GnIH多肽对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)下丘脑生殖相关基因表达的影响

本研究首次通过下丘脑离体孵育的方法研究促性腺激素抑制激素(Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone,GnIH)多肽对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)下丘脑中生殖相关基因的表达调控。研究结果显示,tsGnIH-1促进了gnrh2和gnih的表达,对gnrh3和kiss2的表达无影响;tsGnIH-2抑制了gnrh3的表达,对gnrh2、kiss2和gnih的表达无影响。GnIH多肽对生殖相关基因的不同调控表明同一前体蛋白编码的不同GnIH多肽在生殖调控中的作用不尽相同。本研究结果增加了对GnIH参与鱼类生殖调控机制的认识,为深入研究奠定了基础。     

养殖鱼类生殖内分泌调控相关功能基因的研究和应用

新型的神经内分泌因子kisspeptin与GnIH(gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone)对哺乳动物的生殖轴起着直接而相反的调控作用,kisspeptin刺激脑垂体促性腺激素(GtH,gonadotropin)的合成与释放,而GnIH抑制GtH的合成与释放。然而,在鱼类中,相关研究甚少。本研究室利用比较基因组学技术,通过同线性分析结合分子生物学手段,在斑马鱼(Danio rerio)、金鱼(Carassius auratus)中克隆得到了kisspeptin(kiss1、kiss2)与GnIH以及它们相关受体的基因cDNA序列。氨基酸序列同源比对结果显示:在脊椎动物中,kisspeptin的核心肽相对保守,而GnIH的核心肽在不同物种中则有较大的差异。比较基因组分析显示kisspeptin与GnIH基因在鱼类、两栖类、鸟类和哺乳类都维持着保守的同线性结构;并且,同线性的结果表明,鱼类kiss1与kiss2基因来源于早期的基因组复制,在漫长的进化过程中,哺乳类丢失了kiss2基因。通过配体受体结合实验,证明2种kisspeptins均能激活其相关受体GPR54(GPR54a、GPR54b),启动下游通路,但却存在一定的配体-受体选择性差异。金鱼、斑马鱼组织表达模式研究显示:kisspeptins与GnIH以及它们相关受体在生殖相关组织或区域(下丘脑、垂体、性腺)均有丰富的表达,提示kisspeptins与GnIH可能参与鱼类的生殖调控。通过化学合成金鱼kisspeptins与GnIH的核心肽,在体注射成熟的雌性金鱼,发现kiss1能显著刺激金鱼LH的分泌,并且能诱导金鱼排卵,而kiss2不能;在高剂量的状况下,GnIH亦能有效抑制金鱼LH的分泌。然而,在离体实验中,2种kisspeptin与GnIH对金鱼垂体细胞LH的分泌均没有显著的影响,提示kisspeptins与GnIH对金鱼的LH调控可能发生于下丘脑水平。以上结果表明:与哺乳动物相类似,在鱼类生殖轴中也存在kisspeptins与GnIH的正负调控系统。本文侧重对这项研究以及相关的研究成果进行归纳与分析,旨为深入探讨鱼类生殖内分泌调控相关功能基因提供参考。     

