title: Intersex in Scrobicularia plana: transcriptomic analysis reveals novel genes involved in endocrine disruption.
abstract: Intersex, the appearance of female characteristics in male gonads, has been identified in a wide range of aquatic species worldwide, yet the underpinning molecular etiology remains uncharacterized. The presence of intersex has been shown to be a widespread phenomenon in bivalve, S. plana, populations from the southwest coast of the U.K., as well as inducible in an experimental exposure regime using endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Herein, we use the suppressive subtractive hybridization approach to isolate differentially expressed transcripts in S. plana males exhibiting intersex. Transcripts involved in cell signaling, cell cycle control, energy production/metabolism, microtubule assembly, and sperm physiology are all highlighted as differentially expressed in intersex male clams. These provide both an insight into the molecular mechanisms of action involved in the development of intersex, as well as facilitating potential molecular-level "early warning" biomarkers of the condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Environmental Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Corina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ciocan
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cubero-Leon
authors.forename: Mika R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Langston
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pope
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minier
authors.forename: Jeanette M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rotchell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000187:drug effects; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical