草鱼孕烷X受体与细胞色素P450 3A mRNA表达相关性初步研究

根据GenBank中斑马鱼(Danio rerio)和虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)孕烷X受体(pregnane X receptor,PXR)基因序列设计保守区域简并引物,通过PCR扩增获得草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)PXR cDNA核苷酸序列片段为509 bp,经推导获取169 aa序列。对草鱼与其它物种PXR氨基酸序列进行同源性比较,用以鉴定其在物种中的进化。应用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测草鱼9种组织PXR和细胞色素P450 3A(cytochrome P450 3A,CYP3A)基因mRNA相对含量,结果表明,其表达丰度依次为:前肠﹥肝脏﹥肾脏﹥鳃﹥肌肉﹥后肠﹥性腺﹥心脏﹥脾脏,CYP3A和PXR基因在草鱼组织中表达分布基本一致,在前肠、肝脏和肾脏高度表达,而在其它组织低度表达。为了进一步研究PXR和CYP3A基因表达相关性,通过细胞,特选用诱导剂利福平(rifampicin,RIF),最佳诱导浓度40μM,孵育1、2、4、6、8、10、12、24 h后,用qRT-PCR检测CYP3A-PXR基因动态表达过程。结果显示,诱导组CYP3A和PXR基因表达量均高于对照组,显示出显著诱导效应。     

芳香化酶抑制剂对暗纹东方鲀CYP19A、DMRT1基因表达及性腺分化的影响

采用组织学和分子生物学方法,研究了投喂芳香化酶抑制剂来曲唑(LE)后暗纹东方鲀(Takifugu obscures)初孵仔鱼CYP19A、DMRT1基因表达以及性腺的组织学变化,以期进一步了解P450芳香化酶(P450arom)在鱼类早期性别分化过程中的作用。RT-PCR结果显示,对照组样品CYP19A和DMRT1表达显示性二态,雌性表达CYP19A基因,雄性表达DMRT1基因。LE处理组在性别分化期间,雄性样品单一表达DMRT1,雌性样品则同时表达CYP19A和DMRT1。qRT-PCR结果显示:LE处理组雌性仔鱼CYP19A基因表达被显著抑;虽然在仔鱼出膜后22d(dph)的表达水平高于9 dph,但仅为同日对照组的2.11%。LE处理组雌性样品22 dph时DMRT1基因表达量上调,至150 dph时达对照组雄性水平。55 dph的性腺组织学结果表明,LE处理可导致暗纹东方鲀稚鱼原始卵巢退化,并向功能性精巢发育。150 dph的LE处理组性腺均为精巢,并与对照组精巢发育同步。结论认为,暗纹东方鲀性腺分化期间P450arom是卵巢形成和维持发育所必须的,抑制P450arom活性可导致雌性暗纹东方鲀发生雄性化逆转。     

芳香化酶抑制剂对暗纹东方鲀CYP19A、DMRT1基因表达及性腺分化的影响

摘要: 采用组织学和分子生物学方法, 研究了投喂芳香化酶抑制剂来曲唑(LE)后暗纹东方鲀(Takifugu obscures)初孵仔鱼CYP19A、DMRT1基因表达以及性腺的组织学变化, 以期进一步了解P450芳香化酶(P450arom)在鱼类早期性别分化过程中的作用。RT-PCR结果显示, 对照组样品CYP19A和DMRT1表达显示性二态, 雌性表达CYP19A基因, 雄性表达DMRT1基因。LE处理组在性别分化期间, 雄性样品单一表达DMRT1, 雌性样品则同时表达CYP19A和DMRT1。qRT-PCR结果显示: LE处理组雌性仔鱼CYP19A基因表达被显著抑; 虽然在仔鱼出膜后22 d(dph)的表达水平高于9 dph, 但仅为同日对照组的2.11%。LE处理组雌性样品22 dph时DMRT1基因表达量上调, 至150 dph时达对照组雄性水平。55 dph的性腺组织学结果表明, LE处理可导致暗纹东方鲀稚鱼原始卵巢退化, 并向功能性精巢发育。150 dph的LE处理组性腺均为精巢, 并与对照组精巢发育同步。结论认为, 暗纹东方鲀性腺分化期间P450arom是卵巢形成和维持发育所必须的, 抑制P450arom活性可导致雌性暗纹东方鲀发生雄性化逆转。

     

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。     

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.     