不同倍性鱼的gnih和gnihr3差异表达分析

为研究促性腺激素抑制激素(gonadotropin inhibitory hormone, GnIH)及其受体GnIHR在不同倍性鲫鲤生殖发育过程中的作用,实验通过PCR和RACE技术获得了二倍体红鲫和异源三倍体鲫的gnih、gnihr3基因c DNA全长。结果显示,2种鱼gnih基因编码的蛋白序列均含有GnIH肽典型的LPXRF标志,gnihr3基因编码的蛋白为含有7个跨膜区的G蛋白偶联受体。采用实时荧光定量PCR分析了2种鱼的gnih、gnihr3基因mRNA在不同组织中的表达情况,结果显示gnih基因主要在下丘脑中高表达;gnihr3基因在下丘脑-垂体-性腺(HPG)轴中都有不同程度的表达;此外,无论是非繁殖期或繁殖期,gnih基因在红鲫下丘脑中的表达量均高于异源三倍体鲫;同时,gnihr3基因在红鲫下丘脑和垂体中的表达量均高于异源三倍体鲫,但在卵巢中的表达则后者较高。利用组织原位杂交分析了gnih和gnihr3基因在2种鱼下丘脑和垂体的组织定位情况,结果发现,gnih基因在2种鱼脑中Npp、Npo、NLT区均有明显杂交信号;gnihr3基因主要定位在这2种鱼垂体的PPD、RPD区,NH和PI区杂交信号较弱;同时,gnih和gnihr3基因在异源三倍体鲫中的杂交信号比红鲫弱。研究表明,在下丘脑大量表达的GnIH,结合广泛分布于HPG轴的受体GnIHR,并通过多条途径参与调控性腺发育。gnih、 gnihr3mRNA在2鱼组织中的表达存在差异性,从分子水平提供了异源三倍体鱼不育的证据,在鱼类繁殖生物学和遗传育种方面具有重要意义。     

鱼类促性腺激素抑制激素及其受体的研究进展

促性腺激素抑制激素是2000年由日本学者首次从鹌鹑脑中分离出的一种新型下丘脑神经肽,通过其受体介导参与机体的生长、生殖以及摄食等生理过程。迄今,只在金鱼、斑马鱼、星点东方鲀、罗非鱼以及斜带石斑鱼等几种鱼中鉴定出促性腺激素抑制激素。目前,鱼类促性腺激素抑制激素的生理学功能研究相对较少,且存在争议。鱼类促性腺激素抑制激素及其受体的表达调控以及其他生理学功能仍有待进一步研究。本研究简要总结鱼类促性腺激素抑制激素及其受体的研究进展,并对促性腺激素抑制激素的生理学功能进行概括讨论,旨在加深对鱼类促性腺激素抑制激素的认识和了解,为进一步研究做铺垫。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) gnrh2基因克隆、组织分布及卵巢成熟过程中表达分析

为了研究下丘脑神经肽促性腺激素释放激素(Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2,GnRH2)在半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)卵巢成熟过程中的生理作用,本研究通过RT-PCR及RACE方法获得了半滑舌鳎GnRH2全长cDNA序列;通过实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)对gnrh2 mRNA的组织分布以及卵巢成熟过程中的时空表达特性进行了分析.结果显示,半滑舌鳎GnRH2全长cDNA序列为538 bp(不包括polyA尾),其中,5'非编码区(Untranslated region,UTR)为154 bp,3'UTR为126 bp,开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF)为258 bp,编码85个氨基酸的前体多肽,其分子量及等电点分别为9.69 kDa和8.55.GnRH2前体多肽由信号肽、GnRH2十肽、酶切位点(GKR)以及GnRH相关肽共4部分组成.序列比对分析发现,GnRH2在鱼类中同源性极高,尤其是十肽(QHWSHGWYPG)在所有硬骨鱼类中完全相同.半滑舌鳎GnRH2与鲈形目同源性最高(89.41％-90.5 9％),其次为鲽形目、鲑形目和鲍形目(78.82％-85.88％),与鲤形目同源性最低(61.18％-71.76％).gnrh2 mRNA主要在脑中表达,在垂体及其他外周组织中表达量极低.此外,组织学分析显示,半滑舌鳎卵巢发育共分为5个时期(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ和Ⅵ期).在卵巢成熟过程中,脑gnrh2 mRNA表达量在卵黄生成期(Ⅲ期)显著性增加,达到峰值;随后表达量急剧下降,在成熟期(Ⅴ期)达到最小值;在排卵后期(Ⅵ期)又显著性增加.然而,在卵巢成熟过程中,垂体gnrh2 mRNA表达量在卵黄生成后期(Ⅳ期)显著性降低,随后在成熟期(Ⅴ期)有所增加,但在排卵后期(Ⅵ期)又急剧下降.上述研究结果表明,脑GnRH2可能参与了半滑舌鳎卵巢发育过程.     

我国鲆鲽类生殖内分泌研究进展

鱼类的生殖和苗种繁育是鱼类养殖业持续健康发展的必要前提和关键技术基础之一,是海洋生物技术的重要研究领域.近年来,我国北方沿海鱼类繁殖生理主要围绕鲆鲽类“下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴”的组织结构特征、性腺发育规律、性类固醇激素、生殖相关功能基因内分泌调控机制等方面开展了较系统的研究.本文重点介绍主要养殖鲆鲽类“下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴”中表达的重要功能基因的研究进展,并综述了鲆鲽类生殖相关组织的结构及其内分泌系统特征、性腺发育的生理特性及其与环境因子和激素诱导的关系、性类固醇激素的表达变化规律及其与水温及光周期调控关系等.旨在为鲆鲽类生殖活动的精准调控和建立苗种繁育新技术提供参考.     

Kisspeptin对鱼类生殖轴的调控机制研究

Kisspeptin(简称Kiss或者Kp)是由KISS1/Kiss1基因编码的一种下丘脑神经肽,通过其受体KissR(也称作GPR54)的介导参与了多种生理过程,如抑制肿瘤转移和参与生殖调控。目前,尽管在鲤形目(Cypriniformes)、鲈形目(Perciforms)、鲽形目(Pleuronectiforms)、鲀形目(Tetraodontiforms)、颌针目(Beloniforms)、鲉形目(Scorpaeniformes)、鲑形目(Salmoniformes)及鳕形目(Gadiformes)等多种鱼类中均鉴定出了kiss/kissr基因,但Kiss/KissR系统在鱼类生殖调控中的精确作用及其分子机制尚未完全阐明。尤其是在鱼类中存在2种kiss及3种kissr基因,Kiss/KissR系统对鱼类生殖调控的作用方式更加复杂。本文简要总结鱼类Kiss及其受体的研究进展,并对Kiss的生理学功能、信号转导机制以及kiss/kissr表达调控研究进行概括讨论,旨在加深对鱼类Kiss/KissR系统的认识和了解,为后续研究指明方向。     

施氏鲟下丘脑神经肽基因的克隆、序列分析及表达特征

为了解下丘脑神经肽(kisspeptin)在施氏鲟(Acipenser schrenckii)生殖调控中的作用,采用反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和RACE技术首次克隆得到施氏鲟2个kisspeptin基因的全长cDNA序列,命名为kiss1和kiss2,并对它们编码氨基酸序列的特征及时空表达模式进行分析。结果表明,施氏鲟kiss1基因的cDNA全长为522 bp,编码130个氨基酸;kiss2基因的cDNA全长为518bp,编码149个氨基酸;Kiss1和Kiss2均以α-螺旋和无规则蜷曲为二级结构中的主要元件,且为含有信号肽、无跨膜结构、分泌到细胞外的不稳定亲水性蛋白质。氨基酸序列比对及进化分析表明,施氏鲟Kiss1和Kiss2具有高度保守区域,与达氏鲟(Acipenser dabryanus)Kiss1和Kiss2蛋白序列一致性最高,亲缘关系最近。荧光定量PCR结果显示,施氏鲟kiss1和kiss2的表达具有组织特异性,其中kiss1在性腺中的表达量最高,而kiss2在脑中的表达量最高。kiss2在早期性腺发育过程中的表达量检测显示,在孵化后0～49 d, kiss2的表达量较低,而kiss1的表达量则较高,在孵化后21 d达峰值;随着性腺的发育(孵化后64～199 d), kiss2的表达水平逐渐升高并在139 d达到最高,随后下降;与kiss2表达模式不同, kiss1的表达量在孵化后184 d达到峰值。以上结果表明, kisspeptin基因在施氏鲟早期性腺发育过程中具有重要的作用,且其调控功能存在差异。本实验为进一步阐明kiss1和kiss2的生理功能和分子调控机制奠定了理论基础。     

