Effects of aromatizable and nonaromatizable androgens on the sex inversion of red-spotted grouper (Epinephelus akaara)

The effects of aromatizable 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) and non-aromatizable 17α-methyldihydrotestosterone (MDHT) on sex inversion in red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara, were investigated. Fish were implanted with MT, MDHT and MT+AI (aromatase inhibitor, AI) respectively for one month. The results showed that the three treated groups turned into transitional stage with intersex gonads, which contained atretic oocytes and spermatogenic germ cells at all stages of spermatogenesis. The controls did not change sex. The gonads of more than half MT-implanted fish were in early transitional stages of sex inversion, whereas those of more than half MDHT and MT+AI-implanted fish were in late transitional stages of sex inversion. No difference in serum estradiol-17β (E₂) levels between the controls and the treated groups were observed, whereas 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and testosterone (T) levels increased in all treated groups. Significantly lower gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonadal aromatase activity were observed in the treated groups, which were in accordance with the lower mRNA expression of P450aromA. However, P450aromB mRNA expression increased in the MT group, while it did not change in the MDHT group. These results suggest that the sex inversion of red-spotted grouper by MT and MDHT implantation might be due to the suppression of P450aromA gene expression, and resulting in both the decrease of the ovarian estrogen –secretion, as well as the increase in the 11-KT levels. Furthermore, the main reason for MT being less effective than MDHT might be due to partial aromatization of MT to estrogen.     

Promoter analysis of two aromatase genes in the serial-sex changing gobiid fish, Trimma okinawae

Despite numerous endocrine studies on sex change in teleost, no general mechanism that mediates sex change has emerged. The gobiid fish, Trimma okinawae, can change sex in both directions repeatedly. This phenomenon of sex change in goby assigns it as an excellent animal model to elucidate the understanding mechanisms of sex change. In hermaphrodite fishes, estrogen plays a particularly important role in natural and experimentally induced sex change. To investigate the role of estrogen in the serial-sex changing fish T. okinawae, we cloned and analyzed the 5′-flanking regions of P450arom genes from goby genome DNA. Both regions have consensus sequences of TATA, CRE and ERE. Ad4 binding site was restricted in the region of P450aromA. These findings indicate that different regulators control the expression of the two P450arom genes.     

雄性黄颡鱼芳香化酶基因mRNA在性成熟期组织中表达分析

在水温分别为20(常温对照组)、25、30℃条件下,采用RT-PCR方法,研究性腺成熟期雄性黄颡鱼组织中P450芳香化酶(P450aromA和P450aromB)的mRNA表达水平,同时测定性腺成熟系数(GSI)、肝重指数(HSI)、肥满度(CF)和血浆睾酮(T),雌二醇(E2)含量。结果表明,P450aromA在性腺发育成熟期雄性黄颡鱼心脏、肝、脾、胃、肾脏、精巢、鳃、脑、头肾、肠管组织中均无表达,P450aromB只在脑和肠中有表达,在脑中表达量高于肠,表达量随着水温升高而显著下降;各组实验鱼血浆T和E2含量与芳香化酶基因表达量存在相关关系。该实验结果表明,P450aromA可能与精子发生相关,可能不参与黄颡鱼精子排放过程;P450aromB在雄鱼脑中高度表达,可能参与性腺成熟期精子活力保持与排放过程,且应激温度越高,对性腺成熟期精子活力保持与排放过程影响越大。     

Increase in estrogen signaling in the early brain of orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides: a mini-review

Despite neurosteroidogenic enzymes are playing important roles in the regulation of brain development and function, the potential link between brain and gonad by the action of steroid hormones during gonadal sex differentiation is still not clear in teleosts. In this mini-review, we summarized our understanding on the early brain development related to the synthesis of neurosteroids and receptor signaling during gonadal sex differentiation in protogynous orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides (functional females for the first 6 years of life and start to sex change around the age of 7 years) and protandrous black porgy (functional males for the first 2 years of life but begin to change sex during the third year). We found a similar profile in the increased expression of brain aromatase gene (aromatatse B or cyp19a1b), aromatase activity, estradiol (E₂), and estrogen signaling in the brain of both grouper and black porgy fish during gonadal sex differentiation. In contrast to mammals, teleost fish Cyp19a1b expressed in a unique cell type, a radial glial cell, which is acted as progenitors in the brain of developing and adult fish. In agreement with these pioneer studies, we demonstrated that the grouper cyp19a1b/Cyp19a1b was expressed in radial glial cells. Further, in vivo data in the grouper brain showed that exogenous E₂ upregulated Cyp19a1b immunoreactivity (ir) in radial glial cells. These data suggest the possible roles of Cyp19a1b and E₂ in early brain development which is presumably related to gonadal sex differentiation.     

