Decoding Vitellogenin Subtype Responses: A Molecular Approach to Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption in <i>Scatophagus argus</i>
Vitellogenins (Vtgs) are key yolk precursor proteins in fish, serving as critical indicators of gonadal maturation in females and reliable biomarkers for detecting xeno-oestrogenic pollution, particularly through their expression in juveniles or males. The <i>vtg</i> gene family comprise...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Meiqin Wu Jun Zhang Di Wu Amina S. Moss Weilong Wang |
| author_facet | Meiqin Wu Jun Zhang Di Wu Amina S. Moss Weilong Wang |
| author_sort | Meiqin Wu |
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| description | Vitellogenins (Vtgs) are key yolk precursor proteins in fish, serving as critical indicators of gonadal maturation in females and reliable biomarkers for detecting xeno-oestrogenic pollution, particularly through their expression in juveniles or males. The <i>vtg</i> gene family comprises multiple subtypes that are species-specific, necessitating precise characterisation and quantification for effective use as biomarkers in studies on estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EEDCs). In this study, we successfully cloned and characterised the full-length cDNAs of three <i>vtg</i> subtypes (<i>vtgAa</i>, <i>vtgAb</i>, and <i>vtgC</i>) from <i>Scatophagus argus</i>. Differential expression analysis revealed that <i>vtgAb</i> exhibited the highest responsiveness to 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) exposure, with a 3-fold increase in vivo at 10.0 μg/g EE2 and a 30-fold increase in vitro at 10<sup>−7</sup> mol/L EE2. The expression patterns were dose- and time-dependent, with peak expression observed 72 h post-exposure. While in vivo assays indicated moderate upregulation, in vitro experiments demonstrated significantly higher expression, attributed to direct hepatocyte interaction with EE2. These findings confirm <i>vtgAb</i> as the most responsive subtype to oestrogen exposure in <i>S. argus</i> and highlight the species’ tolerance to EE2, as compared to more sensitive species like <i>Danio rerio</i>. This study shows the evolutionary conservation of <i>vtg</i> transcripts across teleost species and reinforces the importance of subtype-specific characterisation to advance their application as biomarkers for EEDCs, with significant implications for environmental monitoring and pollution regulation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e49d65babbf54dffaf38982bd697ed03 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| series | Fishes |
| spelling | doaj-art-e49d65babbf54dffaf38982bd697ed032025-01-24T13:32:26ZengMDPI AGFishes2410-38882024-12-011011510.3390/fishes10010015Decoding Vitellogenin Subtype Responses: A Molecular Approach to Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption in <i>Scatophagus argus</i>Meiqin Wu0Jun Zhang1Di Wu2Amina S. Moss3Weilong Wang4Building of China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology, Shanghai 201306, ChinaBuilding of China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology, Shanghai 201306, ChinaBuilding of China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology, Shanghai 201306, ChinaInstitute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UKBuilding of China-ASEAN Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Mariculture Technology, Shanghai 201306, ChinaVitellogenins (Vtgs) are key yolk precursor proteins in fish, serving as critical indicators of gonadal maturation in females and reliable biomarkers for detecting xeno-oestrogenic pollution, particularly through their expression in juveniles or males. The <i>vtg</i> gene family comprises multiple subtypes that are species-specific, necessitating precise characterisation and quantification for effective use as biomarkers in studies on estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EEDCs). In this study, we successfully cloned and characterised the full-length cDNAs of three <i>vtg</i> subtypes (<i>vtgAa</i>, <i>vtgAb</i>, and <i>vtgC</i>) from <i>Scatophagus argus</i>. Differential expression analysis revealed that <i>vtgAb</i> exhibited the highest responsiveness to 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) exposure, with a 3-fold increase in vivo at 10.0 μg/g EE2 and a 30-fold increase in vitro at 10<sup>−7</sup> mol/L EE2. The expression patterns were dose- and time-dependent, with peak expression observed 72 h post-exposure. While in vivo assays indicated moderate upregulation, in vitro experiments demonstrated significantly higher expression, attributed to direct hepatocyte interaction with EE2. These findings confirm <i>vtgAb</i> as the most responsive subtype to oestrogen exposure in <i>S. argus</i> and highlight the species’ tolerance to EE2, as compared to more sensitive species like <i>Danio rerio</i>. This study shows the evolutionary conservation of <i>vtg</i> transcripts across teleost species and reinforces the importance of subtype-specific characterisation to advance their application as biomarkers for EEDCs, with significant implications for environmental monitoring and pollution regulation.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/1/15<i>Scatophagus argus</i>vitellogenin17 α-ethynylestradiolin vivoin vitro |
| spellingShingle | Meiqin Wu Jun Zhang Di Wu Amina S. Moss Weilong Wang Decoding Vitellogenin Subtype Responses: A Molecular Approach to Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption in <i>Scatophagus argus</i> Fishes <i>Scatophagus argus</i> vitellogenin 17 α-ethynylestradiol in vivo in vitro |
| title | Decoding Vitellogenin Subtype Responses: A Molecular Approach to Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption in <i>Scatophagus argus</i> |
| title_full | Decoding Vitellogenin Subtype Responses: A Molecular Approach to Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption in <i>Scatophagus argus</i> |
| title_fullStr | Decoding Vitellogenin Subtype Responses: A Molecular Approach to Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption in <i>Scatophagus argus</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Decoding Vitellogenin Subtype Responses: A Molecular Approach to Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption in <i>Scatophagus argus</i> |
| title_short | Decoding Vitellogenin Subtype Responses: A Molecular Approach to Biomarkers of Endocrine Disruption in <i>Scatophagus argus</i> |
| title_sort | decoding vitellogenin subtype responses a molecular approach to biomarkers of endocrine disruption in i scatophagus argus i |
| topic | <i>Scatophagus argus</i> vitellogenin 17 α-ethynylestradiol in vivo in vitro |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/1/15 |
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