Screening of genes related to ovary development in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis by suppression subtractive hybridization

The ovary of triploid shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis was apparently impaired compared to that of the diploid shrimp at the same age. Therefore triploid shrimp ovary is possible to be taken as a model to understand the mechanism of ovary development of shrimp compared to that of the ovary of diploid shrimp at the same age. In the present study, a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique was applied to identify differentially expressed genes in the ovary between diploid and triploid shrimp. For the forward library (RNA from the ovary of triploid shrimp as the tester), 54 genes were identified. For the reverse library (RNA from the ovary of diploid shrimp as the tester), 16 genes were identified. The identified genes encoded proteins with multiple functions, including extracellular matrix components, cytoskeleton, cell growth and death, metabolism, genetic information processing, signal transduction/transport or immunity related proteins. Eleven differentially expressed genes were selected to be confirmed in the ovaries of triploid and diploid shrimp by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Genes encoding spermatogonial stem-cell renewal factor, cytochrome c oxidase subunits I and II, clottable protein, antimicrobial peptide and transposase showed up-regulated expressions in the ovary of triploid shrimp. Genes encoding tubulin, cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein, farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase, thrombospondin and heat shock protein 90 genes showed higher expressions in the ovary of diploid shrimp. The differential expressions of the above genes are suggested to be related to the ovary development of shrimp. It will provide a new clue to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the ovarian development in penaeid shrimp.     

Cloning of a novel gene,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cymg1</Emphasis>, related to family 2 cystatins and expressed at specific stages of mouse testis development

We have cloned a novel gene,Cymg1 (GenBank accession number AY600990), from a mouse testis cDNA library.Cymg1 is located in 2G3 of mouse chromosome 2. The cDNA includes an open reading frame that encodes 141 amino acid residues. The encoded polypeptide has a cysteine protease inhibitor domain found in the family 2 cystatins but lacks critical consensus sites important for cysteine protease inhibition. These characteristics are seen in the proteins of the CRES subfamily of the family 2 cystatins which are expressed specifically in the reproductive tract. CYMG1 protein shows 44% identity with mouse CRES and 30% identity with mouse cystatin C. Northern blot analysis showed that theCymg1 gene was specifically expressed in adult mouse testis. RT-PCR also showed thatCymg1 was expressed in testis and spermatogonial cells.Cymg1 expression level varied in the different developmental stages of mouse testis, and were coincidental with spermatogenesis and sex maturation. These results indicate thatCymg1 may play important roles in mouse spermatogenesis and sex maturation     

Differential expression of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2r in the developing ovary and testis of penaeid shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Marsupenaeus japonicus</Emphasis>

In order to identify genes involved in oogenesis and spermatogenesis in penaeid shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus, a modified annealing control primer (ACP) system was adapted to identify genes differentially expressed in ovary and testis at different developmental stages. By using 20 pairs of ACP primers, 8 differentially expressed genes were obtained. One of these genes is ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2r (UBE2r). Bioinformatics analyses show that this gene encodes a protein of 241 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 27.4 kDa. Real time PCR analyses demonstrated that the expression level changed significantly in the developing testis and ovary. In the stage 2 of testis, it reached its highest expression level, the lowest expression level present in the stage 1 of ovary. The significantly different expression levels in developing testis and ovary suggest that UBE2r has an important role in oogenesis and spermatogenesis. This article is the first report of UBE2r in crustaceans and also is the first report showing that UBE2r is differentially expressed at different stages of the developing ovary and testis in an animal.     

Cloning and expression of apolipophorin-III from the common cutworm,Spodoptera litura

We have cloned apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III) cDNA from adult fat body of Spodoptera litura. The sequence encodes a 188 amino acid polypeptide including a 22 amino acid leader peptide. The circular dichroism spectrum from the purified apoLp-III indicated a considerable content of α-helix. Sequence alignment showed that S. Litura apoLp-III has a relatively high degree of sequence identity with the apoLps-III of lepidopteran, Manduca sexta (72%), Galleria mellonella (67%), Bombyx mori (60%). These alignments with four lepidopteran apoLps-III showed highly identical residues and conservative replacements at a degree of 86%. Levels of mRNA from last instar larval fat body and adult fat body were compared through Northern blot analysis using ³²P-labeled 704 bp apoLp-III cDNA probe. A 850 bp mRNA was detected in both stages and mRNA level of day 1 adult fat body was much higher than that of last instar larval fat body. The tissue-distribution of apoLp-III mRNA in adult ovary and testis was also examined and we confirmed the presence of apoLp-III mRNA in ovary and testis although apoLp-III was expressed in these tissues at very low levels compared with the adult fat body. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 39:166–173, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Gonad Development Characteristics and Sex Ratio in Triploid Chinese Shrimp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fenneropenaeus chinensis</Emphasis>)