河川沙塘鳢GHR和IGF-2基因克隆及mRNA的时序表达

生长激素/胰岛素样生长因子-轴(growth hormone/insulin-like growth-axis,GH/IGF-轴)是调控鱼类生长的主要内分泌轴线。为探讨生长相关基因GHR、IGF-2对河川沙塘鳢(Odontobutis potamophila)生长发育的调控机制,采用cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)和实时荧光定量PCR等技术,对河川沙塘鳢的GHR、IGF-2基因进行了克隆和表达模式分析。研究结果显示:河川沙塘鳢GHR基因的cDNA全长序列为2 179 bp,开放阅读框为1 830 bp,共编码609个氨基酸,IGF-2基因的cDNA全长序列为1 586 bp,开放阅读框642 bp,共编码213个氨基酸。采用qRT-PCR方法检测了GHR、IGF-2基因在9个不同组织(脑、肝、心、肌肉、脾、肠、性腺、鳃、肾)和8个胚胎不同发育时期(受精卵期、桑椹胚期、原肠胚期、神经胚期、体节期、口裂期、出膜后1 d、出膜后3 d)的表达情况。结果表明:IGF-2和GHR基因在所检测的9种组织中均有表达,其中以肝脏、肌肉、性腺、脑中的表达量较高,在胚胎发育阶段GHR和IGF-2基因表达呈先上升后下降的趋势,在原肠胚期表达量较高,表明其在胚胎发育过程中发挥重要作用。qRT-PCR进一步比较了雌、雄河川沙塘鳢GHR和IGF-2基因在不同生长发育阶段(90、150、210、270、330 d)脑、肝、肌肉mRNA的表达量,结果表明:各时期雄鱼GHR和IGF-2基因在肝组织中表达量均显著高于雌鱼,肌肉和脑GHR基因mRNA的表达量则无显著差异。而IGF-2基因则仅在雌、雄鱼210 d的脑和150、210 d的肌肉存在显著性差异,推测肝GHR和IGF-2基因mRNA表达的雌雄差异是河川沙塘鳢雌雄生长差异的主要原因之一。     

Hsp60/10 and sHsp families of heat shock protein genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and their expression under heat stress

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are highly conserved proteins whose expression can be induced by high temperature and play an important role in a variety of biological processes. However, systematic identification of the Hsp60/10 and small Hsp (sHsp) gene family in rainbow trout has not yet been reported, and there is little available information about its roles in evolution in rainbow trout, a typical economical cold-water fish. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the rainbow trout Hsp60/10 and sHsp gene family and to investigate their expression profiles. A total of one Hsp60 gene, one Hsp10 gene, and ten sHsp genes were identified. According to RNA-seq analysis of rainbow trout liver and head kidney under heat stress, a total of six out of ten sHsp genes were significantly upregulated in liver and head kidney. Real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to quantitatively analyze the expression levels of these genes in different tissues of rainbow trout. Results showed that the expression of hspe1 and hspd1 was lowest in liver and gill, respectively, and highest in brain. In sHsp gene family, all genes are highly expressed in the liver and head kidney, but relatively low in the heart, spleen, brain, gills, and muscles. This systematic analysis provided valuable information about the diverse roles of Hsp60/10 and sHsp in the evolution of teleost fish, which will contribute to the functional characterization of Hsp60/10 and sHsp genes in further research.

     

胡子鲇脑型芳香化酶基因全长cDNA克隆及表达

采用RT-PCR和RACE法,克隆了胡子鲇(Clarias fuscus)脑型芳香化酶基因Cyp19a1b,应用荧光实时定量PCR检测其在前脑、下丘脑、脑垂体、肝、精巢和卵巢6种组织,以及性腺分化前后(出膜后12～30 d)全鱼中的mRNA表达。结果表明,Cyp19a1b cDNA全长2 347 bp,5′端非编码区219 bp,3′端[不包括poly(A)]596 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)1 503 bp,编码500个氨基酸,推测其编码蛋白质分子量为56.388 kD。序列分析及分子系统进化树结果表明,胡子鲇Cyp19a1b氨基酸序列与非洲鲇(Clarias gariepinus)Cyp19a1b同源性最高,达95.6%;与南方大口鲇(Silurusmeridionalis)、黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)、斑马鱼(Danio rerio)、斑点叉尾(Ictalurus punctatus)、赤点石斑鱼(Epinephelus akaara)、鲤(Cyprinus carpio)、鲫(Carassius auratus)及稀有鲫(Gobiocypris rarus)Cyp19a1b同源性达75%以上,但与上述鱼类的性腺型芳香化酶基因(Cyp19a1a)同源性低于62%,表明其为脑型芳香化酶,同源性分析结果与根据传统形态学和生化特征分类的结果相一致。荧光实时定量PCR结果显示,Cyp19a1b在胡子鲇上述组织中均有表达,其中下丘脑中表达量最高,肝和精巢最低,在脑部的表达存在明显的性别差异(P<0.05)。此外,在胡子鲇性腺分化前(出膜后12 d)Cyp19a1b即开始表达,但分化前后表达量无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结果暗示Cyp19a1b可能不是引起胡子鲇性腺分化的直接因素,但其可能通过"下丘脑垂体性腺轴"对性腺分化过程产生间接影响。     

红鳍东方鲀3个白介素基因的序列特征及表达分析

本试验分析体质量(190.34±2.13)g的红鳍东方鲀白介素基因IL-1b、IL-8和IL-10的序列特征,检测其在红鳍东方鲀脑、鳃、心脏、肌肉、肝脏和脾脏中的表达,以及每尾红鳍东方鲀注射密度1×107 cfu/mL的哈维氏弧菌菌液0.1 mL后0、12、24、48 h在肝脏和脾脏中的表达.试验结果表明,IL-1b、...     

Distribution and induction of cytochrome P450 1A1 in the rainbow trout brain

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 participates in the activation as well as detoxification of environmental pollutants such as aromatic hydrocarbons. This CYP form is also efficiently induced by aromatic hydrocarbons. The presence of CYP 1A1 in the brain might thus be of physiological and toxicological importance. In the present investigation on rainbow trout, the distribution of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, a cytochrome CYP 1A1 catalyzed reaction, was measured in whole tissue homogenates from brain parts. In control fish, a relatively high activity was found in the rainbow trout olfactory bulb compared to the other brain parts. Although an EROD induction (3 to 7-fold) by β-naphthoflavone (BNF) was recorded in all brain parts from the rainbow trout, the highest induced activity was measured in the olfactory bulbs. To ascertain the distribution of EROD activity in cells, whole brain tissue was subfractionated by differential centrifugation. The fractionation scheme separated mitochondria (P2 fraction) and microsomes (P3 fraction) as determined by marker enzymes and electron microscopy. In control rainbow trout, a low EROD activity could be measured in the P2 fraction. BNF induced the EROD activity in both P2 and P3 fractions. Western blotting showed the induction by BNF of a protein band in the P2 and P3 fractions with a molecular mass around 58,000 when highly specific anti-cod CYP 1A1 antibodies were used. ELISA measurements confirmed the induction of CYP 1A1 protein in the rainbow trout brain subcellular fractions.     

鳜胃泌素与胆囊收缩素基因cDNA全长的克隆与表达特征

为探明鱼类消化液分泌的相关调控因子,采用RACE技术分别克隆了鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)两种肠道激素——胃泌素(gastrin,GAS)与胆囊收缩素(cholecystokinin,CCK)基因的cDNA序列。鳜GAS基因cDNA全长581 bp,5′非翻译区长100 bp,3′非翻译区长145 bp,开放阅读框长336 bp,编码111个氨基酸;鳜CCK具有2种类型:CCK1与CCK2,CCK1 cDNA全长为843 bp,5′非翻译区长60 bp,3′非翻译区长369 bp,开放阅读框414 bp,编码137个氨基酸;CCK2 cDNA全长846 bp,5′非翻译区长112 bp,3′非翻译区长332 bp,开放阅读框403 bp,编码134个氨基酸。鳜GAS与CCK成熟肽C末端具有相似的八肽结构(DYQGWVDF/DYLGWMDF),仅在C末端第3位和第6位氨基酸发生替换。荧光定量PCR分析表明,鳜GAS mRNA主要表达于肠和幽门垂,CCK1与CCK2 mRNA在脑中表达量最高,在肠和幽门垂也有较高表达,表明GAS与CCK同为消化调控因子,而CCK还是神经分泌因子。鳜GAS与CCK mRNA表达贯穿于整个幼体早期发育阶段(孵化后0～22 d),前期表达水平较高,后期表达水平较低,并趋于平稳,GAS与CCK mRNA发育表达水平变化可能与这一时期消化道生长发育旺盛有关。     

中华绒螯蟹细胞色素CYP2基因的克隆与表达分析

为研究细胞色素CYP2基因在中华绒螯蟹蜕皮及生长发育中的作用,本试验通过逆转录聚合酶链式RT-PCR反应以及cDNA末端快速扩增RACE技术获得了中华绒螯蟹CYP2基因cDNA全长。用实时荧光定量PCR技术,分析该基因在中华绒螯蟹蜕皮过程中各组织的相对表达量。试验结果显示,中华绒螯蟹CYP2的cDNA全长1772bp,编码491个氨基酸序列,包括一个84bp的5′端非编码区,一个212bp的3′端非编码区、一个1475bp的开放阅读框,经BLAST比对,该核苷酸序列与岸蟹、三疣梭子蟹的相似性分别为66%、64%。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,中华绒螯蟹蜕皮前,CYP2基因在鳃中的表达量相对最高;在肝胰脏、肌肉中表达量略低于鳃;在Y器官、眼柄、胸神经节、脑神经节、肠中少量表达;在心和胃中表达量最低。中华绒螯蟹在不同的蜕皮时期中,通过荧光定量试验得出,肝胰脏中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮前期和蜕皮期最高;眼柄中CYP2基因表达量从蜕皮期到蜕皮后期有上升趋势;鳃中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮前期最高;Y器官、脑神经节和肠中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮期最高;肌肉中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮前期最高;胸神经节和胃中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮后期最高;Y器官中CYP2基因在蜕皮前期表达量高于蜕皮后期和蜕皮期。以上试验结果表明,CYP2对中华绒螯蟹蜕皮生长中的调控可能起到重要作用。     

低盐胁迫下松江鲈ATP1A3和ATP2B1基因的表达变化规律

为了探究Na+/K+-ATP酶和Ca2+-ATP酶在松江鲈(Trachidermus fasciatus)应对低盐胁迫过程中的调节作用,本研究基于前期转录组数据,获取目标基因ATP1A3 (Na+/K+-ATP酶α3亚基基因)和ATP2B1 (Ca2+-ATP酶1基因)的序列信息并进行了系统进化分析。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测了松江鲈的鳃、肠、肾脏和肝脏组织中2个基因在2种低盐胁迫处理(盐度渐变处理,盐度变化速率为1.1/h;盐度骤变处理,盐度变化速率为27/h)下,不同时间点(0 h、12 h、24 h和48 h)的表达水平。系统进化分析结果表明,ATP1A3和ATP2B1基因分别聚类形成独立分支;在各基因分支中,松江鲈与已报道的鲈形目和鲽形目等鱼类共同聚在硬骨鱼类分支中。在2种低盐胁迫处理下,2个基因在鳃、肠、肾脏和肝脏组织中的表达量呈现不同的变化趋势。鳃组织中ATP1A3表达量在盐度渐变处理下先上升后下降,ATP2B1表达量仅在24 h显著升高;盐度骤变处理下,ATP1A3表达量显著下降,ATP2B1表达量显著上升。2种盐度渐变处理下,肠组织中ATP1A3表达量均在24 h显著下降;ATP2B1表达量在盐度渐变处理下显著上升,盐度骤变处理下在24 h显著上升。在盐度渐变处理下,肾脏组织中2个基因的表达量均在24 h显著上升至最大值;ATP1A3表达量在盐度骤变处理下显著上升,ATP2B1表达量在12 h和48 h显著上升。肝脏组织中2个基因的表达量在盐度渐变处理下均无显著变化;盐度骤变处理下,ATP1A3表达量持续显著上升,ATP2B1表达量在48 h显著上升。结果表明,低盐胁迫处理显著影响了ATP1A3和ATP2B1基因的表达水平,但2个基因的表达量变化规律存在显著性差异。上述结果为探讨Na+/K+-ATP酶和Ca2+-ATP酶在鱼类渗透压调节过程中的作用及洄游性鱼类适应盐度变化的分子调控机制提供了理论依据。     

