A novel gene with a vWD domain and three Kazal-type domains: molecular cloning and expression in the ovary of the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense

A novel gene encoding avon Willebrand factor D (vWD) domain and three Kazal-type domains was firstly indentified from the ovary of the oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense and this gene was named as MnvWD-Kazal. Bioinformatics analyses showed that this gene encodes a protein of 857 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 92.7 kDa. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-QPCR) analyses revealed that the level of MnvWD-Kazal mRNA expression varied in the developing ovary and substantially differed between other tissues. In the ovary, the level of MnvWD-Kazal expression gradually increased from the perinucleolus (PN) stage to the yolk granule (YG) stage, and then abruptly decreased at the sexual maturation (MA) stage. The maximum expression occurred in the YG stage and the minimum was at the paracmasis (PM) stage. The expression level of MnvWD-Kazal in the intestine was much higher than that in other tissues. The differential expressions of MnvWD-Kazal at different stages of the ovary suggest that this novel gene may play a critical role in the oocyte maturation of M. nipponense.     

MnHSP90 cDNA characterization and its expression during the ovary development in oriental river prawn, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrobrachium nipponense</Emphasis>

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is not only involved in environmental stress but also plays roles in the ovary development in some vertebrates. To understand its role in crustacean, we examined the HSP90 cDNA for the first time in the ovary and hepatopancreas of the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense and designated this protein as MnHSP90 in this study. The MnHSP90 was cloned by the methods of degenerated oligonucleotide primers and rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE). Bioinformatics analysis showed that the MnHSP90 cDNA was 2,684 bp in length, containing a 126 bp 5′ untranslated region (UTR), a 359 bp 3′ UTR, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 2,199 bp encoding a 732-amino acid polypeptide with predicted molecular mass of 84.3 KDa. Sequence alignment showed that the MnHSP90 shared 72–79% identity with other animals. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis demonstrated that the MnHSP90 mRNA was ubiquitously detected in all tested tissues, with the highest expression in the thoracic ganglia, the mediate in heart, muscle and intestine, and the lowest in haemocytes and gills. The MnHSP90 mRNA levels in the hepatopancreas and ovary of M. nipponense reached a maximum at the stage III (early vitellogenic stage) and stage IV (later vitellogenic stage) ovaries, respectively, and then decreased significantly in both tissues as the ovarian development proceeded. The level of MnHSP90 expression in the hepatopancreas was higher than that in the ovary when compared with in the same ovarian developmental stage. Our results indicate that MnHSP90 is involved in ovarian development in oriental river prawn and may play a regulatory role in ovary maturation.     

Gene discovery from an ovary cDNA library of oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense by ESTs annotation

The oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, is an important crustacean species in aquaculture. However, early gonad maturity is a ubiquitous problem which devalues the product quality. While husbandry and nutritional management have achieved little success in tackling this issue, a molecular approach may discover the genes involved in reproduction and development, which will provide the basic knowledge on reproductive control. In this study, a high-quality cDNA library of prawn was constructed from the ovary tissue. A total of 3294 successful sequencing reactions yielded 3256 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) longer than 100 bp. The cluster and assembly analyses yielded 1514 unique sequences including 414 contigs and 1168 singletons. About 719 (47.49%) unique sequences were identified as orthologs of genes from other organisms. By sequence comparability analysis, 28 important genes including cathepsin B, chromobox protein, Cdc2, cyclin B, DEAD box protein and ADF/cofilin protein were expressed. These genes may be involved in reproductive and developmental functions in prawn. Peritrophin consisting of cortical rods was also found in this species. The identification of these EST sequences in M. nipponense would improve our understanding on the genes that regulate reproduction and development in prawn species. This study also lays the groundwork for development of molecular markers related to ovary development in other prawn species.     

Molecular Characterization of a cDNA Encoding Vitellogenin and Its Expression in the Hepatopancreas and Ovary during Vitellogenesis in the Kuruma Prawn, Penaeus japonicus

In Crustacea, reproductive function and mechanisms regulating vitellogenesis have not been fully elucidated. This is due in great part to a lack of information concerning the biochemical nature of the vitellogenin molecule, the hemolymph precursor of yolk protein, vitellin, as well as the functional expression of the vitellogenin-encoding gene. We have therefore cloned a cDNA encoding vitellogenin in the kuruma prawn, Penaeus japonicus based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 91 kDa subunit of vitellin. The open reading frame of this cDNA encoded 2,587 amino acid residues. This is the first investigation reporting a full-length cDNA and its corresponding amino acid sequence for vitellogenin in any crustacean species.Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization have revealed that mRNA encoding vitellogenin was expressed in both the follicle cells in the ovary and the parenchymal cells in the hepatopancreas. In nonvitellogenic females, vitellogenin mRNA levels were negligible in both the ovary and hepatopancreas, but in vitellogenic females, levels were dramatically increased in both tissues. In the ovary, highest levels were observed during the early exogenous vitellogenic stage, and thereafter rapidly decreased, whereas in the hepatopancreas, high levels were maintained until the onset of the late vitellogenic stage. Differing profiles of vitellogenin mRNA levels in the ovary and hepatopancreas suggest that the contribution of these tissues to vitellogenin synthesis harbor separate and complementary roles during vitellogenesis.     

