Systematic analysis of Wnt family genes reveals the potential role of Wnt4 in driving female differentiation in Spotted knifejaw

Wnt family genes encode secreted glycoproteins that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and organ growth. While much research has focused on species with standard chromosomal systems, there is a lack of studies on marine fish species like Spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus), which possess a multiple sex chromosome system (X(1)X(1)X(2)X(2)/X(1)X(2)Y). We employed a combination of whole-genome scanning of the Wnt family, and qPCR analyses, RNAi knockdown to assess the specific...