鲤多拷贝基因Apo-14kDa和ApoE的系统学分析和其在胚胎发育中的功能探索

本研究首次从鲤(Cyprinus carpio)中得到2种形式的14 kD载脂蛋白(Apo-14kD)和4种形式的载脂蛋白E(ApoE),分别为Apo-14kDa-a和Apo-14kDa-b(同源性为79%)、ApoE-a1和ApoE-a2(同源性为91%)以及ApoE-b1和ApoE-b2(同源性为90%)。系统学分析表明,Apo-14kDa-a与多数硬骨鱼的Apo-14kDa同源性高于与Apo-14kDa-b的同源性,而Apo-14kDa-b与草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)的Apo-14kDa同源性较高,提示二者在鲤科鱼类中的分化时间较早;ApoE-a和ApoE-b的分化时间也应该处于鲤科鱼类分化的早期阶段,随后进一步分化出4个同源基因。半定量RT-PCR结果显示Apo-14kDa-a基因在肝、头肾中大量表达,肠中微弱表达,其他组织无表达,Apo-14kDa-b基因只在肝表达;ApoE-a1基因和ApoE-a2基因只在肠表达;而ApoE-b1基因和ApoE-b2基因均在脑、皮肤、鳃、肝、精巢、肠、心脏、肌肉、体肾、头肾中表达,但在脾和卵巢发生表达分化。进一步的qRT-PCR检测发现6个基因在不同胚胎发育时期的表达模式也有较大不同,且在不同时期的表达均存在阶段差异性。另外,qRT-PCR分析证实Apo-14kDa基因和ApoE基因均有可能在鲤胚胎发育过程中发挥着重要且显著不同的作用。     

Disrupting actions of bisphenol A and malachite green on growth hormone receptor gene expression and signal transduction in seabream

Environmental estrogen could mimic natural estrogens thereby disrupting the endocrine systems of human and animals. The actions of such endocrine disruptors have been studied mainly on reproduction and development. However, estrogen could also affect the somatotropic axis via multiple targets such as growth hormone (GH). In the present study, two endocrine disruptors were chosen to investigate their effects on the expression level and signal transduction of growth hormone receptor (GHR) in fish. Using real-time PCR, it was found that exposure to both the estrogenic (bisphenol A) and anti-estrogenic (malachite green) compounds could attenuate the expression levels of GHR1 and GHR2 in black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) hepatocytes. The expression level of IGF-I, the downstream effector of GHR activation in the liver, was decreased by bisphenol A but not by malachite green. Luciferase reporter assay of the β-casein promoter was used to monitor GHR signaling in transfected cells. In the fish liver cell line Hepa-T1, both GHR1 and GHR2 signaling were attenuated by bisphenol A and malachite green. This attenuation could only occur in the presence of estrogen receptor, indicating that these agents probably produce their actions via the estrogen receptor. Results of the present study demonstrated that estrogenic or anti-estrogenic compounds could down-regulate the somatotropic axis in fish by affecting both the gene expression and signaling of GHR. In view of the increasing prevalence of these compounds in the environment, the impact on fish growth and development both in the wild and in aquaculture would be considerable.     

0#柴油水溶液对翡翠贻贝CYP4基因表达的影响研究

在室内半静水的试验条件下,应用实时荧光定量PCR技术研究了不同质量浓度（0μg·L-1、5μg·L-1、10μg·L-1、50μg·L-1和100μg·L-1）的0。柴油水溶液（WSF）胁迫15d和清洁海水恢复7d中翡翠贻贝（Pernaviridis）外套膜与内脏团组织中CYP4基因的相对表达水平变化。2-△△Ct法分析结果表明,CYPd基因在翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团中均有表达,WSF胁迫对其表达水平有明显的诱导作用,且表达水平具有组织差异性;内脏团表达水平明显高于外套膜,两组织CYP4基因相对表达水平随着WSF胁迫时间的延长,整体呈现出先诱导后抑制再诱导的波动变化趋势,其中50μg·L-1浓度组表现最为显著（P〈0．01）。WSF胁迫解除后外套膜与内脏团CYP4基因相对表达水平迅速下降,部分浓度组逐渐恢复到正常水平。     

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.