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24...     

Cloning and characterization of barley long chain acyl-CoA oxidase and its possible regulation by glucose

A barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) full-length clone coding for long chain acyl-CoA oxidase (ACX), key enzyme of β -oxidation, was isolated by cDNA library screening and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The cDNA encodes for a polypeptide of 667 amino acids, with a molecular mass of 74.5 kDa. The amino acid sequence, beside an extensive similarity with other plant and mammalian ACXs, showed a PTS1 peroxisomal targeting signal at the C terminus and a conserved FAD-binding domain. The gene was over-expressed in E. coli and the fusion protein was shown to possess long chain acyl-CoA oxidase activity. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against a large fragment of the protein encoded by the barley putative ACX gene. Northern and Western analysis demonstrated that a basal level of long chain ACX is always present along the barley life cycle, while a higher level of expression is typical of actively growing tissues such as germinating embryos, ovary before anthesis, developing embryos, shoots and roots apexes. In vitro germination experiments with glucose and glucose analogues provided evidence about the involvement of a glucose-deriving signal in the positive modulation of ACX expression. This result highlights the role of ACX, not only during oil reserve mobilization, but also in plant growth and metabolism.     

Prawn lipocalin: characteristics and expressional pattern in subepidermal adipose tissue during reproductive molting cycle

In crustaceans, the fascinating processes of maturation, reproductive molting and carapace coloration are regulated by hydrophobic molecules. Interestingly, most of the molecules are ligands of lipocalin. To understand the role of lipocalin in the aforementioned processes at molecular level, we isolated a cDNA that belongs to the lipocalin family, from a central nervous system cDNA library of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. We monitored the spatial and temporal distributions of the mRNA by using Northern Blotting analysis. Our results demonstrated that this gene expresses abundantly in the subepidermal adipose tissue, while faintly in the hepatopancreas and central nervous system. However, no signal was detected in other tissues including muscle, gill and ovary. Its expression levels in subepidermal adipose tissue during various stages of maturation as well as through the whole molting cycle showed that prawn lipocalin is involved in sexual maturation, as the maximal level was observed just after molt.     

Molecular analysis of the QM gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus monodon</Emphasis> and its expression on the different ovarian stages of development

In present study, a QM gene was obtained from the ovary and neurosecretory organ in eyestalk cDNA library of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon). The full-length black tiger prawn QM (PmQM) cDNA contained a 5′-UTR of 41 bp, an ORF of 663 bp encoding a polypeptide of 220 amino acids with molecular weight 25.5 kDa, and a 3′-UTR of 54 bp. Homology analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of the PmQM with other known QM sequences by MatGAT software revealed that the PmQM was high homology with other invertebrates. A conserved signature sequence of the QM family was found in the PmQM deduced amino acid sequence. Analysis of the tissue expression pattern of the PmQM gene showed that the PmQM mRNA was expressed in all tissues tested, with highest levels in ovary. Furthermore, the PmQM expression was found to be different in three important ovarian stages of development. The results indicated PmQM might play an important role in ovarian development.     

三疣梭子蟹UHRF1基因在胚胎、幼体和性腺发育过程中的表达分析

为探讨泛素样含PHD和环指域蛋白1(UHRF1)基因在三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)发育过程中的作用, 实验采用SMART RACE方法, 克隆了三疣梭子蟹UHRF1(PtUHRF1)基因。该基因cDNA全长为2849 bp, 开放阅读框(ORF)为2298 bp, 预测其编码1个含有765个氨基酸的蛋白质。结构域分析显示, 该蛋白质包含UBL、PHD、TTD、SRA、RING finger 5个功能结构域。同源分析表明, 三疣梭子蟹PtUHRF1的氨基酸序列与其他物种有较高的同源性。qRT-PCR结果显示, PtUHRF1基因在三疣梭子蟹所有组织中均有表达, 但在精巢中表达量显著高于其他组织。该基因在胚胎和幼体发育不同时期表达差异显著, 在受精卵中的表达量最高, 并显著高于胚胎发育其他时期, 是多细胞时期表达量的2.5倍。PtUHRF1基因在性腺发育不同时期表达存在显著差异, 在卵巢II期表达量达到峰值, 之后逐渐下降; 在精巢Ⅰ期的表达量最高, 随着精巢发育逐渐下降。实验结果表明, PtUHRF1参与了三疣梭子蟹胚胎、幼体和性腺发育调控, 为进一步深入研究该基因在三疣梭子蟹及甲壳动物生长发育中的作用提供参考。     

