Multiple structurally distinct ERα mRNA variants in zebrafish are differentially expressed by tissue type, stage of development and estrogen exposure.

ABSTRACT: It is well established that estrogen-like environmental chemicals interact with the ligand-binding site of estrogen receptors (ERs) to disrupt transcriptional control of estrogen responsive targets. Here we investigate the possibility that estrogens also impact splicing decisions on estrogen responsive genes, such as that encoding ERα itself. Targeted PCR cloning was applied to identify six ERα mRNA variants in zebrafish. Sequencing revealed alternate use of transcription and translation start sites, multiple exon deletions, intron retention and alternate polyadenylation. As determined by quantitative (q)PCR, N-terminal mRNA variants predicting long (ERαA(L)) and short (ERα(S)) isoforms were differentially expressed by tissue-type, sex, stage of development and estrogen exposure. Whereas E

SUBMITTER: Cotter KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3862120 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature