title: Molecular cloning and characterization of a steroidogenic enzyme, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 14, from the stony coral Euphyllia ancora (Cnidaria, Anthozoa).
abstract: Sex steroids play a fundamental role not only in reproduction but also in various other biological processes in vertebrates. Although the presence of sex steroids has been confirmed in cnidarians (e.g., coral, sea anemone, jellyfish, and hydra), which are basal metazoans, only a few studies to date have characterized steroidogenesis-related genes in cnidarians. Based on a transcriptomic analysis of the stony coral Euphyllia ancora, we identified the steroidogenic enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 14 (17beta-hsd 14), an oxidative enzyme that catalyzes the NAD(+)-dependent inactivation of estrogen/androgen (estradiol to estrone and testosterone to androstenedione) in mammals. Phylogenetic analysis showed that E. ancora 17beta-Hsd 14 (Ea17beta-Hsd 14) clusters with other animal 17beta-HSD 14s but not with other members of the 17beta-HSD family. Subsequent quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed a lack of correlation of Ea17beta-hsd 14 transcript levels with the coral's reproductive cycle. In addition, Ea17beta-hsd 14 transcript and protein were detected in all tissues examined, such as the tentacles, mesenterial filaments, and gonads, at similar levels in both sexes, as determined by quantitative RT-PCR analysis and Western blotting with an anti-Ea17beta-Hsd 14 antibody. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Ea17beta-Hsd 14 is mainly distributed in the endodermal regions of the polyps, but the protein was also observed in all tissues examined. These results suggest that Ea17beta-Hsd 14 is involved in important functions that commonly occur in endodermal cells or has multiple functions in different tissues. Our data provide information for comparison with advanced animals as well as insight into the evolution of steroidogenesis-related genes in metazoans.
authors: Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan; Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan. Electronic address: shikina@mail.ntou.edu.tw.
authors: Shinya
authors: S
authors: Shikina
authors: Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors: Yi-Jou
authors: YJ
authors: Chung
authors: Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors: Yi-Ling
authors: YL
authors: Chiu
authors: Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors: Yi-Jie
authors: YJ
authors: Huang
authors: Tungkang Biotechnology Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Tungkang, Taiwan.
authors: Yan-Horn
authors: YH
authors: Lee
authors: Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan; Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan. Electronic address: B0044@mail.ntou.edu.tw.
authors: Ching-Fong
authors: CF
authors: Chang
mesh_terms: D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C044256:3 (or 17)-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
keywords: 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 14; Cnidarian; Coral; Euphyllia ancora; Steroidogenic enzyme