Molecular cloning and sexually dimorphic expression of wnt4 in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The wnt4 gene in olive flounder encodes a protein with 1059 nucleotides and is associated with sex differentiation in gonads.

• Wnt4 is widely expressed in multiple tissues of adult olive flounders, with higher levels found in the ovary compared to the testis.
• During the gonadal differentiation period, wnt4 expression levels are significantly higher in the testis than in the ovary.
• There is a notable increase in wnt4 expression prior to testis differentiation.
• At specific gonadal development stages, no expression is detected at stages I or II, while stages III and IV show stronger expression in the ovary than in the testis.
• Wnt4 expression is faint in both sexes at stage V, suggesting a complex role in gonadal differentiation.

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