Effect of feed deprivation and refeeding on the MYP gene expression of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius)

To determine the main expression site of major yolk protein (MYP) gene and the mechanisms for adaptation to starvation and refeeding in Strongylocentrotus intermedius, MYP mRNA expression amounts were analysed using a real‐time RT‐PCR. The results showed that MYP could be transcribed in the intestine, stomach, gonad and coelomocytes, and that the intestine was the main expression site of MYP gene in non‐starved urchins. The MYP synthesis in the intestine decreased during 15 days of starvation (67.70%, 52.58% and 71.35% of the control at 5, 10 and 15 days of fasting respectively) and then increased dramatically by different amounts (the peaks were 2.71‐, 12.16‐ and 7.89‐fold that of the control respectively) during the refeeding stages. Nevertheless, the expression amounts in the gonads did not decline, but increased continuously during all periods of fasting (2.66‐, 3.72‐ and 13.19‐fold that of the control at 5, 10 and 15 days of starvation respectively) and during the refeeding stages. At the end of the recovery feeding experiment, the levels reached 9.58‐, 17.48‐ and 100.69‐fold that of the control. These data suggested that the ‘priority’ strategy for the sea urchin is to reduce MYP expression amounts in the intestine if food is limited and to increase MYP gene expression in the gonad to protect reproductive function.