This paper details for the first time the gonad development characteristics and sex ratio of triploid shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis). In triploid shrimp the development of gonad is apparently impaired, especially in females. In the ovary of triploids, germ cells mainly remain at oogonia stage during September through December. From January to February of the next year, partial primary oocytes developed in the ovary lobes. Spermatocytes and spermatids could be observed in the testes of triploids, and a few sperm were observed in the vas deferens and spermatophores. The morphology of sperms in triploid shrimp was abnormal. Flow cytometry was used to detect the ploidy of sperm in the vas deferens. The data showed that triploidy could affect the sex ratio in Chinese shrimp. The female-to-male ratio in triploids of about 4:1 will favor triploid shrimp aquaculture.     

黄姑鱼三倍体的诱导、鉴定及其性腺发育特征

研究采用冷休克方法诱导黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)三倍体并进行鉴定,进一步采用组织学和生殖相关基因表达分析比较了三倍体黄姑鱼的性腺发育特征。研究结果表明:(1)在受精后2.5min以3℃进行10min的冷休克处理,冷休克处理组的受精率和孵化率分别为(70.31±4.49)%和(21.5±6.63)%,其受精率和孵化率显著低于二倍体对照组;(2)经流式细胞仪倍性检测和染色体核型分析发现,三倍体的DNA含量为二倍体的1.5倍,染色体数目为72条,而二倍体的染色体数目为48条,三倍体的比例为100%;(3)三倍体的生殖腺指数显著低于二倍体,进一步通过组织切片观察发现三倍体的精巢和卵巢发育较二倍体滞后,在12月龄时,二倍体精巢和卵巢处于Ⅴ期,而三倍体精巢和卵巢分别处于Ⅲ期和Ⅰ期;(4)三倍体精巢的dmrt1和vasa基因及三倍体卵巢的cyp19a基因表达量均显著低于二倍体(P<0.05);三倍体卵巢的vasa基因表达量也比二倍体低(P>0.05)。综上结果表明:研究通过冷休克处理成功诱导了黄姑鱼三倍体;三倍体的性腺发育较二倍体滞后,育性明显降低。     

DIPLOID-TRIPLOID MOSAICS AMONG UNISEXUAL HYBRIDS OF THE MINNOWS PHOXINUS EOS AND PHOXINUS NEOGAEUS

Diploid-triploid mosaics are rarely found in vertebrates, and until now they were known to be common in only two vertebrate species complexes. Here we report that diploid-triploid mosaics are widespread among unisexual hybrids of the minnows Phoxinus eos and Phoxinus neogaeus, a complex already known to contain diploid and triploid forms. Using chromosome counts and flow cytometry, we show that the mosaics occur throughout the known range of the unisexuals and are abundant in many of these natural populations. The mosaics are highly heterogeneous, showing individual variation in the ratio of diploid to triploid cells, and as a group they appear to form a continuum between the pure diploid and triploid forms. Tissue-graft analysis shows that the third genome present in the triploid cells of a mosaic is expressed, because grafts made from the mosaics show an incidence of rejection intermediate between that of the diploid (clonal) and triploid (nonclonal) biotypes.     

Identification and characterization of Tube in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

As a key component of the Toll signaling pathway, Tube plays central roles in many biological activities, such as survival, development and innate immunity. Tube has been found in shrimps, but has not yet been reported in the crustacean, Eriocheir sinensis. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of the adaptor Tube for the first time from E. sinensis and designated the gene as EsTube. The full-length cDNA of EsTube was 2247-bp with a 1539-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 512-amino acid protein. The protein contained a 116-residue death domain (DD) at its N-terminus and a 272-residue serine/threonine-protein kinase domain (S_TKc) at its C-terminus. Phylogenetic analysis clustered EsTube initially in one group with other invertebrate Tube and Tube-like proteins, and then with the vertebrate IRAK-4 proteins, finally with other invertebrate Pelle proteins. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis results showed that EsTube was highly expressed in the ovary and testis, and moderately expressed in the thoracic ganglia and stomach. EsTube was expressed at all selected stages and was highly expressed in the spermatid stage (October, testis) and the stage III-2 (November, ovary). EsTube was differentially induced after injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), peptidoglycan (PG) or zymosan (β-1,3-glucan). Our study indicated that EsTube might possess multiple functions in immunity and development in E. sinensis.     

