title: Molecular characterization and central distribution of the estradiol receptor alpha (ERalpha) in the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).
abstract: Three different estrogen receptors (ERs) have been cloned and characterized in teleosts fish, i.e. ERalpha, ERbeta or ERbeta1 and ERgamma or ERbeta2. In order to study the sea bass ER subtype involved in the regulation of gonadotropin production, as well as to elucidate the possible involved neuronal pathways, we characterized the transactivation properties of the cloned sea bass ERalpha (sbERalpha) and studied its distribution in the brain and gonadotropic cells of the sea bass by in situ hybridization. The results revealed that sbERalpha transactivates promoters containing estradiol responsive elements (ERE) in a dose-response manner. The sbERalpha showed the highest affinity for 17-beta-estradiol. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated that ERalpha mRNA positive neurons are widely distributed within the sea bass brain, including the telencephalon, preoptic area, thalamus, hypothalamus, mesencephalic tectum and tegmentum and rhombencephalon. New estrogen dependent nuclei were described in all above areas. The sbERalpha was profusely expressed in the main neuroendocrine areas such as the preoptic area and hypothalamus, thus suggesting the steroidal modulation of the hypophysiotropic neurons. The presence of sbERalpha expression in the FSHbeta and LHbeta cells suggests a direct effect of estrogens in the control of gonadotropin hormone synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fish Physiology and Biotechnology, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal, CSIC, Torre de la Sal, 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castellón, Spain.
authors.forename: Borja
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Muriach
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cerdá-Reverter
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zanuy
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D004967:Estrogens; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone