Production of recombinant goldfish gonadotropins by baculovirus in silkworm larvae

Recombinant gonadotropins (GTH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) of goldfish Carassius auratus were produced by baculovirus in silkworm larvae. Hemolymph containing recombinant FSH (rFSH) or LH (rLH) was collected from silkworm larvae, and its biological activity was examined in vivo using male goldfish and female bitterling Rhodeus ocellatus ocellatus. Injection of hemolymph containing rFSH or rLH induced milt production in male goldfish, whereas only rLH induced ovulation in female bitterling. These results suggest, that biologically active goldfish recombinant GTH could be applied for the induction of gonadal development in aquaculture fishes as a substitute of pituitary extract, if a method of large scale production is established.     

Production of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) recombinant gonadotropins using the S2 Drosophila cell line system

The S2 cell system was utilized for the production of recombinant luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) as C-terminal His-tagged proteins. When expressed individually, the common α-subunit was secreted in abundance but both β-LH and β-FSH were poorly expressed. However, co-expression of the α-subunit with each of the β subunits using a duel promoter vector resulted in the abundant secretion of LH and FSH α/β heterodimers. These recombinant gonadotropins (GtH) were able to stimulate estradiol secretion in an ovarian follicle bioassay and activate recombinant gonadotropin receptors.     

Production of biologically-active recombinant goldfish gonadotropins in transgenic rainbow trout

The feasibility of using rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss embryos as an expression system for proteins was investigated. For model proteins, we selected two goldfish gonadotropins (GTHs), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). To produce single-chain goldfish FSH (scgfFSH) and LH (scgfLH), cDNAs encoding glycoprotein hormone (GP) α and FSHβ were fused in tandem, and cDNAs encoding GPα and LHβ were fused in tandem. The fused cDNAs were ligated with β-actin promoter, and microinjected into fertilized rainbow trout eggs. After 4-days incubation, the embryos were subjected to western blotting and in vitro bioassays. The recombinant proteins produced by the embryos were immunoreactive to antisera against goldfish GPα, N-glycosylated, and biologically active. We conclude that scgfFSH and scgfLH were successfully produced in transgenic rainbow trout.     

Molecular cloning of gonadotropin cDNA in sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus

The cDNA for glycoprotein hormone (GPH) α-subunit, β-subunits of the FSH (GtH I) and LH (GtH II) were isolated, cloned, and sequenced from sevenband grouper pituitary using RACE PCR. These results show that sevenband grouper has two different types of gonadotropins FSH (GtH I) and LH (GtH II), as other teleosts.     

Expression of recombinant zebrafish follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in methylotropic yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis>

Pituitary gonadotropin follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was identified in fish two decades ago, but its functional importance in fish reproduction remains poorly defined, especially in non-salmonid species. This gap in our knowledge is partially due to the lack of the hormone in pure form in most of the species studied. We describe here the production of two different forms of biologically active recombinant zebrafish FSH (zfFSH and zfFSH^HIS) using methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, as the bioreactor. One form (zfFSH) was produced as the molecule closer to the native form, with the two subunits (Cga and Fshb) expressed separately under different promoters. The other form (zfFSH^HIS) was produced as a single polypeptide, with the cDNAs for the two subunits joined to form a fusion gene that contained a 6X His tag as part of the linker between the two subunits. The culture conditions were optimized for pH and incubation time for maximal production of the proteins. Using a zebrafish FSH receptor (Fshr)-based reporter gene assay, we tested and compared the biological activities of the two forms of recombinant zebrafish FSH. Our results provide useful information for the future production of recombinant gonadotropins in other fish species.     

Gonadotropins, gonadotropin receptors and their expressions during sexual maturation in yellowtail, a carangid fish

To study the physiological roles of gonadotropins (GtHs) in the yellowtail, the cDNAs encoding each GtH subunit (GPHα, FSHβ and LHβ) and their receptors (FSHR and LHR) were isolated from the pituitary gland and gonads using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, thyrotropin (TSH) and its receptor (TSHR) cDNAs, were isolated from the pituitary gland, ovary and testis. The changes in the mRNA levels of each subunit were determined at different stages of maturation. The isolated cDNAs of GPHα, FSHβ, LHβ and TSHβ were 662, 545, 595 and 879 bp long, respectively. The amino acid sequence identity of the yellowtail GPHα, FSHβ, LHβ and TSHβ subunits was 85–63, 68–33, 93–65 and 74–46%, respectively, as compared with other fish species. Northern blot analysis showed that GPHα and FSHβ were strongly expressed in pituitary at the early vitellogenic stage and during spermatogenesis, whereas LHβ was expressed significantly in the late vitellogenic stage, and in both spermatogenesis and spermiation. Full-length cDNAs encoding FSHR, LHR, and TSHR were obtained from the testes and ovaries. The FSHR, LHR and TSHR cDNA encoded a protein of 680, 702 and 778 amino acids, and showed the highest identity with tilapia FSHR (76%), tilapia LHR (84%) and striped bass TSHR (94%), respectively. Northern blot analyses indicated that all of these receptors are expressed differently at different stages in the ovaries and testes.     

Physiological roles of FSH and LH in red seabream, Pagrus major

The duality of gonadotropins (GTHs), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), has been confirmed in most teleost species, but very little is known about their biological functions. To elucidate the physiological roles of FSH and LH in fish reproduction, the expression profiles of GTH subunit genes during gonadal development were analyzed in both male and female red seabream. Furthermore, in vitro studies were carried out to examine the effects of GTHs on steroid hormone production and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) expression in red seabream gonads. In both sexes, LHβ mRNA was maintained at high levels from the early gametogenesis until spawning season, and declined with gonadal regression. Interestingly, FSHβ mRNA levels in males increased in parallel with testicular development, whereas those in female were remained low throughout oocyte development. From in vitro studies using purified red seabream FSH and LH, both GTHs had a similar potency in stimulating 11-ketotestosterone production by testicular slices, while the biological activity of FSH was much lower than that of LH in stimulating production of estradiol-17β by vitellogenic follicles. Moreover, expression of P450arom mRNA was induced by LH, but not FSH, in ovarian follicles in vitro. FSH was also ineffective in inducing maturational competence and final oocyte maturation. These results suggest that, unlike salmonids, FSH may play an important role during gametogenesis in male, but not female, red seabream, whereas LH may be involved in regulation of both early and late gametogenesis in both sexes.     

Cloning and seasonal changes in ovarian expression of a TSH receptor in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

The cDNA encoding the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor was isolated from the ventral aorta (thyroid follicles) and in both gonads of the channel catfish. The seasonal changes in ovarian expression of this receptor seem to be correlated to reproduction. TSH, but not LH or FSH, activated the recombinant TSH receptor expressed in COS cells. These results indicate that the isolated cDNA encodes a functional and highly specific TSH receptor. The seasonally regulated expression in the catfish ovary suggests a role for TSH in gametegenesis.     

Immunoreactive changes in pituitary FSH and LH cells during seasonal reproductive and spawning cycles of female chub mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis>

The physiological functions of pituitary gonadotropins (GtHs) are well established in higher vertebrates, whereas those in teleosts are still poorly understood. To describe the role of GtHs during gonadal development of female chub mackerel Scomber japonicus, changes in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) cells were investigated immunohistochemically during the seasonal reproductive and spawning cycles. FSH and LH cells were identified in the different cell types of the proximal pars distalis (PPD); FSH cells were located in the central PPD, whereas LH cells were localized along the border of the pars intermedia. To examine changes in FSH and LH cells, the percentage of FSH or LH cell-occupying area in the PPD was evaluated and represented as FSHβ-immunoreactive (ir) or LHβ-ir levels, respectively. FSHβ-ir levels increased significantly from immature to the completion of vitellogenesis, whereas LHβ-ir levels were maintained at high levels from early vitellogenesis to post-spawning. During the spawning cycle, which consisted of four stages from just after spawning to the next oocyte maturation, both FSHβ-ir and LHβ-ir levels showed no significant changes among different stages; however, LHβ-ir levels remained relatively high, and FSHβ-ir levels were constantly low. These results suggest that both FSH and LH may be involved in vitellogenesis and LH may act at final oocyte maturation in female chub mackerel, although the role of FSH during the spawning cycle is still unclear.     

Activin stimulates goldfish FSH biosynthesis by enhancing FSHβ promoter activity

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) play critical roles in controlling vertebrate gonadal development and function. Activin, a dimeric growth factor initially identified in the gonads, is important in the differential regulation of the two gonadotropins in mammals. Using goldfish as a model, we have demonstrated that activin stimulates FSHβ but suppresses LHβ expression. The present study demonstrated that the 5′-flanking region of goldfish FSHβ gene is functional in the mouse gonadotrope cell line, LβT2 cells. Similar to its effect on the cultured pituitary cells, activin stimulated FSHβ promoter activity in the LβT2 cells and the effect could be blocked by its binding protein follistatin. Follistatin also significantly suppressed the basal FSHβ promoter activity, suggesting secretion of endogenous activin by the LβT2 cells. Further characterization of the cis-regulatory elements responsible for activin stimulation is now under way in our laboratory.     

Immunocytochemical localization of gonadotropins during the development of XX and XY Nile tilapia

Gonadal development and steroidogenesis in teleosts is regulated by two gonadotropic hormones; luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Earlier studies in tilapia have shown that FSH-β and LH-β appear by 14 days after hatching (dah), results from the current study corroborate with these previous reports in tilapia. Here we demonstrate the appearance of LH in pituitary between 14 and 20 dah. In addition to this the present study primarily focuses on any possible differences in appearance of LH-β and FSH-β immunoreactivity between XX and XY population of Nile tilapia. LH immunoreactivity was found to be lower in pituitary of XX fish when compared to XY fish. The development of FSH-β immunoreactivity in pituitary of the Nile tilapia is also presented. Overall, it remains to be established what significance these findings on the appearance of gonadotropins hold for sex differentiation in tilapia. F. Sakai and I. Swapna contributed equally.     

漠斑牙鲆(Paralichthys lethostigma)LH β基因克隆及其在卵巢不同发育期的表达特征

利用cDNA末端快速克隆(Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends,RACE)方法获得了漠斑牙鲆(Paralichthys lethostigma)促黄体素(Luteinizing Hormone,LH)β亚基的cDNA全长序列,检测了LHβ亚基mRNA的组织表达水平,揭示了垂体、肝脏和卵巢中LHβ亚基mRNA在卵巢发育周期中的表达水平变化,利用酶联免疫技术(Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay,ELISA)测定了血浆LH和雌二醇(Estrodiol,E2)表达水平的变化。结果表明,漠斑牙鲆为卵巢非同步发育分批产卵性鱼类,LHβ亚基cDNA序列全长597 bp,开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF)长438 bp,编码145个氨基酸,LHβ亚基mRNA具有广泛的组织分布特性。与肝脏和卵巢相比,垂体中LHβ亚基mRNA表达水平在卵巢发育各个阶段都有较高表达水平,在IV期表达水平迅速升高至较高水平并保持至VI期。卵巢中LHβmRNA表达水平在V期达到峰值,而肝脏中LHβmRNA表达水平在II期时达到峰值,在V期也有相对较高的表达水平。血浆LH和E2表达水平在卵巢发育周期中均呈现趋势一致的规律性变化。研究结果可为认识漠斑牙鲆生殖调控机制提供基础资料。     

Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and testosterone on gonadotropin subunit gene expression in female red seabream (Pagrus major)

We examined the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and testosterone (T) on the level of gonadotropin subunit mRNAs in the pituitary of ovariectomized or intact female red seabream. Ovariectomy induced increase of seabream (sb) GnRH, glycoprotein (GP) α and luteinizing hormone (LH) β mRNA levels. GnRHa treatment also stimulated GPα and LHβ mRNA levels. T treatment reduced GPα and LHβ mRNA expression probably via negative feedback action on sbGnRH. Both GnRHa and T treatment had no effect on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β mRNA levels. These results suggest that the regulatory mechanisms of GPα and LHβ gene expression differ from those of FSHβ gene.     

Expression of a glycoprotein hormone receptor gene in the ovary of the bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus)

A fragment of a glycoprotein hormone receptor (GpHR) gene was isolated from the ovary of the bullseye puffer. This cDNA fragment showed similarity to the thyrotropin (TSH) and gonadotropin (LH and FSH) receptors. GpHR mRNA expression in the ovary gradually increased during oocyte maturation.     