虹鳟spindlin基因克隆及不同倍性的表达分析

spindlin基因是减数分裂纺锤体相关因子, 为了研究spindlin基因在二倍体和三倍体雌性虹鳟减数分裂过程中出现的差异, 通过cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术获得spindlin基因cDNA 4529 bp(GenBank登录号: MN378564), 其中3′非编码区(UTR)和5′非编码区(UTR)分别长3662 bp和141 bp, 开放阅读框(ORF)长726 bp, 编码241个氨基酸, 该蛋白质序列的相对分子量为28.3 kD, 理论等电点值为5.94, 无跨膜结构。同源性分析表明, 虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)与银大马哈鱼(Oncorhynchus kisutch)同源最高, 高达99.59%。系统发育进化树显示, 虹鳟与大鳞大马哈鱼(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)和红点鲑(Salvelinus alpinus), 聚为一支。实时荧光定量(RT-PCR)结果显示, spindlin基因在二倍体雌性虹鳟卵巢、肾、肝、脾、肌、鳃、心、眼、肠和鳍组织中均有表达, 其中, 在卵巢中的表达量极显著高于其他组织(P<0.01)。对于二倍体雌性虹鳟, 在受精后240—300d (days post fertilization, dpf)发育阶段, spindlin基因在卵巢组织中的相对表达量显著下降。对于三倍体雌性虹鳟, 该基因在240—330 dpf阶段的表达量显著上升。在同一发育阶段中, spindlin基因在二倍体雌性虹鳟卵巢中的表达量较三倍体雌性虹鳟相对较高, 且均存在极显著差异(P<0.01)。通过免疫组化结果发现, 二倍体雌性虹鳟在240 dpf阶段, Spin蛋白在初级卵母细胞核内信号最强, 在270—330 dpf阶段逐渐减弱; 三倍体虹鳟卵巢在240—330 dpf发育阶段, 在卵原细胞中信号逐渐增强。减数分裂异常是性腺败育的关键原因, 研究结果表明三倍体虹鳟在减数分裂过程中出现异常与spindlin基因的低表达有关, 这可能是卵巢发育阻滞的原因之一。     

Ribosomal protein L24 is differentially expressed in ovary and testis of the marine shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus

In order to identify genes involved in oogenesis in shrimp, an ovarian cDNA library of Marsupenaeus japonicus was screened using a suppression-subtraction hybridization (SSH)-enriched probe. More than 20 genes were identified as differentially expressed genes between the ovary and the testis. Unexpectedly, one of these genes is a ribosomal protein that is normally considered a housekeeping gene. Northern blot shows that the shrimp ribosomal protein L24 gene (srpl24) is 0.6 kb in length. The expression level of srpl24 in the ovary is much higher than in the testis. Bioinformatics analyses show that srpl24 encodes a protein of 164 aa with a predicted molecular mass of 18.2 kDa, which is a cytoplasmic ribosomal protein. Real time PCR analyses demonstrated that the relative abundance of srpl24 mRNA in the different organs is: ovary > testis, hepatopancreas, muscle and eye. The highest expression level of srpl24 in the ovary suggests that srpl24 has an important role in oogenesis. It is the first reported rpl24 in crustaceans and is the first reported rpl24 that is differentially expressed between the ovary and the testis in animals.     

Lipophorin and its Receptor in Lepidoptera

Lipophorin (Lp) has an approximate native molecular weight of 730 kDa for Bombyx mori and consists of ApoLp‐I and ApoLp‐II with molecular weights of 250 kDa and 90 kDa for B. mori and 230 kDa and 80 kDa for Hyphantria cunea and 230 kDa and 49 kDa for Lymantria dispar, respectively. Lipid in Lp was mostly composed of neutral lipid. Lp of B. mori maintains constant level during larval and pupal stages but greatly increases during adult stage in both male and female. Lp of H. cunea appeared in great amounts in protein yolk bodies of ovary when vitellogenesis is actively taking place and was present in testicular fluid but not in the peritoneal sheath and cysts of testis. ApoLp‐III of B. mori has a molecular weight of 17 kDa and similar amino acid composition as those of other species Lp. H. cunea apoLp‐III has a molecular weight of 18 kDa and was present in all stages and in the protein body of ovary and in the cyst of testis. ApoLp‐III is synthesized in larval and adult fat body. cDNA sequence of Spodoptera litura apoLp‐III encodes a 188 amino acid polypeptide including a 22 amino acid leader peptide. Galleria mellonella Lp receptor has an approximate molecular weight of 97 kDa and 110 kDa under non‐reducing and reducing conditions, respectively and bound HDLp specifically. Lp receptor cDNA of G. mellonella showed th pattern of the VLDL receptor belonging to the LDL receptor family. The variant Lp receptors were expressed in the fat body of G. mellonella; one is a Lp receptor which lacks 84 bp of O linked sugar domain and the other is a full length form of the Lp receptor. The Lp receptor from the fat body of G. mellonella was differently expressed depending on the tissue and the developmental stages with specific abundance in prepupal stage.     

Synaptonemal complex analysis in spermatocytes of diploid and triploid Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis

A modified surface spreading technique for synaptonemal complex (SC) analysis was tested to assess the process of chromosome synapsis in spermatocytes of diploid and induced triploid Fenneropenaeus chinensis. Spermatocytes of diploid shrimp showed typical morphological characteristics of eukaryote SC, with complete synapsis of bivalents. No recognizable bivalent associated with sex chromosomes was observed in spermatocytes of diploid shrimp. However, differences in morphology of SC, including unsynapsed univalents, bivalents, totally paired trivalents with non-homologous synapsis, partner switches and triple synapsis were identified at early pachytene stage of triploid spermatocytes. Triple synapsis was especially common at late pachytene stage in spermatocytes of triploid shrimp. The observed abnormal synapsis behavior of chromosomes in spermatocytes indicated that triploid male shrimp may find it difficult to develop normal haploid sperm.     

大口黑鲈amh基因全长cDNA克隆、表达及多克隆抗体制备

为研究大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)抗缪勒氏管激素(amh)基因的表达及其在性腺发育中的潜在作用,研究利用RACE技术克隆得到了大口黑鲈amh基因,并制备Amh多克隆抗体,通过qRT-PCR、Western Blot分析Amh在大口黑鲈不同组织和不同发育阶段性腺中的表达模式,最后利用HE染色法和免疫组化观察不同发育阶段性腺的形态组织学变化及其与Amh表达的潜在关系。结果显示:大口黑鲈amh基因cDNA序列全长2050 bp,由24 bp5′非编码区、394 bp3′非编码区和1632 bp的开放阅读框组成,共编码543个氨基酸。amh基因mRNA在大口黑鲈11个组织中均有表达,其中雄鱼精巢中表达量最高,肌肉次之,雌鱼卵巢中表达量最高,肌肉次之。amh基因在雌雄鱼不同发育阶段的性腺中表达存在显著差异,精巢中表达量均显著高于卵巢(P<0.05)。同时, Western Blot结果显示Amh蛋白在精巢中表达丰度较高。amh基因在精巢中的表达量呈先上升后下降的趋势,且在孵化后65d鱼精巢中其表达量达到最高(P<0.05),免疫组化结果显示Amh表达于早期精...     

利用电子差异展示方法克隆人类睾丸高表达新基因SPATA11

利用NCBI中的电子差异展示(digital differential display,DDD)软件,比较来自睾丸(包括睾丸癌)与来自其它组织的EST文库,从筛查人类睾丸中高表达而在其他组织中不表达或低表达的差异ESTs入手,成功克隆了一个在人类睾丸中高表达的新基因SPATA11．RT-PCR实验证实其在成人睾丸高表达．序列分析表明该基因含4个外显子,基因组跨越2．6kb,定位于19pl3．3．cDNA编码一个含221个氨基酸,相对分子质量为24．5kD的新蛋白．Northern杂交结果显示：该基因含有1．1kb大小的唯一转录本,主要在睾丸中强表达．肝脏、肺、卵巢和肾脏中有微弱表达．而其他组织中该基因无表达．     

Coexistence of pseudogamous and sexual planthoppers of the genus Ribautodelphax (Homoptera, Delphacidae)

ABSTRACT.

• 1 The occurrence of pseudogamous triploid females in populations of the diploid species Ribautodelphax pungens (Ribaut) was studied throughout Europe.
• 2 Considerable differences in triploid frequencies were found between populations but no regular geographic pattern was discerned.
• 3 Within populations triploid frequencies proved to be stable from generation to generation.
• 4 The twofold reproductive advantage of the pseudogamous triploid females is counterbalanced by active mate discrimination by diploid males against the pseudogamous triploid females in populations with high triploid frequencies.
• 5 Sexual diploid and pseudogamous triploid females showed no differences in phenology.
• 6 Differential winter mortality was found between diploid and triploid larvae.