Identification of reproduction-specific genes associated with maturation and estrogen exposure in a marine bivalve Mytilus edulis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While it is established that vertebrate-like steroids, particularly estrogens (estradiol, estrone) and androgens (testosterone), are present in various tissues of molluscs, it is still unclear what role these play in reproductive endocrinology in such organisms. This is despite the significant commercial shellfishery interest in several bivalve species and their decline.

Methodology/principal findings

Using suppression subtraction hybridisation of mussel gonad samples at two stages (early and mature) of gametogenesis and (in parallel) following controlled laboratory estrogen exposure, we isolate several differentially regulated genes including testis-specific kinases, vitelline lysin and envelope sequences.

Conclusions

The differentially expressed mRNAs iso

SUBMITTER: Ciocan CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3144882 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature