The presence of 17-beta estradiol in Mytilus edulis gonadal tissues: evidence for estradiol isoforms.
OBJECTIVE
In earlier studies, we demonstrate that 17-beta -estradiol and an estrogen cell surface receptor can be found on various human cells, i.e., vascular endothelial, monocytes, and granulocytes, where they are coupled to nitric oxide release. We further demonstrated this phenomenon in the marine mussel Mytilus edulis ganglionic tissues. In the present report we sought to determine if estrogen can be found in M. edulis reproductive tissues.


METHODS
We determined the presence of 17-beta -estradiol via high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) in the animals gonads. This substance was further identified via nanoelectro-spray ionization quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS).


RESULTS
17-beta -estradiol was identified and quantified in Mytilus gonads. Interestingly, we also determined that estradiol isoforms also were present in this tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that 17-beta-estradiol and an estradiol isoform is present in M. edulis gonadal tissues, suggesting that they have functions related to reproduction. This further suggests that estrogen's association with reproductive activities has a long evolutionary history and that this association began in invertebrates.
Zhu
Wei
W
Neuroscience Institute, State University of New York College at Old Westbury, Old Westbury, New York 11568, USA.
Mantione
Kirk
K
Jones
Dolisha
D
Salamon
Elliott
E
Cho
John J
JJ
Cadet
Patrick
P
Stefano
George B
GB
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism*; D007536:Isomerism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
D004958:Estradiol