Early embryonic exposure of freshwater gastropods to pharmaceutical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors results in a surprising open-coiled "banana-shaped" shell.

ABSTRACT: In vertebrates, the steroidogenesis enzyme 5α-reductase converts testosterone to the more potent androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone. Homologues of 5α-reductase genes have been identified in molluscs. However, recent findings suggest that vertebrate-type steroid androgens are not utilised in molluscan reproductive development. Genomic searches have revealed that molluscs do not possess many of the steroidogenic enzymes required to make testosterone, nor a nuclear androgen receptor. Consequently, the role of 5α-reductase in molluscs presents a mystery. Here, developmental exposures of Biomphalaria glabrata to selective pharmaceutical 5α-reductase inhibitors elicited a strong, highly reproducible phenotypic response characterised by the development of elongated "banana-shaped" shell morphology.

SUBMITTER: Baynes A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6848481 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature