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Cloning of gonadal aromatase gene Cyp19a in an endemic fish (Schizothorax kozlovi) of the Upper Yangtze River, and temperature effects on its expression

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Abstract

In order to elucidate the role of Cyp19a in sex differentiation of Schizothorax kozlovi, the full length cDNA of Cyp19a was cloned from the mature ovary of S. kozlovi by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends method, and then its relative mRNA expression levels among tissues and temperature groups were determined by using quantitative real-time PCR. The complete Cyp19a cDNA of 1795 bp of S. kozlovi was obtained, which encoded 517 amino acids and belonged to gonadal aromatase. Its deduced amino acid sequence had the above 70 % identity compared with gonadal aromatase genes of teleost fishes, but only 62–67 % when compared with brain aromatase genes of fishes. It was expressed only in heart and gonad, but no expression in other tissues, presenting relatively high tissue specificity. It also exhibited sex-specific expression pattern in gonads, but no sex differences in heart. Comparing with the Cyp19a expression levels at 12 days post hatching (dph), significant temperature effects were revealed in low temperature group (10 °C) at 18 dph, and in high temperature group (26 °C) at 40 dph. It suggested that gonadal aromatase Cyp19a gene may play important roles on the feminization or masculinization of S. kozlovi affected by temperature during the early developmental stage.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Z.J. Shu for his help in culturing experimental fish. This work was mainly supported by funds from Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (SZ2011-03) and Modern Agricultural Talents Support Program (2130106).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 8, 1st Wudayuan Road Donghu Hi-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, 430223, Hubei, China

    Yong-feng He, Xing-bing Wu, Yong-jiu Zhu & De-guo Yang

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  1. Yong-feng He
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  2. Xing-bing Wu
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Correspondence to De-guo Yang.

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All animal experiments throughout the study were conducted according to the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology Guiding Directives for Humane Treatment of Laboratory Animals.

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He, Yf., Wu, Xb., Zhu, Yj. et al. Cloning of gonadal aromatase gene Cyp19a in an endemic fish (Schizothorax kozlovi) of the Upper Yangtze River, and temperature effects on its expression. Genes Genom 38, 841–848 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13258-016-0429-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13258-016-0429-z

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