Polymorphisms within promoter of Japanese flounder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>) ovary cytochrome P450-c19 (CYP19a) gene associated with reproductive traits

Cytochrome P450 aromatase, which is encoded by the CYP19a gene, converts androgens to estradiol. Considerable evidence suggests that estrogens play an important role in fish reproductive process. Therefore CYP19a is an excellent candidate gene for reproductive traits. Variants in the promoter of the CYP19a gene might also be involved in the control of aromatase expression and affect regulatory mechanism linking cholesterol metabolism to the synthesis of sex steroids. In this study, nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected with polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), namely A-680G, G-672A, AGTAGT-649 inserting or deleting, T-623C, C-410A, T7-454A, T-402C, TTTCCAGACTGA-345 inserting or deleting, and G-297C. Nine SNPs within the promoter of the CYP19a gene were tested for association with four reproductive traits [serum testosterone (T), serum 17β-estradiol (E₂), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and gonadosomatic index (GSI)] in a population of 50 female Japanese flounder individuals. A locus, P3 (TTTCCAGACTGA-345 inserting or deleting, G-297C), was significantly associated with 17β-estradiol (E₂) level (P < 0.05) in female Japanese flounder. In addition, there was significant association between one diplotype based on nine SNPs and reproductive trait. The genetic effect for E₂ level of diplotype D3 was significantly higher than those of other diplotypes (P < 0.05). Results indicate that these genetic effects of those variants on E₂ level may help to explain CYP19a gene status in the reproductive endocrinology of Japanese flounder.     

Neuroanatomical distribution and partial sequence of cDNA encoding brain cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450aromB) in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis

The molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding the pejerrey brain cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450aromB) is described. This form shares higher identity to other brain aromatases than with their respective ovarian counterparts and the self ovarian aromatase. Tissue-specific expression of both aromatases was examined in pejerrey by RT-PCR. The immunocytochemical distribution of P450aromB was described.     

食蚊鱼CYP19a基因的克隆与序列分析

硬骨鱼类CYP19基因与生物的性别分化和激素调节相关,因此可开发用来探究环境激素污染与基因表达的关系。本研究首次克隆和分析了食蚊鱼CYP19a cDNA的全系列,为将CYP19基因作为监测环境激素生物标志物的研究提供了全面的实验数据。根据CYP19a基因c DNA保守区域设计引物,扩增保守区域并测序。采用RACE法扩增食蚊鱼CYP19a基因c DNA序列全长,对其蛋白序列进行同源性分析,并将序列应用于CYP19a mRNA转录水平的RT-PCR法检测中。成功克隆食蚊鱼CYP19a基因全长,获得CYP19a基因总长为2020 bp,ORF为238~1791 bp,共编码518个氨基酸,对其编码的蛋白质进行有关信号肽、跨膜螺旋、亲水性/疏水性、一级结构、二级结构和三级结构分析,与其他硬骨鱼类底鰆、青鰆、平鲷、鲫、鲤和斑马鱼的性腺CYP19a基因作同源性比较,其基因相似度分别为93%、84%、84%、71%、71%和66%。用MEGA6.0软件对19个物种的CYP19a基因进行聚类分析,食蚊鱼CYP19a基因与底鰆、青鰆同源性最高,说明芳香化酶在进化上相对保守。确定从食蚊鱼性腺所克隆的CYP19a基因是芳香化酶基因,证明食蚊鱼的芳香化酶是由CYP19a和CYP19b两种基因编码的。食蚊鱼卵巢芳香化酶具有3个高度保守的片段,并具有催化活性。     

