title: The gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-like molecule in prosobranch Patella caerulea: potential biomarker of endocrine-disrupting compounds in marine environments.
abstract: It has been reported that endocrine disrupter compounds (EDCs) interfere with the endocrine system, mimicking the action of sex steroid hormones in different species of mollusks. Prosobranchs are frequently used as a reliable bioindicator to evaluate EDC exposure. In this article, we evaluate the effects of the xenoestrogen 4-n-nonylphenol (NP) in the prosobranch gastropod Patella caerulea, which exhibits protandrous hermaphroditism as its reproductive strategy. We isolated a partial sequence of a GnRH-like molecule from the gonads of Patella caerulea. The deduced amino acid sequence is highly homologous to that reported for the Lottia gigantea GnRH. Patella caerulea GnRH (pGnRH) mRNA expression is widespread in both male and female germ lines during gametogenesis. We suggest pGnRH as a novel biomarker for the early assessment of presence of EDCs and monitoring short and long-term impacts on Patella caerulea community structure.
authors: Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Napoli "Federico II", via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
authors: Emilia
authors: E
authors: De Lisa
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Carella
authors: Gionata
authors: G
authors: De Vico
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Di Cosmo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism; D008974:Mollusca / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004247:DNA