Intersex related gene expression profiles in clams Scrobicularia plana: Molecular markers and environmental application.
Intersex, the appearance of female characteristics in male gonads, has been identified in several aquatic species. It is a widespread phenomenon in populations of the bivalve, Scrobicularia plana, from the southwest coast of the U.K. Genes previously identified as differentially expressed (ferritin, testicular haploid expressed gene, THEG, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA; receptor activated protein kinase C, RACK; cytochrome B, CYB; and cytochrome c oxidase 1, COX1) in intersex clams relative to normal male clams, were selected for characterisation and an environmental survey of the Channel region. Transcripts were significantly differentially expressed at sites with varying intersex incidence and contaminant burdens. Significant correlations between specific gene expressions, key contaminants and sampling locations have been identified, though no single gene was associated with intersex incidence. The results highlight the difficulty in understanding the intersex phenomenon in molluscs where there is still a lack of knowledge on the control of normal reproduction.
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom; School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Corina M
CM
Ciocan
Laboratoire d'Ecotoxicologie, Universite du Havre, 25 Rue Philippe Lebon, BP540, 766058 Le Havre, France; School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Elena
E
Cubero-Leon
Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, United Kingdom.
William J
WJ
Langston
Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, United Kingdom.
Nick
N
Pope
School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Keith
K
Cornelius
School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
E M
EM
Hill
School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Diana
D
Alvarez-Munoz
School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, United Kingdom.
Paolo
P
Indiveri
School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9LY, United Kingdom.
Adelaide
A
Lerebours
Laboratoire d'Ecotoxicologie, Universite du Havre, 25 Rue Philippe Lebon, BP540, 766058 Le Havre, France.
Christophe
C
Minier
School of Biological, Biomedical & Environmental Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom. Electronic address: J.Rotchell@Hull.ac.uk.
Jeanette M
JM
Rotchell
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
D015415:Biomarkers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Clams; English Channel; Gene expression; Intersex