牙鲆脑中促性腺激素释放激素受体的克隆和鉴定

GnRH（gonadotropin-releasing hormone）是下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴中重要的十肽信息分子，在所有的脊椎动物的生殖神经内分泌调控中具有重要的作用。GnRH成熟的十肽沿着轴突被运送到下丘脑正中隆起（median eminence）末端，然后进入下丘脑垂体门脉循环（hypothalamo hypophyseal portal circulation）（四足动物）或直接通过轴突末梢（大多数硬骨鱼）把信号传递给刺激性腺的细胞，与特异性受体结合，刺激促性腺激素（GtHs，gonadotropins）的合成与释放，参与脊椎动物繁殖的起始和维持正常生殖功能。伴随着GnRH的研究，研究者对鱼类GnRH受体的研究也越来越感兴趣，牙鲆（Paralichthys olivaceus）是中国重要的海水养殖鱼类，本研究从牙鲆脑组织中克隆得到全长的Type Ⅰ GnRH受体，并对其组织特异性表达作了分析，为牙鲆的神经生殖内分泌研究奠定了一定的基础。 在本研究中，以海水养殖牙鲆为材料，从牙鲆脑组织中采用巢式PCR、5′-和3′-RACE技术克隆得到了1671bp牙鲆促性腺激素释放激素受体（GnRH-R）全长cDNA序列，包括147bp的5′-UTR、1248bp的开放阅读框和276bp的3′-UTR，GenBank登录号是DQ011872。牙鲆GnRH-R和其他物种GnRH-R的氨基酸序列的多序列比对结果显示，其存在许多保守的特征，牙鲆GnRH-R显示有3个主要的功能区域：1个N端胞外结构域（1～44个氨基酸残基）、1个大的跨膜结构域（45～324个氨基酸残基）和1个C端细胞质区域（325～415个氨基酸残基）。空间结构预测显示牙鲆GnRH-R跨膜区域包含7个高度保守的跨膜α螺旋（45—64、76—95、114—135、156—176、207—224、267—286、305—324），这些α螺旋是受体锚定到细胞膜上必需的。 氨基酸序列系统进化分析表明，牙鲆GnRH-R与琥珀鱼GnRH-R1具有高度同源性（85％同源性）。已知的硬骨鱼GnRH—R基因的系统进化分析表明，存在两种类型的GnRH-R基因：Type Ⅰ GnRH—R和Tpye Ⅱ GnRH-R基因。在牙鲆GnRH—R的氨基酸序列中，具有Type Ⅰ GnRH—R共有的典型基序：CAFVT（TMⅢ）和DlLEGKVSHSLTH（TMⅦ开始的序列处），表明克隆得到的牙鲆GnRH-R属于Type Ⅰ GnRH—R。 GnRH-R跨膜α螺旋之间的区域形成了胞内或胞外loops，这些区域参与受体信号转导和肽选择性功能上。牙鲆GnRH-R在TMⅢ的细胞质边界处具有一个保守的DRQSA／（DRXXXI／V）基序，这个基序被认为参与G蛋白偶联信号转导和GnRH肽诱导受体的激活；另一个保守的区域是位于TMⅦ内的NPXXY或DPXXY基序同样存在于牙鲆中（DPVIY），这个基序参与到一些GPCRs（包括GnRH-R）的内在化（internalization），同时这个基序特别是基序中的Tyr残基对于受体激活和信号转导起到关键作用。在第三个胞内loop中，鱼类GnRH—R有个保守的Ala残基（在牙鲆中为Ala^250），其也在G蛋白偶联和受体内在化方面具有重要作用。 在哺乳动物或非哺乳动物GnRH-R中，在第一个和第二个胞外loop之间由2个Cys形成1个保守二硫桥，是受体的正确折叠必需的。和其他的GnRH-R一样，牙鲆GnRH-R在第一个和第二个胞外loop之间存在由2个Cys（Cys^112和Cys^190）可以形成的潜在的二硫桥。这个二硫桥的完全缺失将会影响受体的结构完整性和降低鱼类GnRH—R对GnRH肽的选择性。 GnRH-Rs的NH2-末端区域不是很保守，但含有糖基化位点，是GnRH—Rs表达、GnRH—Rs穿梭到细胞胞表面或受体稳定必需的。将mouse的GnRH—R糖基化位点引进到人GnRH-R中，可以增加受体的数量，但不影响受体结合力或肽选择性。牙鲆Type Ⅰ GnRH—R中在NH2-末端含有3个潜在的糖基化位点（N^11SSW、N^15GSS和N^22WTA），此外，在第一个胞外loop和第二个胞外loop中分别存在1个糖基化位点（N^100ITV和N^178VTI），牙鲆Type Ⅰ GnRH—R含有的糖基化位点比哺乳动物要多，牙鲆糖基化位点的数目是否／怎样影响牙鲆GnRH-R的表达、降解率或亲和力，应该进一步研究。 在牙鲆GnRH-R的第一个胞内Ioop中，存在1个和tGnRH-R Ⅲ基序（^80KRKSH^84）一致的基序（^69KRKSH^74），这个基序是Gs识别基序（BBXXB，B代表碱性氨基酸，X代表任何一种氨基酸）。已经证明这个基序和cAMP产生相关，cGnRH-Ⅱ能通过cAMP-PKA途径提高stbGnRH-R在COS7细胞中的活性。 和其他非哺乳动物GnRH-Rs相似，牙鲆GnRH-R含有1个C-末端细胞内尾巴。这种胞内尾巴是鱼类GnRH-Rs功能必需的，在第三个胞内loop中，牙鲆GnRH-R含有2个PKC磷酸化位点（^233SKR^235和^262TLK^264）；在C端尾巴中，存在1个PKC磷酸化位点（^402TAR^404）。牙鲆GnRH-RC-末端尾巴中含有鱼类GnRH-R具有的Src同源区3（SH3）结合区域（PxxP序列）（^340PPAP），能够潜在地传送偶联的能力到丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPKs），GnRH通过PKC和PKA调控GtHα和LHβ转录，二者都集中于MAPK水平。 RT—PCR分析表明，GnRH-R在牙鲆脑和垂体有表达，暗示牙鲆GnRH-R参与到生殖行为如产卵行为；RT-PCR也检测到牙鲆GnRH-R在卵巢和睾丸中有表达，其能与牙鲆cGnRH-Ⅱ和sbGnRH在卵巢中共表达，GnRH肽在卵巢中具有自分泌／旁分泌功能，对牙鲆卵巢中的GnRH受体可能起到调控作用。[中国水产科学，2006，13（4）：536—546]     

