title: Expression and regulation of fushi tarazu factor-1 and steroidogenic genes during reproduction in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus).
abstract: Teleost fushi tarazu factor-1 (FTZ-F1) is a potential regulator of steroidogenesis. The present study shows sex-specific regulation of Arctic char fushi tarazu factor-1 (acFF1) and steroidogenic genes during reproductive maturation and in response to hormone treatment. A link between gonadal expression of acFF1, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and cytochrome P450-11A (CYP11A), was observed in the reproductive maturation process, as elevated acFF1 mRNA and protein levels preceded increased StAR and CYP11A transcription. Sex-specific differences were observed as estrogen treatment resulted in down-regulated levels of acFF1 mRNA in testis and male head kidney, whereas no significant effect was observed in females. 11-Ketotestosterone (11-KT) down-regulated CYP11A and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD) in head kidney and up-regulated CYP11A in testis. StAR remained unaffected by hormone treatment. This suggests that acFF1 is controlled by 17beta-estradiol, whereas the effects on CYP11A and 3betaHSD are mediated by 11-KT. Coexpression of acFF1, StAR, and CYP11A was observed in head kidney, in addition to gonads, indicating correlation between these steroidogenic genes. StAR and acFF1 were also coexpressed in liver, suggesting a potential role in cholesterol metabolism. Although these results indicate conserved steroidogenic functions for FTZ-F1 among vertebrates, they also raise the question of additional roles for FTZ-F1 in teleosts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: von Hofsten
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: Iwan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Per-Erik
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Olsson
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D012098:Reproduction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014337:Trout / Q000502:physiology*; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D013256:Steroids; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme; C003600:11-ketotestosterone