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Stability of environmental DNA methylation and its utility in tracing reproductive activities of fish
  • Itsuki Hirayama,
  • Toshifumi Minamoto,
  • Luhan Wu
Itsuki Hirayama
Kobe University

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Toshifumi Minamoto
Kobe University
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Luhan Wu
Kobe University
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Abstract

1. The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a new method of ecological monitoring is widely applied. Although eDNA can provide important information on the distribution and biomass of particular taxa, an organism’s DNA sequences remain unaltered throughout its existence, which complicates identifying crucial events, including reproduction, with high accuracy. We thus examined DNA methylation as a novel source of information from eDNA, considering that methylation patterns of eggs and sperm released during reproduction differ from those of somatic tissues. 2. Despite its potential applications, little is known about eDNA methylation, including its stability and methods for detection and quantification. Therefore, we conducted tank experiments and performed methylation analysis targeting 18S rDNA through bisulfite amplicon sequencing. 3. Methylation of eDNA was not affected by degradation and was equivalent to the rate of genomic DNA from somatic tissues. Unmethylated DNA, which is abundant in the ovary, was detected in eDNA during reproductive activity of fish. 4. These results indicate that eDNA methylation is a stable signal reflecting genomic methylation and demonstrate that germ cell-specific methylation patterns can be used as markers for detecting reproductive activity.
26 Jan 2024Submitted to Molecular Ecology Resources
30 Jan 2024Submission Checks Completed
30 Jan 2024Assigned to Editor
30 Jan 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Jan 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Mar 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Apr 20241st Revision Received
17 Apr 2024Submission Checks Completed
17 Apr 2024Assigned to Editor
17 Apr 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Aug 20242nd Revision Received
06 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
06 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
06 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Accept