported a novel method based on Cas9 nickase and exonuclease digestion of double strand DNA and permanently mark the DNA in single strand state for FISH. With this novel design, we detected non-repetitive genomic loci as small as 2Kb.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2021

CHARM: COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines - association of antigen-specific interferon-gamma and IL2 responses with asymptomatic and symptomatic infections after a positive qPCR SARS-CoV-2 test

SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses are associated with COVID-19 recovery, and Class I- and Class II-restricted epitopes have been identified in the spike (S), nucleocapsid (N) and membrane (M) proteins and others. This prospective COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines (CHARM) study enabled assessment of T cell responses in symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected participants. At enrollment all participants were negative by qPCR; follow-up occurred biweekly and then bimonthly for the next 6 weeks. Study participants who tested positive by qPCR SARS-CoV-2 test were asked to enroll in an immune response sub-study. FluoroSpot interferon-gamma (IFN-{gamma}) and IL2 responses following qPCR-confirmed infection at enrollment (day 0), day 7 and 14 and more than 28 days later were measured using pools of 17mer peptides covering S, N, and M proteins, or CD4+CD8 peptide pools containing predicted epitopes from multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Among 124 asymptomatic and 105 symptomatic participants, SARS-CoV-2 infection generated IFN-{gamma} responses to the S, N and M proteins that persisted longer in asymptomatic cases. IFN-{gamma} responses were significantly (p=0.001) more frequent to the N pool (51.4%) than the M pool (18.9%) among asymptomatic subjects; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.06) for symptomatic subjects (N pool: 44.4%; M pool: 25.9%). In asymptomatic participants IFN-{gamma} responders to the CD4+CD8 pool responded more frequently to the S pool (55.6%) and N pool (57.1%), than the M pool (7.1%), but symptomatic participants, IFN-{gamma} responses were more frequent to the S pool (75.0%) than N pool (33.3%) and M pool (33.3%). The frequencies of IFN-{gamma} responses to the S and N+M pools peaked 7 days after the positive qPCR test among asymptomatic (S pool: 22.2%; N+M pool: 28.7%) and symptomatic (S pool: 15.3%; N+M pool 21.9%) participants and dropped by >28 days. Magnitudes of post-infection IFN-{gamma} and IL2 responses to the N+M pool were significantly correlated with IFN-{gamma} and IL2 responses to the N and M pools. These data further support the central role of Th1-biased cell mediated immunity IFN-{gamma} and IL2 responses, particularly to the N protein, in controlling COVID-19 symptoms, and justify T cell-based COVID-19 vaccines that include the N and S proteins.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Integrin-driven Axon Regeneration in the Spinal Cord Activates a Distinctive CNS Regeneration Program

The peripheral branch of sensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons regenerates readily after injury unlike their central branch in the spinal cord. However extensive regeneration and reconnection of sensory axons in the spinal cord can be driven by the expression of 9 integrin and its activator kindlin- 1(9k1), which enable axons to interact with tenascin-C. To elucidate the mechanisms and downstream pathways affected by activated integrin expression and central regeneration, we conducted transcriptomic analyses of DRG sensory neurons transduced with 9k1, and controls, with and without axotomy of the central branch. Expression of 9k1 without the central axotomy led to upregulation of a known PNS regeneration program, including many genes associated with peripheral nerve regeneration. Coupling 9k1 treatment with dorsal root axotomy led to extensive central axonal regeneration and caused expression of a distinctive CNS regeneration program, including genes associated with ubiquitination, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum, trafficking, and signalling. Pharmacological inhibition of these processes blocked the regeneration of axons from DRGs and human iPS-derived sensory neurons, validating their causal contributions. This CNS regeneration- associated program showed little correlation with either embryonic development or PNS regeneration programs. Potential transcriptional drivers of this CNS program coupled to regeneration include Mef2a, Runx3, E2f4, Tfeb, Yy1. Signalling from integrins primes sensory neurons for regeneration, but their axon growth in the CNS is associated with a distinctive program that differs from that involved in PNS regeneration.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

