AUTHOR=Hu Yacheng , Tan Ruihua , Shu Tingting , Chu Zhong , Wang Haoran , Chen Yining , Zhu Xin , Li Yang , Wang Binzhong , Guo Baifu , Wang Runqiu , Qu Huantao , Zhang Dezhi , Du Hejun , Li Zhiyuan , Xu Dan , Jiang Wei , Li Qingfei , Yang Yuanjin 

TITLE=Cloning, identification, and functional analysis of foxl2 gene and its expression after 17β‐estradiol (E2) treatment in Dabry’s sturgeon, Acipenser dabryanus

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1461794

DOI=10.3389/fmars.2024.1461794

ISSN=2296-7745

ABSTRACT=<p>The study focuses on the critically endangered Dabry’s sturgeon (<italic>Acipenser dabryanus</italic>), a species on the brink of extinction in the wild. This research investigates the role of the Forkhead box protein L2 (<italic>foxl2</italic>) in the gonadal development and differentiation of this species. The <italic>foxl2</italic> gene, known for its role in various physiological processes, including sexual maturation, is hypothesized to play a significant role in the sex differentiation of Dabry’s sturgeon. This study cloned the full-length cds sequence of the <italic>foxl2</italic> gene and analyzed its expression across various tissues, focusing on its response to estradiol treatment. Our findings indicate that <italic>foxl2</italic> is predominantly expressed in ovaries and shows a dose-dependent response to estradiol, suggesting its potential role in ovarian differentiation. This research underscores the importance of <italic>foxl2</italic> in understanding reproductive biology and offers a foundation for future conservation strategies.</p>