The role of plin2a in glycolysis regulation in Sertoli cells and its cascading impact on spermatogonial development in black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

The black rockfish ( Sebastes schlegelii ) is a marine species that is economically important in aquaculture, and the efficiency of its spermatogenesis is vital for its success in the aquaculture industry. Spermatogonia serve as the foundation of spermatogenesis in fish, possessing the ability for continuous self-renewal and progressive differentiation into mature spermatozoa. Moreover, Sertoli cells are crucial in modulating the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia. This study focused on the regulation of glycolysis by PLIN2a in Sertoli cells of the black rockfish and examined how the inhibition of glycolysis in these cells impacted the proliferation and differentiation processes of spermatogonia. We found that effective regulation of glycolysis was crucial for the metabolic activity and functional maintenance of Sertoli cells in black rockfish. Overexpression of plin2a in vitro enhanced glycolysis in Sertoli cells, whereas inhibition of glycolysis impaired their normal metabolic activity. In vivo inhibition of glycolysis in black rockfish testes lead to apoptosis of Sertoli cells and significantly suppressed the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia. These results underscore the essential role of glycolysis in the development and metabolic activity of Sertoli cells and highlight the critical regulatory role of glycolysis in determining the fate of spermatogonia. This study emphasizes the importance of regulating energy metabolism pathways, particularly glycolysis, in Sertoli cells to indirectly influence the development of spermatogonia, offering significant insights into the reproductive mechanisms of black rockfish and other teleost species. • PLIN2a is highly expressed in Sertoli cells of black rockfish testes and regulates glycolysis in these cells. • Glycolysis in black rockfish testes is crucial for the development and metabolic activity of Sertoli cells. • Glycolysis in Sertoli cells significantly impacts the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia in black rockfish. • This study provides new insights into the metabolic mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis in black rockfish.