淇河鲫cyp19a1b基因的克隆表达及芳香化酶抑制剂对其表达的影响

为探索脑型芳香化酶基因(cyp19a1b)在雌核发育三倍体鱼淇河鲫性别决定与分化过程中的作用,利用RACE方法克隆淇河鲫cyp19a1b基因cDNA全长序列,采用Real-time PCR分析其在不同组织、胚胎及胚后不同发育时期的表达情况,同时检测芳香化酶抑制剂Letrozole诱导性逆转及腹腔注射人绒毛膜促性腺激素(hCG)后cyp19a1b在脑中的表达情况。结果显示,淇河鲫cyp19a1b cDNA全长2 984 bp(GenBank ID:MF926270),包含132 bp5′非编码区,1 319 bp 3′非编码区,1 533 bp开放读码框,编码510个氨基酸残基;氨基酸序列比对及系统进化分析结果显示,淇河鲫Cyp19a1b与其他鲤科鱼类同源性较高,与哺乳类、爬行类等脊椎动物同源性较低,这与其分类地位一致;组织分布检测结果显示,cyp19a1b基因在淇河鲫脑中表达量最高,在卵巢等其他组织中表达量较低;Realtime PCR结果表明,在胚胎发育过程中cyp19a1b在外源精子刺激后从囊胚期开始上调,神经胚期达到最高,随后降低;出膜后随着发育的进行,该基因在脑中表达量逐步上调,在躯体中一直维持在较低水平;除此之外,伴随着Letrozole诱导的性逆转,cyp19a1b在脑中表达量降低;腹腔注射hCG可以促进cyp19a1b在脑中表达。研究表明,淇河鲫cyp19a1b基因可能通过参与神经系统的形成及神经内分泌活动,在性别决定与分化过程中起到一定的作用。     

Gonadal development, aromatase activity and P450 aromatase gene expression during sex inversion of protogynous red-spotted grouper Epinephelus akaara (Temminck and Schlegel) after implantation of the aromatase inhibitor, fadrozole

In the present study, we implanted 2‐year‐old female red‐spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara, with a non‐steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI), fadrozole, in the breeding season and examined changes in gonadal histology, serum sex steroids, aromatase activities and P450 aromatase (P450arom) gene expression in gonads after AI implantation. Aromatase inhibitor at doses from 0.1 to 10.0 mg kg^?1 BW induced a sex inversion and completion of spermatogenesis up to the functional male phase, but doses of 1.0 and 10.0 mg kg^?1 BW AI produced more males than 0.1 mg kg^?1 BW AI. Serum estradiol‐17β (E₂) levels decreased, but 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) levels increased significantly in all the AI‐implanted groups, whereas testosterone (T) levels increased significantly only in the 1.0 mg kg^?1 BW AI‐implanted group. Aromatase activities and P450arom gene expression in gonads were inhibited significantly in the AI‐implanted groups, which was in accordance with the decrease in serum E₂ levels. These results suggested the optimal dose of AI to induce sex inversion to be 1.0 mg kg^?1 BW. Furthermore, the sex inversion induced by AI may be attributed to the inhibition of P450arom gene expression and aromatase activity and the resultant decrease in the biosynthesis of endogenous E₂. Meanwhile, the elevated 11‐KT levels were also associated closely with the occurrence of sex inversion in protogynous red‐spotted grouper.     

中华鳖SOX9基因在胚胎期性腺中的表达模式及在性逆转中的表达变化

SOX9基因在脊椎动物性别决定和性腺分化中扮演重要的调控作用。从mRNA和蛋白水平分析中华鳖SOX9基因在不同组织中的差异性表达、在胚胎性腺和成年睾丸中的细胞定位以及在性逆转中的表达变化,研究SOX9基因在中华鳖性别分化中的调控作用。Real-time PCR结果显示,SOX9基因在中华鳖雄性性腺中特异性表达。免疫荧光染色分析显示,SOX9蛋白在雄性18期胚胎性腺中开始表达,随着性腺的发育,SOX9蛋白定位于性腺Sertoli前体细胞细胞核中;而在雌性胚胎性腺并未见其表达。此外,在雌激素诱导的雄性向雌性性逆转胚胎中,SOX9基因显著下调,而在芳香化酶抑制剂诱导的雌性向雄性性逆转胚胎中,SOX9基因表达则显著上升。研究表明,SOX9基因为中华鳖雄性特异性基因,参与雄性性腺的发育过程,可能在中华鳖早期性别分化过程中起调控作用。     

条斑星鲽CYP19a基因克隆及其在雄鱼生殖周期中的表达

细胞色素P450芳香化酶(P450arom)作为P450细胞色素酶超家族中的一员,是性类固醇生成途径中的末端酶,能够将雄激素转化为雌激素。在大多数脊椎动物中,P450arom由CYP19单基因编码。但是在鱼类中存在两种P450芳香化酶,分为性腺型芳香化酶(P450aromA)和脑型芳香化酶(P450aromB),它们由不同的基因(CYP19a和CYP19b)编码,分布在不同的组织。通过简并引物扩增及RACE cDNA扩增克隆,在国内外首次获得全长为2167bp的条斑星鲽CYP19a cDNA序列,并将推测的氨基酸序列与其它物种P450arom氨基酸序列进行多重比较,发现存在跨膜螺旋区、I-螺旋区、Ozol肽区、芳香化酶特异保守区以及血红素结合区。通过RT-PCR分析了P450aromA mRNA在条斑星鲽不同组织中的表达情况,结果表明,CYP19a基因主要在脑、卵巢和精巢中表达,其次在肠、肝脏、肾脏也有少量表达。同时也分析了P450aromA mRNA在处于不同发育期的精巢中的表达情况,发现在Ⅱ期精巢中表达量最高,在Ⅴ期精巢中表达量最低。     