甲壳动物CHH家族神经激素结构和功能研究进展

甲壳动物主要利用温度、光照周期等外界因子调节其生理状态 ,使它们的生殖活动处于最适条件下 ,来自外界因子的这些信息作用于甲壳动物的中枢神经系统 ,后者将其传递到神经内分泌系统和内分泌系统 ,神经内分泌系统和内分泌系统能够分泌一些促进因子和抑制因子以实施对性腺活动的调控。由于甲壳动物成体的生殖和蜕皮常常交替出现 ,因此 ,神经内分泌系统和内分泌系统的精确调控非常重要。甲壳动物高血糖激素 (ＣＨＨ)家族神经激素是甲壳动物特有的多肽激素 ,它们主要由眼柄的Ｘ -器官窦腺复合体合成 ,它们包括 :甲壳动物高血糖激素 (ＣＨＨ)、…     

Insights into kisspeptin- and leptin-signalling on GnRH mRNA expression in hypothalamic organ cultures of immature pikeperch <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis>

Two types of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) were identified as gnrh1 and gnrh2 in pikeperch Sander lucioperca. The administration of rodent leptin on hypothalamic organ cultures of immature pikeperch resulted in significantly elevated levels of gnrh2, but not in gnrh1 mRNA, whereas kisspeptin-10 administration did not affect gnrh1 or gnrh2 expression. These results represent preliminary insights into leptin-GnRH-signaling on a hypothalamic level in fish, potentially coupling fat metabolism and the activation of the reproductive axis during puberty. Mammalian leptin and kisspeptin-10, however, failed to initiate a consistent response in pikeperch and their use cannot be recommended.     