Molecular characterization,tissue distribution of Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone (FSH) beta subunit and effect of kisspeptin‐10 on reproductive hormonal profile of Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822)

Gonadotropin (GTH) hormones are glycoprotein which stimulates gonadal maturation in vertebrates. Follicle stimulating hormone is involved in initiation of gametogenesis and regulation of gonadal growth. FSHβ has been cloned and characterized from the brain of Catla catla. The FSHβ full‐length of cDNA sequence of 523 bp comprised 3, 394 and 128 bp of 5′‐UTR, open reading frame (ORF) 3′‐UTR respectively. The coding region of C. catla FSHβ encoded a peptide of 130 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis of C. catla FSHβ deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity with Gobiocypris rarus followed by goldfish, Carassius auratus. The qPCR result shows that FSHβ mRNA is mainly expressed in pituitary while moderate and low expression was observed in testis and ovary respectively. Chitosan‐nanoconjugated kisspeptin‐10 (CK‐10) of particle size 125 nm, polydispersity index of 0.335 to 0.65 and zeta potential of ?34.95 mV were synthesized and evaluated at against naked kisspeptin‐10 for their reproductive hormonal profile. Treatment of fish with CK‐10 showed controlled and sustained surge of the reproductive hormones (FSH & LH) with peak at 12 h. The hormone levels of naked kisspeptin‐10 treated fish decline after 6 h. The sustained release of this CK‐10 will help in reducing maturation age, synchronization of ovulation and spawning in fish. This is the first report on use of chitosan‐nanoconjugated kisspeptin‐10 (CK‐10) for reproduction in fish.     

Production and characterization of recombinant Manchurian trout thyrotropin

Thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH), a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone produced in the pituitary, stimulates the thyroid gland and release of thyroid hormones. In contrast to a well-known efficacy of recombinant mammalian TSHs, there is no report about the production of teleost recombinant TSH and its biological activity. In this study, we report the production of a single-chain recombinant TSH (mtTSH) of Manchurian trout (Brachymystax lenok), by baculovirus in silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae. The mtTSH was produced in silkworm larvae and characterized as a form of N-linked glycosylation. The cAMP signaling system in transiently transfected COS-7 cells revealed that the mtTSH was recognized by their cognate receptors, salmon TSHα and TSHβ receptors, but not LH receptor. The thyrotropic potency of the mtTSH was examined by rainbow trout basibranchial tissues containing thyroid follicles. The height of follicle epithelial cells was significantly increased by treatments of mtTSH in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the mtTSH produced by baculovirus–silkworm larvae is a biologically active recombinant TSH.     

Immunohistochemical changes in production of pituitary hormones during artificial maturation of female Japanese eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   Specific antibodies against follicle-stimulating hormone β subunit (FSHβ), prolactin (PRL), and somatolactin (SL) of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica were produced. These antibodies, as well as antibodies against luteinizing hormone β subunit (LHβ) and growth hormone (GH) produced previously, were used to examine changes in the production of pituitary hormones in female eels during maturation induced by salmon pituitary homogenate (SPH) injection. Immunohistochemical observations showed a decrease in FSH production after SPH injection, suggesting that SPH inhibits FSH production. In contrast, LH production increased markedly with maturation. The number of GH producing cells decreased gradually during maturation, possibly because of inhibition by exogenous GH present in the SPH and/or endogenous insulin-like growth factor-I produced by the stimulation of salmon GH. Although changes in the number of PRL producing cells with maturation were not evident, the number of SL producing cells showed a peak at the late vitellogenic stages, and thereafter decreased to the migratory nucleus stage. These results suggest that GH and SL are involved in sexual maturation in SPH injected eels, as in other fishes.     

Gonadotropins in the Manchurian trout, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis

cDNA clones encoding gonadotropin (GTH) α, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β and luteinzing hormone (LH) β were isolated from the pituitaries of maturing Manchurian trout (Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis) and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequences of GTH subunits showed high identities to masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou: GTHα1 (95%), FSHβ (92%) and LHβ (97%), respectively. We are also attempting to produce recombinant FSH and LH using a eukaryotic expression system. In a pilot experiment, LH was secreted to the culture medium at 48 and 60 hrs after transfection. The results will be helpful to develop controlled reproduction of exterminating Manchurian trout.