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of thrombospondin gene from Penaeus monodon

In present study, a thrombospondin gene was obtained from the ovary and neurosecretory organ in eyestalk cDNA library of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon). The full-length P. monodon thrombospondin (PmTSP) cDNA contained a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 9 bp, an open reading frame (ORF) of 2778 bp encoding a polypeptide of 925 amino acids with molecular mass 100.57 kDa, and a 3'UTR of 99 bp. ScanProsite analysis indicated that PmTSP contained four chitin-binding type-II domains, an EGF-like domain, eight thrombospondin type-III repeats and one thrombospondin C-terminal domain. Homology analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of the PmTSP with other known TSP sequences by MatGAT software revealed that the PmTSP shows very high homology with the sequences of Fennerpenaeus chinensis (89.9% similarity, 83.8% identity). Analysis of the tissue expression pattern of the PmTSP gene showed that the PmTSP mRNA was expressed in all tested tissues, including hepatopancreas, ovary, muscle, intestine, neurosecretory organ in eyestalk, neurosecretory organ in brain, stomach, and heart, with highest level in the ovary. Furthermore, the PmTSP expression was found to be of high level in six development stages of the ovary. The results indicated that PmTSP might play an important role in ovarian development.     

小鼠植入前胚胎紧密化相关基因Crg1的克隆

从已获得的运用抑制消减杂交技术(Suppression Subtractive Hybridization,SSH)分离、克隆和筛选代表8-细胞早期胚胎和紧密化8-细胞胚胎差别表达基因的ESTs片段(GenBank登录号：BQ740263、BQ740251)入手,经比较二者的同源性发现这两个EST末端反向互补,拼接成一个cDNA片段,经分析此序列包含一个完整的阅读框,提交给GenBank,登录号为AY134859。根据此序列设计引物从小鼠8-细胞紧密化胚胎cDNA中经PCR扩增出目的片段,克隆入pUCm—T载体后测序而获得全长cDNA,为小鼠植入前胚胎紧密化相关基因Crg1,分析比较证明Crg1基因与AY134859基本吻合。Crg1基因的cDNA全长为810bp,只有一个外显子,编码由150个氨基酸组成,分子量理论值为17．67kD的蛋白质。与最新的小鼠基因组工作草图进行电子杂交,该基因被定位在小鼠的14号染色体上。RT—PCR实验证明在小鼠植入前各个时期的胚胎、小鼠胚胎干细胞中均有表达,在小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞中没有表达。半定量RT—PCR实验证明Crg1基因在紧密化胚胎中表达较8—细胞胚胎高。采用Northern—blot手段分析Crg1基因在成年小鼠的8种组织中的表达情况,结果表明该基因只在小鼠卵巢中有微弱的表达,转录本大小为1．2kh,而在成年小鼠的脑、心脏、肾、睾丸、肝脏、肺、脾等中没有表达。研究表明,Crg1基因可能与小鼠胚胎紧密化及保持细胞的全能性相关。     

银鲫转录调控因子lbh-b cDNA克隆与表达分析

Lbh (Limb-bud and heart)基因是脊椎动物中高度保守的转录调控因子, 在早期胚胎发育及某些人类疾病的发病过程中发挥着重要作用。我们前期在银鲫(Carassius gibelio)垂体转录组中筛选到一个在垂体中大量表达的基因lbh-b。为了进一步研究lbh基因在银鲫的表达特征, 首先采用RACE方法克隆了银鲫lbh基因家族的成员lbh-b基因(Cglbh-b)。Cglbh-b的cDNA全长1526 bp, 开放阅读框549 bp, 共编码182个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明CgLbh-b蛋白与其他脊椎动物的Lbh蛋白同源性在68%以上, 可能也是无序蛋白质家族的成员之一。成体组织RT-PCR分析表明Cglbh-b仅在银鲫的垂体、端脑、卵巢及眼睛中表达。不同胚胎发育时期的表达分析表明, 在受精卵至原肠胚中Cglbh-b转录产物是以母源形式存在的mRNA, 其合子转录起始于尾芽期。胚胎整体原位杂交结果显示从受精后2d到受精后3d, Cglbh-b大量表达于脑和眼睛。此外, 随着卵子成熟Cglbh-b在银鲫垂体中的表达上调。这些结果暗示, Cglbh-b可能在调控银鲫脑和眼睛的发育以及卵子成熟过程中发挥着重要作用。