Early expression of aromatase and the membrane estrogen receptor GPER in neuromasts reveals a role for estrogens in the development of the frog lateral line system.
Estrogens and their receptors are present at very early stages of vertebrate embryogenesis before gonadal tissues are formed. However, the cellular source and the function of estrogens in embryogenesis remain major questions in developmental endocrinology. We demonstrate the presence of estrogen-synthesizing enzyme aromatase and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) proteins throughout early embryogenesis in the model organism, Silurana tropicalis. We provide the first evidence of aromatase in the vertebrate lateral line. High levels of aromatase were detected in the mantle cells of neuromasts, the mechanosensory units of the lateral line, which persisted throughout the course of development (Nieuwkoop and Faber stages 34-47). We show that GPER is expressed in both the accessory and hair cells. Pharmacological activation of GPER with the agonist G-1 disrupted neuromast development and migration. Future study of this novel estrogen system in the amphibian lateral line may shed light on similar systems such as the mammalian inner ear.
Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
Christine K
CK
Hamilton
Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
Laia
L
Navarro-Martin
Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
Miriam
M
Neufeld
Faculty of Health Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada.
Ajoy
A
Basak
Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: trudeauv@uottawa.ca.
Vance L
VL
Trudeau
D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D053403:Lateral Line System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism*; D013550:Swimming; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D004967:Estrogens; C000597437:GPER1 protein, Xenopus; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D001141:Aromatase
Aromatase; Estrogen; Frog; Lateral line; Neuromast; Tadpole