Effects of synthetic kisspeptin peptides and GnRH analogue on oocyte growth and circulating sex steroids in prepubertal female chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus)

In recent years, kisspeptin peptides, encoded by kiss genes have been used to manipulate reproductive processes in farmed animals, including fish. Our previous studies demonstrated that the chub mackerel brain expresses kiss1 and kiss2 and intramuscular injection of synthetic Kiss1 pentadecapeptide (Kiss1‐15) but not Kiss2 dodecapeptide (Kiss2‐12) accelerates spermatogenesis in prepubertal male chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus). In the present study, we evaluated their effects in prepubertal female chub mackerel. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) values of experimental fish did not show any significant changes. Condition factor (CF) values increased significantly in Kiss1‐15 treated fish, in comparison with control and GnRH analogue (GnRHa) injected fish. Histologically, only perinucleolar oocytes were found in all experimental fish. However, Kiss and GnRHa treated fish showed a significant increase in the perinucleolar oocyte diameter, in comparison with the control fish. Gene expression analyses revealed decreased expression of gnrh1 in the telencephalon‐preoptic region of the brain of Kiss2‐12 and GnRHa injected fish, in comparison with control fish. In contrast, GnRHa injected fish exhibited higher levels of fshβ in the pituitary, with no changes in the levels of lhβ among different treatments. Levels of circulating sex steroids, testosterone, and estradiol‐17β were significantly higher in Kiss1‐15 injected fish, in comparison with control fish. These results indicate that synthetic kisspeptin peptides and GnRHa can induce oocyte growth in prepubertal female chub mackerel.     

Seabream GnRH: partial cDNA cloning, localization and stage-dependent expression in the ovary of snake head murrel, Channa striatus

Vertebrate reproduction is under the neuroendocrine control of the hypothalamic decapeptide GnRH which synchronizes various reproductive events and influences other reproduction related aspects like spawning behavior and pheromonal action in fish. Multiple forms of GnRH peptides have been reported across diverse vertebrate and invertebrate classes. Here we report the partial seabream GnRH (sbGnRH) cDNA sequence cloned from the brain of Channa striatus (snake head murrel) a fresh water perciform with immense economic and medicinal value across Asiatic countries. sbGnRH mRNA was found in brain, gill and ovary of mature murrel with possible implications to the effect of GnRH on pheromonal phenomena and on reinitiation of oocyte meiosis. In keeping with the earlier reported role of GnRH in initiation of oocyte meiosis we here present evidence from RT-PCR, ICC demonstrating an increase in the level of sbGnRH mRNA in ovary from pre-vitellogenic to post-vitellogenic follicles.     

Spexin in the half-smooth tongue sole (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cynoglossus semilaevis</Emphasis>): molecular cloning,expression profiles,and physiological effects

Spexin (SPX), a novel neuropeptide discovered by the bioinformatics approach, has been shown to exert pleiotropic functions in mammals. However, little information regarding the physiological role of SPX is available in teleosts. As a first step, we cloned the spexin gene from a flatfish, the half-smooth tongue sole. The open reading frame (ORF) of tongue sole spexin contained 363 nucleotides encoding a 120 amino acid (aa) preprohormone with a calculated molecular mass and isoelectric point of 14.06 kDa and 5.86, respectively. The tongue sole SPX precursor contained a 27 aa signal peptide and a 14 aa mature peptide flanked by two dibasic protein cleavage sites (RR and GRR). Tissue distribution analysis showed that spexin mRNA could be detected in various tissues, notably in the brain. In addition, fasting stimulated the hypothalamic expression of spexin mRNA. Intraperitoneal injection of SPX increased gnih and gnrh3 mRNA levels in the hypothalamus; however, SPX inhibited the pituitary expression of gh, fshβ, and gthα mRNAs. Overall, our results reveal the existence of a functional SPX in the tongue sole, which could represent an important factor in the neuroendocrine control of flatfish reproduction and growth, and the spexin mRNA expression is regulated by feeding status.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin in goldfish and masu salmon

