Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of spexin in spotted scat (Scatophagus argus)

Si-Ping Deng; Hua-Pu Chen; Yi Zhai; Li-Ying Jia; Jian-Ye Liu; Mei Wang; Dong-Neng Jiang; Tian-Li Wu; Chun-Hua Zhu; Guang-Li Li

doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.04.018

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of spexin in spotted scat (Scatophagus argus)

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2018 Sep 15:266:60-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.04.018. Epub 2018 May 10.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Zhanjiang 524088, China; Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Environment of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang 524088, China.
² Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Zhanjiang 524088, China.
³ Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China.
⁴ Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; Guangdong Research Center on Reproductive Control and Breeding Technology of Indigenous Valuable Fish Species, Zhanjiang 524088, China. Electronic address: guangligdou@163.com.

PMID: 29753927
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.04.018

Abstract

Spexin (Spx), a novel neuropeptide, composed of 14 amino acid residues, is evolutionally conserved from fish to mammals. It has been suggested that Spx has pleiotropic functions in mammals. However, reports about Spx are very limited. To clarify the roles of Spx in the regulation of reproduction and food-intake in the spotted scat, the spx (ssspx) gene was cloned and analyzed. Analysis of the tissue distribution by RT-PCR showed that ssspx expression was widespread. During ovary development, expression of ssspx was found to be highest in phase II, moderate in phase III, and at its lowest level in phase IV. Ssspx expression was significantly down-regulated in the hypothalamus after treatment with E₂ both in vitro and in vivo. A significant increase of ssspx was observed after 2 and 7 days of food deprivation. However, the ssspx transcript levels in the 7 day fasting group decreased significantly after refeeding 3 h after the scheduled feeding time. This suggests that ssSpx may be involved in the regulation of reproduction and food-intake in the spotted scat.

Keywords: 17β-Estradiol; Feeding control; Ovarian development stages; Reproduction; Scatophagus argus; Spexin.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Base Sequence
Cloning, Molecular
Estradiol / pharmacology
Fasting
Female
Gene Expression Profiling*
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
Hypothalamus / drug effects
Hypothalamus / metabolism
Male
Ovary / drug effects
Ovary / embryology
Ovary / metabolism
Peptide Hormones / chemistry
Peptide Hormones / genetics*
Peptide Hormones / metabolism
Perciformes / genetics*
Perciformes / metabolism
Phylogeny
Reproduction
Sequence Alignment
Tissue Distribution / drug effects

Substances

Peptide Hormones
Estradiol