At least two expressed genes for transcription factors Pitx2 and Rpx are present in common carp and are upregulated during winter acclimatization.
The mechanisms of seasonal acclimatization in eurythermal fish such as common carp are not fully understood. Here, we concentrate on the regulation of pituitary factors, as this organ was shown to be highly affected by seasonal changes. We cloned and sequenced two different cDNAs for each of the transcription factors Pitx2 and Rpx, known to play a role in pituitary development. We show that these genes are conserved throughout evolution, to different degrees depending on the specific domain considered. Finally, we show that the cDNAs for both factors are clearly up-regulated during the winter season, in sharp contrast to other regulators such as Pit1 or pituitary hormone genes such as prolactin (prl) and growth hormone (gh). Our results suggest that increased expression of Pitx2 and Rpx contributes to seasonal adaptation of common carp to winter conditions.
Kausel
G
G
Instituto de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile. gkausel@uach.cl
Vera
T
T
Valenzuela
G
G
Lopez
M
M
Romero
A
A
Muller
M
M
Figueroa
J
J
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000235:genetics*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002347:Carps / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000097577:Homeobox Protein PITX2
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000097577:Homeobox Protein PITX2