In silico study on the effects of disulfide bonds in ORF8 of SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 epidemic, caused by virus SARS-CoV-2, has been a pandemic and threatening everyones health in the past two years. In SARS-CoV-2, the accessory protein ORF8 plays an important role in immune modulation. Here we present an in silico study on the effects of the disulfide bonds in ORF8, including the effects on the structures, the binding sites and free energy when ORF8 binds to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA-A). Using the explicit solvent Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, we collect the conformational ensembles on ORF8 with different disulfide bonds reduction schemes. With a new visualization technique on the local geometry, we analyze the effects of the disulfide bonds on the structure of ORF8. We find that the disulfide bonds have large influences on the loop regions of the surface. Moreover, by performing docking between HLA-A and the conformational ensembles of ORF8, we predict the preferred binding sites and find that most of them are little affected by the disulfide bonds.Further, we estimate the binding free energy between HLA-A and ORF8 with different disulfide bonds reductions. In the end, from the comparison with the available experimental results on the epitopes of ORF8, we validated our binding sites prediction. All the above observations may provide inspirations on inhibitor/drug design against ORF8 based on the binding pathway with HLA-A.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

Microglia do not restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication following infection of the central nervous system of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice

Unlike SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, infection with SARS-CoV-2, the viral pathogen responsible for COVID-19, is often associated with neurologic symptoms that range from mild to severe, yet increasing evidence argues the virus does not exhibit extensive neuroinvasive properties. We demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 can infect and replicate in human iPSC-derived neurons and that infection shows limited anti-viral and inflammatory responses but increased activation of EIF2 signaling following infection as determined by RNA sequencing. Intranasal infection of K18 human ACE2 transgenic mice (K18-hACE2) with SARS-CoV-2 resulted in lung pathology associated with viral replication and immune cell infiltration. In addition, [~]50% of infected mice exhibited CNS infection characterized by wide-spread viral replication in neurons accompanied by increased expression of chemokine (Cxcl9, Cxcl10, Ccl2, Ccl5 and Ccl19) and cytokine (Ifn-{lambda} and Tnf-) transcripts associated with microgliosis and a neuroinflammatory response consisting primarily of monocytes/macrophages. Microglia depletion via administration of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor, PLX5622, in SARS-CoV-2 infected mice did not affect survival or viral replication but did result in dampened expression of proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine transcripts and a reduction in monocyte/macrophage infiltration. These results argue that microglia are dispensable in terms of controlling SARS-CoV-2 replication in in the K18-hACE2 model but do contribute to an inflammatory response through expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Collectively, these findings contribute to previous work demonstrating the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect neurons as well as emphasizing the potential use of the K18-hACE2 model to study immunological and neuropathological aspects related to SARS-CoV-2-induced neurologic disease. ImportanceUnderstanding the immunological mechanisms contributing to both host defense and disease following viral infection of the CNS is of critical importance given the increasing number of viruses that are capable of infecting and replicating within the nervous system. With this in mind, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of microglia in aiding in host defense following experimental infection of the central nervous system (CNS) of K18-hACE2 with SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Neurologic symptoms that range in severity are common in COVID-19 patients and understanding immune responses that contribute to restricting neurologic disease can provide important insight into better understanding consequences associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection of the CNS.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Immunoglobulin-producing AT2-like cells secrete IgA into the extracellular matrix in pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disease that can be caused by various factors. Here, we first observed extensive IgA deposition in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lungs of mice with pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica inhalation. Consistent with this phenomenon, spatial transcriptomic sequencing of fresh mouse lung tissues from control mice and model mice showed that Igha transcripts were highly expressed in the lesion area. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and reconstruction of B cell receptor (BCR) sequences revealed a new cluster of cells with a shared BCR and high expression of genes related to immunoglobulin IgA production. Surprisingly, these clonal cells had more characteristics of AT2 (alveolar epithelial cell type 2) cells than B cells; thus, these cells were named AT2-like cells. Therefore, we propose that secretion of IgA into the ECM by AT2-like cells is an important process that occurs during lung fibrosis.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Propionate ameliorates diabetes-induced neurological dysfunction through regulating the PI3K-AKT-eNOS signaling pathway