三倍体雌性虹鳟性腺发育阶段细胞色素相关基因的表达

Cyp19a1b、Cyp11a1、Cyp11b2、Cyp17a1、Hsd3b1等细胞色素相关基因能够调节硬骨鱼类性类固醇的合成,对性腺发育和性别决定产生影响。本研究以全雌三倍体虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)为研究对象,正常雌性二倍体虹鳟为对照,选取31~68 dpf(days post fertilization)时间段的虹鳟仔鱼脑组织,采用q RT-PCR和酶联免疫的方法研究以上几种基因的表达状况和脑芳香化酶的活性变化,以期探明导致三倍体雌性虹鳟性腺发育异常的关键原因。q RTPCR结果显示,二倍体中Cyp19a1b在30~50 dpf时表达量上调并且维持在较稳定水平,但50~56 dpf时表达量逐渐下调,之后56~68 dpf表达量持续上调;三倍体中Cyp19a1b表达量在30~35 dpf开始上调,35~47 dpf逐渐下调,47~55 dpf开始第二次上调,之后维持在较稳定水平直至68 dpf,但三倍体Cyp19a1b的表达量显著(P0.05)低于同期二倍体的。二倍体Cyp11a1表达量在34 dpf出现峰值,三倍体Cyp11a1在38 dpf时出现峰值。二倍体Hsd3b1表达量在33~42 dpf时维持在较高水平,在38 dpf时出现高峰;三倍体Hsd3b1表达量在47~59 dpf时较高,在49 dpf出现高峰。二倍体中Cyp11b2在37 dpf出现峰值,之后开始下调;三倍体在40 dpf出现峰值,之后逐渐下调,但三倍体Cyp11b2表达量显著低于同期二倍体。二倍体Cyp17a1的表达量在35~46 dpf时逐渐上升,在45 dpf时达到高峰之后直至69 dpf逐渐下降,并且维持在较为平稳的水平上;但是在相同的实验条件下未检测到同一时期三倍体Cyp17a1的表达量。酶联免疫结果显示,在40 dpf时二者的脑芳香化酶活性到达高峰,但在40~60 dpf时期,二倍体虹鳟脑芳香化酶活性显著(P0.05)高于三倍体虹鳟,尤其在45~50 dpf时,该酶活性分别较三倍体的高1.15倍和1.12倍。以上结果表明三倍体虹鳟早期性腺发育迟缓的原因之一是Cyp19a1b、Cyp11a1、Cyp11b2、Cyp17a1、Hsd3b1等基因的表达晚于二倍体,且表达量低于二倍体,造成雌二醇不能正常合成,最终导致性腺发育迟缓。     

Aromatase (P450arom) and 11β-hydroxylase (P45011β) genes are differentially expressed during the sex change process of the protogynous rice field eel, monopterus albus

Steroids are known to play a crucial role in gonadal sex differentiation in many non-mammalian vertebrates, but also in the gonadal sex change of hermaphroditic teleosts. We investigated the expression of two genes encoding key steroidogenic enzymes, i.e., cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) and cytochrome P45011β-hydroxylase (P45011β), during the sex change of the protogynous rice field eel, Monopterus albus. Using RT-PCR with degenerate primers, we cloned rice field eel homologous fragments for both genes (rcP450arom and rcP45011β) as indicated by the high level of homology with P450arom and P45011β sequences from various vertebrates. Gonadal expression of rcP450arom and rcP45011β mRNA levels were then assessed during the sex change by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and a real-time RT-PCR. rcP450arom was predominantly expressed in ovary, much less in ovotestis, and barely in testis. Conversely, P45011β was markedly up-regulated at the onset of testicular development. These findings underline that regulation of steroidogenesis is an important process in the sex change of protogynous rice field eel, and they clearly indicate that the concomitant down-regulation of P450arom and up-regulation of P45011β are of pivotal importance to the sex change of this species.     

