Sex-biased gene expression precedes sexual dimorphism in the agonadal annelid Platynereis dumerilii

Gametogenesis is the process by which germ cells differentiate into mature sperm and oocytes - cells that are essential for sexual reproduction. The sex-specific molecular programs that drive spermatogenesis and oogenesis can also serve as sex identification markers. Platynereis dumerilii is a research organism that has been studied in many areas of developmental biology. However, investigations often disregard sex, as P. dumerilii juveniles lack sexual dimorphism. The molecular mechanisms of gametogenesis in the segmented worm P. dumerilii are also largely unknown. In this study, we used RNA sequencing to investigate the transcriptomic profiles of gametogenesis in P. dumerilii juveniles. Our analysis revealed that sex-biased gene expression becomes increasingly pronounced during the advanced developmental stages, as worms approach maturation. We identified conserved genes associated with spermatogenesis, such as dmrt1, and with oogenesis, such as the previously unidentified gene psmt. Additionally, putative long noncoding RNAs were upregulated in both male and female gametogenic programs. This study provides a foundational resource for germ cell research in P. dumerilii and markers for sex identification, and offers comparative data to enhance our understanding of the evolution of gametogenesis mechanisms across species.