Reproductive activities in vertebrates are regulated by an endocrine system, consisting of the brain-pituitary-gonad axis. In teleosts, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the brain stimulates gonadotropin (GTH) release in the pituitary gland, but because of lack of the portal vessel, it is not known when and how much GnRH is released for the regulation of GTH release. There are multiple molecular types of GnRH in teleosts and several distinct populations of GnRH neurons in the brain. However, we do not know which types and populations of GnRH neurons regulate reproductive activities. Here we summarize our recent studies on GnRH and GTH in masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou and goldfish Carassius auratus. Immunocytochemistry showed the location and molecular types of GnRH neurons. Salmon (sGnRH) and chicken-II GnRH (cGnRH-II) neuronal fibers were widely distributed in the brain of both masu salmon and goldfish. Only sGnRH fibers were observed in the pituitary of masu salmon, whereas both sGnRH and cGnRH-II fibers were observed in the goldfish pituitary, indicating that species specific GnRH profiles are involved in the regulation of pituitary function in teleosts. A series of experiments in masu salmon and goldfish suggest that among GnRH neuron populations GnRH neurons in the ventral telencephalon and the hypothalamus regulate GTH release, and that GnRH of the terminal nerve origin is not essential to gonadal maturation and ovulation. The biological function of other GnRH neurons remains unkown. Two GTHs appear to be characteristic of teleost; however, regulation of reproduction by these GTHs is a question that remains to be elucidated. In salmonid species, it is proposed that GTH I stimulates early gonadal development, whereas GTH II acts in later stages. When GTH expression was examined in goldfish, both GTH I and II mRNA levels in the pituitary gland showed increases in accordance with gonadal development, unlike the sequential expression of GTH subunits in salmonids. The expression of these GTH subunit mRNAs were affected by water temperature, starvation, and steroid hormones in goldfish, but in what manner these two GTHs regulate gonadal development remains to be clarified.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">kiss2</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">kissr2</Emphasis> genes and the regulation of kisspeptin on the HPG axis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cynoglossus semilaevis</Emphasis>

Reproduction allows organisms to produce offspring. Animals shift from immature juveniles into mature adults and become capable of sexual reproduction during puberty, which culminates in the first spermiation and sperm hydration or ovulation. Reproduction is closely related to the precise control of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Kisspeptin peptides are considered as the important regulator of HPG axis in mammalian. However, the current understanding of kisspeptin in flatfish is not comprehensive. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the kiss2 and kissr2 genes in Cynoglossus semilaevis. Interesting alternative splicing in the 5′-untranslated regions (UTR) of the Cskissr2 gene was found. The expression profiles of Cskiss2 and Cskissr2 showed relative high messenger RNA (mRNA) levels at the late gastrula stage during embryonic development, at total length = 40 mm during early gonadal differentiation, and in the brains and gonads of all investigated tissues. These results suggested that the kisspeptin system participated in embryogenesis and in the regulation of gonadal differentiation and development. Considering that the control and regulatory mechanisms of kisspeptin in the central reproductive axis are still unclear, we documented that the intramuscular injection of kisspeptin caused different sGnRH and cGnRH mRNA levels in a dose- and tissue-dependent manner. The mRNA expressions of FSH and LH were stimulated in the ovary and were inhibited in the testis under the kisspeptin treatments. These results provided foundations for understanding the roles of kisspeptin in the neuroendocrine system in fish. The manipulation of the kisspeptin system may provide new opportunities to control the gonadal development and even reproduction in fish.