Gynogenesis and sex determination in large-scale loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Sauvage)

Gynogenesis was induced using heterologous sperms in large-scale loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Sauvage), in which a ZW/ZZ sex determination was previously proposed. Three microsatellite loci were used to monitor exclusive maternal inheritance of gynogenetic progenies. The results showed that high percentages of meiogynogens were produced at 4 min post-fertilization and mitogynogens were produced at 18 min post-fertilization by heat shocks, while meiotic gynogenesis was induced by cold shocks within a wide period and high heterozygosity was even observed in gynogens produced at 24 min post-fertilization. The sex ratios of the F₁ progenies in three gynogenetic families were significantly deviated from 1:1 expectation with a female bias in two families and a male bias in one family (P < 0.05), and the other four gynogenetic families showed approximate 1:1 sex ratios. Moreover, the self-mating between gynogenetic F₁ progenies and mating between gynogenetic F₁ progenies and normal individuals produced all-female progenies or identical proportions of females and males. The data of sex ratios generally confirmed that the sex determination in large-scale loach was determined by the putative ZW/ZZ system, and the possible reasons causing the biased sex ratios are discussed.     

The cytochrome P450 system of atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): I. Basal properties and induction of P450 1A1 in liver of immature and mature fish

The major components of the cytochrome P450 (P450) system in liver microsomes of Atlantic salmon were studied using spectrophotometric, catalytic and immunochemical techniques. In juvenile fish sampled during the winter season, high basal activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) were found. The K_m for 7-ethoxyresorufin was 0.4 µM, and V_max 1.23 nmol/min/mg protein in juvenile fish. In mature fish sampled from the same group of fish in December, EROD activity was barely detectable (20–30 pmol/min/mg protein). Treatment with the P450 1A1 inducer -naphthoflavone (BNF) resulted in almost 2-fold induction of total P450, and 30–40-fold induction of EROD activity in immature fish. A similar fold increase was seen in mature fish. The differences in EROD activity between untreated and BNF-treated fish, was accompanied by similar differences in a P450 1A1 cross-reacting protein (M_r=58,000 D) in immunochemical studies using rabbit anti-cod P450 1A1 IgG. However, judging from these studies, the levels of P450 1A1-protein in mature salmon far exceeded those accounted for by the measured EROD activity in comparison to immature fish (both before and after BNF-treatment), indicating inhibiting effects of sex steroids on the measured activity. This effect was not seen on 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activity. A long-term storage experiment indicated that Atlantic salmon liver microsomes can be stored for 2 years at –80°C in 20% glycerol without losing more than 20–40% of its catalytic activity.Parts of this work were presented at the 5th International Symposium on Responses of Marine Organisms to Pollutants, April 1989 in Plymouth, United Kingdom (Larsen and Goksøyr 1989).     

罗氏沼虾细胞色素P450家族CYP302a1基因克隆及其在蜕皮周期中的表达

蜕皮是甲壳动物重要的生理活动,与其蜕皮激素的合成密切相关,细胞色素P450(CYP)302a1是甲壳动物蜕皮激素合成通路中的关键酶之一。本研究克隆了罗氏沼虾CYP302a1基因(Mr-CYP302a1),cDNA全长1859 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为1629 bp,编码543个氨基酸(aa),分子量大小为61.09 ku,等电点为8.42。氨基酸序列分析显示CYP302a1基因的保守结构域含有5个P450基因家族特征保守区域:heme-binding、helix-K、helixC、helix-I及PERF。系统进化分析结果显示Mr-CYP302a1首先与绿虾CYP302a1聚为一支,然后与凡纳滨对虾及三疣梭子蟹等十足目甲壳动物的CYP302a1聚为一支,与甲壳动物的亲缘关系最近。实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测表明Mr-CYP302a1在罗氏沼虾的多个组织中均有表达,其中在Y器官中的表达量最高,性腺中次之。同时研究发现,MrCYP302a1基因在罗氏沼虾的蜕皮后期(A期和B期)表达量很低,蜕皮间期(C期)表达量开始上升,在蜕皮前期D1亚期达到峰值。对Mr-CYP302a1进行蛋白表达及多克隆抗体制备,蛋白印迹法(Western blot,WB)检测表明Mr-CYP302a1蛋白在罗氏沼虾Y器官中的表达量最高,在蜕皮过程中的蜕皮前期D1亚期达到峰值。综上所述,该基因在罗氏沼虾的蜕皮过程中扮演着十分重要的角色。