Foxl2基因在栉孔扇贝发育过程中的表达图式

Foxl2基因在哺乳动物中是雌性相关基因,参与卵巢发育和功能维持。本研究利用荧光定量PCR和原位杂交技术,对栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)foxl2(Cf-foxl2)在发育过程中的表达图式进行了分析。研究发现Cf-foxl2在受精卵中呈低水平表达,随着发育进行表达量增高,D形幼虫期表达量最高,之后表达量迅速下降。原位杂交结果显示Cf-foxl2表达量在担轮幼虫之前在体内均匀分布;强阳性信号在担轮幼虫口凹附近呈对称分布;至D形幼虫期强阳性信号主要集中在内脏团和外套膜边缘处;之后信号消失,直到性别分化后在卵巢中再次出现。本实验结果暗示Cf-foxl2与卵巢发育相关,鉴于该基因在发育早期的持续性表达特征,暗示其可能参与栉孔扇贝的早期发育过程。

Expression pattern of the foxl2 gene in the scallop Chlamys farreri during development

Abstract: Foxl2 is a female related gene that plays a role in ovarian development and maintenance of function in mammals. However, little is know about the expression and function of foxl2 during early embryonic development. We investigated the pattern of foxl2 (Cf-foxl2) expression during development in the scallop, Chlamys farreri, using qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The expression of Cf-foxl2 mRNA was low in the fertilized egg, but increased during development. The level of expression was highest in D-shaped larvae, after which levels declined significantly. In situ hybridization revealed that Cf-foxl2 mRNA was evenly distributed in the embryos up to the trochophore stage, at which point we observed a strong positive signal concentrated in the ventral surface near the concave region of the mouth. The intensity of the signal increased significantly in D-shaped larvae, was strongest in the dorsal part of the visceral mass and the margin of mantle, and was distributed symmetrically. Thereafter, the signal disappeared until sex differentiation, at which time the signal was only detected in the ovary. Our results suggest that the foxl2 gene participates in the regulation of ovarian development. Furthermore, given the persistent expression during the early development stages, we hypothesize that this gene plays a role in the development of C. farreri.