A large body of research has established diabetes-related cognitive deterioration, sometimes known as "diabetic encephalopathy." Current evidence supports that oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis, and cerebral microcirculation weakness are associated with cognition deficits induced by diabetes. The present study explores the effect of propionate on neurological deficits, cerebral blood flow, and oxidative stress in diabetic mice. Propionate can markedly improve neurological function, which is correlated with its capabilities of stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production, increasing cerebral microcirculation, suppressing oxidative stress and reducing neuron loss in the hippocampus. In addition, the results of Western Blotting indicated that the brain-protective function of propionate in streptozocin (STZ)-induced insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) mice is related to phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine protein kinase (Akt)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) signaling pathway. In a diabetic mouse model, propionate reduces cerebral microcirculation, hippocampus apoptosis, and neurological impairment. Thus, propionate, now employed as a food preservative, may also help slow diabetes-induced cognitive loss. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=110 SRC="FIGDIR/small/464493v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (27K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@81fa09org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1469451org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b37fa1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8037e7_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIPropionate ameliorates diabetic-induced depression-like behavior, spatial learning and memory deficits. C_LIO_LIPropionate increases cerebral microcirculation by enhancing NO production in diabetic mice. C_LIO_LIPropionate suppresses oxidative stress and reduces neuron loss in the hippocampus. C_LIO_LIThe brain-protective function of propionate is related to PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway. C_LI

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2021

Estimating genetic correlation jointly using individual-level and summary-level GWAS data

With the increasing accessibility of individual-level data from genome wide association studies, it is now common for researchers to have individual-level data of some traits in one specific population. For some traits, we can only access public released summary-level data due to privacy and safety concerns. The current methods to estimate genetic correlation can only be applied when the input data type of the two traits of interest is either both individual-level or both summary-level. When researchers have access to individual-level data for one trait and summary-level data for the other, they have to transform the individual-level data to summary-level data first and then apply summary data-based methods to estimate the genetic correlation. This procedure is computationally and statistically inefficient and introduces information loss. We introduce GENJI (Genetic correlation EstimatioN Jointly using Individual-level and summary data), a method that can estimate within-population or transethnic genetic correlation based on individual-level data for one trait and summary-level data for another trait. Through extensive simulations and analyses of real data on within-population and transethnic genetic correlation estimation, we show that GENJI produces more reliable and efficient estimation than summary data-based methods. Besides, when individual-level data are available for both traits, GENJI can achieve comparable performance than individual-level data-based methods. Downstream applications of genetic correlation can benefit from more accurate estimates. In particular, we show that more accurate genetic correlation estimation facilitates the predictability of cross-population polygenic risk scores.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2021

Who is the best surrogate for germ stem cell transplantation in fish?

Surrogate reproduction technology in fish has potential for aquaculture as well as endangered species preservation and propagation. Species with some unfavourable biological characteristics for culturing such as a late maturation or a large body size are ideal candidates for surrogate reproduction using smaller and faster-maturing host. One of the general prerequisites for the successful surrogacy and the pure donor-derived gamete production is the sterility of the host. Various sterilization methods have been developed and used in fish surrogacy; however, a direct comparison of available methods is missing. Such a knowledge gap hinders choice for the surrogate in various fish species, including those in high commercial demand such as tuna or sturgeons, where is a particular limitation from the point of the live material availability and difficulty to perform a high throughput assessment of different surrogates. Yet, large sturgeons or tuna species are one of the most prominent candidates for surrogacy. Zebrafish was utilized in this study as a model species to answer whether and to which extent different sterilization strategies can affect the surrogacy. Germ cell-depleted recipients (produced using knockdown of dead end gene), triploid recipients, and zebrafish x pearl danio hybrid recipients were tested as they represent the most frequently used types of surrogates. Spermatogonia isolated from vas::EGFP transgenic strain were intraperitoneally transplanted into swim-up 5-day old zebrafish. Transplantation success, survival, gonadal development, and reproductive output of the fish was analyzed. Germ cell-depleted recipients with empty gonads were identified as the most convenient among tested sterilization methods considering surrogacy induction success and reproductive output. The present study stands as significant aid for selecting suitable surrogates in various fish species.

cell biology↗